The points of issue
Copyright page states 'First Printing,' dated June 1972. Issued SIMULTANEOUSLY in wrappers (pictorial card covers, the more common state) and in a small hardcover/cloth state (black boards, silver spine lettering). The prized first-issue dust jacket on the hardcover carries the WRONG price—the printed price (the paperback price) mistakenly printed—quickly corrected to the printed price; the the printed price-jacket hardcover is the rarity. xiv, 248, [2] pp; illustrated.
Is this the true first?
Quinto Sol 1972 is the true first; the cloth issue is scarcer than wraps. The first-issue (the printed price) jacket on the cloth copy is the key collecting trophy. Signed copies (Anaya) are sought. No preceding edition; later Warner/TQS reprints are 'first thus.'
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition. Common confusion is with later Warner Books and TQS Publications reprints (clearly different publisher, no 'First Printing' June 1972 statement). The corrected the printed price jacket and any later imprint distinguish reprints.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Bless Me, Ultima a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Copyright page states 'First Printing,' dated June 1972. Issued SIMULTANEOUSLY in wrappers (pictorial card covers, the more common state) and in a small hardcover/cloth state (black boards, silver spine lettering). The prized first-issue dust jacket on the hardcover carries the WRONG price—the printed price (the paperback price) mistakenly printed—quickly corrected to the printed price; the the printed price-jacket hardcover is the rarity. xiv, 248, [2] pp; illustrated.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. Quinto Sol 1972 is the true first; the cloth issue is scarcer than wraps. The first-issue (the printed price) jacket on the cloth copy is the key collecting trophy. Signed copies (Anaya) are sought. No preceding edition; later Warner/TQS reprints are 'first thus.'
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition. Common confusion is with later Warner Books and TQS Publications reprints (clearly different publisher, no 'First Printing' June 1972 statement). The corrected the printed price jacket and any later imprint distinguish reprints.
I have a first edition of Bless Me, Ultima — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.