The points of issue
Bantam trade hardcover, published November 2009. First printing states First Edition on the copyright page with a complete number line ending in 1.
Is this the true first?
The Bantam US trade hardcover is the true first. The book announces a Charnel House signed limited edition, but that edition was never actually produced, so the Bantam trade stands alone.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions (standard and large print) exist; they lack the copyright-page number line and carry no printed price on the jacket, and may bear a book club identification number.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Breathless a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Bantam trade hardcover, published November 2009. First printing states First Edition on the copyright page with a complete number line ending in 1.
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. The Bantam US trade hardcover is the true first. The book announces a Charnel House signed limited edition, but that edition was never actually produced, so the Bantam trade stands alone.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club editions (standard and large print) exist; they lack the copyright-page number line and carry no printed price on the jacket, and may bear a book club identification number.
I have a first edition of Breathless — 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.