The points of issue
Copyright page shows only the 1977 Viking date with no later printings listed; Viking ship colophon; dust jacket with a cover photograph by the author's father, Lee H. Marmon. The first-issue jacket rear flap reads 'Some comments on Leslie Silko'; the July-1977 reprint jacket rear flap substitutes 'Some Comments On: Ceremony.'
Is this the true first?
The US Viking 1977 edition is the true first and Silko's first novel. The defining point is the first-issue jacket rear-flap text ('Some comments on Leslie Silko'); the second issue (July 1977 reprint) substitutes the 'Some Comments On: Ceremony' wording.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club and later reprints lack the original copyright-page state and the first-issue jacket flap text; the 'Some comments on Leslie Silko' rear-flap wording is the defining first-printing point.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Ceremony a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Copyright page shows only the 1977 Viking date with no later printings listed; Viking ship colophon; dust jacket with a cover photograph by the author's father, Lee H. Marmon. The first-issue jacket rear flap reads 'Some comments on Leslie Silko'; the July-1977 reprint jacket rear flap substitutes 'Some Comments On: Ceremony.'
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 US Viking 1977 edition is the true first and Silko's first novel. The defining point is the first-issue jacket rear-flap text ('Some comments on Leslie Silko'); the second issue (July 1977 reprint) substitutes the 'Some Comments On: Ceremony' wording.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club and later reprints lack the original copyright-page state and the first-issue jacket flap text; the 'Some comments on Leslie Silko' rear-flap wording is the defining first-printing point.
I have a first edition of Ceremony — 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.