The points of issue
The true first edition of Ceremony signed first by Leslie Marmon Silko is identified by: Viking 1977.
Viking’s first-printing convention: “First Published by Viking in [Year]” statement (1937–present) On 1980s titles, a number line appears on later printings only. Full points-of-issue methodology →
Commonly confused with
Book-club editions and later printings reprint the text but are not the first edition and are far less collectible. Counter-intuitive: a number line on a 1980s Viking usually signals a later printing, not a first. Use the points above to be certain — see book-club edition vs. first edition.
Where it sits
Ceremony signed first is a Tier 2 (low-to-mid four-figure) title in the New Mexico Book Value Index. Silko's 1977 Viking first is a cornerstone Native American Renaissance novel.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Ceremony signed first a first edition?
Look for these first-printing points: Viking 1977 For Viking, “First Published by Viking in [Year]” statement (1937–present) On 1980s titles, a number line appears on later printings only. Later printings and book-club editions lack them.
How do I tell a first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention: “First Published by Viking in [Year]” statement (1937–present) On 1980s titles, a number line appears on later printings only, and confirm the named point of issue above. A number line, stated edition, or dated first printing is the key.
Is a book-club edition the same as a first edition?
No. Book-club editions (BCE) reprint the text but are not the true first edition and are far less collectible — Counter-intuitive: a number line on a 1980s Viking usually signals a later printing, not a first.. Check the points of issue above to be sure.
I have a first edition of Ceremony signed first — what should I do with it?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque in any condition and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. If you'd rather sell, see the Leslie Marmon Silko collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.