The points of issue
Copyright page states FIRST EDITION with the Random House number line 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 (ending in 2, the house convention for firsts). A quirk of this printing: the ISBN on the copyright page begins with the letter O rather than the numeral 0. Jacket rear panel carries a Koontz photograph noting that Dwyer is a pseudonym. As by K.R. Dwyer, an early Koontz pseudonym.
Is this the true first?
Random House true first; the Dwyer pseudonym makes it a key early Koontz collectible. Only one hardcover printing is recorded.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition is documented for this title; be wary of copies lacking the FIRST EDITION statement or the priced jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Chase a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Copyright page states FIRST EDITION with the Random House number line 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 (ending in 2, the house convention for firsts). A quirk of this printing: the ISBN on the copyright page begins with the letter O rather than the numeral 0. Jacket rear panel carries a Koontz photograph noting that Dwyer is a pseudonym. As by K.R. Dwyer, an early Koontz pseudonym.
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. Random House true first; the Dwyer pseudonym makes it a key early Koontz collectible. Only one hardcover printing is recorded.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition is documented for this title; be wary of copies lacking the FIRST EDITION statement or the priced jacket.
I have a first edition of Chase — 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.