The points of issue
Putnam US first trade edition; first printings show the number line 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 on the copyright page.
Is this the true first?
The Putnam trade edition is the standard US first. A slipcased signed limited edition from Lord John Press, issued without dust jacket, also appeared in 1992.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the number line and the printed jacket price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Children of the Night a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Putnam US first trade edition; first printings show the number line 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 on the copyright page.
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 Putnam trade edition is the standard US first. A slipcased signed limited edition from Lord John Press, issued without dust jacket, also appeared in 1992.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club editions lack the number line and the printed jacket price.
I have a first edition of Children of the Night — 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.