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First-Edition Identification · Adrian Tchaikovsky

Is My Children of Time a First Edition?

Tor, 2015

The points of issue

UK Tor (Pan Macmillan) hardcover, published 4 June 2015, in dust jacket priced 18.99 pounds. First impression identified by the Pan Macmillan number line with no later-printing statement. Signed first-edition hardcovers exist and remain first printings if the number line is intact.

Decode the printer’s key: paste the number line into the decoder · Tor first-edition guide.

Is this the true first?

The UK Tor hardcover of 2015 is the true first. The US Orbit edition (2018) is the first US edition only. Winner of the 2016 Arthur C. Clarke Award (for works published in 2015). Later illustrated or special editions are 'first thus.'

Telling it from reprints & book-club editions

The US Orbit 2018 edition is the first US edition, not the true first; later Head of Zeus, anniversary, and special editions are reprints or 'first thus.'

Frequently asked questions

Is my copy of Children of Time a first edition?

Look for these first-edition points: UK Tor (Pan Macmillan) hardcover, published 4 June 2015, in dust jacket priced 18.99 pounds. First impression identified by the Pan Macmillan number line with no later-printing statement. Signed first-edition hardcovers exist and remain first printings if the number line is intact.

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 UK Tor hardcover of 2015 is the true first. The US Orbit edition (2018) is the first US edition only. Winner of the 2016 Arthur C. Clarke Award (for works published in 2015). Later illustrated or special editions are 'first thus.'

Is the book-club edition the same as the first?

The US Orbit 2018 edition is the first US edition, not the true first; later Head of Zeus, anniversary, and special editions are reprints or 'first thus.'

I have a first edition of Children of Time — 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.

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