The points of issue
Ace single-novel paperback original, catalog number G-626, 1967. The first hardcover (Victor Gollancz) did not appear until 1971.
Is this the true first?
US Ace paperback original is the true first edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition of the paperback original.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of City of Illusions a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ace single-novel paperback original, catalog number G-626, 1967. The first hardcover (Victor Gollancz) did not appear until 1971.
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. US Ace paperback original is the true first edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition of the paperback original.
I have a first edition of City of Illusions — 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.