# Is "Clay's Ark" by Octavia E. Butler a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Clay's Ark by Octavia E. Butler (St. Martin's Press, 1984) is identified by: Martin's Press hardcover with 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page above a complete number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (the 1 present confirms first printing). The US St.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Martin's Press hardcover with 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page above a complete number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (the 1 present confirms first printing)
- Bound in black paper-covered boards with the spine lettered in gilt
- The copyright page credits 'Design by Lee Wade,' and the dust jacket, whose art is also by Lee Wade, is credited 'Jacket by Lee Wade' on the back flap; the jacket should carry its printed price on the front flap
- Third and final volume of the Patternist sequence
- Publisher imprint reads St. Martin's Press
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Octavia E. Butler |
| Publisher | St. Martin's Press |
| Year | 1984 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Martin's Press hardcover with 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page above a complete number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (the 1… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
St. Martin's Press hardcover with 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page above a complete number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (the 1 present confirms first printing). Bound in black paper-covered boards with the spine lettered in gilt. The copyright page credits 'Design by Lee Wade,' and the dust jacket, whose art is also by Lee Wade, is credited 'Jacket by Lee Wade' on the back flap; the jacket should carry its printed price on the front flap. Third and final volume of the Patternist sequence.

## Is this the true first?
The US St. Martin's Press hardcover (1984) is the true first edition, first printing, identified by the stated 'First Edition' and the full number line ending in 1.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The Book Club Edition lacks the number line and the printed jacket price; it typically shows a blind-stamp (usually a small square or dot) on the rear board and is printed on lighter bulk.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Clay's Ark* by Octavia E. Butler a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/clays-ark
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.