The points of issue
Quarter gray cloth over brown paper boards; 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page together with a full number line beginning at 1; unclipped jacket priced at the original figure on the front flap.
Is this the true first?
US Harper & Row, New York, 1985 is the true first. The UK first followed from Hamish Hamilton, 1985.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club printings lack the original flap price and the complete number line beginning at 1, and typically carry a blind-stamp (small indentation) to the rear board.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Continental Drift a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Quarter gray cloth over brown paper boards; 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page together with a full number line beginning at 1; unclipped jacket priced at the original figure on the front flap.
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 Harper & Row, New York, 1985 is the true first. The UK first followed from Hamish Hamilton, 1985.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club printings lack the original flap price and the complete number line beginning at 1, and typically carry a blind-stamp (small indentation) to the rear board.
I have a first edition of Continental Drift — 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.