The points of issue
Knopf first edition (November 1994) states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page, not 'First Edition' with a number line.
Is this the true first?
Knopf is the first US trade edition. Charnel House issued a signed limited edition the same year (500 numbered and 26 lettered copies), which is why the Knopf states 'First Trade Edition'; a UK Headline edition also appeared in 1994.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the First Trade Edition statement and the price on the jacket flap.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Dark Rivers of the Heart a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Knopf first edition (November 1994) states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page, not 'First Edition' with a number line.
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. Knopf is the first US trade edition. Charnel House issued a signed limited edition the same year (500 numbered and 26 lettered copies), which is why the Knopf states 'First Trade Edition'; a UK Headline edition also appeared in 1994.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club editions lack the First Trade Edition statement and the price on the jacket flap.
I have a first edition of Dark Rivers of the Heart — 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.