The points of issue
First English edition, New Directions, 2004, translated by Chris Andrews. Translation of Estrella distante; first printing per the New Directions copyright page.
Is this the true first?
True first is the Spanish Estrella distante (Editorial Anagrama, Barcelona, 1996). The 2004 New Directions is the first edition in English.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue of note; later New Directions printings are reprints, identified by the copyright-page printing statement.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Distant Star a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First English edition, New Directions, 2004, translated by Chris Andrews. Translation of Estrella distante; first printing per the New Directions copyright page.
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. True first is the Spanish Estrella distante (Editorial Anagrama, Barcelona, 1996). The 2004 New Directions is the first edition in English.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue of note; later New Directions printings are reprints, identified by the copyright-page printing statement.
I have a first edition of Distant Star — 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.