The points of issue
First published as GRRM: A RRetrospective, a single massive hardcover from Subterranean Press, 2003, debuting at Torcon 3. Issued in three states: a trade cloth hardcover, a 400-copy signed numbered limited in slipcase (accompanied by The Last Defender of Camelot chapbook), and a 52-copy signed lettered state in traycase with extra original art. Retitled Dreamsongs: A RRetrospective for the Gollancz UK one-volume hardcover (2006) and the Bantam US two-volume hardcover set (2007).
Is this the true first?
The Subterranean Press GRRM: A RRetrospective (2003) is the true first edition in all three states. The Gollancz one-volume edition (2006) is the first UK trade; the Bantam two-volume set (2007) is the first US trade under the Dreamsongs title.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
All Dreamsongs-titled trade editions (Gollancz 2006, Bantam 2007, and later paperbacks) postdate the 2003 Subterranean issues.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Dreamsongs (retrospective collection, 2 vols) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First published as GRRM: A RRetrospective, a single massive hardcover from Subterranean Press, 2003, debuting at Torcon 3. Issued in three states: a trade cloth hardcover, a 400-copy signed numbered limited in slipcase (accompanied by The Last Defender of Camelot chapbook), and a 52-copy signed lettered state in traycase with extra original art. Retitled Dreamsongs: A RRetrospective for the Gollancz UK one-volume hardcover (2006) and the Bantam US two-volume hardcover set (2007).
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. The Subterranean Press GRRM: A RRetrospective (2003) is the true first edition in all three states. The Gollancz one-volume edition (2006) is the first UK trade; the Bantam two-volume set (2007) is the first US trade under the Dreamsongs title.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
All Dreamsongs-titled trade editions (Gollancz 2006, Bantam 2007, and later paperbacks) postdate the 2003 Subterranean issues.
I have a first edition of Dreamsongs (retrospective collection, 2 vols) — 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.