The points of issue
Copyright page reads "First Printing" followed by a code letter ("First Printing C"); black cloth boards lettered in silver on spine and front board; dust jacket carries the original printed price on the front flap. Author's second novel.
Is this the true first?
US Houghton Mifflin is the true first; the UK Andre Deutsch edition (1973) follows.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Reprints omit the stated "First Printing" line.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of End Zone a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Copyright page reads "First Printing" followed by a code letter ("First Printing C"); black cloth boards lettered in silver on spine and front board; dust jacket carries the original printed price on the front flap. Author's second novel.
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 Houghton Mifflin is the true first; the UK Andre Deutsch edition (1973) follows.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Reprints omit the stated "First Printing" line.
I have a first edition of End Zone — 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.