The points of issue
First printing carries the Scribner's 'A' together with the Scribner seal on the copyright page. Illustrated by Clifford Geary.
Is this the true first?
US Charles Scribner's Sons first edition is the true first in book form; the story was serialized earlier in Boys' Life as 'Satellite Scout'.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings lack the 'A' on the copyright page.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Farmer in the Sky a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing carries the Scribner's 'A' together with the Scribner seal on the copyright page. Illustrated by Clifford Geary.
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 Charles Scribner's Sons first edition is the true first in book form; the story was serialized earlier in Boys' Life as 'Satellite Scout'.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings lack the 'A' on the copyright page.
I have a first edition of Farmer in the Sky — 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.