The points of issue
HarperPrism hardcover, 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a number line ending in 1. Fortress vol. 1.
Is this the true first?
US HarperPrism hardcover (1995) is the true first; UK editions followed later.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A book club hardcover edition exists; club copies lack the jacket price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Fortress in the Eye of Time a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: HarperPrism hardcover, 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a number line ending in 1. Fortress vol. 1.
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 HarperPrism hardcover (1995) is the true first; UK editions followed later.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A book club hardcover edition exists; club copies lack the jacket price.
I have a first edition of Fortress in the Eye of Time — 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.