The points of issue
Ace paperback original, H-25, 1967. Zelazny's first story collection, with an introduction by Theodore Sturgeon; gathers 'The Furies,' 'The Graveyard Heart,' 'The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth,' and 'A Rose for Ecclesiastes.' UK edition retitled A Rose for Ecclesiastes (1969).
Is this the true first?
US Ace paperback original is the true first edition; the UK hardcover/paperback under the A Rose for Ecclesiastes title followed in 1969.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Four for Tomorrow a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ace paperback original, H-25, 1967. Zelazny's first story collection, with an introduction by Theodore Sturgeon; gathers 'The Furies,' 'The Graveyard Heart,' 'The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth,' and 'A Rose for Ecclesiastes.' UK edition retitled A Rose for Ecclesiastes (1969).
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 Ace paperback original is the true first edition; the UK hardcover/paperback under the A Rose for Ecclesiastes title followed in 1969.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition.
I have a first edition of Four for Tomorrow — 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.