The points of issue
First edition, first printing identified by a complete number line ending in 1. Cloth-backed boards (maroon boards, black paper spine, gilt spine titling) in a priced dust jacket; 147 pages. A novel.
Is this the true first?
True first is the 1998 Henry Holt and Co. hardcover (New York).
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None notable.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Ghost Town a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, first printing identified by a complete number line ending in 1. Cloth-backed boards (maroon boards, black paper spine, gilt spine titling) in a priced dust jacket; 147 pages. A 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. True first is the 1998 Henry Holt and Co. hardcover (New York).
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None notable.
I have a first edition of Ghost Town — 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.