# Is "Hawksbill Station" by Robert Silverberg a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Hawksbill Station by Robert Silverberg (Doubleday, 1968) is identified by: US Doubleday first hardcover (Garden City, 1968) with "First Edition" stated on the copyright page and no later printing indicated. US Doubleday first hardcover (Garden City, October 1968).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- US Doubleday first hardcover (Garden City, 1968) with "First Edition" stated on the copyright page and no later printing indicated
- Per Doubleday's convention of the period, the first printing also carries a small gutter (printer's) code on the last leaf of text dating the impression to August 1968; the first-issue dust jacket retains its printed price
- Expanded from the August 1967 Galaxy novella
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert Silverberg |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Year | 1968 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | US Doubleday first hardcover (Garden City, 1968) with "First Edition" stated on the copyright page and no later printing indicated |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
US Doubleday first hardcover (Garden City, 1968) with "First Edition" stated on the copyright page and no later printing indicated. Per Doubleday's convention of the period, the first printing also carries a small gutter (printer's) code on the last leaf of text dating the impression to August 1968; the first-issue dust jacket retains its printed price. Expanded from the August 1967 Galaxy novella.

## Is this the true first?
US Doubleday first hardcover (Garden City, October 1968). Expanded from the August 1967 Galaxy novella, which precedes it in magazine form. UK appeared as The Anvil of Time.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book club edition lacks the stated "First Edition," reads "Book Club Edition" on the front jacket flap with no printed price, and carries a later gutter code (blind-stamped depression) on the rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Hawksbill Station* by Robert Silverberg a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/hawksbill-station
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.