The points of issue
Ballantine paperback original, June 1984. Copyright page states First Edition: June 1984, with no later printings listed.
Is this the true first?
PBO is the true first; later limited hardcovers (Overlook Connection, Gauntlet, Cemetery Dance) are first-thus only.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
N/A (PBO).
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Hide and Seek a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ballantine paperback original, June 1984. Copyright page states First Edition: June 1984, with no later printings listed.
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. PBO is the true first; later limited hardcovers (Overlook Connection, Gauntlet, Cemetery Dance) are first-thus only.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
N/A (PBO).
I have a first edition of Hide and Seek — 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.