# Is "Homunculus" by James P. Blaylock a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Homunculus by James P. Blaylock (Ace Books, 1986) is identified by: US Ace paperback original, 1986; pictorial wrappers (cover art by James Warhola). US Ace paperback original, 1986, is the true first; there was no preceding hardcover.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- US Ace paperback original, 1986; pictorial wrappers (cover art by James Warhola)
- The copyright page carries the statement 'Ace Science Fiction Special / March 1986,' which identifies the first printing
- Publisher imprint reads Ace Books
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | James P. Blaylock |
| Publisher | Ace Books |
| Year | 1986 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | US Ace paperback original, 1986; pictorial wrappers (cover art by James Warhola) |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
US Ace paperback original, 1986; pictorial wrappers (cover art by James Warhola). The copyright page carries the statement 'Ace Science Fiction Special / March 1986,' which identifies the first printing.

## Is this the true first?
US Ace paperback original, 1986, is the true first; there was no preceding hardcover. Winner of the 1987 Philip K. Dick Award (for the 1986 publication year).

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later reissues are reprints.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Homunculus* by James P. Blaylock a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/homunculus
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.