The points of issue
Ace paperback original, 1969, Leo and Diane Dillon cover. Nebula nominee for Best Novel.
Is this the true first?
US Ace paperback original is the true first edition; a Rapp & Whiting UK hardcover followed.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Isle of the Dead a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ace paperback original, 1969, Leo and Diane Dillon cover. Nebula nominee for Best 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. US Ace paperback original is the true first edition; a Rapp & Whiting UK hardcover followed.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition.
I have a first edition of Isle of the Dead — 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.