The points of issue
Walker & Company first hardcover, 1971; white boards lettered black to spine; first-issue jacket priced (5.95), art by Judith Loeser. Prior F&SF serialization differs slightly in text.
Is this the true first?
US Walker first hardcover (first book appearance).
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No identified Doubleday-style book club edition; first-issue jacket is priced.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Jack of Shadows a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Walker & Company first hardcover, 1971; white boards lettered black to spine; first-issue jacket priced (5.95), art by Judith Loeser. Prior F&SF serialization differs slightly in text.
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 Walker first hardcover (first book appearance).
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No identified Doubleday-style book club edition; first-issue jacket is priced.
I have a first edition of Jack of Shadows — 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.