The points of issue
First edition, first printing has a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page. Quarter cloth over black paper-covered boards; dust jacket priced the printed price, unclipped; 208 pp. ISBN 0-671-54329-6.
Is this the true first?
The US Simon & Schuster first is the true first, preceding the UK Picador edition (1986). Ellis's debut, written while a Bennington student.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The Vintage Contemporaries paperback (1986 onward) and later printings are not the first. A number line lacking 1 indicates a later printing.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Less Than Zero a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, first printing has a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page. Quarter cloth over black paper-covered boards; dust jacket priced the printed price, unclipped; 208 pp. ISBN 0-671-54329-6.
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. The US Simon & Schuster first is the true first, preceding the UK Picador edition (1986). Ellis's debut, written while a Bennington student.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The Vintage Contemporaries paperback (1986 onward) and later printings are not the first. A number line lacking 1 indicates a later printing.
I have a first edition of Less Than Zero — 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.