The points of issue
First edition has the full number line ending in '1' with the Viking imprint. Original jacket priced the printed price.
Is this the true first?
US Viking is the true first; UK Viking/Penguin later. Signed copies are the premium.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club edition lacks the full number line, has a blind-stamp, and a price-absent jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Libra a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition has the full number line ending in '1' with the Viking imprint. Original jacket priced the printed price.
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 Viking is the true first; UK Viking/Penguin later. Signed copies are the premium.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club edition lacks the full number line, has a blind-stamp, and a price-absent jacket.
I have a first edition of Libra — 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.