The points of issue
The Holt, Rinehart and Winston trade printing states First Edition on the copyright page and carries a priced jacket; it is the first trade edition and the form most collectors seek. Note, however, that it does not have precedence: the Science Fiction Book Club edition (Nelson Doubleday) appeared several months earlier in 1977 and is the actual first printing of the text in book form, identifiable by its smaller format, a blind gutter code on the rear board, and an unpriced jacket.
Is this the true first?
Precedence is reversed from the common assumption: the Science Fiction Book Club edition preceded the Holt trade edition by roughly four months in 1977, so the club edition is the true first appearance in book form. The Holt edition with the First Edition statement is the first TRADE edition, not the precedence first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book-club edition is not merely a later reprint here; it precedes the trade edition. It can be distinguished by the gutter code on the rear board, the smaller trim, and the unpriced jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Lord Foul's Bane a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: The Holt, Rinehart and Winston trade printing states First Edition on the copyright page and carries a priced jacket; it is the first trade edition and the form most collectors seek. Note, however, that it does not have precedence: the Science Fiction Book Club edition (Nelson Doubleday) appeared several months earlier in 1977 and is the actual first printing of the text in book form, identifiable by its smaller format, a blind gutter code on the rear board, and an unpriced jacket.
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. Precedence is reversed from the common assumption: the Science Fiction Book Club edition preceded the Holt trade edition by roughly four months in 1977, so the club edition is the true first appearance in book form. The Holt edition with the First Edition statement is the first TRADE edition, not th
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The book-club edition is not merely a later reprint here; it precedes the trade edition. It can be distinguished by the gutter code on the rear board, the smaller trim, and the unpriced jacket.
I have a first edition of Lord Foul's Bane — 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.