The points of issue
The true first edition of Lord of Light signed first by Roger Zelazny is identified by: Doubleday 1967, Hugo winner.
Doubleday’s first-printing convention: Stated "First Edition" on the copyright page (no statement on later printings) Gutter codes (mid-1958 to mid-1987) as a dating cross-reference. Full points-of-issue methodology →
Commonly confused with
Book-club editions and later printings reprint the text but are not the first edition and are far less collectible. The Literary Guild, Mystery Guild, and Doubleday Book Club run through this house; their club editions carry a five-digit code block on the jacket and a rear-board blind stamp — not the same as the trade first. Use the points above to be certain — see book-club edition vs. first edition.
Where it sits
Lord of Light signed first is a Tier 2 (low-to-mid four-figure) title in the New Mexico Book Value Index. Zelazny's Hugo-winning 1967 novel is his most-sought signed first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Lord of Light signed first a first edition?
Look for these first-printing points: Doubleday 1967, Hugo winner For Doubleday, Stated "First Edition" on the copyright page (no statement on later printings) Gutter codes (mid-1958 to mid-1987) as a dating cross-reference. Later printings and book-club editions lack them.
How do I tell a first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention: Stated "First Edition" on the copyright page (no statement on later printings) Gutter codes (mid-1958 to mid-1987) as a dating cross-reference, and confirm the named point of issue above. A number line, stated edition, or dated first printing is the key.
Is a book-club edition the same as a first edition?
No. Book-club editions (BCE) reprint the text but are not the true first edition and are far less collectible — The Literary Guild, Mystery Guild, and Doubleday Book Club run through this house; their club editions carry a five-digit code block on the jacket and a rear-board blind stamp — not the same as the trade first.. Check the points of issue above to be sure.
I have a first edition of Lord of Light signed first — what should I do with it?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque in any condition and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. If you'd rather sell, see the Roger Zelazny collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.