The points of issue
HarperCollins hardcover. Copyright page states 'FIRST EDITION' with the line '92 93 94 95 96' and 'RRD 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1'; the 1 present indicates first printing. Priced jacket.
Is this the true first?
US HarperCollins hardcover (1992) is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
First printings have a priced jacket; an unpriced jacket or a blind-stamped board indicates a book-club copy.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Lost Boys a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: HarperCollins hardcover. Copyright page states 'FIRST EDITION' with the line '92 93 94 95 96' and 'RRD 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1'; the 1 present indicates first printing. Priced 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. US HarperCollins hardcover (1992) is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
First printings have a priced jacket; an unpriced jacket or a blind-stamped board indicates a book-club copy.
I have a first edition of Lost Boys — 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.