The points of issue
Ace Double D-237 paperback original, bound dos-a-dos with The Secret Visitors by James White. First-issue Ace Double wrappers.
Is this the true first?
US Ace paperback original (D-237) is the true first; no prior hardcover.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition; paperback original only.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Master of Life and Death a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ace Double D-237 paperback original, bound dos-a-dos with The Secret Visitors by James White. First-issue Ace Double wrappers.
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 Ace paperback original (D-237) is the true first; no prior hardcover.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition; paperback original only.
I have a first edition of Master of Life and Death — 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.