The points of issue
Putnam hardcover first, with a full number line counting down to 1 on the copyright page and the printed price present on the jacket front flap. Koontz's first number-one New York Times hardcover bestseller.
Is this the true first?
US Putnam (1989) is the true first; the UK Headline edition followed in 1989.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The Putnam book club edition lacks the printed jacket price and carries a blind-stamped dot to the rear board.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Midnight a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Putnam hardcover first, with a full number line counting down to 1 on the copyright page and the printed price present on the jacket front flap. Koontz's first number-one New York Times hardcover bestseller.
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 Putnam (1989) is the true first; the UK Headline edition followed in 1989.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The Putnam book club edition lacks the printed jacket price and carries a blind-stamped dot to the rear board.
I have a first edition of Midnight — 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.