The points of issue
Anthology edited and introduced by Sterling. Arbor House hardcover in gray boards with a priced dust jacket; first printing.
Is this the true first?
The US Arbor House hardcover, issued late 1986, is the true first; the Ace paperback did not appear until 1988 and the Paladin UK edition followed. Defining cyberpunk anthology.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A book club issue exists and is distinguished from the trade first by the blind gutter code and absence of a printed jacket price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Mirrorshades: The Cyberpunk Anthology a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Anthology edited and introduced by Sterling. Arbor House hardcover in gray boards with a priced dust jacket; first printing.
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. The US Arbor House hardcover, issued late 1986, is the true first; the Ace paperback did not appear until 1988 and the Paladin UK edition followed. Defining cyberpunk anthology.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A book club issue exists and is distinguished from the trade first by the blind gutter code and absence of a printed jacket price.
I have a first edition of Mirrorshades: The Cyberpunk Anthology — 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.