# Is "Moving Mars" by Greg Bear a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Moving Mars by Greg Bear (Tor Books, 1993) is identified by: Tor Books hardcover, New York, with the copyright-page statement 'First edition: November 1993' and a complete descending number line ending in 1. The US Tor 1993 hardcover is the true first; the UK Legend (1993) edition is a separate printing.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Tor Books hardcover, New York, with the copyright-page statement 'First edition: November 1993' and a complete descending number line ending in 1
- Bound in quarter red cloth over purple paper-covered boards with gilt spine lettering; the priced pictorial dust jacket was designed by Carol Russo
- The printed price should be present on the front flap of a first-state jacket
- Publisher imprint reads Tor Books
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Greg Bear |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
| Year | 1993 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Tor Books hardcover, New York, with the copyright-page statement 'First edition: November 1993' and a complete descending number line… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Tor Books hardcover, New York, with the copyright-page statement 'First edition: November 1993' and a complete descending number line ending in 1. Bound in quarter red cloth over purple paper-covered boards with gilt spine lettering; the priced pictorial dust jacket was designed by Carol Russo. The printed price should be present on the front flap of a first-state jacket.

## Is this the true first?
The US Tor 1993 hardcover is the true first; the UK Legend (1993) edition is a separate printing. Tor's 'First edition: November 1993' statement together with the full number line ending in 1 marks the true first printing.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The Science Fiction Book Club edition has no price on the jacket, carries a blind-stamp (gutter code) on the rear board, lacks the Tor number line, and is typically thinner and lighter with cheaper boards.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Moving Mars* by Greg Bear a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/moving-mars
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.