The points of issue
UK Bantam Press (Transworld) edition, 2001, ISBN 0593047508. It states 'First published in Great Britain' with a number line and is a first-thus in the UK, collected by British buyers but secondary in precedence to the US Morrow first.
Is this the true first?
First-thus. The true first is the US William Morrow 2001 edition (ISBN 0688163165); the American first holds priority for this American author. Listed to flag the precedence trap.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club (BCA) UK printings carry a BCA code and lack a printed price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Mystic River (UK) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: UK Bantam Press (Transworld) edition, 2001, ISBN 0593047508. It states 'First published in Great Britain' with a number line and is a first-thus in the UK, collected by British buyers but secondary in precedence to the US Morrow first.
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. First-thus. The true first is the US William Morrow 2001 edition (ISBN 0688163165); the American first holds priority for this American author. Listed to flag the precedence trap.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club (BCA) UK printings carry a BCA code and lack a printed price.
I have a first edition of Mystic River (UK) — 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.