The points of issue
Ballantine Books paperback original, catalog number U6120, April 1968. Wraps; Known Space short-story collection (eight stories, including the Hugo-winning title story).
Is this the true first?
US Ballantine paperback original is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Neutron Star a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ballantine Books paperback original, catalog number U6120, April 1968. Wraps; Known Space short-story collection (eight stories, including the Hugo-winning title story).
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 Ballantine paperback original is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition.
I have a first edition of Neutron Star — 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.