The points of issue
First U.S. edition published 1994 by Little, Brown (ISBN 0316082627). The first printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a complete number line; the dust jacket carries the original price on the front flap. A memoir-and-novel hybrid.
Is this the true first?
True first is the 1994 Little, Brown U.S. edition. Confirmed against dealer descriptions of first/first copies.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue is a recognized first-edition pitfall for this title.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Once Upon a Time: A Floating Opera a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First U.S. edition published 1994 by Little, Brown (ISBN 0316082627). The first printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a complete number line; the dust jacket carries the original price on the front flap. A memoir-and-novel hybrid.
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. True first is the 1994 Little, Brown U.S. edition. Confirmed against dealer descriptions of first/first copies.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue is a recognized first-edition pitfall for this title.
I have a first edition of Once Upon a Time: A Floating Opera — 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.