The points of issue
The first printing carries the Grand Central Publishing imprint with a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page (commonly noting First Edition: February 2017). First-state jacket is without National Book Award finalist or later television tie-in slugs.
Is this the true first?
The US Grand Central edition (February 2017) is the true first. The UK Apollo/Head of Zeus edition appeared a couple of weeks later in February 2017 and followed it.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition is the issue. Later printings drop the 1 from the number line and add award or tie-in bands to the jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Pachinko a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: The first printing carries the Grand Central Publishing imprint with a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page (commonly noting First Edition: February 2017). First-state jacket is without National Book Award finalist or later television tie-in slugs.
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 Grand Central edition (February 2017) is the true first. The UK Apollo/Head of Zeus edition appeared a couple of weeks later in February 2017 and followed it.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition is the issue. Later printings drop the 1 from the number line and add award or tie-in bands to the jacket.
I have a first edition of Pachinko — 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.