The points of issue
Walker and Company first hardcover, 1971. Red paper-covered boards stamped in black, deckled fore-edge; copyright page reads first published in 1971 by the Walker Publishing Company; dust jacket priced on the front flap. Fourteen collaborative stories with cover art by Leo and Diane Dillon.
Is this the true first?
US Walker first hardcover is the true first edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions are smaller, lack the jacket price, and typically show a blind-stamped indentation on the rear board.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Partners in Wonder a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Walker and Company first hardcover, 1971. Red paper-covered boards stamped in black, deckled fore-edge; copyright page reads first published in 1971 by the Walker Publishing Company; dust jacket priced on the front flap. Fourteen collaborative stories with cover art by Leo and Diane Dillon.
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 Walker first hardcover is the true first edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club editions are smaller, lack the jacket price, and typically show a blind-stamped indentation on the rear board.
I have a first edition of Partners in Wonder — 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.