The points of issue
Putnam US hardcover with a full number line ending in 1; jacket design by Archie Ferguson. Viking UK hardcover also dated 2003.
Is this the true first?
US Putnam (February 2003) is generally cited as the true first edition; the UK Viking hardcover follows the same year. Blue Ant trilogy volume 1.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Issued as a trade hardcover; no significant book-club printing is noted.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Pattern Recognition a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Putnam US hardcover with a full number line ending in 1; jacket design by Archie Ferguson. Viking UK hardcover also dated 2003.
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 Putnam (February 2003) is generally cited as the true first edition; the UK Viking hardcover follows the same year. Blue Ant trilogy volume 1.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Issued as a trade hardcover; no significant book-club printing is noted.
I have a first edition of Pattern Recognition — 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.