The points of issue
Doubleday hardcover with First Edition stated on the copyright page; light gray cloth lettered in black; price printed at the top of the front jacket flap (unclipped); printer's code G-24 at the foot of page 185. Butler's debut novel.
Is this the true first?
US Doubleday hardcover (1976) is the true first; the key Butler collectible. Patternist series.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Doubleday/SFBC book-club edition: no printed jacket price, blind stamp or gutter code, lacks the First Edition statement and the G-24 code; smaller, cheaper boards.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Patternmaster a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Doubleday hardcover with First Edition stated on the copyright page; light gray cloth lettered in black; price printed at the top of the front jacket flap (unclipped); printer's code G-24 at the foot of page 185. Butler's debut novel.
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 Doubleday hardcover (1976) is the true first; the key Butler collectible. Patternist series.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Doubleday/SFBC book-club edition: no printed jacket price, blind stamp or gutter code, lacks the First Edition statement and the G-24 code; smaller, cheaper boards.
I have a first edition of Patternmaster — 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.