The points of issue
Two first-issue states exist. A signed limited edition of 600 copies, signed on the limitation page, precedes the trade printing. The trade first printing carries the Little, Brown first-edition statement on the copyright page with no later-printing notice.
Is this the true first?
US first, Little, Brown, Boston, 1949. The signed limited edition of 600 copies precedes the first trade edition; the limited issue is the earliest state. First British edition published by Robert Hale, London, in 1949.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A Book-of-the-Month Club issue exists, identifiable by a blind-stamped impression on the lower rear board near the spine; it is not the first edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Point of No Return a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Two first-issue states exist. A signed limited edition of 600 copies, signed on the limitation page, precedes the trade printing. The trade first printing carries the Little, Brown first-edition statement on the copyright page with no later-printing notice.
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 first, Little, Brown, Boston, 1949. The signed limited edition of 600 copies precedes the first trade edition; the limited issue is the earliest state. First British edition published by Robert Hale, London, in 1949.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A Book-of-the-Month Club issue exists, identifiable by a blind-stamped impression on the lower rear board near the spine; it is not the first edition.
I have a first edition of Point of No Return — 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.