The points of issue
First printing has a complete number line 1 through 10 on the copyright page. First-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap and was designed by Paul Bacon. Fourth Spenser novel; winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel (1977).
Is this the true first?
The US Houghton Mifflin edition (1976) is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions are common: blind-stamped dot or square on the rear board, no price on the jacket, and a gutter code present; the boards bulk thinner than the trade first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Promised Land a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing has a complete number line 1 through 10 on the copyright page. First-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap and was designed by Paul Bacon. Fourth Spenser novel; winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel (1977).
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 Houghton Mifflin edition (1976) is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club editions are common: blind-stamped dot or square on the rear board, no price on the jacket, and a gutter code present; the boards bulk thinner than the trade first.
I have a first edition of Promised Land — 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.