The points of issue
Ballantine paperback original, catalog number 23486, with 'First Printing: September, 1973' on the copyright page and Dean Ellis wraparound cover art. Incorporates the earlier story 'The Adults' (Galaxy) as its first section.
Is this the true first?
US Ballantine paperback original is the true first edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Protector a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ballantine paperback original, catalog number 23486, with 'First Printing: September, 1973' on the copyright page and Dean Ellis wraparound cover art. Incorporates the earlier story 'The Adults' (Galaxy) as its first section.
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 Ballantine paperback original is the true first edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition.
I have a first edition of Protector — 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.