# Is "Rainbows End" by Vernor Vinge a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Rainbows End by Vernor Vinge (Tor Books, 2006) is identified by: First Tor hardcover, 2006 (ISBN 0-312-85684-7 / 978-0-312-85684-7). The US Tor 2006 hardcover is the true first edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First Tor hardcover, 2006 (ISBN 0-312-85684-7 / 978-0-312-85684-7)
- The copyright page states 'First Edition' and carries a full number line descending to 1 (…3 2 1); the priced dust jacket should retain the printed price on the front flap
- Note the title carries no apostrophe (Rainbows End, not Rainbow's End), a point that distinguishes correct catalogue entries
- Publisher imprint reads Tor Books
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Vernor Vinge |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
| Year | 2006 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First Tor hardcover, 2006 (ISBN 0-312-85684-7 / 978-0-312-85684-7) |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First Tor hardcover, 2006 (ISBN 0-312-85684-7 / 978-0-312-85684-7). The copyright page states 'First Edition' and carries a full number line descending to 1 (…3 2 1); the priced dust jacket should retain the printed price on the front flap. Note the title carries no apostrophe (Rainbows End, not Rainbow's End), a point that distinguishes correct catalogue entries.

## Is this the true first?
The US Tor 2006 hardcover is the true first edition. UK and later printings follow it.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The Science Fiction Book Club edition carries the usual rear-board blind stamp, lacks the stated 'First Edition' line and the number line descending to 1, and has no printed price on the jacket.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Rainbows End* by Vernor Vinge a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/rainbows-end
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.