# Is "Rendezvous with Rama" by Arthur C. Clarke a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke (Gollancz, 1973) is identified by: True world first is the UK Victor Gollancz 1973 edition (June 1973), in the characteristic yellow boards with Gollancz typographic jacket, price on the flap. Gollancz UK (June 1973) precedes the US Harcourt edition (August 1973) by about two months.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- True world first is the UK Victor Gollancz 1973 edition (June 1973), in the characteristic yellow boards with Gollancz typographic jacket, price on the flap
- The US Harcourt Brace Jovanovich edition followed in August 1973
- Publisher imprint reads Gollancz
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Arthur C. Clarke |
| Publisher | Gollancz |
| Year | 1973 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | True world first is the UK Victor Gollancz 1973 edition (June 1973), in the characteristic yellow boards with Gollancz typographic jacket… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
True world first is the UK Victor Gollancz 1973 edition (June 1973), in the characteristic yellow boards with Gollancz typographic jacket, price on the flap. The US Harcourt Brace Jovanovich edition followed in August 1973.

## Is this the true first?
Gollancz UK (June 1973) precedes the US Harcourt edition (August 1973) by about two months. Hugo, Nebula, and BSFA winner. Collectors target the Gollancz for the world first; the Harcourt is the first US edition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The US Science Fiction Book Club edition carries the rear-board blind-stamp and no printed price and is common. The US Harcourt is a genuine US first but not the world first.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Rendezvous with Rama* by Arthur C. Clarke a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/rendezvous-with-rama
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.