The points of issue
Warner hardcover under the Questar imprint; copyright page states First Printing: June 1989 with a complete number line; priced jacket with Don Maitz art.
Is this the true first?
US Warner hardcover (June 1989) is the true first; the UK New English Library hardcover did not appear until 1992.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
SFBC edition exists.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Rimrunners a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Warner hardcover under the Questar imprint; copyright page states First Printing: June 1989 with a complete number line; priced jacket with Don Maitz art.
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 Warner hardcover (June 1989) is the true first; the UK New English Library hardcover did not appear until 1992.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
SFBC edition exists.
I have a first edition of Rimrunners — 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.