The points of issue
First edition, first printing in hardcover from Del Rey; number line present on the copyright page and dust jacket priced (unclipped). Quarter cloth over paper-covered boards.
Is this the true first?
US Del Rey first hardcover is the true first edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A Science Fiction Book Club hardcover exists, identified by the absence of a jacket price and the usual book-club markers; not a true first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Roadmarks a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, first printing in hardcover from Del Rey; number line present on the copyright page and dust jacket priced (unclipped). Quarter cloth over paper-covered boards.
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 Del Rey first hardcover is the true first edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A Science Fiction Book Club hardcover exists, identified by the absence of a jacket price and the usual book-club markers; not a true first.
I have a first edition of Roadmarks — 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.