The points of issue
True first is the paperback original, Lion Books #155 (1953). Paperback wraps; no hardcover precedes it. Lion logo and number 155; first printing carries the original price and no later-printing line.
Is this the true first?
Paperback is the true first. Modern reprints are first-thus only.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition. Distinguish the Lion #155 first from later reissues.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Savage Night a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: True first is the paperback original, Lion Books #155 (1953). Paperback wraps; no hardcover precedes it. Lion logo and number 155; first printing carries the original price and no later-printing line.
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. Paperback is the true first. Modern reprints are first-thus only.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition. Distinguish the Lion #155 first from later reissues.
I have a first edition of Savage Night — 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.