The points of issue
Arbor House hardcover with priced dust jacket and a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; no statement of a later printing.
Is this the true first?
The US Arbor House hardcover is the true first edition. Foundational Shaper/Mechanist novel; a Nebula nominee.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A Science Fiction Book Club edition exists, identifiable by the blind gutter code on the rear board and the absence of a printed jacket price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Schismatrix a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Arbor House hardcover with priced dust jacket and a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; no statement of a later printing.
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. The US Arbor House hardcover is the true first edition. Foundational Shaper/Mechanist novel; a Nebula nominee.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A Science Fiction Book Club edition exists, identifiable by the blind gutter code on the rear board and the absence of a printed jacket price.
I have a first edition of Schismatrix — 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.