# Is "Seventh Son" by Orson Scott Card a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card (Tor Books, 1987) is identified by: Tor hardcover in dust jacket; the copyright page states 'First Edition' (Tor's first-printing convention is the stated 'First Edition' with no later-printing number line removing it). The US Tor hardcover (1987) is the true first edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Tor hardcover in dust jacket; the copyright page states 'First Edition' (Tor's first-printing convention is the stated 'First Edition' with no later-printing number line removing it)
- Priced jacket
- Tales of Alvin Maker, Book I
- Publisher imprint reads Tor Books
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Orson Scott Card |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
| Year | 1987 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Tor hardcover in dust jacket; the copyright page states 'First Edition' (Tor's first-printing convention is the stated 'First Edition' with… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Tor hardcover in dust jacket; the copyright page states 'First Edition' (Tor's first-printing convention is the stated 'First Edition' with no later-printing number line removing it). Priced jacket. Tales of Alvin Maker, Book I.

## Is this the true first?
The US Tor hardcover (1987) is the true first edition. Card is an American author and Tor was the original publisher; there is no earlier UK or Canadian edition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A Science Fiction Book Club edition exists; it is typically distinguished by a blind-stamped code on the rear board and the absence of a printed jacket price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Seventh Son* by Orson Scott Card a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/seventh-son
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.