The points of issue
US Bobbs-Merrill first hardcover, 1976, in red cloth over yellow papered boards stamped in gold. Dust jacket carries the original printed price, unclipped, on the front flap.
Is this the true first?
US Bobbs-Merrill hardcover is the first book edition; the novel first appeared serialized in Analog (August through October 1976).
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions are typically identified by a blind stamp on the rear board and a jacket with no printed price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Shadrach in the Furnace a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: US Bobbs-Merrill first hardcover, 1976, in red cloth over yellow papered boards stamped in gold. Dust jacket carries the original printed price, unclipped, on the front flap.
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 Bobbs-Merrill hardcover is the first book edition; the novel first appeared serialized in Analog (August through October 1976).
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club editions are typically identified by a blind stamp on the rear board and a jacket with no printed price.
I have a first edition of Shadrach in the Furnace — 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.