The points of issue
True first is the paperback original, Ballantine Books F562 (1961), 50 cents. Paperback wraps; no hardcover precedes it. Ballantine imprint and catalog number; first printing has no later-printing statement.
Is this the true first?
Paperback is the true first. Later hardcover and reissue editions are first-thus only.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition for the original. Distinguish the Ballantine F562 first from later Ballantine printings (higher numbers, raised price).
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Some of Your Blood a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: True first is the paperback original, Ballantine Books F562 (1961), 50 cents. Paperback wraps; no hardcover precedes it. Ballantine imprint and catalog number; first printing has no later-printing statement.
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. Later hardcover and reissue editions are first-thus only.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition for the original. Distinguish the Ballantine F562 first from later Ballantine printings (higher numbers, raised price).
I have a first edition of Some of Your Blood — 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.