The points of issue
Ballantine paperback original, catalog number 02277, first printing June 1971; cover art by Gene Szafran. No stated later printing on the copyright page for the first.
Is this the true first?
US Ballantine Books paperback original is the true first edition; there was no prior hardcover.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Not applicable; paperback original has no book club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Son of Man a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ballantine paperback original, catalog number 02277, first printing June 1971; cover art by Gene Szafran. No stated later printing on the copyright page for the first.
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 Ballantine Books paperback original is the true first edition; there was no prior hardcover.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Not applicable; paperback original has no book club edition.
I have a first edition of Son of Man — 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.