The points of issue
Dial Press hardcover with 'First printing' stated on the copyright page; priced jacket.
Decode the printer’s key: paste the number line into the decoder · The Dial Press first-edition guide.
Is this the true first?
US Dial Press hardcover (1980) is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club edition exists.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Songmaster a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Dial Press hardcover with 'First printing' stated on the copyright page; priced jacket.
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 Dial Press hardcover (1980) is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club edition exists.
I have a first edition of Songmaster — 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.