The points of issue
First printing has the number line ending in '1' and states 'First Edition'; first-issue jacket priced the printed price.
Is this the true first?
US Tor hardcover is the true first. Hugo and Nebula winner (the sequel to Ender's Game).
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
SFBC: 'Book Club Edition' on flap, no the printed price, blind-stamped dot, cheaper paper; very common.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Speaker for the Dead a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing has the number line ending in '1' and states 'First Edition'; first-issue jacket priced the printed price.
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 Tor hardcover is the true first. Hugo and Nebula winner (the sequel to Ender's Game).
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
SFBC: 'Book Club Edition' on flap, no the printed price, blind-stamped dot, cheaper paper; very common.
I have a first edition of Speaker for the Dead — 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.