The points of issue
Ace Double H-70 paperback original, bound dos-a-dos with Emil Petaja's Doom of the Green Planet; catalog number H-70 appears on the spine and cover, with a 60-cent cover price. Koontz's first published book.
Is this the true first?
Paperback original with no hardcover edition; the single 1968 Ace printing is the only edition, as Koontz never allowed a reprint. Scarce.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
N/A (PBO).
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Star Quest a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ace Double H-70 paperback original, bound dos-a-dos with Emil Petaja's Doom of the Green Planet; catalog number H-70 appears on the spine and cover, with a 60-cent cover price. Koontz's first published book.
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 original with no hardcover edition; the single 1968 Ace printing is the only edition, as Koontz never allowed a reprint. Scarce.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
N/A (PBO).
I have a first edition of Star Quest — 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.