The points of issue
Boards with gilt spine; first printing identified by a complete number line ending in 1. Original dust jacket priced 9.95 net.
Is this the true first?
UK Jonathan Cape (1986) is the true first; the US Knopf edition followed in 1987.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition relevant; later impressions are stated on the copyright page.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Staring at the Sun a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Boards with gilt spine; first printing identified by a complete number line ending in 1. Original dust jacket priced 9.95 net.
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. UK Jonathan Cape (1986) is the true first; the US Knopf edition followed in 1987.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition relevant; later impressions are stated on the copyright page.
I have a first edition of Staring at the Sun — 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.