The points of issue
Orbit UK hardcover; copyright page states First published in Great Britain in 2004 with a full number line ending in 1; priced, unclipped jacket. Non-Culture SF novel.
Is this the true first?
UK Orbit hardcover (2004) is the true first; the US edition (Night Shade Books) followed in 2005.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None notable.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Algebraist a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Orbit UK hardcover; copyright page states First published in Great Britain in 2004 with a full number line ending in 1; priced, unclipped jacket. Non-Culture SF novel.
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 Orbit hardcover (2004) is the true first; the US edition (Night Shade Books) followed in 2005.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None notable.
I have a first edition of The Algebraist — 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.