The points of issue
Hardcover in cloth-backed boards with 'First edition' stated on the copyright page accompanied by a complete descending number line ending in 1. Sterling's second book.
Is this the true first?
The US Harper & Row hardcover is the true first. A Pocket Books paperback appeared later as a reprint, not a simultaneous co-first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None notable.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Artificial Kid a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Hardcover in cloth-backed boards with 'First edition' stated on the copyright page accompanied by a complete descending number line ending in 1. Sterling's second 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. The US Harper & Row hardcover is the true first. A Pocket Books paperback appeared later as a reprint, not a simultaneous co-first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None notable.
I have a first edition of The Artificial Kid — 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.