The points of issue
Putnam first edition (January 1990) with full number line 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 on the copyright page.
Is this the true first?
Putnam US true first; a signed limited edition of 250 copies (slipcased, no jacket) was issued simultaneously.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club reprint lacks the number line and jacket price and carries a book club identification number.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Bad Place a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Putnam first edition (January 1990) with full number line 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 on the copyright page.
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. Putnam US true first; a signed limited edition of 250 copies (slipcased, no jacket) was issued simultaneously.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club reprint lacks the number line and jacket price and carries a book club identification number.
I have a first edition of The Bad Place — 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.