The points of issue
US Tor hardcover, published January 26, 2016; 'First Edition: January 2016' stated with number line ending in 1.
Is this the true first?
US Tor true first; the UK Gollancz edition followed on January 28, 2016.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings keep the First Edition line but the number line no longer reaches 1.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Bands of Mourning (Mistborn Era 2, 3) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: US Tor hardcover, published January 26, 2016; 'First Edition: January 2016' stated with number line ending in 1.
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. US Tor true first; the UK Gollancz edition followed on January 28, 2016.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings keep the First Edition line but the number line no longer reaches 1.
I have a first edition of The Bands of Mourning (Mistborn Era 2, 3) — 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.