The points of issue
The true first edition of The Blessing Way signed first by Tony Hillerman is identified by: Harper & Row 1970, Leaphorn series begins.
Harper & Row’s first-printing convention: Stated "First Edition" (1922–present) Modern titles add a number line. Full points-of-issue methodology →
Commonly confused with
Book-club editions and later printings reprint the text but are not the first edition and are far less collectible. Documented to occasionally leave “First Edition” on later printings; always cross-check the number line. Use the points above to be certain — see book-club edition vs. first edition.
Where it sits
The Blessing Way signed first is a Tier 2 (low-to-mid four-figure) title in the New Mexico Book Value Index. The 1970 first that began the Leaphorn series and Hillerman's Navajo-country canon.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Blessing Way signed first a first edition?
Look for these first-printing points: Harper & Row 1970, Leaphorn series begins For Harper & Row, Stated "First Edition" (1922–present) Modern titles add a number line. Later printings and book-club editions lack them.
How do I tell a first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention: Stated "First Edition" (1922–present) Modern titles add a number line, and confirm the named point of issue above. A number line, stated edition, or dated first printing is the key.
Is a book-club edition the same as a first edition?
No. Book-club editions (BCE) reprint the text but are not the true first edition and are far less collectible — Documented to occasionally leave “First Edition” on later printings; always cross-check the number line.. Check the points of issue above to be sure.
I have a first edition of The Blessing Way signed first — what should I do with it?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque in any condition and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. If you'd rather sell, see the Tony Hillerman collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.