The points of issue
Tor hardcover; 'First edition' stated on the copyright page with full number line ending in 1. Homecoming Saga vol. 2. A signed limited edition of 225 copies (200 numbered) was also issued as part of the first edition.
Is this the true first?
US Tor hardcover (1993) is the true first; the record's 1992 date was wrong.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
SFBC edition exists.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Call of Earth a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Tor hardcover; 'First edition' stated on the copyright page with full number line ending in 1. Homecoming Saga vol. 2. A signed limited edition of 225 copies (200 numbered) was also issued as part of the first edition.
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 hardcover (1993) is the true first; the record's 1992 date was wrong.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
SFBC edition exists.
I have a first edition of The Call of Earth — 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.