The points of issue
Morrow hardcover with 'First Edition' stated and a full number line descending to 1. Volume two of The Baroque Cycle.
Decode the printer’s key: paste the number line into the decoder · William Morrow first-edition guide.
Is this the true first?
The US Morrow hardcover (2004) is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Trade only.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Confusion a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Morrow hardcover with 'First Edition' stated and a full number line descending to 1. Volume two of The Baroque Cycle.
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 Morrow hardcover (2004) is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Trade only.
I have a first edition of The Confusion — 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.