The points of issue
Tor hardcover in dust jacket; copyright page reads 'First Edition: November 2003'. Priced jacket. Tales of Alvin Maker, Book VI. 384 pp.
Is this the true first?
The US Tor hardcover (2003) is the true first edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions can occur; a true first is identified by the 'First Edition: November 2003' statement and a printed Tor jacket price, both typically absent on club copies.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Crystal City a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Tor hardcover in dust jacket; copyright page reads 'First Edition: November 2003'. Priced jacket. Tales of Alvin Maker, Book VI. 384 pp.
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 Tor hardcover (2003) is the true first edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club editions can occur; a true first is identified by the 'First Edition: November 2003' statement and a printed Tor jacket price, both typically absent on club copies.
I have a first edition of The Crystal City — 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.