The points of issue
Copyright page states 'First printing, 1975.' Dust jacket priced 7.95; unclipped on the true first. Novel.
Is this the true first?
True first is the 1975 FSG hardcover. UK edition followed from Routledge & Kegan Paul in 1976.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No notable book-club issue; later printings drop the 'First printing, 1975' statement.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Dead Father a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Copyright page states 'First printing, 1975.' Dust jacket priced 7.95; unclipped on the true first. Novel.
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. True first is the 1975 FSG hardcover. UK edition followed from Routledge & Kegan Paul in 1976.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No notable book-club issue; later printings drop the 'First printing, 1975' statement.
I have a first edition of The Dead Father — 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.