The points of issue
Blue quarter-cloth spine lettered in gilt over dark red paper-covered boards lettered in white, with black topstain; copyright page states 'First Edition'; 250 pp; priced dust jacket with art by Martin Herbstman; printed by H. Wolff. No statement of a later printing.
Is this the true first?
US Shasta 1953 is the true first book edition (the text first appeared serialized in Galaxy, Jan-Mar 1952). A small group of subscriber copies were signed by Bester on the front free endpaper. The UK Sidgwick & Jackson edition (1953) is later.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Watch for the Shasta second printing, whose copyright page reads 'Second Edition' (still the original publisher, but not the first printing) and lacks the 'First Edition' statement. Later Signet/Berkley paperbacks and any club reprint are not the first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Demolished Man a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Blue quarter-cloth spine lettered in gilt over dark red paper-covered boards lettered in white, with black topstain; copyright page states 'First Edition'; 250 pp; priced dust jacket with art by Martin Herbstman; printed by H. Wolff. No statement of a later printing.
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 Shasta 1953 is the true first book edition (the text first appeared serialized in Galaxy, Jan-Mar 1952). A small group of subscriber copies were signed by Bester on the front free endpaper. The UK Sidgwick & Jackson edition (1953) is later.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Watch for the Shasta second printing, whose copyright page reads 'Second Edition' (still the original publisher, but not the first printing) and lacks the 'First Edition' statement. Later Signet/Berkley paperbacks and any club reprint are not the first.
I have a first edition of The Demolished Man — 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.