The points of issue
Timescape (Simon & Schuster) first hardcover; full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; jacket priced (not clipped). Second book of the VALIS trilogy.
Is this the true first?
US Timescape first hardcover is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition has no price on the jacket and the smaller, lighter club binding; identify by the complete number line on the true first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Divine Invasion a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Timescape (Simon & Schuster) first hardcover; full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; jacket priced (not clipped). Second book of the VALIS trilogy.
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 Timescape first hardcover is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club edition has no price on the jacket and the smaller, lighter club binding; identify by the complete number line on the true first.
I have a first edition of The Divine Invasion — 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.