The points of issue
DAW paperback original, March 1983, stated first printing on the copyright page; cover art by the author's brother David A. Cherry.
Is this the true first?
The US DAW paperback (March 1983) is the true first of the novel; note that it incorporates a revision of the novella Ealdwood, published earlier by Donald M. Grant in a 1981 illustrated limited edition of 1,050 copies, plus a revised 1979 short story.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None known.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Dreamstone a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: DAW paperback original, March 1983, stated first printing on the copyright page; cover art by the author's brother David A. Cherry.
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 DAW paperback (March 1983) is the true first of the novel; note that it incorporates a revision of the novella Ealdwood, published earlier by Donald M. Grant in a 1981 illustrated limited edition of 1,050 copies, plus a revised 1979 short story.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None known.
I have a first edition of The Dreamstone — 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.