The points of issue
"First Edition" stated on the copyright page; later printings drop the statement and show a Doubleday gutter code on the last text page. Jacket priced. Second Amber novel.
Is this the true first?
US Doubleday first hardcover.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions omit the "First Edition" statement, carry the gutter code on the last text page, and have a blind stamp with an unpriced jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Guns of Avalon a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: "First Edition" stated on the copyright page; later printings drop the statement and show a Doubleday gutter code on the last text page. Jacket priced. Second Amber 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. US Doubleday first hardcover.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club editions omit the "First Edition" statement, carry the gutter code on the last text page, and have a blind stamp with an unpriced jacket.
I have a first edition of The Guns of Avalon — 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.