The points of issue
Bantam US first edition hardcover, 1992; full number line ending in 1.
Decode the printer’s key: paste the number line into the decoder · Bantam first-edition guide.
Is this the true first?
US Bantam true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
BCE markings.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Hollow Man a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Bantam US first edition hardcover, 1992; full number line ending in 1.
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 Bantam true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
BCE markings.
I have a first edition of The Hollow 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.