The points of issue
First printing has the full number line BVG 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page.
Is this the true first?
Bantam US trade hardcover (May 2006) is the true first; UK and Charnel House limited editions came later in 2007.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition lacks the number line and jacket price and is slightly smaller than the trade edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Husband a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing has the full number line BVG 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page.
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. Bantam US trade hardcover (May 2006) is the true first; UK and Charnel House limited editions came later in 2007.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club edition lacks the number line and jacket price and is slightly smaller than the trade edition.
I have a first edition of The Husband — 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.