The points of issue
Avon paperback original, catalog number V2262, with Avon price on cover. No prior book edition.
Is this the true first?
US Avon paperback original is the true first book edition. The novel was serialized in If (April and May 1968) before book publication.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Not applicable; paperback original with no book club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Man in the Maze a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Avon paperback original, catalog number V2262, with Avon price on cover. No prior book edition.
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 Avon paperback original is the true first book edition. The novel was serialized in If (April and May 1968) before book publication.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Not applicable; paperback original with no book club edition.
I have a first edition of The Man in the Maze — 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.