The points of issue
Jove paperback original as by Owen West; copyright page states First Jove edition published November 1981 and First printing. A full-page advertisement for The Funhouse (also as by Owen West) appears at the rear. Later reissued under Koontz's own name.
Is this the true first?
Paperback original under the Owen West pseudonym.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
N/A (paperback original).
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Mask a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Jove paperback original as by Owen West; copyright page states First Jove edition published November 1981 and First printing. A full-page advertisement for The Funhouse (also as by Owen West) appears at the rear. Later reissued under Koontz's own name.
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. Paperback original under the Owen West pseudonym.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
N/A (paperback original).
I have a first edition of The Mask — 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.