The points of issue
First printing per Simon & Schuster convention, with no statement of a later printing. The first printing carries the word 'spared' on page 465 (corrected to 'spaced' in later states). Dust jacket priced 9.95 on the flap. Co-written with Jerry Pournelle.
Is this the true first?
US Simon & Schuster first hardcover is the true first edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition has a blind stamp on the rear board and lacks a price on the jacket flap.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Mote in God's Eye a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing per Simon & Schuster convention, with no statement of a later printing. The first printing carries the word 'spared' on page 465 (corrected to 'spaced' in later states). Dust jacket priced 9.95 on the flap. Co-written with Jerry Pournelle.
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 Simon & Schuster first hardcover is the true first edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club edition has a blind stamp on the rear board and lacks a price on the jacket flap.
I have a first edition of The Mote in God's Eye — 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.