The points of issue
First edition, first printing by Viking, New York, 1990, with a full number line on the copyright page; the printed price is present on the jacket flap.
Is this the true first?
US Viking is the true first; the UK Faber edition (1991) follows.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A Book-of-the-Month Club edition exists and can be distinguished by its smaller dimensions, absence of a number line, and the blind-stamp impression on the rear board.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Music of Chance a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, first printing by Viking, New York, 1990, with a full number line on the copyright page; the printed price is present on the jacket flap.
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 Viking is the true first; the UK Faber edition (1991) follows.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A Book-of-the-Month Club edition exists and can be distinguished by its smaller dimensions, absence of a number line, and the blind-stamp impression on the rear board.
I have a first edition of The Music of Chance — 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.