The points of issue
Copyright page states 'First Edition' (dealers also record 'First Edition, First Printing') with no notice of later printings; quarter cream cloth over light-brown boards, gilt spine lettering; first-issue jacket carries its printed flap price unclipped. 339 pp.
Is this the true first?
US Knopf 1982 is the true first; the UK Hamish Hamilton edition follows.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No significant club edition; later trade reprints are Vintage Contemporaries paperbacks.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Names a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Copyright page states 'First Edition' (dealers also record 'First Edition, First Printing') with no notice of later printings; quarter cream cloth over light-brown boards, gilt spine lettering; first-issue jacket carries its printed flap price unclipped. 339 pp.
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 Knopf 1982 is the true first; the UK Hamish Hamilton edition follows.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No significant club edition; later trade reprints are Vintage Contemporaries paperbacks.
I have a first edition of The Names — 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.