The points of issue
Avon paperback original, 1980; copyright page states First Avon Printing. Cover art by John Alvin.
Is this the true first?
PBO; the Avon printing is the true first. First hardcover was Kinnell, London, 1990.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
N/A (PBO).
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Night Boat a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Avon paperback original, 1980; copyright page states First Avon Printing. Cover art by John Alvin.
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. PBO; the Avon printing is the true first. First hardcover was Kinnell, London, 1990.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
N/A (PBO).
I have a first edition of The Night Boat — 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.