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First-Edition Identification · Vernor Vinge

Is My The Peace War a First Edition?

Bluejay Books, 1984

The points of issue

Bluejay hardcover in cloth-backed boards; copyright page states 'First Bluejay printing: August 1984'; jacket art by Wayne Barlowe; priced jacket. Title page reads 'A Bluejay International Edition'.

Decode the printer’s key: paste the number line into the decoder.

Is this the true first?

US Bluejay hardcover (August 1984) is the true first. Realtime/Bobble vol. 1; 1985 Hugo nominee.

Telling it from reprints & book-club editions

Book-club edition possible.

Frequently asked questions

Is my copy of The Peace War a first edition?

Look for these first-edition points: Bluejay hardcover in cloth-backed boards; copyright page states 'First Bluejay printing: August 1984'; jacket art by Wayne Barlowe; priced jacket. Title page reads 'A Bluejay International Edition'.

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 Bluejay hardcover (August 1984) is the true first. Realtime/Bobble vol. 1; 1985 Hugo nominee.

Is the book-club edition the same as the first?

Book-club edition possible.

I have a first edition of The Peace War — 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.

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