The points of issue
Ace hardcover, boards, 371 pages; first edition stated on the copyright page as 'First Edition: May 1990'; priced dust jacket with illustration by Chris Moore (jacket design by Michael Storrings).
Is this the true first?
The US Ace 1990 hardcover is the true first edition (ISBN 0-441-69911-7 / 9780441699117), identified by the 'First Edition: May 1990' statement.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions exist; they are typically identified by an unpriced or clipped jacket stating Book Club Edition and lack the 'First Edition: May 1990' statement.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Quiet Pools a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ace hardcover, boards, 371 pages; first edition stated on the copyright page as 'First Edition: May 1990'; priced dust jacket with illustration by Chris Moore (jacket design by Michael Storrings).
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. The US Ace 1990 hardcover is the true first edition (ISBN 0-441-69911-7 / 9780441699117), identified by the 'First Edition: May 1990' statement.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club editions exist; they are typically identified by an unpriced or clipped jacket stating Book Club Edition and lack the 'First Edition: May 1990' statement.
I have a first edition of The Quiet Pools — 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.