The points of issue
'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with no later printing line; gutter code 39N at the foot of the last page of text; priced dust jacket with art by Gene Szafran.
Is this the true first?
US Doubleday & Company first hardcover edition, issued 1972.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition lacks the 'First Edition' statement, carries a blind-stamped device on the rear board, and has an unpriced jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Second Trip a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with no later printing line; gutter code 39N at the foot of the last page of text; priced dust jacket with art by Gene Szafran.
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 Doubleday & Company first hardcover edition, issued 1972.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club edition lacks the 'First Edition' statement, carries a blind-stamped device on the rear board, and has an unpriced jacket.
I have a first edition of The Second Trip — 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.