The points of issue
Ballantine Books paperback original, catalog number 01712, 1969. Wraps; short-story collection of twelve pieces. Not reprinted in English under this title, so the first printing is the only English edition.
Is this the true first?
US Ballantine paperback original is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Shape of Space a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ballantine Books paperback original, catalog number 01712, 1969. Wraps; short-story collection of twelve pieces. Not reprinted in English under this title, so the first printing is the only English 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 Ballantine paperback original is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition.
I have a first edition of The Shape of Space — 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.