The points of issue
Tor hardcover. Copyright page states 'First trade edition: February 1994' (not 'First Edition') with full number line 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1; the 1 present indicates first printing. Homecoming vol. 3.
Is this the true first?
US Tor hardcover (February 1994) is the true first; the copyright page's own wording is 'First trade edition.'
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book-club text appeared in the GuildAmerica/SFBC omnibus Homecoming: Harmony (1994), which combines volumes 1-3; first printings have a priced jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Ships of Earth a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Tor hardcover. Copyright page states 'First trade edition: February 1994' (not 'First Edition') with full number line 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1; the 1 present indicates first printing. Homecoming vol. 3.
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 Tor hardcover (February 1994) is the true first; the copyright page's own wording is 'First trade edition.'
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The book-club text appeared in the GuildAmerica/SFBC omnibus Homecoming: Harmony (1994), which combines volumes 1-3; first printings have a priced jacket.
I have a first edition of The Ships of Earth — 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.