The points of issue
First edition published 1973 by Bradbury Press, Scarsdale, New York, with illustrations by Eros Keith. The first printing states First Printing on the copyright page. Bound in cloth with the author's initials blind-stamped on the front cover.
Is this the true first?
US true first edition (Bradbury Press, 1973). Awarded the Newbery Medal in 1974.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings revise or drop the First Printing statement; book-club editions typically lack a printed jacket price.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Slave Dancer a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition published 1973 by Bradbury Press, Scarsdale, New York, with illustrations by Eros Keith. The first printing states First Printing on the copyright page. Bound in cloth with the author's initials blind-stamped on the front cover.
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 true first edition (Bradbury Press, 1973). Awarded the Newbery Medal in 1974.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings revise or drop the First Printing statement; book-club editions typically lack a printed jacket price.
I have a first edition of The Slave Dancer — 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.