The points of issue
First hardcover printing states 'First Edition: May 1987' on the copyright page with the full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 beneath it. Quarter blue cloth over light blue boards, Michael Whelan jacket art, jacket price present on the front flap. Sequel to The Integral Trees.
Is this the true first?
US Del Rey hardcover first edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition: no number line, no price clipped to the flap; thinner boards and the standard 'Book Club Edition' gutter code.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Smoke Ring a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First hardcover printing states 'First Edition: May 1987' on the copyright page with the full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 beneath it. Quarter blue cloth over light blue boards, Michael Whelan jacket art, jacket price present on the front flap. Sequel to The Integral Trees.
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 Del Rey hardcover first edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club edition: no number line, no price clipped to the flap; thinner boards and the standard 'Book Club Edition' gutter code.
I have a first edition of The Smoke Ring — 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.