The points of issue
Headline (London) hardcover first edition, 1990; copyright page carries a complete number line from 10 down to 1.
Is this the true first?
The Headline UK hardcover is the true first; the US St. Martin's Press hardcover followed in 1991.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No UK book club issue is commonly reported; confirm the Headline imprint and the complete number line.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Stake a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Headline (London) hardcover first edition, 1990; copyright page carries a complete number line from 10 down to 1.
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. The Headline UK hardcover is the true first; the US St. Martin's Press hardcover followed in 1991.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No UK book club issue is commonly reported; confirm the Headline imprint and the complete number line.
I have a first edition of The Stake — 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.