The points of issue
First printing shows the Scribner's 'A' with the printing code 'A-6.62[H]' on the copyright page and the publisher's seal. WWII Guadalcanal novel; first edition includes the Rafael Palacios endpaper maps and the sheet music in the rear.
Is this the true first?
US Scribner first; UK Collins followed in 1963.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition lacks the 'A' and printing code and carries a blind-stamp on the rear board.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Thin Red Line a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing shows the Scribner's 'A' with the printing code 'A-6.62[H]' on the copyright page and the publisher's seal. WWII Guadalcanal novel; first edition includes the Rafael Palacios endpaper maps and the sheet music in the rear.
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 Scribner first; UK Collins followed in 1963.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club edition lacks the 'A' and printing code and carries a blind-stamp on the rear board.
I have a first edition of The Thin Red Line — 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.