The points of issue
DAW mass-market paperback original; copyright page states First Printing, August 1983, with a complete number line; cover art by Michael Whelan.
Is this the true first?
US DAW paperback original (August 1983) is the true first; second of the two Ealdwood novels.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Tree of Swords and Jewels a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: DAW mass-market paperback original; copyright page states First Printing, August 1983, with a complete number line; cover art by Michael Whelan.
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 DAW paperback original (August 1983) is the true first; second of the two Ealdwood novels.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None.
I have a first edition of The Tree of Swords and Jewels — 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.