The points of issue
Paperback original from Baen carrying the printed cover price; the first printing states 'First printing, September 1990' on the copyright page with a number line retaining the 1. Cover art by Tom Kidd.
Is this the true first?
The US Baen 1990 paperback original is the true first edition. There was no simultaneous hardcover; later omnibus and hardcover collections are 'first thus'.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
There was no book-club edition of the original paperback; later Baen printings update the number line. Omnibus editions such as 'Young Miles' are not the first appearance.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Vor Game a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Paperback original from Baen carrying the printed cover price; the first printing states 'First printing, September 1990' on the copyright page with a number line retaining the 1. Cover art by Tom Kidd.
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 US Baen 1990 paperback original is the true first edition. There was no simultaneous hardcover; later omnibus and hardcover collections are 'first thus'.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
There was no book-club edition of the original paperback; later Baen printings update the number line. Omnibus editions such as 'Young Miles' are not the first appearance.
I have a first edition of The Vor Game — 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.