The points of issue
Paperback original, Ballantine U6010, 75 cents; first printing has the U6010 code and no added printing statement. Cover art by Bob Abbett.
Is this the true first?
The US Ballantine 1964 paperback original is the true first. The first hardcover was Walker (1969), a first thus. The UK Dobson (1967) hardcover is later.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition for the original; later Ballantine printings add a number line or a 'second printing' notice. The Walker hardcover is not the first edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Wanderer a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Paperback original, Ballantine U6010, 75 cents; first printing has the U6010 code and no added printing statement. Cover art by Bob Abbett.
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 Ballantine 1964 paperback original is the true first. The first hardcover was Walker (1969), a first thus. The UK Dobson (1967) hardcover is later.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition for the original; later Ballantine printings add a number line or a 'second printing' notice. The Walker hardcover is not the first edition.
I have a first edition of The Wanderer — 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.