The points of issue
Knopf, 1990, launch of the Lives of the Mayfair Witches. The first edition states 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page with the Borzoi colophon. First-state dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap. Half black cloth, roughly 965 pages. (Rice's 'Interview with the Vampire' is a separate, already-indexed title.)
Is this the true first?
The US Knopf first is the true first, collected within the Rice corpus and as a gothic high spot. Confirm the stated 'FIRST EDITION' and the priced first-state jacket.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Watch for the Book-of-the-Month Club edition (no price on the jacket, blind stamp on the rear board, lighter boards). The true first carries the Knopf 'FIRST EDITION' statement and a priced jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Witching Hour a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Knopf, 1990, launch of the Lives of the Mayfair Witches. The first edition states 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page with the Borzoi colophon. First-state dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap. Half black cloth, roughly 965 pages. (Rice's 'Interview with the Vampire' is a separate, already-indexed title.)
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 Knopf first is the true first, collected within the Rice corpus and as a gothic high spot. Confirm the stated 'FIRST EDITION' and the priced first-state jacket.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Watch for the Book-of-the-Month Club edition (no price on the jacket, blind stamp on the rear board, lighter boards). The true first carries the Knopf 'FIRST EDITION' statement and a priced jacket.
I have a first edition of The Witching Hour — 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.