The points of issue
DAW paperback original, DAW Collectors' Book No. 179 (1976); first printing stated on copyright page; classic yellow-spine numbered DAW series.
Is this the true first?
US DAW paperback original (1976) is the true first; a UK Dennis Dobson hardcover appeared later the same year.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Witling a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: DAW paperback original, DAW Collectors' Book No. 179 (1976); first printing stated on copyright page; classic yellow-spine numbered DAW series.
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 (1976) is the true first; a UK Dennis Dobson hardcover appeared later the same year.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None.
I have a first edition of The Witling — 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.