# Is "The World Inside" by Robert Silverberg a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The World Inside by Robert Silverberg (Doubleday, 1971) is identified by: 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with no later printing line; gutter code present at the foot of the last page of text; priced dust jacket designed by James Starrett ('Doubleday Science Fiction' at spine tail). US Doubleday & Company first hardcover edition (Garden City), issued 1971.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with no later printing line; gutter code present at the foot of the last page of text; priced dust jacket designed by James Starrett ('Doubleday Science Fiction' at spine tail)
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert Silverberg |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Year | 1971 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with no later printing line; gutter code present at the foot of the last page of text; priced… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with no later printing line; gutter code present at the foot of the last page of text; priced dust jacket designed by James Starrett ('Doubleday Science Fiction' at spine tail).

## Is this the true first?
US Doubleday & Company first hardcover edition (Garden City), issued 1971.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition lacks the 'First Edition' statement, has a blind-stamped 'dot' or square on the rear board, and an unpriced jacket.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The World Inside* by Robert Silverberg a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-world-inside
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.