The points of issue
Ballantine Books paperback original, catalog number U6097.
Is this the true first?
US Ballantine paperback original is the true first; a separate first Canadian edition also exists but is not the precedent.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Thorns a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ballantine Books paperback original, catalog number U6097.
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 Ballantine paperback original is the true first; a separate first Canadian edition also exists but is not the precedent.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition.
I have a first edition of Thorns — 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.