The points of issue
First printing per Lippincott convention, with no later-printing statement on the copyright page; dust jacket priced. This was Dick's first US hardcover novel.
Is this the true first?
US Lippincott hardcover is the true first edition; UK editions (book club 1961, then paperback) followed years later.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club copies are typically identifiable by a blind-stamped circle on the rear board and an unpriced or price-clipped jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Time Out of Joint a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing per Lippincott convention, with no later-printing statement on the copyright page; dust jacket priced. This was Dick's first US hardcover novel.
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 Lippincott hardcover is the true first edition; UK editions (book club 1961, then paperback) followed years later.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club copies are typically identifiable by a blind-stamped circle on the rear board and an unpriced or price-clipped jacket.
I have a first edition of Time Out of Joint — 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.