The points of issue
Title page bears the Ace/Putnam imprint; copyright page carries a full descending number line ending in 1. First-issue jacket is unclipped with the original printed price; jacket art by Boris Vallejo.
Is this the true first?
The U.S. Ace/Putnam (Putnam) hardcover of 1987 is the true first edition; it was Heinlein's last novel.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition lacks the printed jacket price and is identified by a blind stamp on the rear board; smaller and lighter than the trade first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of To Sail Beyond the Sunset a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Title page bears the Ace/Putnam imprint; copyright page carries a full descending number line ending in 1. First-issue jacket is unclipped with the original printed price; jacket art by Boris Vallejo.
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 U.S. Ace/Putnam (Putnam) hardcover of 1987 is the true first edition; it was Heinlein's last novel.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club edition lacks the printed jacket price and is identified by a blind stamp on the rear board; smaller and lighter than the trade first.
I have a first edition of To Sail Beyond the Sunset — 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.