The points of issue
Full number line present on the copyright page; Dickey's third novel. First-issue jacket priced on the front flap.
Is this the true first?
US first edition. A UK edition follows.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings advance the number line.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of To the White Sea a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Full number line present on the copyright page; Dickey's third novel. First-issue jacket priced on the front flap.
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 first edition. A UK edition follows.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings advance the number line.
I have a first edition of To the White Sea — 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.