# Is "Tom O'Bedlam" by Robert Silverberg a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Tom O'Bedlam by Robert Silverberg (Donald I. Fine, 1985) is identified by: Fine first edition, 1985 (ISBN 0-917657-31-3). US Donald I.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- US Donald I. Fine first edition, 1985 (ISBN 0-917657-31-3)
- A first printing carries a complete number line on the copyright page counting down to 1
- The binding is tan buckram boards with a contrasting blue buckram spine
- The original printed price is present on the jacket front flap
- Publisher imprint reads Donald I. Fine
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert Silverberg |
| Publisher | Donald I. Fine |
| Year | 1985 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | US Donald I. Fine first edition, 1985 (ISBN 0-917657-31-3) |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
US Donald I. Fine first edition, 1985 (ISBN 0-917657-31-3). A first printing carries a complete number line on the copyright page counting down to 1. The binding is tan buckram boards with a contrasting blue buckram spine. The original printed price is present on the jacket front flap.

## Is this the true first?
US Donald I. Fine hardcover is the first edition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions are identified by 'Book Club Edition' on the jacket flap and no printed price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Tom O'Bedlam* by Robert Silverberg a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/tom-obedlam
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.