The points of issue
US Tor hardcover, November 2010; 'First edition' stated with a full number line ending in 1.
Decode the printer’s key: paste the number line into the decoder.
Is this the true first?
US Tor true first; UK Orbit follows.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
SFBC and later printings differ.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Towers of Midnight (WoT 13, with Brandon Sanderson) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: US Tor hardcover, November 2010; 'First edition' stated with a full number line ending in 1.
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 Tor true first; UK Orbit follows.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
SFBC and later printings differ.
I have a first edition of Towers of Midnight (WoT 13, with Brandon Sanderson) — 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.