The points of issue
First printing with no later-printing notice on the copyright page; later printings are designated 'Second Printing.' Grey cloth with green spine lettering, 237 pages.
Is this the true first?
US first edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings within the first edition are marked 'Second Printing'; absence of any such notice indicates the first printing.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Tragic Ground a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing with no later-printing notice on the copyright page; later printings are designated 'Second Printing.' Grey cloth with green spine lettering, 237 pages.
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.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings within the first edition are marked 'Second Printing'; absence of any such notice indicates the first printing.
I have a first edition of Tragic Ground — 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.