The points of issue
Pocket Books mass-market paperback original, 1985; a landmark of the 1980s historical-romance revival. The first printing shows the original cover price and a clean copyright page with no later-printing line. The 1985 paperback original precedes the substantially revised later edition.
Is this the true first?
The 1985 paperback original is the true first. The 1999 reissue was revised by the author with a new ending and added material, making it a textually distinct edition; the 1985 first is the true first of the original text.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Distinguish the 1985 paperback first from the 1999 revised reissue (first issued in hardcover) by date, by the original lower cover price, and by the first-printing copyright line.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Whitney, My Love a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Pocket Books mass-market paperback original, 1985; a landmark of the 1980s historical-romance revival. The first printing shows the original cover price and a clean copyright page with no later-printing line. The 1985 paperback original precedes the substantially revised later edition.
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 1985 paperback original is the true first. The 1999 reissue was revised by the author with a new ending and added material, making it a textually distinct edition; the 1985 first is the true first of the original text.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Distinguish the 1985 paperback first from the 1999 revised reissue (first issued in hardcover) by date, by the original lower cover price, and by the first-printing copyright line.
I have a first edition of Whitney, My Love — 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.