The points of issue
Ballantine Science Fiction paperback original, catalogue number U2328, with the original printed cover price. Niven's first novel and first published book.
Is this the true first?
US Ballantine paperback original is the true first; no prior hardcover edition exists.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Not applicable; issued as a paperback original, so there is no book club edition of the first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of World of Ptavvs a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Ballantine Science Fiction paperback original, catalogue number U2328, with the original printed cover price. Niven's first novel and first published book.
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 Ballantine paperback original is the true first; no prior hardcover edition exists.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Not applicable; issued as a paperback original, so there is no book club edition of the first.
I have a first edition of World of Ptavvs — 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.