Dune

The first in the epic science fiction series of the same name, Dune is set on the desert planet Arrakis, host to "the Spice" - the most important resource in the universe, needed for interplanetary travel and coveted for its effects on longevity and granting incredible psychic powers among humans. Amidst an intergalactic power struggle, would-be heir to the planet's stewardship Paul Atreides is cast out into the desert to die following a coup. Joining a group of zealots called the Fremen, Paul soon becomes considered their messiah - Mahdi - and recognizes in them a formidable fighting force with whom he can retake control of Arrakis. Dune won both the Hugo Award for Best Novel and the Nebula Award for Best Novel.

Dune is one of the high points for science fiction collectors and was first published in 1965 by Chilton Book Company in Philadelphia (an interesting departure for the publisher, who to that date had only published automotive repair manuals). The true first will read "First Edition" on the copyright page, with no subsequent printings, and will be in blue cloth boards. The jacket is a pictorial dark red and blue desert scene, and the rear panel has a map. The price on the jacket flap should be $5.95 and the rear flap should have the Chilton address across four lines.Beware mistaking the more widely-published Book Club Edition as a true first. Although this is one of the rare cases where a BCE has value to collectors, there is a dramatic price difference between the two.

Prior to its publication in book form, parts of Dune were published in Analog as a three-part serial called Dune World in 1963-1964 and later as a five-part serial called Prophet of Dune in 1965. The first UK edition is also highly coveted and was published in the subsequent year by Victor Gollancz in dark brown cloth with a black jacket featuring a silhouette of a dunescape with white lines. Easton press published a collector's edition in 1987. The Folio Society released an acclaimed, illustrated limited edition in 2015 and again in 2020.