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This article on Warhammer Community states that 1988's Book of the Astronomican is the first mention of the Horus Heresy. However, while I was recently reading White Dwarf 96 from december 1987, I stumbled upon the following sentence in a Chapter Approved article (first one, actually) on Dark Angels:

The Chapter's early history was removed from all Imperial records following the Horus Heresy and the banishment of the nine “treacher-legions” to the Eye of Terror.

Does anyone know of an earlier reference to the Horus Heresy, even indirectly? I have a vague recollection of seeing another early mention about traitor space marines fleeing to the Eye of Terror, although without mentioning Horus.

Now, it is quite likely that this is not first reference to be written, but I find it possible that it may be the first to be published.