# Is "A Case of Need" by Michael Crichton (as Jeffery Hudson) a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of A Case of Need by Michael Crichton (as Jeffery Hudson) (World Publishing, 1968) is identified by: Published by The World Publishing Company (New York and Cleveland) in 1968 under the pseudonym 'Jeffery Hudson.' First printing has no later-printing statement; first-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the flap. The US World Publishing edition (1968, as Jeffery Hudson) is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Published by The World Publishing Company (New York and Cleveland) in 1968 under the pseudonym 'Jeffery Hudson.' First printing has no later-printing statement; first-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the flap
- Crichton's award-winning debut novel
- Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel
- Publisher imprint reads World Publishing
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Michael Crichton (as Jeffery Hudson) |
| Publisher | World Publishing |
| Year | 1968 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Published by The World Publishing Company (New York and Cleveland) in 1968 under the pseudonym 'Jeffery Hudson.' First printing has no… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Published by The World Publishing Company (New York and Cleveland) in 1968 under the pseudonym 'Jeffery Hudson.' First printing has no later-printing statement; first-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the flap. Crichton's award-winning debut novel. Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel (1969).

## Is this the true first?
The US World Publishing edition (1968, as Jeffery Hudson) is the true first. Later editions reattributed to Michael Crichton are first-thus, not the true first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions are common; the Crichton-bylined reissues are not the true first.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *A Case of Need* by Michael Crichton (as Jeffery Hudson) a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/a-case-of-need
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.