# Is "Apex Hides the Hurt" by Colson Whitehead a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Apex Hides the Hurt by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday, 2006) is identified by: 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1 (Doubleday, ISBN 0-385-50795-X, 212 pages). US Doubleday first edition (March 21, 2006) is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1 (Doubleday, ISBN 0-385-50795-X, 212 pages)
- Bound in blue boards with the title stamped in gilt on the spine, in the publisher's illustrated dust jacket
- The first-issue jacket should retain the printed price on the front flap
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Colson Whitehead |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Year | 2006 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1 (Doubleday, ISBN 0-385-50795-X, 212 pages). Bound in blue boards with the title stamped in gilt on the spine, in the publisher's illustrated dust jacket. The first-issue jacket should retain the printed price on the front flap.

## Is this the true first?
US Doubleday first edition (March 21, 2006) is the true first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No significant book-club issue.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Apex Hides the Hurt* by Colson Whitehead a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/apex-hides-the-hurt
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.