# Is "Aurora Dawn" by Herman Wouk a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Aurora Dawn by Herman Wouk (Simon & Schuster, 1947) is identified by: Simon & Schuster first printing, 1947, with no later-printing statement on the copyright page; issued as a Venture Press book. US Simon & Schuster is the true first; a UK Jonathan Cape edition followed.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Simon & Schuster first printing, 1947, with no later-printing statement on the copyright page; issued as a Venture Press book
- Wouk's debut novel (full title "Aurora Dawn, or, The True History of Andrew Reale"), collating about 241 pages
- Bound in dark blue cloth with the author's gilt initials stamped on the front board and gilt spine lettering, and with a red-stained top edge
- The first-issue dust jacket was illustrated by Lawrence Hoffman and should retain its printed price on the front flap
- Publisher imprint reads Simon & Schuster
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Herman Wouk |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
| Year | 1947 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Simon & Schuster first printing, 1947, with no later-printing statement on the copyright page; issued as a Venture Press book |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
Simon & Schuster first printing, 1947, with no later-printing statement on the copyright page; issued as a Venture Press book. Wouk's debut novel (full title "Aurora Dawn, or, The True History of Andrew Reale"), collating about 241 pages. Bound in dark blue cloth with the author's gilt initials stamped on the front board and gilt spine lettering, and with a red-stained top edge. The first-issue dust jacket was illustrated by Lawrence Hoffman and should retain its printed price on the front flap.

## Is this the true first?
US Simon & Schuster is the true first; a UK Jonathan Cape edition followed.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later reprints are noted on the copyright page; a first printing carries no such later-printing statement.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Aurora Dawn* by Herman Wouk a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/aurora-dawn
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.