John Grisham First Editions

• A Time to Kill — 1989 · Wynwood PressTrue first: Wynwood Press, 1989, a small printing of about 5,000 copies — Grisham's debut. Jacket points: the front cover/jacket carries the subtitle 'A Novel of Retribution'; the printed price is present at the front flap (unclipped); no later Grisham titles and no 'The Firm' are mentioned (there were none yet); barcode to the rear panel. Binding: ocher (tan) paper-covered boards over a maroon spine cloth…. The US Wynwood Press edition (1989) is the true first, Grisham's debut, issued before he became famous — hence the roughly 5,000-copy printing. The common Doubleday hardcover is a 1993 reissue ('first edition thus'), released after The Firm's success, and is NOT the true first. The 1993 Doubleday reissue (ISBN 0-385-47081-9) is bound in black cloth over blue paper-covered boards, carries a full number line and its own jacket price, and lacks the Wynwood imprint; a 350-copy Doubleday signed limited also exists (1993). Book-club copies typically show a blind-stamped dot on the rear board and no jacket price. Beware facsimile jackets married to non-Wynwood books — verify the Wynwood Press….
• The Firm — 1991 · DoubledayDoubleday first issue: copyright page reads "March 1991" with "First Edition" and a full number line, accompanied by the Doubleday anchor/dolphin colophon, and the original price-printed dust jacket. First-state copies have light green-gray boards with a black cloth spine and gold endpapers; the binding shifted later in the printing. US Doubleday (1991) is the true first edition; the UK Century edition also appeared in 1991. This was Grisham's breakout title and the first printing, while common, is condition-sensitive. The book club edition is dated "April 1991" on the copyright page (rather than March 1991), lacks the printed jacket price, and is bound in all-black boards. A blind-stamp on the rear board is also typical of book club copies.
• The Pelican Brief — 1992 · DoubledayDoubleday first printing: copyright page states "First Edition" with the dated line "March 1992" and a complete Doubleday number line that includes the digit 1 (the scrambled sequence 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2, not a line that ends in 1). First-state dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap with no added bar code; a later jacket state adds a bar code to the front flap. The US Doubleday edition (March 1992) is the true first. The UK Century edition also appeared in 1992 but follows the US printing. Book club editions lack a price on the jacket flap, may print "Book Club Edition" on the flap, are smaller and lighter than the trade first, and typically show a blind-stamped dot or square on the rear board.
• The Client — 1993 · DoubledayDoubleday first printing: copyright page states "First Edition" with the dated line "March 1993" and the complete Doubleday number line that includes the digit 1 (scrambled sequence 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2, not a line ending in 1). First-state dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap. The US Doubleday edition (March 1993) is the true first. The UK Century edition also appeared in 1993 but follows the US printing. Book club editions lack a price on the jacket flap, may print "Book Club Edition" on the flap, run smaller and lighter than the trade first, and usually show a blind-stamped dot or square on the rear board.
• The Chamber — 1994 · DoubledayDoubleday first printing: copyright page states "First Edition" with the dated line "June 1994" and the complete Doubleday number line including the digit 1 (scrambled sequence 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2, not a line ending in 1). First-state dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap. The US Doubleday edition (June 1994) is the true first. The UK Century edition also appeared in 1994 but follows the US printing. Book club editions lack a price on the jacket flap, may print "Book Club Edition" on the flap, run smaller and lighter than the trade first, and usually show a blind-stamped dot or square on the rear board.
• The Rainmaker — 1995 · DoubledayThe first printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page together with the Doubleday split number line 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2. Issued in quarter cloth over boards with foil lettering to the spine and a pictorial dust jacket; the front flap should retain the original printed issue price (unclipped), which is a first-state jacket point. ISBN 0-385-42473-6. US Doubleday hardcover (New York, 1995) is the true first. Book-club edition is smaller, uses thinner boards, carries a blindstamp (small dot or maple leaf) to the lower rear cover, lacks the 'First Edition' statement and the split number line, and has no printed price on the jacket flap.
• The Runaway Jury — 1996 · DoubledayThe first printing states 'First Edition' (with 'June 1996' dated on the copyright page) together with the Doubleday split number line 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2. Issued in gray boards with the author's name gilt to the front cover and a black cloth spine with gilt spine lettering; the pictorial dust jacket should retain the original printed issue price (unclipped) on the front flap. ISBN 0-385-47294-3. US Doubleday hardcover (New York, June 1996) is the true first. Book-club edition is a smaller, lighter volume with a blindstamp to the rear board, lacks the 'First Edition' / 'June 1996' statement and the split number line, and carries no printed price on the jacket flap.
• The Partner — 1997 · DoubledayThe copyright page of the true first states 'First Edition' and carries the full Doubleday number line for a first printing. Doubleday's first-printing line is non-sequential, typically running 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2, so the 'First Edition' statement together with a complete, uncut line is the reliable point. The volume is bound in cream boards with a celadon/light-green cloth spine, gilt spine lettering and the…. The 1997 US Doubleday hardcover is the true first, Grisham's eighth novel, issued in a very large first printing. A signed limited edition was also issued as a separate, distinguishable state; the trade first is the 'First Edition'–stated Doubleday hardcover. Book club editions omit the 'First Edition' statement and the number line, are printed on cheaper bulked stock, and typically bear a blindstamp or dot on the rear board; the jacket lacks the printed price.
• The Street Lawyer — 1998 · DoubledayFirst trade printing has the words 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page together with a full descending-then-alternating Doubleday number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2; the presence of the terminal 2 (rather than the line ending in 1) confirms the first printing in Doubleday's house style for this title. The book is bound in quarter cloth over boards with gilt spine lettering. The first-issue dust…. US Doubleday edition (1998) is the true first, preceding the UK Century edition. Book club editions omit the 'First Edition' statement and the number line, are printed on cheaper bulked paper, and typically bear a small blindstamp (dot or maple-leaf) on the lower rear board.
• The Testament — 1999 · DoubledayFirst printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page and carries the full Doubleday number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2, the terminal 2 confirming first printing. Bound in black quarter cloth over black boards with gilt spine lettering and tan endpapers, 435 pages. The first-issue dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap and should be present and unclipped for a complete copy. US Doubleday edition (1999) is the true first. Book club editions omit the 'First Edition' statement and number line, are noticeably smaller and lighter, and typically bear a blindstamp on the rear board.
• The Brethren — 2000 · DoubledayThe copyright page of the true first states 'First Edition' and carries the full Doubleday number line for a first printing. Doubleday's first-printing line is non-sequential, typically running 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2, so the 'First Edition' statement plus a complete, uncut line is the point to confirm. Book design is credited to Randall Mize; the first-issue dust jacket carries a photograph by Joshua Sheldon under…. The 2000 US Doubleday hardcover is the true first, published in the trade hardcover; seek the 'First Edition'–stated copy with the complete Doubleday number line. Book club editions omit the 'First Edition' statement and the number line, are printed on lighter bulked stock, and typically bear a blindstamp or dot on the rear board; the jacket lacks the printed price.
• A Painted House — 2001 · DoubledayThe copyright page states 'First Edition' and carries the publisher's full number line for the first printing; both the words and the complete number line must be present. Issued February 6, 2001, in brown cloth over brown boards with gilt spine lettering, in a pictorial dust jacket that must retain its printed price on the front flap. Grisham's first novel outside the legal-thriller genre. The US Doubleday trade edition is the true first. A signed, numbered limited edition was also issued and is a distinct issue rather than a later printing. Book club editions omit the 'First Edition' statement and number line, are printed on lighter bulked paper, and typically bear a small blindstamp (dot or maple-leaf) on the rear board.
• Skipping Christmas — 2001 · DoubledayThe copyright page of the true first states 'First Edition' and carries the full Doubleday number line for a first printing. Doubleday's first-printing number line is non-sequential, typically running 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 rather than a simple descending line, so the 'First Edition' statement together with a complete, uncut line is the reliable point. The volume is bound in off-white boards with a blue cloth spine…. The 2001 US Doubleday hardcover is the true first. A deluxe limited numbered edition was also issued and is a separate, distinguishable state; the trade first is the 'First Edition'–stated Doubleday hardcover. Book club editions omit the 'First Edition' statement and the number line, are printed on cheaper bulked-up stock, and typically bear a small blindstamp or dot on the rear board; they also lack the printed price on the jacket.
• The Summons — 2002 · DoubledayDoubleday US first edition (2002). "First Edition" is stated on the copyright page above Doubleday's standard interlaced number line 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2, with February 2002 dating. Bound in black boards with a bronze/brown cloth spine stamped in gilt. The first-issue jacket should be unclipped, retaining the printed front-flap price. US Doubleday first (February 2002). Book club edition lacks the "First Edition" statement and number line, uses thinner boards and lighter stock, and is identified by the blindstamped indent on the lower rear board; its jacket carries no printed price.
• Bleachers — 2003 · Doubleday"First Edition" stated on the copyright page with the full number line counting down to 1. A short novel of x + 163 pages, bound with a vanilla/cream cloth spine over blue-grey boards and gold foil spine lettering. The first-issue dust jacket carries a night-field photograph of the bleachers and should retain its printed price on the flap (unclipped is the preferred state). US Doubleday first (2003). Book club edition lacks the "First Edition" statement and number line; identified by a blindstamp on the rear board.
• The King of Torts — 2003 · Doubleday"First Edition" stated on the copyright page beneath the full number line 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2; the presence of both the statement and the complete line identifies the first printing. Issued in a quarter-bound binding of blue cloth spine over black paper-covered boards, with silver metallic spine lettering. The first-issue dust jacket carries the cover photograph credited to eyewire/Getty Images with jacket…. US Doubleday first edition, February 2003; the true first for this title. The Doubleday book-club edition lacks the "First Edition" statement and number line and is identified by a small blindstamp (dot or square) on the lower rear board; book-club copies are also lighter in weight and use thinner boards.
• The Last Juror — 2004 · Doubleday'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page above a split number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 (odd numbers ascending, then even descending). The title-page date matches the copyright, with no additional printings listed. Bound in black boards with a brown cloth spine and silver spine lettering; jacket design by Patti Ratchford with jacket images by Mary Kocol, author photo by Mark Tucker, book design by…. US Doubleday first, published February 3, 2004. The book club edition lacks the 'First Edition' statement and number line and is a smaller, lighter volume; it is typically identified by a blindstamp (small impressed dot or square) to the lower rear board and a jacket with no printed price.
• The Broker — 2005 · DoubledayDoubleday US first edition (2005). "First Edition" is stated on the copyright page above Doubleday's standard interlaced number line 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2, with the copyright page carrying the February 2005 dating. The first-issue jacket should be unclipped, retaining the printed price on the front flap. US Doubleday first (February 2005). Book club edition omits the "First Edition" statement and number line, is printed on lighter bulking stock, and is identified by the blindstamped maple-leaf (or dot) indent on the lower rear board; its jacket carries no printed price.
• The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town — 2006 · Doubleday"First Edition" is stated on the copyright page with the full number line present and counting down to 1. The binding has a red cloth spine with dark gray paper-covered boards and bright silver lettering stamped on the spine; 360 pages including a photographic section. The first-issue dust jacket is glossy black with an illustration of red fingers on the front panel, silver title and author lettering, and a color…. US Doubleday first, published October 2006. The number line descending to 1 together with the stated "First Edition" line confirms the true first printing. Later printings drop the 1 from the number line and omit the "First Edition" statement.
• Playing for Pizza — 2007 · DoubledayFirst Edition stated on the copyright page with the Doubleday number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2. Issued September 2007 (ISBN 0385525001) in a pictorial dust jacket; a correct first bears the original printed cover price present on the flap, unclipped. The US Doubleday hardcover is the true first; the UK Century edition followed in 2007 within days. A separate signed limited numbered issue exists but is a distinct edition, not the trade first printing. Later printings drop the First Edition statement, and the number line no longer ends in 1.
• The Appeal — 2008 · DoubledayFirst Edition stated on the copyright page with the Doubleday number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2. Published January 29, 2008 (ISBN 9780385515047), octavo, in a matte pictorial dust jacket with orange, black, and white lettering; a correct first has the printed cover price present on the flap, unclipped. US Doubleday first. Later printings drop the First Edition statement, and the number line no longer ends in 1.
• Ford County: Stories — 2009 · Doubleday'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with the full Doubleday number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 (ending in the even numbers, lowest odd first). Spine is black with gilt, red, yellow and cream lettering; a frontispiece illustration of a winding path precedes the text. Issued in a printed dust jacket with the original price on the front flap (present, not clipped). Grisham's first and only story…. US Doubleday hardcover published November 3, 2009. A UK Century edition also appeared in 2009; precedence between the two is not firmly established, so US priority should not be assumed. Later printings drop the 'First Edition' statement and the number line no longer runs down to the low digits.
• The Associate — 2009 · DoubledayFirst Edition stated on the copyright page with the Doubleday number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2. Published January 2009 (ISBN 9780385517836) in a pictorial dust jacket; a correct first carries the original printed cover price present on the flap, unclipped. US Doubleday first. A signed limited numbered issue also exists but is a distinct edition, not the trade first printing. Later printings drop the First Edition statement, and the number line no longer ends in 1.
• The Confession — 2010 · DoubledayFirst Edition stated on the copyright page with the Doubleday number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2. Published 2010 (ISBN 9780385528047) in a pictorial dust jacket; a correct trade first has the original printed cover price present on the flap, unclipped. US Doubleday first. A signed limited numbered issue, bound in leather and signed on the limitation page and housed in a slipcase, also exists but is a distinct deluxe edition, not the trade first printing. Later printings drop the First Edition statement, and the number line no longer ends in 1.
• Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer — 2010 · Dutton Children's BooksNew York: Dutton Children's Books (Dutton Books for Young Readers), 2010, ISBN 9780525423843. The first printing carries the full Dutton number line ending in 1 on the copyright page, and the first-issue dust jacket retains its printed cover price at the top of the front flap (unclipped). First title in the Theodore Boone series. US Dutton Children's Books first (May 2010) is the true first. The UK Hodder edition is a separate, later edition and does not carry the Dutton number line. Book-club and book-fair printings lack the full number line ending in 1; some school-market issues are trade paperbacks rather than the jacketed hardcover.
• The Litigators — 2011 · DoubledayThe Doubleday first printing states "First Edition" on the copyright page and carries the publisher's split number line "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" reading down to 1. Published October 2011 (ISBN 9780385535137). Bound in publisher's cloth with a pictorial dust jacket; a true first has the printed price present on the jacket flap (an unclipped jacket is preferred). Later printings drop the "First Edition" statement and…. The true first is the US Doubleday edition, published October 2011. Book-club and later printings lack the stated "First Edition" line and the full number line reaching 1; a book-club edition also typically lacks the printed jacket price and is lighter with blind-stamped boards.
• Calico Joe — 2012 · DoubledayDoubleday first edition, published April 10, 2012 (ISBN 978-0-385-53607-3). The copyright page states 'FIRST EDITION' and carries a complete number line descending to 1; later printings drop the 'First Edition' statement. Jacket design by John Fontana; the first-issue dust jacket retains its printed price on the front flap. The true first is the US Doubleday trade edition of 2012. A signed limited slipcased issue was also produced. Book-club, large-print (Doubleday Large Print Home Library, ISBN 978-1-61793-782-8), and later trade printings do not carry both the stated 'First Edition' line and the full number line ending in 1.
• The Racketeer — 2012 · DoubledayThe Doubleday first printing states "First Edition" on the copyright page and carries the publisher's split number line "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" reading down to 1. Published October 2012 (ISBN 9780385535144). Bound in publisher's cloth with a pictorial dust jacket; a true first has the printed price present on the jacket flap (an unclipped jacket is preferred). Later printings drop the "First Edition" statement and…. The true first is the US Doubleday edition, published October 2012. Book-club and later printings lack the stated "First Edition" line and the full number line reaching 1; a book-club edition also typically lacks the printed jacket price and is lighter with blind-stamped boards.
• Sycamore Row — 2013 · DoubledayCopyright page states 'First Edition' and carries a complete number line reading down to 1. Later printings remove the 'First Edition' statement. This is the sequel to A Time to Kill, again featuring attorney Jake Brigance. The true first is the US Doubleday edition of 2013 (published October 22, 2013). Book-club and later printings do not carry the stated 'First Edition' line.
• Gray Mountain — 2014 · DoubledayThe Doubleday first printing states "First Edition" on the copyright page and carries the publisher's split number line "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" reading down to 1. Published October 2014 (ISBN 9780385537148). Bound in publisher's cloth with a pictorial dust jacket; a true first has the printed price present on the jacket flap (an unclipped jacket is preferred). Later printings drop the "First Edition" statement and…. The true first is the US Doubleday edition, published October 2014. Book-club and later printings lack the stated "First Edition" line and the full number line reaching 1; a book-club edition also typically lacks the printed jacket price and is lighter in weight with blind-stamped boards.
• Rogue Lawyer — 2015 · DoubledayThe Doubleday first printing states "First Edition" on the copyright page and carries the publisher's split number line "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2" reading down to 1. Published October 2015 (ISBN 9780385539432). Bound in light-brown cloth spine over blue boards with silver spine lettering, in a pictorial dust jacket; a true first has the printed price present on the jacket flap (an unclipped jacket is preferred).…. The true first is the US Doubleday edition, published October 2015. Book-club and later printings lack the stated "First Edition" line and the full number line reaching 1; a book-club edition also typically lacks the printed jacket price and is lighter with blind-stamped boards.
• The Whistler — 2016 · DoubledayFirst edition, first printing. 'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page and the complete number line reads 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2; the first printing retains both the 'First Edition' statement and the 1 in the line. An octavo of about 374 pages, bound in black paper over boards with a black cloth spine lettered in silver, issued in a matte pictorial dust jacket with red and silver lettering on covers and…. US Doubleday edition is the true first, published October 25, 2016. Later trade printings drop the 'First Edition' statement and the 1 from the number line. Book-club printings lack the 'First Edition' line, are typically on lighter bulk stock, and often show the usual book-club tells (unpriced jacket, no headbands, blind-stamp to the rear board).
• Camino Island — 2017 · DoubledayFirst edition, first printing (New York: Doubleday, 2017; ISBN 9780385543026), with 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page above a full number line ending in 1 (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1). Bound in black paper over boards with a green overlay to the spine and silver lettering; the first-state jacket carries the printed price on the front flap. The US Doubleday hardcover, published June 2017, is the true first. Book-club printings omit the 'First Edition' statement and the terminal 1, and are typically smaller and lighter with a jacket lacking the printed flap price; later trade printings likewise raise the lowest number in the line.

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