Ross Macdonald First Editions

• The Moving Target — 1949 · Alfred A. Knopf'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page. Published April 1949 under the byline 'John Macdonald' (not yet 'Ross Macdonald'). Brown cloth lettered and decorated in green; jacket designed by Bill English. First Lew Archer novel. First-issue jacket carries the printed price. US Knopf (1949) precedes the UK Cassell edition (1951). Because John D. MacDonald objected to confusion over the name, later Archer titles appeared as 'John Ross Macdonald' before settling on 'Ross Macdonald'; this first book used 'John Macdonald' only. A book-club edition is common (blind-stamp, no jacket price, lighter bulk). The 1966 film tie-in 'Harper' reprints postdate it.
• The Drowning Pool — 1950 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf, 1950, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page per Knopf's convention. Second Lew Archer novel; bylined John Ross Macdonald. First-state jacket carries the original price on the front flap. The US Knopf edition is the true first. Later Knopf printings drop the 'FIRST EDITION' statement.
• The Way Some People Die — 1951 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf, 1951, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page and no later-printing notice. The third Lew Archer novel, bylined John Ross Macdonald to distinguish it from the work of John D. MacDonald. Issued in paper-covered boards in a blue and white scheme, in the pictorial Knopf dust jacket; the jacket should retain its printed price and, on an unmarked copy, is unclipped. The US Knopf edition is the true first. The book was bylined John Ross Macdonald, the pseudonym Kenneth Millar used for this and the following novels to separate them from the popular John D. MacDonald. Later Knopf printings drop the 'FIRST EDITION' statement from the copyright page; the stated-first, first-printing sheets are the point.
• The Ivory Grin (UK: Marked for Murder) — 1952 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf, 1952, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page and no later-printing notice. Fourth Lew Archer novel; bylined John Ross Macdonald. The binding has patterned boards with black lettering and a black-stained top edge, with rough-trimmed edges. The dust jacket art is by H. Lawrence Hoffman and should retain its printed price on the front flap. The US Knopf edition (1952) is the true first. Note: the aggregate title is misleading. 'Marked for Murder' was the retitled US Pocket Books paperback (1953), not a UK title. The UK Cassell edition retained the title The Ivory Grin. Later Knopf printings drop the 'FIRST EDITION' statement and add a printing notice on the copyright page.
• Meet Me at the Morgue (UK: Experience with Evil) — 1953 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf, 1953, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page (Bruccoli A9.1.a). A non-Archer standalone bylined John Ross Macdonald, the pseudonym Kenneth Millar used at this period to separate his work from John D. MacDonald's. Small octavo bound in yellow (red-and-yellow) patterned paper over boards, the spine lettered in black blocked in white, with a grey topstain. The first-issue dust jacket…. The US Knopf edition (1953) is the true first; the UK Cassell edition appeared in 1954 under the retitle Experience with Evil. Later Knopf printings drop the 'FIRST EDITION' statement from the copyright page.
• Find a Victim — 1954 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf (Borzoi), 1954, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page. Octavo, 215 pp, bound in patterned red paper boards with the title stamped in black on the spine and the top edge dyed blue. First-state jacket carries the printed price on the front flap. Fifth Lew Archer novel; bylined John Ross Macdonald (the Knopf jacket also identifies the author as Kenneth Millar). The US Knopf edition is the true first. Later Knopf printings drop the 'FIRST EDITION' statement; no book-club edition concern noted for the first printing.
• The Name Is Archer — 1955 · Bantam BooksBantam Books 1955 paperback original, Bantam #1295 (not the later #1340), with the price printed on the cover and cover art by Mitchell Hooks. First book appearance of these seven Lew Archer short stories, written between 1946 and 1954, collectible in that original paperback format. Paperback original; true first of the story collection. Bylined John Ross Macdonald on the 1955 first printing; later reprints use the shortened Ross Macdonald name. Numerous later Bantam reprints exist, including a renumbered edition; the later Mysterious Press hardcover (1983) is a reprint, thus not the first appearance.
• The Barbarous Coast — 1956 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf (New York), 1956, with "FIRST EDITION" stated on the copyright page and no later-printing statement. The sixth Lew Archer novel and the first book published under the settled pseudonym Ross Macdonald. Bound in patterned/decorated paper-covered boards with black spine lettering on white panels and a black Borzoi (Knopf) device to the rear board; top edge stained blue. Issued in the first-issue…. US Knopf (1956) is the true first edition. Kenneth Millar had published earlier under John Macdonald and John Ross Macdonald; The Barbarous Coast is the first to appear under the settled "Ross Macdonald" name. Reprints and later printings lack the "FIRST EDITION" statement on the copyright page and typically lack the blue-stained top edge and first-state jacket.
• The Doomsters — 1958 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf (New York), 1958. 'FIRST EDITION' is stated on the copyright page beneath the Borzoi imprint. The first printing is bound in purple patterned paper-covered boards with the spine titling stamped in black. The first-issue dust jacket carries art by Bill English and should retain its printed front-flap price (price present; a price-clipped jacket is still a first-issue jacket). Seventh novel in the…. The US Knopf hardcover (1958) is the true first. Later Knopf printings lack the 'FIRST EDITION' statement on the copyright page; any book-club issue is a smaller, cheaper-bound volume with an unpriced jacket.
• The Galton Case — 1959 · Alfred A. KnopfTrue first is the 1959 Knopf HARDCOVER (not a PBO). Listed only as a caution: Macdonald/Lew Archer firsts are hardcover. Knopf first printings state 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page with the Borzoi colophon and no later-printing indicators. Caution title: the Bantam paperback is a reprint, not the first. Hardcover precedes. Knopf hardcover firsts say 'FIRST EDITION'; book-club editions lack the statement, have blind-stamp on the rear board, and a price-clipped/no-price jacket.
• The Ferguson Affair — 1960 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf (New York), 1960, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page beneath the Borzoi device. Octavo, 283 pages; bound in quarter red cloth spine over blue paper-covered boards, with the title stamped on the spine cloth. A non-Archer standalone novel whose protagonist is the lawyer William Gunnarson. A first-state pictorial dust jacket retains the original printed price on the front flap…. US Knopf 1960 is the true first edition and first printing. Reprints and any later issues lack the 'FIRST EDITION' statement on the copyright page; book-club printings are typically thinner, on cheaper stock, and carry no printed price on the jacket flap.
• The Wycherly Woman — 1961 · Alfred A. KnopfKnopf 1961, 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page. Ninth Lew Archer novel. Bound in maroon boards with a green cloth spine, title stamped in gilt on the spine; octavo, 278 pages. First-state dust jacket carries the original printed price on the front flap (present, unclipped); jacket art by Muni Lieblein. US Knopf is the true first; the novel was Macdonald's first book nominated for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award. Reprints and book-club copies lack the 'First Edition' statement on the copyright page.
• The Zebra-Striped Hearse — 1962 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf, 1962; the tenth Lew Archer novel. The first edition is stated 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page beneath the Borzoi device (Knopf's convention is a stated first with no number line). Collation runs to 277 pages of text. Binding is quarter black cloth over yellow (canary) paper boards, with a decoration blocked in blind on the front board and gilt lettering and decoration on the spine; the top…. The US Knopf edition is the true first, published 1962. Later Knopf printings and reprints drop the stated 'FIRST EDITION' line on the copyright page; book-club issues use blind-stamped boards and bulkier, lower-grade paper and lack the stated first line.
• The Chill — 1964 · Alfred A. Knopf'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page (Borzoi). Quarter red cloth over light-blue paper-covered boards, gilt spine lettering; light-red top-stain. First-issue jacket bears the printed price with 'the printed price' at the base of the front flap; jacket design by Arthur Hawkins. Bruccoli A18.1.a. US Knopf is the true first; the UK Collins Crime Club edition (1964) followed. The novel won the CWA Silver Dagger. One of Macdonald's strongest Lew Archer novels. Book-club edition has a blind-stamped dot on the rear cover, no 'the printed price' code on the flap, often no price, lacks the stated 'FIRST EDITION', and is on lighter bulked paper.
• The Far Side of the Dollar — 1965 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf, New York, 1965, with 'First edition' stated on the copyright page. Green cloth spine over grey boards, spine lettered in gilt; viii, 247 pp. A Lew Archer novel; winner of the CWA Gold Dagger. The US Knopf edition is the true first. Later printings and book-club editions lack the 'First edition' statement on the copyright page.
• Black Money — 1966 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf, New York, 1966, with 'First edition' stated on the copyright page beneath the Borzoi imprint. Octavo, 238 pages, bound in burgundy cloth spine over blue paper boards with the spine lettered in gilt; the text is followed by the customary 'A Note on the Type' and 'A Note About the Author' leaves. A Lew Archer novel. The first-issue jacket retains its printed price on the front flap. The US Knopf edition is the true first. Later printings and book-club editions lack the 'First edition' statement on the copyright page; club copies typically show a blind-stamped code on the rear board and carry a price-absent jacket.
• The Instant Enemy — 1968 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf, New York, 1968, with 'First edition' stated on the copyright page (the Borzoi colophon present). Yellow boards with blue cloth spine, title stamped in silver; 227 pp, top edge stained yellow. Issued in the pictorial dust jacket designed by Muni Lieblein, with the printed price present on the front flap. A Lew Archer novel. The US Knopf edition is the true first. Later printings and book-club editions lack the 'First edition' statement on the copyright page; the trade first also shows the printed price on the jacket flap.
• The Goodbye Look — 1969 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf, New York, 1969, with 'First edition' stated on the copyright page. Black boards with beige cloth spine lettered in gilt; 243 pp. A Lew Archer novel; the bestseller that widened Macdonald's audience. The US Knopf edition is the true first. Later printings and book-club editions lack the 'First edition' statement on the copyright page.
• The Underground Man — 1971 · Alfred A. Knopf'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page. Published January 1971. Orange paper boards backed in black cloth, gilt spine lettering, blind-stamped 'RM' monogram to the front cover, top edge stained blue, deckled fore-edge. First-issue jacket carries the printed price. The book that returned Macdonald to wide critical attention (front-page New York Times Book Review). US Knopf (1971) is the true first. A Book-of-the-Month / club edition is common: blind-stamp to the rear board, no price on the jacket.
• Sleeping Beauty — 1973 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf (Borzoi imprint), New York, 1973, with 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page and no later-printing indicators. Bound in dark blue cloth-covered boards with gilt titling to the spine and a pink top-edge stain; 271 pp. The first-issue dust jacket carries the printed retail price at the top of the front flap (a priced flap; price-clipping does not itself demote a first). A Lew Archer novel. The US Knopf edition is the true first; there was no earlier UK issue. Later printings and book-club editions lack the 'First Edition' statement on the copyright page. Book-club copies are typically printed on thinner bulk, often carry a blind-stamp to the rear board, and their jackets lack the printed price.
• The Blue Hammer — 1976 · Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf, New York, 1976, with 'First edition' stated on the copyright page. Blue boards with black cloth spine lettered in gilt, in the Hal Siegel dust jacket; 270 pp. The final Lew Archer novel. The US Knopf trade edition is the true first; 'signed' copies are simply signed trade first editions, not a separate limited issue that precedes it. Later printings and book-club editions lack the 'First edition' statement on the copyright page.

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