Tom Clancy First Editions

• The Hunt for Red October — 1984 · Naval Institute PressNaval Institute Press, Annapolis, 1984 — Clancy's debut and NIP's first venture into fiction (an academic/naval press, unusual for a novel). There is NO 'First Edition' statement and NO number line, so the first printing must be identified by internal points, not by a printed edition line. First-printing points: copyright page of exactly 18 lines (Library of Congress data, no statement of printing); the rear…. The US Naval Institute Press 1984 hardcover is the true first (world first). Because NIP was a small press, the first printing is scarce and the book went back to press quickly, so most 'NIP' copies offered are later printings — separate them by the six-blurb jacket panel and the 18-line copyright page, since the imprint alone does not prove a first printing. Later commercial reprints (Berkley mass-market…. A Book-of-the-Month Club edition exists. Do NOT use jacket price to spot it: the true first is itself unpriced, so an unpriced jacket is normal for a first and proves nothing. The book-club copy is told apart by its book-club copyright page and the usual blind-stamped book-club device to the rear board (and cheaper, lighter build) — never by the absence of a flap price.
• Red Storm Rising — 1986 · G.P. Putnam's SonsPutnam first printing: identified by a complete number line on the copyright page that includes the digit 1. Putnam's line for this title is the ascending sequence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (the 1 sits at the start of an ascending line, not at the end of a descending one); Putnam in this period generally did not print the words "First Edition." First-state dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front…. The US Putnam edition (1986) is the true first. The UK Collins edition also appeared in 1986 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.
• Patriot Games — 1987 · G.P. Putnam's SonsPutnam first printing: identified by a complete number line on the copyright page that includes the digit 1 (the ascending sequence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10; Putnam did not state "First Edition"). First-state dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap. A recognized first-state text point exists: uncorrected errors on pages 218, 228, 231, and 232, sometimes accompanied by a publisher's errata slip;…. The US Putnam edition (1987) is the true first. The UK Collins edition also appeared in 1987 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 Cardinal of the Kremlin — 1988 · G.P. Putnam's SonsPutnam first printing: identified by a complete number line on the copyright page that includes the digit 1 (the ascending sequence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10; Putnam did not state "First Edition"). First-state dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap; the jacket shows a satellite against a black background with red foil lettering. The US Putnam edition (1988) is the true first. The UK Collins edition also appeared in 1988 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.
• Clear and Present Danger — 1989 · G.P. Putnam's SonsG.P. Putnam's Sons first printing, 1989, with a full number line 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 on the copyright page. Bound in grey paper-covered boards with a black cloth spine, 656 pages. The first-issue dust jacket exists in two states both considered first, a copper/bronze version and a silver version, with the printed cover price present and the jacket unclipped; the coated jacket surface is prone to edge…. The US Putnam edition of 1989 is the true first. The UK Collins edition also appeared in 1989 but follows the US printing. The book club edition lacks the printed jacket price, may state Book Club Edition on the jacket, and typically shows a blind-stamped dot or square on the rear board; it is also physically smaller and lighter than the Putnam trade first.
• The Sum of All Fears — 1991 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing identified by a complete number line reading 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 on the copyright page. Bound in publisher's blue cloth with the title stamped in silver on the spine. The first-state dust jacket is unclipped with the printed price present on the front flap. US G.P. Putnam's Sons first, published August 1991. Book club editions lack the number line and typically show a blindstamp on the rear board.
• Without Remorse — 1993 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing identified by a complete number line on the copyright page descending to 1. Bound in blue cloth (blue cloth spine), the title stamped in gilt on the spine and Clancy's signature stamped in gilt on the front cover; the book runs 639 pages, octavo. The unclipped first-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap. John Clark origin novel. US G.P. Putnam's Sons first, published August 1993 (ISBN 0-399-13825-0). Book club editions lack the number line, are printed on lighter bulk, and typically show a blindstamp on the rear board.
• Debt of Honor — 1994 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing identified by a complete number line on the copyright page descending to 1. The book is quarter-bound in blue cloth over tan (cream) paper-covered boards, with gilt lettering on the spine and Clancy's facsimile signature stamped in gilt on the front cover. The first-issue dust jacket is designed and illustrated by Lawrence Ratzkin, with the author photograph by John Earle on the rear panel; the…. US G.P. Putnam's Sons first, published 1994. A separate signed limited edition of 450 copies was issued bound in gold cloth within a matching gold cloth slipcase; that is a distinct issue and not the trade first. Book club editions lack the number line, are typically smaller and lighter with fully cloth-covered boards rather than the quarter-cloth-over-boards trade binding, and usually show a blindstamp on the rear board.
• Executive Orders — 1996 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing identified by a complete number line on the copyright page descending to 1. The book is quarter-bound with a black cloth spine over blue paper-covered boards, with silver lettering on the spine and Clancy's signature embossed in silver on the front cover. The first-issue dust jacket carries the illustrated American-flag design with raised, shadowed white lettering and the author photograph on the…. US G.P. Putnam's Sons first, published 1996. Book club editions lack the number line, are typically fully cloth-bound rather than quarter-cloth-over-boards, and usually show a blindstamp on the rear board.
• SSN: Strategies of Submarine Warfare — 1996 · Berkley BooksIssued by Berkley Books, New York, as a trade paperback original in December 1996 (ISBN 0425159116); the first printing carries a complete number line ending in 1. Written as a companion to the SSN submarine-combat computer game, the book presents fifteen fact-based mission scenarios aboard the USS Cheyenne and includes maps, photographs, and an interview with Clancy and former submarine commander Doug Littlejohns. The US Berkley trade paperback is the US first edition. A HarperCollins UK edition also appeared around the same time, so the absolute 'true first' between US and UK is not cleanly established from available sources. No book-club edition; later printings show a shortened number line.
• Rainbow Six — 1998 · G.P. Putnam's Sons'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a complete number line 1 through 10 beginning at 1. Bound in blue paper boards with a black cloth spine stamped in silver; 740 pages. The first-state dust jacket retains its printed front-flap price and is not clipped. US G.P. Putnam's Sons edition (ISBN 0-399-14390-4), published August 3, 1998, is the true first. Book club editions lack the 'First Edition' statement and the number line, carry no printed jacket price, and typically show a blind-stamped dot on the rear board.
• The Bear and the Dragon — 2000 · G.P. Putnam's SonsUS G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 2000. 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a complete number line running 1 through 10. Bound in black boards with gilt lettering on the spine and front board; the first-issue dust jacket is black with red and gold lettering and should retain its printed front-flap price. A separate signed limited edition was also issued in numbered copies, distinct from the trade first. The US G.P. Putnam's Sons edition is the true first. Book club editions lack the 'First Edition' statement and the complete 1-through-10 number line, and are typically printed on lighter bulk with a blind mark on the rear board.
• Red Rabbit — 2002 · G.P. Putnam's SonsThe first printing states "First Edition" on the copyright page with a complete number line that includes the numeral 1; the presence of the 1 is the decisive point. Issued by G. P. Putnam's Sons in 2002 (ISBN 0-399-14870-1), a Jack Ryan prequel novel. The binding is black boards with a black cloth spine, lettered in red metallic stamping on both the front board and spine. The first-issue dust jacket is glossy…. The US G. P. Putnam's Sons hardcover is the true first edition. A separate signed limited edition exists but is a distinct issue from the trade first printing. Book club editions lack the stated "First Edition" line and the number line, are typically printed on lighter bulk paper with a smaller trim and blind-stamped rear board, and carry no printed price on the jacket flap; the trade first is confirmed by the "First Edition" statement with the number line including 1.
• The Teeth of the Tiger — 2003 · G.P. Putnam's SonsUS G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 2003. 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a complete 1-through-10 number line present. Bound in blue boards with a navy/black cloth spine and gilt (red-foil) lettering; the first-issue pictorial dust jacket should be unclipped with its printed price intact. Introduces Jack Ryan Jr. A signed, numbered limited edition was also issued in a slipcase without a jacket,…. US G.P. Putnam's Sons edition is the true first. Introduces Jack Ryan Jr. Reprints and book club editions lack the 'First Edition' statement and complete number line; club copies carry the usual blind-stamp and unpriced flap.
• Dead or Alive — 2010 · G.P. Putnam's Sons'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a complete number line descending to and including the numeral 1. Written with Grant Blackwood; G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 2010, thick octavo. The first-printing dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap and is not clipped on collectible copies; the price should be present. US G.P. Putnam's Sons edition is the true first, published December 2010. Reprints and book club editions lack the 'First Edition' statement and the full number line; on a first printing the number line runs down to the 1.
• Against All Enemies — 2011 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page beneath a complete descending number line ending in 1. A stand-alone thriller written with Peter Telep and published by G.P. Putnam's Sons in June 2011. Issued in hardcover in publisher's boards with a printed dust jacket; the jacket carries the publisher's printed price at the lower flap corner, which should be present on a collectible first-issue jacket. The US G.P. Putnam's Sons edition (ISBN 9780399157301) is the true first. A simultaneous or near-simultaneous UK edition appeared from Michael Joseph, a Penguin imprint (ISBN 9780718158460), under its own binding and jacket; the Putnam printing is the collected first. Later printings and any book-club issue drop the 'First Edition' statement and the complete number line; club copies also typically lack the printed jacket price and may carry a blind stamp or club code.
• Locked On — 2011 · G.P. Putnam's SonsUS G.P. Putnam's Sons hardcover, 2011 (853 pages), co-authored with Mark Greaney. The first printing has 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page together with a full descending number line ending in 1. Bound in orange boards with a gilt 'TC' monogram on the front cover and a blue paper spine panel lettered in gilt. The first-issue dust jacket (jacket number DJ#1112) was designed by Richard Hasselberger, with…. US Putnam hardcover is the true first. Later printings drop the 'First Edition' statement and show an incomplete number line that no longer ends in 1.
• Threat Vector — 2012 · G.P. Putnam's SonsUS G.P. Putnam's Sons hardcover, 2012 (835 pages), co-authored with Mark Greaney. The first printing has 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page together with a full descending number line ending in 1. The dust jacket was designed by Richard Hasselberger, with book design by Amanda Dewey and maps by Jeffrey L. Ward; the first-issue jacket should carry its printed price and be unclipped. US Putnam hardcover is the true first, published December 4, 2012. Later printings drop the 'First Edition' statement and show an incomplete number line that no longer ends in 1.
• Command Authority — 2013 · G.P. Putnam's SonsUS G.P. Putnam's Sons hardcover, December 2013, ISBN 978-0-399-16047-9. Co-authored with Mark Greaney and the last novel published under Clancy's authorship. 'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page above a complete number line ending in 1; the first-issue dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap. The US Putnam hardcover is the true first, published December 2013. A UK Michael Joseph/Penguin edition followed. Later Putnam printings drop the 'First Edition' statement and show an incomplete number line no longer ending in 1; the mass-market and UK paperbacks are separate later issues.

More Literary Fiction (US) & Award Winners shelves: Toni Morrison, Truman Capote, T.S. Eliot, Upton Sinclair, Ursula K. Le Guin, various (ed. Hugo Gernsback).

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