# Is "Billy Bathgate" by E. L. Doctorow a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Billy Bathgate by E. L. Doctorow (Random House, 1989) is identified by: Random House states 'First Edition' on the copyright page together with a number line that begins with 2 (the house odd-descending/even-ascending form, ending 2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3 1); first-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap. The US Random House trade hardcover of 1989 is the true first trade edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Random House states 'First Edition' on the copyright page together with a number line that begins with 2 (the house odd-descending/even-ascending form, ending 2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3 1); first-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap
- A signed, numbered limited edition of 300 was also issued, and a Franklin Library signed edition preceded trade publication
- Publisher imprint reads Random House
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | E. L. Doctorow |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Year | 1989 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Random House states 'First Edition' on the copyright page together with a number line that begins with 2 (the house… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Random House states 'First Edition' on the copyright page together with a number line that begins with 2 (the house odd-descending/even-ascending form, ending 2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3 1); first-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap. A signed, numbered limited edition of 300 was also issued, and a Franklin Library signed edition preceded trade publication.

## Is this the true first?
The US Random House trade hardcover of 1989 is the true first trade edition. It won the 1990 PEN/Faulkner Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club edition lacks the 'First Edition' statement and number line, is smaller, often blind-stamped on the rear board, with an unpriced jacket.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Billy Bathgate* by E. L. Doctorow a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/billy-bathgate
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.