# Is "Bleachers" by John Grisham a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Bleachers by John Grisham (Doubleday, 2003) is identified by: "First Edition" stated on the copyright page with the full number line counting down to 1. US Doubleday first (2003).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- "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)
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John Grisham |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Year | 2003 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | "First Edition" stated on the copyright page with the full number line counting down to 1 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
"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).

## Is this the true first?
US Doubleday first (2003).

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition lacks the "First Edition" statement and number line; identified by a blindstamp on the rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Bleachers* by John Grisham a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/bleachers
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.