# Is "Burglars Can't Be Choosers" by Lawrence Block a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block (Random House, 1977) is identified by: Copyright page states First Edition accompanied by a number line whose lowest number is 2; on Random House first printings of this era the 1 is absent and the stated First Edition takes its place. US Random House edition is the true first; first Bernie Rhodenbarr (Burglar) novel.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Copyright page states First Edition accompanied by a number line whose lowest number is 2; on Random House first printings of this era the 1 is absent and the stated First Edition takes its place
- Dust jacket is price-clipped-free (priced) on the true first
- Publisher imprint reads Random House
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Lawrence Block |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Year | 1977 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Copyright page states First Edition accompanied by a number line whose lowest number is… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Copyright page states First Edition accompanied by a number line whose lowest number is 2; on Random House first printings of this era the 1 is absent and the stated First Edition takes its place. Dust jacket is price-clipped-free (priced) on the true first.

## Is this the true first?
US Random House edition is the true first; first Bernie Rhodenbarr (Burglar) novel.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the priced jacket and typically show a blindstamp on the rear board with no number line.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Burglars Can't Be Choosers* by Lawrence Block a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/burglars-cant-be-choosers
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.