# Is "Captive Bride" by Johanna Lindsey a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Captive Bride by Johanna Lindsey (Avon Books, 1977) is identified by: Avon paperback original, 1977 — Lindsey's debut novel. US Avon 1977 paperback original is the true first; no hardcover precedes it.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Avon paperback original, 1977 — Lindsey's debut novel
- Identify by the 'First Avon Printing' statement and the lowest printing number on the copyright page, with the original cover price on the wrapper
- Cover art by Robert McGinnis
- Publisher imprint reads Avon Books
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Johanna Lindsey |
| Publisher | Avon Books |
| Year | 1977 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Avon paperback original, 1977 — Lindsey's debut novel |
| Book-club edition exists? | No |

## Points of issue
Avon paperback original, 1977 — Lindsey's debut novel. Identify by the 'First Avon Printing' statement and the lowest printing number on the copyright page, with the original cover price on the wrapper. Cover art by Robert McGinnis.

## Is this the true first?
US Avon 1977 paperback original is the true first; no hardcover precedes it.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club hardcover precedes it; later Avon printings show higher printing statements, raised prices, and reissued cover art.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Captive Bride* by Johanna Lindsey a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/captive-bride
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.