# Is "Cell" by Stephen King a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Cell by Stephen King (Scribner, 2006) is identified by: First Scribner edition, first printing identified by the full number line reading down to 1 on the copyright page. US Scribner true first, 2006; the UK Hodder & Stoughton edition follows.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First Scribner edition, first printing identified by the full number line reading down to 1 on the copyright page
- Bound in black quarter-cloth over red boards with silver spine lettering; the priced dust jacket carries illustration by Mark Stutzman, design by John Fulbrook III, and author photograph by Amy Guip, with the printed price present on the front flap
- The volume closes with a facsimile excerpt in King's hand from the forthcoming Lisey's Story
- Publisher imprint reads Scribner
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Stephen King |
| Publisher | Scribner |
| Year | 2006 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First Scribner edition, first printing identified by the full number line reading down to 1 on the copyright page |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First Scribner edition, first printing identified by the full number line reading down to 1 on the copyright page. Bound in black quarter-cloth over red boards with silver spine lettering; the priced dust jacket carries illustration by Mark Stutzman, design by John Fulbrook III, and author photograph by Amy Guip, with the printed price present on the front flap. The volume closes with a facsimile excerpt in King's hand from the forthcoming Lisey's Story.

## Is this the true first?
US Scribner true first, 2006; the UK Hodder & Stoughton edition follows.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club copies lack the number line and the jacket price, are printed on lighter bulk paper, and often carry a blind stamp to the rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Cell* by Stephen King a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/cell
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.