# Is "Centennial" by James A. Michener a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Centennial by James A. Michener (Random House, 1974) is identified by: First edition states 'First Edition' on the copyright page (Random House convention) with no number line indicating later printings; 1974 copyright. US Random House (1974) is the true first—Michener's sweeping Colorado/American West saga.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First edition states 'First Edition' on the copyright page (Random House convention) with no number line indicating later printings
- 1974 copyright
- First-issue dust jacket with front-flap price and the original Colorado/American West jacket art
- Publisher imprint reads Random House
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | James A. Michener |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Year | 1974 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First edition states 'First Edition' on the copyright page (Random House convention) with no number line indicating later printings |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First edition states 'First Edition' on the copyright page (Random House convention) with no number line indicating later printings; 1974 copyright. First-issue dust jacket with front-flap price and the original Colorado/American West jacket art.

## Is this the true first?
US Random House (1974) is the true first—Michener's sweeping Colorado/American West saga. Random House's stated 'First Edition' line (removed on later printings) is the point. Signed copies sought.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The Book-of-the-Month/club edition lacks the 'First Edition' statement, has a blind-stamp on the rear board, a price-clipped or unpriced jacket, and lighter boards. BOMC is extremely common for Michener titles and is the chief confusion.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Centennial* by James A. Michener a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/centennial
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.