# Is "Child of God" by Cormac McCarthy a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Child of God by Cormac McCarthy (Random House, 1973) is identified by: 'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page with no later-printing line. US Random House is the true first; the UK Chatto & Windus edition (1975) follows.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- 'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page with no later-printing line
- Publisher's red boards with a navy/blue cloth spine, gilt spine lettering and a blind-stamped 'CMcC' on the front board
- First-issue dust jacket carries the printed price unclipped; the rear panel shows the author photo and no review blurbs
- Publisher imprint reads Random House
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Cormac McCarthy |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Year | 1973 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | 'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page with no later-printing line |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page with no later-printing line. Publisher's red boards with a navy/blue cloth spine, gilt spine lettering and a blind-stamped 'CMcC' on the front board. First-issue dust jacket carries the printed price unclipped; the rear panel shows the author photo and no review blurbs.

## Is this the true first?
US Random House is the true first; the UK Chatto & Windus edition (1975) follows.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Reprints and paperbacks (Vintage, Ecco) omit the 'First Edition' statement.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Child of God* by Cormac McCarthy a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/child-of-god
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.