The points of issue
Copyright page reads 'First published in 1981 by The Viking Press' with no number line; dust jacket carries the printed price. Bound in black quarter cloth over textured brown boards with 'SK' stamped on the front.
Is this the true first?
The US Viking edition is the true first; the dedication reads 'This book is for my brother, David.' The UK Macdonald edition (1982) is the UK first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book-club edition has a blind-stamped gutter code on the rear board, is slightly smaller and lighter, and the jacket lacks a printed price. The shared publisher address misleads novices.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Cujo a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Copyright page reads 'First published in 1981 by The Viking Press' with no number line; dust jacket carries the printed price. Bound in black quarter cloth over textured brown boards with 'SK' stamped on the front.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The US Viking edition is the true first; the dedication reads 'This book is for my brother, David.' The UK Macdonald edition (1982) is the UK first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The book-club edition has a blind-stamped gutter code on the rear board, is slightly smaller and lighter, and the jacket lacks a printed price. The shared publisher address misleads novices.
I have a first edition of Cujo — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.