# Is "Dispatches" by Michael Herr a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Dispatches by Michael Herr (Alfred A. Knopf, 1977) is identified by: First edition, first printing: Knopf, 1977, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page and the Borzoi colophon. US Knopf 1977 is the true first, preceding the UK Picador/Knopf editions.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First edition, first printing: Knopf, 1977, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page and the Borzoi colophon
- First-issue dust jacket priced (the printed price)
- No number line below the 'FIRST EDITION' statement
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Michael Herr |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1977 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First edition, first printing: Knopf, 1977, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page and the Borzoi colophon |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First edition, first printing: Knopf, 1977, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page and the Borzoi colophon. First-issue dust jacket priced (the printed price). No number line below the 'FIRST EDITION' statement.

## Is this the true first?
US Knopf 1977 is the true first, preceding the UK Picador/Knopf editions. Landmark Vietnam war reportage; signed copies desirable. The 'FIRST EDITION' statement plus Borzoi colophon is the key point.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the 'FIRST EDITION' statement, carry a blind board stamp, are slightly smaller, and have unpriced jackets.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Dispatches* by Michael Herr a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/dispatches
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.