# Is "Drums of Autumn" by Diana Gabaldon a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon (Delacorte Press, 1997) is identified by: US Delacorte Press first printing has a full number line 1 through 10 (ending in 1) on the copyright page, with a priced dust jacket. US Delacorte Press is the American first (issued late 1996 / dated 1997); the UK first was Century in 1997.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- US Delacorte Press first printing has a full number line 1 through 10 (ending in 1) on the copyright page, with a priced dust jacket
- Outlander book 4
- ISBN 0-385-31140-8
- Publisher imprint reads Delacorte Press
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Diana Gabaldon |
| Publisher | Delacorte Press |
| Year | 1997 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | US Delacorte Press first printing has a full number line 1 through 10 (ending in 1) on… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
US Delacorte Press first printing has a full number line 1 through 10 (ending in 1) on the copyright page, with a priced dust jacket. Outlander book 4; ISBN 0-385-31140-8.

## Is this the true first?
US Delacorte Press is the American first (issued late 1996 / dated 1997); the UK first was Century in 1997.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions are smaller in size, often carry a blindstamp to the rear board, and lack the full number line ending in 1.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Drums of Autumn* by Diana Gabaldon a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/drums-of-autumn
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.