# Is "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of East of Eden by John Steinbeck (The Viking Press, 1952) is identified by: Copyright page states 'First published by The Viking Press in September 1952' with no later printing line. US Viking is the true first; the 1,500-copy signed numbered limited is the premium state.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Copyright page states 'First published by The Viking Press in September 1952' with no later printing line
- First-issue text error: 'bite' for 'bight' on p.281, line 38
- A 1,500-copy signed limited edition preceded the trade
- Original jacket with its printed price
- Publisher imprint reads The Viking Press
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John Steinbeck |
| Publisher | The Viking Press |
| Year | 1952 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Copyright page states 'First published by The Viking Press in September 1952' with no later printing line |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Copyright page states 'First published by The Viking Press in September 1952' with no later printing line. First-issue text error: 'bite' for 'bight' on p.281, line 38. A 1,500-copy signed limited edition preceded the trade. Original jacket with its printed price.

## Is this the true first?
US Viking is the true first; the 1,500-copy signed numbered limited is the premium state. UK Heinemann is later. The 'bite/bight' error on p.281 confirms first printing.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club edition lacks the September-1952 line and the first-issue text error, has a blind-stamp, and uses bulkier paper.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *East of Eden* by John Steinbeck a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/east-of-eden
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.