# Is "Friday" by Robert A. Heinlein a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Friday by Robert A. Heinlein (Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1982) is identified by: Copyright page states First Edition and carries a full descending number line ending in 1. The U.S.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Copyright page states First Edition and carries a full descending number line ending in 1
- First-issue jacket is unclipped with the original printed price
- Quarter red cloth over grey paper boards with gilt spine lettering; wraparound jacket illustration by Richard M. Powers
- Publisher imprint reads Holt, Rinehart and Winston
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert A. Heinlein |
| Publisher | Holt, Rinehart and Winston |
| Year | 1982 |
| True first | — |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Copyright page states First Edition and carries a full descending number line ending in 1 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Copyright page states First Edition and carries a full descending number line ending in 1. First-issue jacket is unclipped with the original printed price. Quarter red cloth over grey paper boards with gilt spine lettering; wraparound jacket illustration by Richard M. Powers.

## Is this the true first?
The U.S. Holt, Rinehart and Winston hardcover of 1982 is the true first edition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition states Book Club Edition on the jacket flap and lacks the printed price; smaller and lighter than the trade first with a blind stamp on the rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Friday* by Robert A. Heinlein a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/friday
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.