# Is "From the Terrace" by John O'Hara a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of From the Terrace by John O'Hara (Random House, 1958) is identified by: Large novel in navy cloth stamped in gilt, with dust jacket. US first (Random House, New York, 1958); UK Cresset Press 1959.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Large novel in navy cloth stamped in gilt, with dust jacket
- The first printing states 'First Printing' on the copyright page and carries no later-printing slug
- Copies signed by O'Hara on the title page exist but are not a separate limited issue
- Publisher imprint reads Random House
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John O'Hara |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Year | 1958 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Large novel in navy cloth stamped in gilt, with dust jacket |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Large novel in navy cloth stamped in gilt, with dust jacket. The first printing states 'First Printing' on the copyright page and carries no later-printing slug. Copies signed by O'Hara on the title page exist but are not a separate limited issue.

## Is this the true first?
US first (Random House, New York, 1958); UK Cresset Press 1959. Author-signed copies of the first edition are recorded (Bruccoli A16.1.a).

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-of-the-Month Club printings are identified by a blind-stamp to the rear board and a dust jacket with no printed price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *From the Terrace* by John O'Hara a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/from-the-terrace
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.