# Is "Good Hearts" by Reynolds Price a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Good Hearts by Reynolds Price (Atheneum, 1988) is identified by: Atheneum first printing identified by the number line on the copyright page containing a 1 (Atheneum adopted number lines for first editions from the late 1980s). US first (Atheneum, New York).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Atheneum first printing identified by the number line on the copyright page containing a 1 (Atheneum adopted number lines for first editions from the late 1980s)
- Sequel to A Long and Happy Life, continuing the story of Rosacoke Mustian and Wesley Beavers
- Original unclipped dust jacket with the publisher's price intact
- Publisher imprint reads Atheneum
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Reynolds Price |
| Publisher | Atheneum |
| Year | 1988 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Atheneum first printing identified by the number line on the copyright page containing a 1 (Atheneum adopted number lines for first… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Atheneum first printing identified by the number line on the copyright page containing a 1 (Atheneum adopted number lines for first editions from the late 1980s). Sequel to A Long and Happy Life, continuing the story of Rosacoke Mustian and Wesley Beavers. Original unclipped dust jacket with the publisher's price intact.

## Is this the true first?
US first (Atheneum, New York).

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club edition typically lacks the full number line, carries a blind stamp on the rear board, and has a jacket with no printed price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Good Hearts* by Reynolds Price a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/good-hearts
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.