The points of issue
First American edition, first printing (October 1998). Copyright page reads 'First American edition, October 1998', with the number line 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 and the code 'Printed in the U.S.A. 23'. First-state dust jacket: original printed price intact on the front flap, a quote from The Guardian on the rear panel, and NO numeral '1' at the head of the jacket spine (later printings add the '1'). Red spine over purple boards with 'J. K. Rowling' at the head of the spine. Illustrated by Mary GrandPré (not Thomas Taylor, who illustrated the UK edition). A small first run.
Is this the true first?
This is the senior US edition (the retitled American first), separate from and later than the UK Bloomsbury true first. Among US copies the first printing is the desirable state, identified by the 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 line, the '23' code, and the no-'1'-on-spine first-state jacket.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later US printings add a numeral '1' at the head of the spine and change the 'Printed in the U.S.A.' code; book-club editions lack the printed jacket price and the '23' code. The 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 line plus the '23' code plus the no-'1'-spine jacket marks the true first American printing.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (US first American edition) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First American edition, first printing (October 1998). Copyright page reads 'First American edition, October 1998', with the number line 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 and the code 'Printed in the U.S.A. 23'. First-state dust jacket: original printed price intact on the front flap, a quote from The Guardian on the rear panel, and NO numeral '1' at the head of the jacket spine (later printings add the '1'). Red spine over purple boards with 'J. K. Rowling' at the head of the spine. Illustrated by Mary GrandPré (not Thomas Taylor, who illustrated the UK edition). A sma
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. This is the senior US edition (the retitled American first), separate from and later than the UK Bloomsbury true first. Among US copies the first printing is the desirable state, identified by the 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 line, the '23' code, and the no-'1'-on-spine first-state jacket.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later US printings add a numeral '1' at the head of the spine and change the 'Printed in the U.S.A.' code; book-club editions lack the printed jacket price and the '23' code. The 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 line plus the '23' code plus the no-'1'-spine jacket marks the true first American printing.
I have a first edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (US first American edition) — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.