# Is "Heartwood" by James Lee Burke a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Heartwood by James Lee Burke (Doubleday, 1999) is identified by: First US trade edition, Doubleday 1999, stating 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1. US Doubleday is the true first edition; second Billy Bob Holland novel.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First US trade edition, Doubleday 1999, stating 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1
- Bound in soft mustard-yellow paper-covered boards with a slate-gray spine panel and metallic gold spine lettering, with dark orange endpapers
- The dust jacket bears a jacket photograph by Debra Lill and design by Mario J. Pulice, and carries the printed cover price, which should be present and unclipped on a fine copy
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | James Lee Burke |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Year | 1999 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First US trade edition, Doubleday 1999, stating 'First Edition' on the copyright page… |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
First US trade edition, Doubleday 1999, stating 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1. Bound in soft mustard-yellow paper-covered boards with a slate-gray spine panel and metallic gold spine lettering, with dark orange endpapers. The dust jacket bears a jacket photograph by Debra Lill and design by Mario J. Pulice, and carries the printed cover price, which should be present and unclipped on a fine copy.

## Is this the true first?
US Doubleday is the true first edition; second Billy Bob Holland novel. A separate B.E. Trice signed limited issue exists (including a lettered state); it is distinct from the standard trade first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None significant for the trade first edition; the stated 'First Edition' plus complete number line to 1 marks the first printing.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Heartwood* by James Lee Burke a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/heartwood
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.