# Is "Horseman, Pass By" by Larry McMurtry a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Horseman, Pass By by Larry McMurtry (Harper & Brothers, 1961) is identified by: McMurtry's first book (filmed as Hud). The US Harper & Brothers first is the true first and McMurtry's scarcest major book, being his first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- McMurtry's first book (filmed as Hud)
- The true first states 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page with the Harper date code 'D-L' beneath it (D = April, L = 1961)
- Black paper boards backed in mustard-yellow cloth with the circular 'H B' torch device on the upper cover
- First-state dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap and the code 'No
- 0184B' on the rear panel
- Publisher imprint reads Harper & Brothers
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Larry McMurtry |
| Publisher | Harper & Brothers |
| Year | 1961 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | McMurtry's first book (filmed as Hud) |
| Book-club edition exists? | No |

## Points of issue
McMurtry's first book (filmed as Hud). The true first states 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page with the Harper date code 'D-L' beneath it (D = April, L = 1961). Black paper boards backed in mustard-yellow cloth with the circular 'H B' torch device on the upper cover. First-state dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap and the code 'No. 0184B' on the rear panel.

## Is this the true first?
The US Harper & Brothers first is the true first and McMurtry's scarcest major book, being his first. The 'D-L' code together with the 'First Edition' statement confirms it.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue of note. The trap is later printings lacking the 'D-L' code, or copies in a later or price-clipped jacket. Verify both the 'First Edition' statement AND the D-L code.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Horseman, Pass By* by Larry McMurtry a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/horseman-pass-by
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.