# Is "Linden Hills" by Gloria Naylor a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Linden Hills by Gloria Naylor (Ticknor & Fields, 1985) is identified by: Naylor's second novel. US Ticknor & Fields 1985 is the true first edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Ticknor & Fields, New York, 1985
- The dust jacket was designed and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg (a confirmed and notable point)
- The first printing is identified by the printing statement on the copyright page; a true first carries the original unclipped jacket
- Confirm the copyright page shows no later-printing indication
- Publisher imprint reads Ticknor & Fields
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Gloria Naylor |
| Publisher | Ticknor & Fields |
| Year | 1985 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Ticknor & Fields, New York, 1985 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Naylor's second novel. Ticknor & Fields, New York, 1985. The dust jacket was designed and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg (a confirmed and notable point). The first printing is identified by the printing statement on the copyright page; a true first carries the original unclipped jacket. Confirm the copyright page shows no later-printing indication.

## Is this the true first?
US Ticknor & Fields 1985 is the true first edition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A licensed book-club edition is a separate printing, typically smaller, lacking the publisher's printing statement and often blind-stamped on the rear board with no price on the jacket.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Linden Hills* by Gloria Naylor a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/linden-hills
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.