# Is "Marjorie Morningstar" by Herman Wouk a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk (Doubleday & Company, 1955) is identified by: 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page. US Doubleday is the true first; a UK Jonathan Cape edition appeared in 1955.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page
- Trade first issued in black cloth over blue boards stamped in silver and blue; the dust jacket carries the publisher's printed price on the front flap (photograph by Richard Avedon, jacket design by John Scotford)
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday & Company
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Herman Wouk |
| Publisher | Doubleday & Company |
| Year | 1955 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
'First Edition' stated on the copyright page. Trade first issued in black cloth over blue boards stamped in silver and blue; the dust jacket carries the publisher's printed price on the front flap (photograph by Richard Avedon, jacket design by John Scotford).

## Is this the true first?
US Doubleday is the true first; a UK Jonathan Cape edition appeared in 1955.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the 'First Edition' statement and the jacket price; the trade first states 'First Edition'.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Marjorie Morningstar* by Herman Wouk a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/marjorie-morningstar
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.