# Is "Mildred Pierce" by James M. Cain a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Mildred Pierce by James M. Cain (Alfred A. Knopf, 1941) is identified by: 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page. US Knopf (1941) is the true first and precedes the UK Hale edition (1943).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page
- Bound in green cloth, titles to spine in gilt, publisher's device blind-stamped to the front cover, top edge stained blue, fore-edge untrimmed
- First-issue dust jacket carries the printed price to the upper inside front flap
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | James M. Cain |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1941 |
| 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. Bound in green cloth, titles to spine in gilt, publisher's device blind-stamped to the front cover, top edge stained blue, fore-edge untrimmed. First-issue dust jacket carries the printed price to the upper inside front flap.

## Is this the true first?
US Knopf (1941) is the true first and precedes the UK Hale edition (1943).

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A book-club edition exists (blind-stamp to rear board, no price on the jacket, lighter bulk). Later film tie-in reprints are common.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Mildred Pierce* by James M. Cain a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/mildred-pierce
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.