# Is "Monsignor Quixote" by Graham Greene a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Monsignor Quixote by Graham Greene (Lester & Orpen Dennys, 1982) is identified by: A signed limited issue of 250 numbered copies in a publisher's slipcase exists; the trade UK Bodley Head issue is in green cloth with gilt spine, green top-stain, jacket priced 5.95 net. The Canadian Lester & Orpen Dennys edition of 1982 is cited by dealers as preceding the UK Bodley Head edition; Simon & Schuster issued the first US edition in 1982.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First printing
- A signed limited issue of 250 numbered copies in a publisher's slipcase exists; the trade UK Bodley Head issue is in green cloth with gilt spine, green top-stain, jacket priced 5.95 net
- Publisher imprint reads Lester & Orpen Dennys
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Graham Greene |
| Publisher | Lester & Orpen Dennys |
| Year | 1982 |
| True first | Canadian edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First printing |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First printing. A signed limited issue of 250 numbered copies in a publisher's slipcase exists; the trade UK Bodley Head issue is in green cloth with gilt spine, green top-stain, jacket priced 5.95 net.

## Is this the true first?
The Canadian Lester & Orpen Dennys edition of 1982 is cited by dealers as preceding the UK Bodley Head edition; Simon & Schuster issued the first US edition in 1982. A separate signed limited issue of 250 numbered copies confirms the existence of the signed/limited variant.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club printings followed later.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Monsignor Quixote* by Graham Greene a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/monsignor-quixote
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.