# Is "Motherless Brooklyn" by Jonathan Lethem a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem (Doubleday, 1999) is identified by: Copyright page reads 'FIRST EDITION' (the line typically reads 'October 1999 / First Edition') with a complete number line descending to 1. US Doubleday hardcover (1999) is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Copyright page reads 'FIRST EDITION' (the line typically reads 'October 1999 / First Edition') with a complete number line descending to 1
- Doubleday anchor colophon present; black paper over boards
- Dust jacket with the publisher's original flap price unclipped
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jonathan Lethem |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Year | 1999 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Copyright page reads 'FIRST EDITION' (the line typically reads 'October 1999 / First Edition') with a complete number line descending to 1 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Copyright page reads 'FIRST EDITION' (the line typically reads 'October 1999 / First Edition') with a complete number line descending to 1. Doubleday anchor colophon present; black paper over boards. Dust jacket with the publisher's original flap price unclipped.

## Is this the true first?
US Doubleday hardcover (1999) is the true first. The Faber UK edition is a separate, later first-thus. Signed and signed advance-reading copies exist.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-of-the-Month-Club issues are markedly lighter, lack the number line and the flap price, and often show a small blind-stamped square or dot on the lower rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Motherless Brooklyn* by Jonathan Lethem a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/motherless-brooklyn
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.