The points of issue
US Picador USA / St. Martin's first edition, 1998, with the 'First Edition' statement and a complete number line ending in 1. Won the 1999 Edgar Award for Best Novel.
Is this the true first?
The US Picador USA / St. Martin's 1998 edition is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A number line not ending in 1 indicates a later printing. Book-club issues, where they exist, typically lack the price and the full number line.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Mr. White's Confession a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: US Picador USA / St. Martin's first edition, 1998, with the 'First Edition' statement and a complete number line ending in 1. Won the 1999 Edgar Award for Best Novel.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The US Picador USA / St. Martin's 1998 edition is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A number line not ending in 1 indicates a later printing. Book-club issues, where they exist, typically lack the price and the full number line.
I have a first edition of Mr. White's Confession — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.