# Is "Night Watch" by Jayne Anne Phillips a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips (Alfred A. Knopf, 2023) is identified by: Knopf first printing has 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page (Knopf firsts state the edition rather than carry a number line ending in 1). The US Knopf 2023 hardcover is the true first edition; the 'FIRST EDITION' statement on the copyright page is the point of issue.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Knopf first printing has 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page (Knopf firsts state the edition rather than carry a number line ending in 1)
- The Borzoi device is present and the first-issue jacket carries the printed price on the front flap
- Published September 2023
- The 'FIRST EDITION' statement is the decisive point
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jayne Anne Phillips |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 2023 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Knopf first printing has 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page (Knopf firsts state the edition rather than carry a number line… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Knopf first printing has 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page (Knopf firsts state the edition rather than carry a number line ending in 1). The Borzoi device is present and the first-issue jacket carries the printed price on the front flap. Published September 2023. The 'FIRST EDITION' statement is the decisive point.

## Is this the true first?
The US Knopf 2023 hardcover is the true first edition; the 'FIRST EDITION' statement on the copyright page is the point of issue.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings and book-club copies lack the 'FIRST EDITION' statement; book-club copies typically show a rear-board blind-stamp.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Night Watch* by Jayne Anne Phillips a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/night-watch
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.