# Is "Pale Fire" by Vladimir Nabokov a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov (G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1962) is identified by: Putnam's Sons first edition states 'First Impression' on the copyright page. US Putnam is the true first; the UK Weidenfeld & Nicolson edition (1962) is later.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- US G. P. Putnam's Sons first edition states 'First Impression' on the copyright page
- Bound in full black cloth with the author's initials blind-embossed on the front board and gilt lettering to the spine, with red top-stain and red endpapers
- 315 pages
- First-issue dust jacket carries the publisher's printed price on the front flap (present on an unclipped first-issue jacket); the jacket is notably fragile and prone to chipping and edge tears
- Publisher imprint reads G. P. Putnam's Sons
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Vladimir Nabokov |
| Publisher | G. P. Putnam's Sons |
| Year | 1962 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | US G. P. Putnam's Sons first edition states 'First Impression' on the copyright page |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
US G. P. Putnam's Sons first edition states 'First Impression' on the copyright page. Bound in full black cloth with the author's initials blind-embossed on the front board and gilt lettering to the spine, with red top-stain and red endpapers; 315 pages. First-issue dust jacket carries the publisher's printed price on the front flap (present on an unclipped first-issue jacket); the jacket is notably fragile and prone to chipping and edge tears.

## Is this the true first?
US Putnam is the true first; the UK Weidenfeld & Nicolson edition (1962) is later. The stated 'First Impression' on the copyright page is the defining first-printing point.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book-club edition lacks the 'First Impression' statement, bears a blind-stamped code dot to the lower rear board, and is printed on bulkier, lower-grade paper; club copies are typically slightly smaller and lighter than the Putnam trade first.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Pale Fire* by Vladimir Nabokov a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/pale-fire
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.