# Is "Pale Gray for Guilt" by John D. MacDonald a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Pale Gray for Guilt by John D. MacDonald (Fawcett Gold Medal, 1968) is identified by: Fawcett Gold Medal paperback original, 1968, first printing. Issued only as a Gold Medal paperback original; the paperback is the true first edition, preceding any later hardbound reissue.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Fawcett Gold Medal paperback original, 1968, first printing
- Travis McGee series #9
- First printing carries the Gold Medal cover price and no later-series ad pages in the rear
- Publisher imprint reads Fawcett Gold Medal
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John D. MacDonald |
| Publisher | Fawcett Gold Medal |
| Year | 1968 |
| True first | — |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Fawcett Gold Medal paperback original, 1968, first printing |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Fawcett Gold Medal paperback original, 1968, first printing. Travis McGee series #9. First printing carries the Gold Medal cover price and no later-series ad pages in the rear.

## Is this the true first?
Issued only as a Gold Medal paperback original; the paperback is the true first edition, preceding any later hardbound reissue.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition applies. Later Gold Medal printings exist and are identifiable by higher printing statements, changed catalog numbers, or added rear ad pages.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Pale Gray for Guilt* by John D. MacDonald a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/pale-gray-for-guilt
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.