# Is "Portnoy's Complaint" by Philip Roth a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth (Random House, 1969) is identified by: Random House, New York, 1969. The US Random House printing is the true first; the 600-copy signed, numbered limited edition (slipcased, gilt-signature front board, red endpapers) is the premium state.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Random House, New York, 1969
- The trade first edition is identified by the words 'First Printing' stated on the copyright page (not the phrase 'First Edition')
- Bound in blue cloth with the title stamped in gilt on the spine and the top edge dyed red
- The first-issue dust jacket was designed by Paul Bacon, lettered in black and red on a yellow ground, and should retain its printed price on the front flap; a first-state jacket also carries the code '2/69' on the rear flap
- A signed, numbered limited edition of 600 copies was issued alongside the trade printing in publisher's off-white cloth with the author's facsimile signature stamped in gilt to the front board, red top-stain, red endpapers, jacket lettered in black and red, housed in a red publisher's slipcase
- Publisher imprint reads Random House
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Philip Roth |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Year | 1969 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Random House, New York, 1969 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Random House, New York, 1969. The trade first edition is identified by the words 'First Printing' stated on the copyright page (not the phrase 'First Edition'). Bound in blue cloth with the title stamped in gilt on the spine and the top edge dyed red. The first-issue dust jacket was designed by Paul Bacon, lettered in black and red on a yellow ground, and should retain its printed price on the front flap; a first-state jacket also carries the code '2/69' on the rear flap. A signed, numbered limited edition of 600 copies was issued alongside the trade printing in publisher's off-white cloth with the author's facsimile signature stamped in gilt to the front board, red top-stain, red endpapers, jacket lettered in black and red, housed in a red publisher's slipcase.

## Is this the true first?
The US Random House printing is the true first; the 600-copy signed, numbered limited edition (slipcased, gilt-signature front board, red endpapers) is the premium state. The UK Jonathan Cape edition (1969) follows the American.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The Random House / book-club printing lacks the 'First Printing' statement on the copyright page, typically bears a blind-stamp (small indentation) on the rear board, uses bulkier and lighter-weight paper, and its jacket omits the printed price and the '2/69' rear-flap code.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Portnoy's Complaint* by Philip Roth a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/portnoys-complaint
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.