The points of issue
FSG first printing: copyright page states 'First edition, 1987' with a number line; the first printing has the complete line descending to 1. Dust jacket priced the printed price. Turow's debut novel.
Is this the true first?
US FSG 1987 is the true first, preceding the UK Bloomsbury edition (1987). The US first is the standard collectible; signed copies sought.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book Club Edition has a rear-board blind stamp, no jacket price, reduced size, and lacks the full number line. The line ending in 1 confirms the trade first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Presumed Innocent a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: FSG first printing: copyright page states 'First edition, 1987' with a number line; the first printing has the complete line descending to 1. Dust jacket priced the printed price. Turow's debut 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. US FSG 1987 is the true first, preceding the UK Bloomsbury edition (1987). The US first is the standard collectible; signed copies sought.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book Club Edition has a rear-board blind stamp, no jacket price, reduced size, and lacks the full number line. The line ending in 1 confirms the trade first.
I have a first edition of Presumed Innocent — 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.