# Is "Red Rabbit" by Tom Clancy a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Red Rabbit by Tom Clancy (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2002) is identified by: The first printing states "First Edition" on the copyright page with a complete number line that includes the numeral 1; the presence of the 1 is the decisive point. The US G.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- The first printing states "First Edition" on the copyright page with a complete number line that includes the numeral 1; the presence of the 1 is the decisive point
- Issued by G. P. Putnam's Sons in 2002 (ISBN 0-399-14870-1), a Jack Ryan prequel novel
- The binding is black boards with a black cloth spine, lettered in red metallic stamping on both the front board and spine
- The first-issue dust jacket is glossy bright red with white lettering (jacket art and design by Anthony Ramondo) and should retain the printed price on the front flap
- A signed/numbered limited edition was also issued separately from the trade first
- Publisher imprint reads G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Tom Clancy |
| Publisher | G.P. Putnam's Sons |
| Year | 2002 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | The first printing states "First Edition" on the copyright page with a complete number… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
The first printing states "First Edition" on the copyright page with a complete number line that includes the numeral 1; the presence of the 1 is the decisive point. Issued by G. P. Putnam's Sons in 2002 (ISBN 0-399-14870-1), a Jack Ryan prequel novel. The binding is black boards with a black cloth spine, lettered in red metallic stamping on both the front board and spine. The first-issue dust jacket is glossy bright red with white lettering (jacket art and design by Anthony Ramondo) and should retain the printed price on the front flap. A signed/numbered limited edition was also issued separately from the trade first.

## Is this the true first?
The US G. P. Putnam's Sons hardcover is the true first edition. A separate signed limited edition exists but is a distinct issue from the trade first printing.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the stated "First Edition" line and the number line, are typically printed on lighter bulk paper with a smaller trim and blind-stamped rear board, and carry no printed price on the jacket flap; the trade first is confirmed by the "First Edition" statement with the number line including 1.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Red Rabbit* by Tom Clancy a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/red-rabbit
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.