# Is "Rumpole of the Bailey" by John Mortimer a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Rumpole of the Bailey by John Mortimer (Penguin Books, 1978) is identified by: The Penguin paperback original of 1978 (ISBN 0140046704) is the first appearance in book form of the collected Rumpole stories, which originated as television scripts. The Penguin 1978 paperback original is the true first edition of the collection; later hardcover gatherings are first-thus in hardback.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- The Penguin paperback original of 1978 (ISBN 0140046704) is the first appearance in book form of the collected Rumpole stories, which originated as television scripts
- A paperback-original situation: there is no preceding hardcover of this collection
- Publisher imprint reads Penguin Books
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John Mortimer |
| Publisher | Penguin Books |
| Year | 1978 |
| True first | — |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | The Penguin paperback original of 1978 (ISBN 0140046704) is the first appearance in book form of the collected Rumpole stories, which… |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
The Penguin paperback original of 1978 (ISBN 0140046704) is the first appearance in book form of the collected Rumpole stories, which originated as television scripts. A paperback-original situation: there is no preceding hardcover of this collection.

## Is this the true first?
The Penguin 1978 paperback original is the true first edition of the collection; later hardcover gatherings are first-thus in hardback.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings are stated on the verso; US editions are separate, later settings.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Rumpole of the Bailey* by John Mortimer a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/rumpole-of-the-bailey
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.