# Is "Second Foundation" by Isaac Asimov a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov (Gnome Press, 1953) is identified by: First edition stated 'First Edition' on the copyright page. US Gnome Press 1953 is the true first; Volume 3 completing the original Foundation trilogy.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First edition stated 'First Edition' on the copyright page
- Binding has a priority state (blue cloth lettered in brown is generally cited as earliest; a green-cloth variant also exists)
- Jacket by Ric Binkley, priced on the front flap
- Confirm against Currey for state precedence
- Publisher imprint reads Gnome Press
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Isaac Asimov |
| Publisher | Gnome Press |
| Year | 1953 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First edition stated 'First Edition' on the copyright page |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First edition stated 'First Edition' on the copyright page. Binding has a priority state (blue cloth lettered in brown is generally cited as earliest; a green-cloth variant also exists). Jacket by Ric Binkley, priced on the front flap. Confirm against Currey for state precedence.

## Is this the true first?
US Gnome Press 1953 is the true first; Volume 3 completing the original Foundation trilogy.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later Science Fiction Book Club omnibus/reprint editions are separate and not the Gnome first. Verify the priority binding state via Currey.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Second Foundation* by Isaac Asimov a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/second-foundation
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.