# Is "Something Happened" by Joseph Heller a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Something Happened by Joseph Heller (Alfred A. Knopf, 1974) is identified by: Copyright page states 'First Edition' per Knopf practice (a Borzoi book), with no later-printing notice. US Knopf edition is the true first, preceding the UK Jonathan Cape edition of 1974.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Copyright page states 'First Edition' per Knopf practice (a Borzoi book), with no later-printing notice
- Black cloth with gilt spine lettering and yellow top-stain
- First-issue jacket carries the printed price on the front flap
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Joseph Heller |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1974 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Copyright page states 'First Edition' per Knopf practice (a Borzoi book), with no later-printing notice |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Copyright page states 'First Edition' per Knopf practice (a Borzoi book), with no later-printing notice. Black cloth with gilt spine lettering and yellow top-stain. First-issue jacket carries the printed price on the front flap.

## Is this the true first?
US Knopf edition is the true first, preceding the UK Jonathan Cape edition of 1974.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club copies lack the 'First Edition' statement and the front-flap price and are typically blind-stamped on the rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Something Happened* by Joseph Heller a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/something-happened
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.