# Is "Starship Troopers" by Robert A. Heinlein a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein (G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1959) is identified by: First printing bound in dark blue cloth lettered and stamped in silver, with star ornaments on the front board and spine. US Putnam is the true first, preceding the UK edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First printing bound in dark blue cloth lettered and stamped in silver, with star ornaments on the front board and spine
- First edition so stated on the copyright page with no impression statement; the true second printing is otherwise identical but reads "Second Impression" on the copyright page
- First-issue jacket has the printed price present on the front flap and, critically, lacks any Hugo Award blurb; the Hugo blurb was added to the rear jacket panel only from the second printing onward
- Publisher imprint reads G. P. Putnam's Sons
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert A. Heinlein |
| Publisher | G. P. Putnam's Sons |
| Year | 1959 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First printing bound in dark blue cloth lettered and stamped in silver, with star ornaments on the front board and spine |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First printing bound in dark blue cloth lettered and stamped in silver, with star ornaments on the front board and spine. First edition so stated on the copyright page with no impression statement; the true second printing is otherwise identical but reads "Second Impression" on the copyright page. First-issue jacket has the printed price present on the front flap and, critically, lacks any Hugo Award blurb; the Hugo blurb was added to the rear jacket panel only from the second printing onward.

## Is this the true first?
US Putnam is the true first, preceding the UK edition. Originally serialized in F&SF as 'Starship Soldier' — magazine appearance does not affect book-first status.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
SFBC edition: 'Book Club Edition' on the jacket flap, no printed price, blind-stamped dot/square on the rear board, and cheaper bulking paper. Watch also for the second printing masquerading as a first — check for the Hugo blurb on the jacket and "Second Impression" on the copyright page.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Starship Troopers* by Robert A. Heinlein a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/starship-troopers
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.