# Is "Steps" by Jerzy Kosinski a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Steps by Jerzy Kosinski (Random House, 1968) is identified by: First edition, first printing so stated on the copyright page, Random House, New York, 1968, in the priced illustrated dust jacket (printed price present at the flap, unclipped). The 1968 Random House first printing, with 'First Printing' stated on the copyright page, is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First edition, first printing so stated on the copyright page, Random House, New York, 1968, in the priced illustrated dust jacket (printed price present at the flap, unclipped)
- The publisher's binding is quarter maroon/burgundy cloth over beige paper-covered boards, with the spine lettered in gilt and the top edge stained orange as issued
- Won the 1969 U.S. National Book Award for Fiction
- Publisher imprint reads Random House
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jerzy Kosinski |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Year | 1968 |
| True first | — |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First edition, first printing so stated on the copyright page, Random House, New York, 1968, in the priced illustrated dust jacket (printed… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First edition, first printing so stated on the copyright page, Random House, New York, 1968, in the priced illustrated dust jacket (printed price present at the flap, unclipped). The publisher's binding is quarter maroon/burgundy cloth over beige paper-covered boards, with the spine lettered in gilt and the top edge stained orange as issued. Won the 1969 U.S. National Book Award for Fiction.

## Is this the true first?
The 1968 Random House first printing, with 'First Printing' stated on the copyright page, is the true first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book-club edition is blind-stamped on the rear board and its jacket lacks the printed price found on the trade first.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Steps* by Jerzy Kosinski a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/steps
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.