# Is "The Anatomy of a Murder" by Robert Traver a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Anatomy of a Murder by Robert Traver (St. Martin's Press, 1958) is identified by: Martin's Press first, 1958 (title 'Anatomy of a Murder'): first printing carries the St. US St.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Martin's Press first, 1958 (title 'Anatomy of a Murder'): first printing carries the St
- Martin's imprint with the 1958 date and no later-printing statement
- A landmark courtroom novel by Robert Traver, pen name of Michigan Supreme Court justice John D. Voelker; basis for the 1959 Otto Preminger film
- Jacket priced for 1958
- Publisher imprint reads St. Martin's Press
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert Traver |
| Publisher | St. Martin's Press |
| Year | 1958 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Martin's Press first, 1958 (title 'Anatomy of a Murder'): first printing carries the St |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
US St. Martin's Press first, 1958 (title 'Anatomy of a Murder'): first printing carries the St. Martin's imprint with the 1958 date and no later-printing statement. A landmark courtroom novel by Robert Traver, pen name of Michigan Supreme Court justice John D. Voelker; basis for the 1959 Otto Preminger film. Jacket priced for 1958.

## Is this the true first?
US St. Martin's Press 1958 is the true first; the UK Faber edition is a first-thus.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-of-the-Month Club editions are common, lack the jacket price, and typically show a blind-stamp or dot on the rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Anatomy of a Murder* by Robert Traver a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-anatomy-of-a-murder
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.