# Is "The Aquitaine Progression" by Robert Ludlum a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Aquitaine Progression by Robert Ludlum (Random House, 1984) is identified by: Random House states 'First Edition' on the copyright page beneath a number line ending in 2 (for example 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2); the words 'First Edition' were removed for the second printing, so their presence together with the terminal 2 confirms the first printing. US Random House first, New York, published February 1984.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Random House states 'First Edition' on the copyright page beneath a number line ending in 2 (for example 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2); the words 'First Edition' were removed for the second printing, so their presence together with the terminal 2 confirms the first printing
- Issued in cloth over boards with a gilt-stamped spine
- The first-issue dust jacket carries art by Paul Bacon and the printed price on the front flap, which should be present (unclipped)
- Publisher imprint reads Random House
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert Ludlum |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Year | 1984 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Random House states 'First Edition' on the copyright page beneath a number line ending in… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Random House states 'First Edition' on the copyright page beneath a number line ending in 2 (for example 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2); the words 'First Edition' were removed for the second printing, so their presence together with the terminal 2 confirms the first printing. Issued in cloth over boards with a gilt-stamped spine. The first-issue dust jacket carries art by Paul Bacon and the printed price on the front flap, which should be present (unclipped).

## Is this the true first?
US Random House first, New York, published February 1984.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions omit the 'First Edition' statement and number line, are typically smaller and lighter, and carry a blindstamp (small square or dot) to the lower rear board; their jackets bear no printed price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Aquitaine Progression* by Robert Ludlum a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-aquitaine-progression
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.