# Is "The Cryptogram" by David Mamet a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Cryptogram by David Mamet (Methuen Drama, 1995) is identified by: The play premiered in London in 1994; the published text appeared in 1995. The London premiere preceded the New York production, and the Methuen UK wrappers edition is the true first published text over the US Vintage softcover.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- The play premiered in London in 1994; the published text appeared in 1995
- The UK Methuen Drama paperback (in wrappers) is the earliest published edition
- A US Vintage softcover also appeared in 1995
- Beware the Vintage hardcover, which was a book club edition rather than a trade first
- Publisher imprint reads Methuen Drama
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | David Mamet |
| Publisher | Methuen Drama |
| Year | 1995 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | The play premiered in London in 1994; the published text appeared in 1995 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
The play premiered in London in 1994; the published text appeared in 1995. The UK Methuen Drama paperback (in wrappers) is the earliest published edition. A US Vintage softcover also appeared in 1995. Beware the Vintage hardcover, which was a book club edition rather than a trade first.

## Is this the true first?
The London premiere preceded the New York production, and the Methuen UK wrappers edition is the true first published text over the US Vintage softcover. Confirm printing state on the copyright page.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The only hardcover of this play was a Vintage book club edition; there is no trade cloth first. The genuine first appearances were issued in wrappers.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Cryptogram* by David Mamet a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-cryptogram
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.