# Is "The Empty Copper Sea" by John D. MacDonald a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Empty Copper Sea by John D. MacDonald (J.B. Lippincott, 1978) is identified by: Lippincott, Philadelphia and New York, 1978. The US Lippincott hardcover is the true first edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- J.B. Lippincott, Philadelphia and New York, 1978
- Travis McGee #17
- First printing is bound in quarter maroon boards over yellow paper with gilt spine lettering; the first-issue dust jacket carries its original front-flap price and is unclipped
- Publisher imprint reads J.B. Lippincott
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John D. MacDonald |
| Publisher | J.B. Lippincott |
| Year | 1978 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | J.B. Lippincott, Philadelphia and New York, 1978 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
J.B. Lippincott, Philadelphia and New York, 1978. Travis McGee #17. First printing is bound in quarter maroon boards over yellow paper with gilt spine lettering; the first-issue dust jacket carries its original front-flap price and is unclipped.

## Is this the true first?
The US Lippincott hardcover is the true first edition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions lack the flap price and bear a blind-stamped dot on the rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Empty Copper Sea* by John D. MacDonald a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-empty-copper-sea
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.