# Is "The Fortress of Solitude" by Jonathan Lethem a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem (Doubleday, 2003) is identified by: 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page with a complete number line descending to 1; Doubleday anchor colophon present. US Doubleday hardcover (2003) is the true first; the Faber UK edition is a separate first-thus.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page with a complete number line descending to 1
- Doubleday anchor colophon present
- Two-tone boards; dust jacket with the publisher's original flap price unclipped
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jonathan Lethem |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Year | 2003 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page with a complete number line descending to 1 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page with a complete number line descending to 1; Doubleday anchor colophon present. Two-tone boards; dust jacket with the publisher's original flap price unclipped.

## Is this the true first?
US Doubleday hardcover (2003) is the true first; the Faber UK edition is a separate first-thus.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club printings omit the number line and the flap price and may bear a small blind stamp on the rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Fortress of Solitude* by Jonathan Lethem a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-fortress-of-solitude
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.