The points of issue
'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page (Borzoi). Octavo, 183 pp. First-issue jacket bears the printed price. Higgins's debut; landmark dialogue-driven crime novel.
Is this the true first?
US Knopf (1972) is the recognized true first; the UK Martin Secker & Warburg edition also appeared in 1972 with a jacket designed by Tom Simmonds.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club edition is common, with a blind-stamp to the rear board, no jacket price, and lighter bulk. The 1973 film tie-in printings postdate the first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Friends of Eddie Coyle a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page (Borzoi). Octavo, 183 pp. First-issue jacket bears the printed price. Higgins's debut; landmark dialogue-driven crime novel.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. US Knopf (1972) is the recognized true first; the UK Martin Secker & Warburg edition also appeared in 1972 with a jacket designed by Tom Simmonds.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club edition is common, with a blind-stamp to the rear board, no jacket price, and lighter bulk. The 1973 film tie-in printings postdate the first.
I have a first edition of The Friends of Eddie Coyle — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.