# Is "The Golden Apples of the Sun" by Ray Bradbury a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Golden Apples of the Sun by Ray Bradbury (Doubleday, 1953) is identified by: 'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page. The US Doubleday hardcover is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- 'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page
- Bound in publisher's dark brown textured cloth with contrasting yellow spine stamping; a short-story collection illustrated throughout by Joseph (Joe) Mugnaini
- The first-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap; any correct first-edition or later jacket should retain a printed price
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Ray Bradbury |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Year | 1953 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | 'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page. Bound in publisher's dark brown textured cloth with contrasting yellow spine stamping; a short-story collection illustrated throughout by Joseph (Joe) Mugnaini. The first-issue dust jacket carries the printed price on the front flap; any correct first-edition or later jacket should retain a printed price.

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

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book-club edition lacks the 'First Edition' statement, carries a blind-stamp (a small dot, square, or star deboss) on the tail of the rear board near the spine, and its jacket carries no printed price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Golden Apples of the Sun* by Ray Bradbury a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-golden-apples-of-the-sun
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.