# Is "The Invisible Circus" by Jennifer Egan a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Invisible Circus by Jennifer Egan (Nan A. Talese / Doubleday, 1995) is identified by: Talese / Doubleday, 1995. US Nan A.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- US Nan A. Talese / Doubleday, 1995
- Stated 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1
- Egan's debut novel (ISBN 9780385473798)
- The binding is paper-covered boards with a cloth spine, and the true first is complete in its priced dust jacket with the printed price present on the flap
- Publisher imprint reads Nan A. Talese / Doubleday
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jennifer Egan |
| Publisher | Nan A. Talese / Doubleday |
| Year | 1995 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | US Nan A. Talese / Doubleday, 1995 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
US Nan A. Talese / Doubleday, 1995. Stated 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1. Egan's debut novel (ISBN 9780385473798). The binding is paper-covered boards with a cloth spine, and the true first is complete in its priced dust jacket with the printed price present on the flap.

## Is this the true first?
US Nan A. Talese/Doubleday 1995 hardcover is the true first edition, identified by the stated 'First Edition' plus the full number line ending in 1. UK and paperback issues (including Picador) followed after the US hardcover.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No notable book-club edition; the trade first is identified by the stated 'First Edition' and full number line, which reprints and later issues lack.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Invisible Circus* by Jennifer Egan a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-invisible-circus
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.