# Is "The Lonely Silver Rain" by John D. MacDonald a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Lonely Silver Rain by John D. MacDonald (Alfred A. Knopf, 1985) is identified by: Knopf hardcover, New York 1985, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page. The US Knopf hardcover is the true first edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Knopf hardcover, New York 1985, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page. the printed pricet and final Travis McGee novel; issued in dust jacket, red cloth boards with silver spine lettering
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John D. MacDonald |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1985 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Knopf hardcover, New York 1985, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page. the… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Knopf hardcover, New York 1985, with 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page. the printed pricet and final Travis McGee novel; issued in dust jacket, red cloth boards with silver spine lettering.

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

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions lack the 'FIRST EDITION' statement and typically show no price on the jacket flap; the board and jacket construction are also cheaper.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Lonely Silver Rain* by John D. MacDonald a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-lonely-silver-rain
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.