# Is "The Matlock Paper" by Robert Ludlum a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Matlock Paper by Robert Ludlum (Dial Press, 1973) is identified by: True first is the US Dial Press printing with 'First Printing' stated on the copyright page (Dial in this era noted the printing by statement, not a number line). US Dial Press edition is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- True first is the US Dial Press printing with 'First Printing' stated on the copyright page (Dial in this era noted the printing by statement, not a number line)
- Dust jacket unclipped at the original price
- Later printings are so noted on the copyright page
- Publisher imprint reads Dial Press
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert Ludlum |
| Publisher | Dial Press |
| Year | 1973 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | True first is the US Dial Press printing with 'First Printing' stated on the copyright… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
True first is the US Dial Press printing with 'First Printing' stated on the copyright page (Dial in this era noted the printing by statement, not a number line). Dust jacket unclipped at the original price. Later printings are so noted on the copyright page.

## Is this the true first?
US Dial Press edition is the true first. A UK edition (Hart-Davis) followed and is not the first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club copies lack the 'First Printing' statement, are typically smaller and lighter with a blindstamp on the rear board and a jacket with no price; they are not the first.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Matlock Paper* by Robert Ludlum a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-matlock-paper
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.