The points of issue
'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page. Published April 1949 under the byline 'John Macdonald' (not yet 'Ross Macdonald'). Brown cloth lettered and decorated in green; jacket designed by Bill English. First Lew Archer novel. First-issue jacket carries the printed price.
Is this the true first?
US Knopf (1949) precedes the UK Cassell edition (1951). Because John D. MacDonald objected to confusion over the name, later Archer titles appeared as 'John Ross Macdonald' before settling on 'Ross Macdonald'; this first book used 'John Macdonald' only.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A book-club edition is common (blind-stamp, no jacket price, lighter bulk). The 1966 film tie-in 'Harper' reprints postdate it.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Moving Target a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page. Published April 1949 under the byline 'John Macdonald' (not yet 'Ross Macdonald'). Brown cloth lettered and decorated in green; jacket designed by Bill English. First Lew Archer novel. First-issue jacket carries the printed price.
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 (1949) precedes the UK Cassell edition (1951). Because John D. MacDonald objected to confusion over the name, later Archer titles appeared as 'John Ross Macdonald' before settling on 'Ross Macdonald'; this first book used 'John Macdonald' only.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A book-club edition is common (blind-stamp, no jacket price, lighter bulk). The 1966 film tie-in 'Harper' reprints postdate it.
I have a first edition of The Moving Target — 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.