# Is "The Osterman Weekend" by Robert Ludlum a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Osterman Weekend by Robert Ludlum (World Publishing Company, 1972) is identified by: The World Publishing Company first edition states 'First Printing—1972' on the copyright page (not the phrase 'First Edition'). The US World Publishing Company first edition (New York, 1972) precedes the UK edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- The World Publishing Company first edition states 'First Printing—1972' on the copyright page (not the phrase 'First Edition')
- Issued in blue leatherette-style boards with the top edge stained blue, under a printed glassine/acetate dust wrapper rendered in white and red; the first-issue wrapper carries the printed price on the upper front flap and the publisher's code A3918 on the lower rear panel
- Ludlum's second novel
- Publisher imprint reads World Publishing Company
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert Ludlum |
| Publisher | World Publishing Company |
| Year | 1972 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | The World Publishing Company first edition states 'First Printing—1972' on the copyright… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
The World Publishing Company first edition states 'First Printing—1972' on the copyright page (not the phrase 'First Edition'). Issued in blue leatherette-style boards with the top edge stained blue, under a printed glassine/acetate dust wrapper rendered in white and red; the first-issue wrapper carries the printed price on the upper front flap and the publisher's code A3918 on the lower rear panel. Ludlum's second novel.

## Is this the true first?
The US World Publishing Company first edition (New York, 1972) precedes the UK edition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the 'First Printing—1972' statement, typically show a blindstamp on the rear board, and carry an acetate wrapper without the printed price on the flap.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Osterman Weekend* by Robert Ludlum a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-osterman-weekend
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.