# Is "The Partner" by John Grisham a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Partner by John Grisham (Doubleday, 1997) is identified by: The copyright page of the true first states 'First Edition' and carries the full Doubleday number line for a first printing. The 1997 US Doubleday hardcover is the true first, Grisham's eighth novel, issued in a very large first printing.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- The copyright page of the true first states 'First Edition' and carries the full Doubleday number line for a first printing
- Doubleday's first-printing line is non-sequential, typically running 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2, so the 'First Edition' statement together with a complete, uncut line is the reliable point
- The volume is bound in cream boards with a celadon/light-green cloth spine, gilt spine lettering and the gilt Doubleday anchor, and green endpapers; the first-issue dust jacket shows the title in bold red lettering against a dark ground, with the printed price present on an unclipped jacket
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John Grisham |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Year | 1997 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | The copyright page of the true first states 'First Edition' and carries the full… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
The copyright page of the true first states 'First Edition' and carries the full Doubleday number line for a first printing. Doubleday's first-printing line is non-sequential, typically running 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2, so the 'First Edition' statement together with a complete, uncut line is the reliable point. The volume is bound in cream boards with a celadon/light-green cloth spine, gilt spine lettering and the gilt Doubleday anchor, and green endpapers; the first-issue dust jacket shows the title in bold red lettering against a dark ground, with the printed price present on an unclipped jacket.

## Is this the true first?
The 1997 US Doubleday hardcover is the true first, Grisham's eighth novel, issued in a very large first printing. A signed limited edition was also issued as a separate, distinguishable state; the trade first is the 'First Edition'–stated Doubleday hardcover.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions omit the 'First Edition' statement and the number line, are printed on cheaper bulked stock, and typically bear a blindstamp or dot on the rear board; the jacket lacks the printed price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Partner* by John Grisham a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-partner
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.