# Is "The Puppet Masters" by Robert A. Heinlein a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Puppet Masters by Robert A. Heinlein (Doubleday & Company, 1951) is identified by: 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page; copyright date 1951 with a number line showing 17 to 22. US Doubleday first edition is the true first; magazine serialization (in Galaxy) precedes the book but does not affect first-edition status of the hardcover.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page; copyright date 1951 with a number line showing 17 to 22
- Original dust jacket priced 2.75 on the front flap
- Publisher's tan cloth, spine lettered in brown
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday & Company
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert A. Heinlein |
| Publisher | Doubleday & Company |
| Year | 1951 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page; copyright date 1951 with a number line showing 17 to 22 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
'First Edition' stated on the copyright page; copyright date 1951 with a number line showing 17 to 22. Original dust jacket priced 2.75 on the front flap. Publisher's tan cloth, spine lettered in brown.

## Is this the true first?
US Doubleday first edition is the true first; magazine serialization (in Galaxy) precedes the book but does not affect first-edition status of the hardcover.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Doubleday book club editions are identified by the absence of the 'First Edition' statement on the copyright page and the blind-stamp impression on the rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Puppet Masters* by Robert A. Heinlein a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-puppet-masters
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.