# Is "The Scarlatti Inheritance" by Robert Ludlum a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Scarlatti Inheritance by Robert Ludlum (The World Publishing Company, 1971) is identified by: 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with no later-printing statement, 358 pages, red boards. US World Publishing is the true first; Ludlum's debut novel.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with no later-printing statement, 358 pages, red boards
- Issued in a fragile clear acetate dust jacket with a printed front-flap price; first printings retain the acetate, which is easily lost or damaged
- Publisher imprint reads The World Publishing Company
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert Ludlum |
| Publisher | The World Publishing Company |
| Year | 1971 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with no later-printing statement, 358 pages, red boards |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with no later-printing statement, 358 pages, red boards. Issued in a fragile clear acetate dust jacket with a printed front-flap price; first printings retain the acetate, which is easily lost or damaged.

## Is this the true first?
US World Publishing is the true first; Ludlum's debut novel. The intact acetate wrapper is a desirable point. A 'First Edition' with a later-printing line stated is not the first impression, so verify no added printing statement.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The book-club edition shows a blind-stamp or square punch mark at the lower rear board, lacks the acetate, and uses cheaper boards. The stated 'First Edition' with original acetate and no rear-board punch confirms the true first.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Scarlatti Inheritance* by Robert Ludlum a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-scarlatti-inheritance
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.