# Is "The Street Lawyer" by John Grisham a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Street Lawyer by John Grisham (Doubleday, 1998) is identified by: First trade printing has the words 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page together with a full descending-then-alternating Doubleday number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2; the presence of the terminal 2 (rather than the line ending in 1) confirms the first printing in Doubleday's house style for this title. US Doubleday edition (1998) is the true first, preceding the UK Century edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First trade printing has the words 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page together with a full descending-then-alternating Doubleday number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2; the presence of the terminal 2 (rather than the line ending in 1) confirms the first printing in Doubleday's house style for this title
- The book is bound in quarter cloth over boards with gilt spine lettering
- The first-issue dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap and should be present and unclipped to be complete
- Publisher imprint reads Doubleday
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John Grisham |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Year | 1998 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First trade printing has the words 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page together… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First trade printing has the words 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page together with a full descending-then-alternating Doubleday number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2; the presence of the terminal 2 (rather than the line ending in 1) confirms the first printing in Doubleday's house style for this title. The book is bound in quarter cloth over boards with gilt spine lettering. The first-issue dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap and should be present and unclipped to be complete.

## Is this the true first?
US Doubleday edition (1998) is the true first, preceding the UK Century edition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions omit the 'First Edition' statement and the number line, are printed on cheaper bulked paper, and typically bear a small blindstamp (dot or maple-leaf) on the lower rear board.

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