# Is "Condominium" by John D. MacDonald a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Condominium by John D. MacDonald (J.B. Lippincott, 1977) is identified by: Lippincott, Philadelphia, 1977, with the number line reading 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (ending in 1) on the copyright page. The US Lippincott hardcover is the true first edition, confirmed by the number line ending in 1.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First edition, J.B. Lippincott, Philadelphia, 1977, with the number line reading 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (ending in 1) on the copyright page
- A major bestseller and a non-McGee disaster novel
- The first-issue dust jacket has a pictorial spine with red and yellow lettering and should retain the original printed price on the front flap
- A separate signed presentation issue of 975 copies was inscribed for the Patrons of the Libraries of the University of Florida (March 16, 1977) and stands apart from the standard trade first
- Publisher imprint reads J.B. Lippincott
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John D. MacDonald |
| Publisher | J.B. Lippincott |
| Year | 1977 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First edition, J.B. Lippincott, Philadelphia, 1977, with the number line reading 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (ending in 1) on the copyright page |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First edition, J.B. Lippincott, Philadelphia, 1977, with the number line reading 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (ending in 1) on the copyright page. A major bestseller and a non-McGee disaster novel. The first-issue dust jacket has a pictorial spine with red and yellow lettering and should retain the original printed price on the front flap. A separate signed presentation issue of 975 copies was inscribed for the Patrons of the Libraries of the University of Florida (March 16, 1977) and stands apart from the standard trade first.

## Is this the true first?
The US Lippincott hardcover is the true first edition, confirmed by the number line ending in 1.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
This was a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, so club copies are common; identify them by the blindstamp to the rear board and by a jacket that carries no printed price and no ISBN on the flap. Club copies are also reported in red cloth with gilt spine lettering.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Condominium* by John D. MacDonald a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/condominium
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.