# Is "The Bourne Ultimatum" by Robert Ludlum a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Bourne Ultimatum by Robert Ludlum (Random House, 1990) is identified by: Random House states 'First Edition' on the copyright page above a number line running from 2 (the 1 is expressed by the 'First Edition' statement, per Random House convention of the period). US Random House hardcover is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Random House states 'First Edition' on the copyright page above a number line running from 2 (the 1 is expressed by the 'First Edition' statement, per Random House convention of the period)
- The binding is a black cloth spine over blue boards with the spine lettered in gilt
- The first-issue dust jacket, with jacket design by Paul Bacon and illustration by Russell Farrell, carries its printed price on the front flap
- Completes the original Bourne trilogy
- Publisher imprint reads Random House
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert Ludlum |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Year | 1990 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Random House states 'First Edition' on the copyright page above a number line running from 2 (the 1 is expressed by the 'First Edition'… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Random House states 'First Edition' on the copyright page above a number line running from 2 (the 1 is expressed by the 'First Edition' statement, per Random House convention of the period). The binding is a black cloth spine over blue boards with the spine lettered in gilt. The first-issue dust jacket, with jacket design by Paul Bacon and illustration by Russell Farrell, carries its printed price on the front flap. Completes the original Bourne trilogy.

## Is this the true first?
US Random House hardcover is the true first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions are typically smaller, lack the printed jacket price, carry a blindstamp to the rear board, and do not state 'First Edition' with the number line.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Bourne Ultimatum* by Robert Ludlum a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-bourne-ultimatum
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.