# Is "Widespread Panic" by James Ellroy a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Widespread Panic by James Ellroy (Knopf, 2021) is identified by: Knopf (Borzoi) first printing, stating 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a number line descending to 1. US Knopf is the true first edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- US Alfred A. Knopf (Borzoi) first printing, stating 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a number line descending to 1
- Hardcover original issued in a dust jacket that should carry its printed price
- Signed copies were issued with the author's signature on a publisher's tipped-in leaf bearing a paw stamp, without inscription
- Publisher imprint reads Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | James Ellroy |
| Publisher | Knopf |
| Year | 2021 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | US Alfred A. Knopf (Borzoi) first printing, stating 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a number line descending to 1 |
| Book-club edition exists? | No |

## Points of issue
US Alfred A. Knopf (Borzoi) first printing, stating 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a number line descending to 1. Hardcover original issued in a dust jacket that should carry its printed price. Signed copies were issued with the author's signature on a publisher's tipped-in leaf bearing a paw stamp, without inscription.

## Is this the true first?
US Knopf is the true first edition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition of note.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Widespread Panic* by James Ellroy a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/widespread-panic
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.