CITIES OF THE PLAIN, FIRST EDITION
Knopf, New York, 1998
“First edition” stated on the copyright page and no mention of subsequent printings. Hardcover, 22 x 15 cm., 291 numbered pages. Publisher’s black paper covered and cloth boards, lettered in gilt on the spine and with “CM” initials in gilt on the front panel. Top text-block edge stained in brick red. White dust-jacket by Chip Kidd, lettered in black and white on brick red boxes, featuring a photograph by Larry Schwarm on the front cover and another of McCarthy by Marion Ettlinger on the back flap; price of “FPT USA $24.00 / CANADA $35.50” on the front flap and no code at the bottom of back flap. The back panel features a praise for All the Pretty Horses by Kurt Tidmore, Washington Post Book World and another for The Crossing by Robert Hass, New York Times Book Review. (APG, 010d).
Inscribed and dated in the year of publication by McCarthy on the half title page in black ball point pen: “For Toni / All the best / From your friend / Cormac / Santa Fe / 1 Dec ’98”.
CONDITION: near fine in a near fine dustjacket.
Published on May 18, 1998, at $24, in an announced first print run of 200,000 copies.
Although the uncorrected proof states May 31 as date of publication, the review copies publisher’s sleep and the later printings copyright pages show that the actual date was May 18.
This edition predates the Trice limited edition and so it is the true first edition.
COMPLIMENTARY COPIES: A complimentary copy sold in 2008 had a note by Gary Fisketjon, McCarthy editor at Knopf, laid in. It was dated May, 15.
REVIEW COPIES: review copies with the publisher’s slip laid in are noted.
BOOK CLUB EDITION: a BCE was printed from the second printing published in May, 1998. The copyright page reads “Published May 18, 1998 Second printing before publication” on the copyright page. It has the same page size of the hardcover edition but is in wrappers, duplicating the design of the hardcover dustjacket. There is no mention of price or being a book club edition.
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