First Edition Points and Criteria for The Deep End of the Ocean

Year Published: 1996
Author Last Name: Mitchard
Author First Name: Jacquelyn
Publisher: Viking
Original Price: $23.95
Pages: 434

"First published in 1996 by Viking Penguin," is stated on the copyright page above number line "1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2". Dust Jacket is translucent glassine that is not shiny on the back. It has a price of $23.95 on the top front flap, and "0696" on the bottom front flap.

The book was changed at some point after the fifth printing from ocean-pattern blue boards to a quarter-bound board with green cloth spine.

There were three issues of the dust jacket. The first issue jacket is translucent glassine with a non-glossy back. It was designed to allow the board pattern to show through, and can be found as late as the fourth printing. The second issue jacket is also translucent glassine, but the back is glossy, and was found as early as the fifth printing. The third issue is traditional paper jacket and simply covers the later issue boards. It was issued at some point after the fifth printing.

The Deep End of the Ocean is an Oprah's Book Club selection.


Picture of the 1996 first edition dust jacket for The Deep End of the Ocean.


Picture of the first edition copyright page for The Deep End of the Ocean.


Picture of dust jacket where original $23.95 price is found for The Deep End of the Ocean.


Picture of the back dust jacket for the first edition of The Deep End of the Ocean.


Picture of the first edition Viking boards for The Deep End of the Ocean.


Picture of the back dust jacket flap for the first edition of The Deep End of the Ocean.




The book on top is the first issue binding with aquamarine ocean pattern boards that can be seen through the first and second issue translucent dust jackets. Books as late as the fifth printing have the first issue binding. The book on the bottom is a later printing. It has plain boards that were covered by a third issue traditional paper dust jacket.


The dust jacket on the top is the first issue made of translucent glassine to allow the board pattern to show through. The dust jacket below it is the third issue which is traditional paper and simply covers the later issue boards. Books as late as the fourth printing have the first issue dust jacket.


The dust jacket on the bottom is the first issue (without the glossy back). The dust jacket on the top is the second issue (with the glossy back). Both jackets were designed to allow the color and pattern from the first issue book to show through.