# Is "Airframe" by Michael Crichton a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Airframe by Michael Crichton (Alfred A. Knopf, 1996) is identified by: The Knopf trade issue states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page and is bound in quarter cloth over boards. The Knopf trade edition (1996) is the true first trade issue; it was preceded only by the Franklin Library signed, leather-bound edition (green leather with gilt, issued for the Signed First Edition Society), which is the earliest printed form.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- The Knopf trade issue states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page and is bound in quarter cloth over boards
- The first-state dust jacket was designed by Chip Kidd and should retain the printed price on the front flap, unclipped
- ISBN 0-679-44648-6
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Michael Crichton |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1996 |
| True first | — |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | The Knopf trade issue states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page and is bound in… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
The Knopf trade issue states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page and is bound in quarter cloth over boards. The first-state dust jacket was designed by Chip Kidd and should retain the printed price on the front flap, unclipped. ISBN 0-679-44648-6.

## Is this the true first?
The Knopf trade edition (1996) is the true first trade issue; it was preceded only by the Franklin Library signed, leather-bound edition (green leather with gilt, issued for the Signed First Edition Society), which is the earliest printed form.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club printings lack the 'First Trade Edition' statement and often carry a blindstamp to the rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Airframe* by Michael Crichton a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/airframe
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.