# Is "Anagrams" by Lorrie Moore a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Anagrams by Lorrie Moore (Alfred A. Knopf, 1986) is identified by: Borzoi/Knopf copyright page states 'FIRST EDITION' with the number-line descending to a terminal '1'; Borzoi colophon. The US Knopf hardcover (1986) is the true first; a UK Faber edition followed.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Borzoi/Knopf copyright page states 'FIRST EDITION' with the number-line descending to a terminal '1'
- Borzoi colophon
- Quarter light-blue cloth over grey paper boards with gilt lettering; confirm the jacket flap price is unclipped
- Moore's first novel (her second book)
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Lorrie Moore |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1986 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Borzoi/Knopf copyright page states 'FIRST EDITION' with the number-line descending to a terminal '1' |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Borzoi/Knopf copyright page states 'FIRST EDITION' with the number-line descending to a terminal '1'; Borzoi colophon. Quarter light-blue cloth over grey paper boards with gilt lettering; confirm the jacket flap price is unclipped. Moore's first novel (her second book).

## Is this the true first?
The US Knopf hardcover (1986) is the true first; a UK Faber edition followed.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club issues omit the number-line and the jacket flap price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Anagrams* by Lorrie Moore a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/anagrams
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.