# Is "For the Time Being" by Annie Dillard a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of For the Time Being by Annie Dillard (Alfred A. Knopf, 1999) is identified by: Knopf (New York) states 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page with the Borzoi colophon; dated 1999. True first US edition (Knopf trade first).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Alfred A. Knopf (New York) states 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page with the Borzoi colophon; dated 1999
- A signed/numbered limited issue also exists
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Annie Dillard |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1999 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Alfred A. Knopf (New York) states 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page with the Borzoi… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Alfred A. Knopf (New York) states 'FIRST EDITION' on the copyright page with the Borzoi colophon; dated 1999. A signed/numbered limited issue also exists.

## Is this the true first?
True first US edition (Knopf trade first).

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No major book-club concern noted. Do not confuse with later reprints or the Vintage paperback.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *For the Time Being* by Annie Dillard a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/for-the-time-being
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.