# Is "Jurassic Park" by Michael Crichton a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton (Alfred A. Knopf, 1990) is identified by: First printing has 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page with no number line removing it; first-issue jacket with its printed price and shows the Knopf borzoi colophon. US Knopf hardcover is the true first, preceding the UK Century (1991).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First printing has 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page with no number line removing it; first-issue jacket with its printed price and shows the Knopf borzoi colophon
- The Tyrannosaurus-skeleton jacket art (by Chip Kidd) is on the first
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Michael Crichton |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1990 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First printing has 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page with no number line removing it; first-issue jacket with its printed price… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First printing has 'FIRST EDITION' stated on the copyright page with no number line removing it; first-issue jacket with its printed price and shows the Knopf borzoi colophon. The Tyrannosaurus-skeleton jacket art (by Chip Kidd) is on the first.

## Is this the true first?
US Knopf hardcover is the true first, preceding the UK Century (1991). Note the well-known first-state point sometimes cited is the price and the 'First Edition' statement; verify it is not a book-club copy.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-of-the-Month Club / SFBC edition: no the printed price on flap, blind-stamped dot/square on the rear board, smaller trim and cheaper paper. The BCE is very common; the trade first in fine priced jacket is worth far more.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Jurassic Park* by Michael Crichton a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/jurassic-park
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.