# Is "Merrick" by Anne Rice a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Merrick by Anne Rice (Alfred A. Knopf, 2000) is identified by: Knopf (a Borzoi Book), New York, 2000, part of the Vampire Chronicles. The US Knopf trade edition, with 'First Trade Edition' stated on the copyright page, is the collected trade first; a Franklin Library signed limited edition precedes it as its own issue.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Alfred A. Knopf (a Borzoi Book), New York, 2000, part of the Vampire Chronicles
- The copyright page states 'First Trade Edition' with the year 2000, which is the identifying line for the first trade printing
- Bound in black cloth over boards, gilt-stamped, and issued in a priced dust jacket
- A Franklin Library signed limited edition was issued to members and precedes the Knopf trade printing as a separate issue
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Anne Rice |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 2000 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Alfred A. Knopf (a Borzoi Book), New York, 2000, part of the Vampire Chronicles |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Alfred A. Knopf (a Borzoi Book), New York, 2000, part of the Vampire Chronicles. The copyright page states 'First Trade Edition' with the year 2000, which is the identifying line for the first trade printing. Bound in black cloth over boards, gilt-stamped, and issued in a priced dust jacket. A Franklin Library signed limited edition was issued to members and precedes the Knopf trade printing as a separate issue.

## Is this the true first?
The US Knopf trade edition, with 'First Trade Edition' stated on the copyright page, is the collected trade first; a Franklin Library signed limited edition precedes it as its own issue.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Reprints and book-club copies lack the 'First Trade Edition' line on the copyright page; verify that line and the priced jacket are present.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Merrick* by Anne Rice a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/merrick
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.