# Is "Rabbit at Rest" by John Updike a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Rabbit at Rest by John Updike (Alfred A. Knopf, 1990) is identified by: Knopf trade copyright page states 'First Trade Edition' (NOT plain 'First Edition'); Borzoi device. Among US issues, the Franklin Library signed limited edition was published before the Knopf trade edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Knopf trade copyright page states 'First Trade Edition' (NOT plain 'First Edition')
- Borzoi device
- First-issue dust jacket unclipped reflecting its printed flap price and a the printed price date code
- The Franklin Library signed limited edition precedes the trade issue
- (1991 Pulitzer winner; final Rabbit novel.)
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | John Updike |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1990 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Knopf trade copyright page states 'First Trade Edition' (NOT plain 'First Edition') |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Knopf trade copyright page states 'First Trade Edition' (NOT plain 'First Edition'); Borzoi device. First-issue dust jacket unclipped reflecting its printed flap price and a the printed price date code. The Franklin Library signed limited edition precedes the trade issue. (1991 Pulitzer winner; final Rabbit novel.)

## Is this the true first?
Among US issues, the Franklin Library signed limited edition was published before the Knopf trade edition. For the Knopf trade first, the point is the stated 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club reprints lack the 'First Trade Edition' statement and are typically smaller with a blind-stamped rear board and a price-less jacket.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Rabbit at Rest* by John Updike a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/rabbit-at-rest
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.