# Is "The Living" by Annie Dillard a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Living by Annie Dillard (HarperCollins, 1992) is identified by: HarperCollins (New York) states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1; dated 1992. True first US edition; Dillard's first novel.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- HarperCollins (New York) states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1; dated 1992
- Dillard's first novel
- A signed/numbered limited issue also exists; the standard trade first has the priced dust jacket
- Publisher imprint reads HarperCollins
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Annie Dillard |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
| Year | 1992 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | HarperCollins (New York) states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
HarperCollins (New York) states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1; dated 1992. Dillard's first novel. A signed/numbered limited issue also exists; the standard trade first has the priced dust jacket.

## Is this the true first?
True first US edition; Dillard's first novel.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions exist and are unpriced with blind boards and no number line; confirm the 'First Edition' statement and full number line on the trade issue.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Living* by Annie Dillard a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-living
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.