# Is "The Lost World" by Michael Crichton a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Lost World by Michael Crichton (Alfred A. Knopf, 1995) is identified by: Knopf trade issue states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page; first-state Chip Kidd jacket has the black fossil T. The Knopf trade edition (1995) is the true first trade issue and sequel to Jurassic Park; a signed leather-bound Franklin Library limited edition also exists as the earliest printed form.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Knopf trade issue states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page; first-state Chip Kidd jacket has the black fossil T. rex silhouette on white with the price and 'Something Has Survived' text unclipped on the flap
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Michael Crichton |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1995 |
| True first | — |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Knopf trade issue states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page; first-state Chip… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Knopf trade issue states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page; first-state Chip Kidd jacket has the black fossil T. rex silhouette on white with the price and 'Something Has Survived' text unclipped on the flap.

## Is this the true first?
The Knopf trade edition (1995) is the true first trade issue and sequel to Jurassic Park; a signed leather-bound Franklin Library limited edition also exists as the earliest printed form.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club printings lack the 'First Trade Edition' statement and typically carry a blindstamp to the rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Lost World* by Michael Crichton a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-lost-world
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.