# Is "Timeline" by Michael Crichton a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Timeline by Michael Crichton (Alfred A. Knopf, 1999) is identified by: The Knopf trade issue states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page and is bound in grey boards with a black backstrip lettered in gilt. The Knopf trade edition (1999) is the true first trade issue; a Franklin Library full-leather, all-edges-gilt signed limited edition of 1,100 copies also appeared in 1999 as the earliest printed form, issued without dust jacket.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- The Knopf trade issue states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page and is bound in grey boards with a black backstrip lettered in gilt
- The first-state dust jacket was designed by Chip Kidd, printed in grey with red text on the upper cover and spine, and should retain the printed price on the front flap, unclipped
- ISBN 0-679-44481-7
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Michael Crichton |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1999 |
| True first | — |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | The Knopf trade issue states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page and is bound in… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
The Knopf trade issue states 'First Trade Edition' on the copyright page and is bound in grey boards with a black backstrip lettered in gilt. The first-state dust jacket was designed by Chip Kidd, printed in grey with red text on the upper cover and spine, and should retain the printed price on the front flap, unclipped. ISBN 0-679-44481-7.

## Is this the true first?
The Knopf trade edition (1999) is the true first trade issue; a Franklin Library full-leather, all-edges-gilt signed limited edition of 1,100 copies also appeared in 1999 as the earliest printed form, issued without dust jacket.

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

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Timeline* by Michael Crichton a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/timeline
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.