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

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Prey by Michael Crichton (HarperCollins, 2002) is identified by: 'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page above a complete descending number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. The US HarperCollins first edition precedes the UK edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- 'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page above a complete descending number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
- The first printing is bound in gray/slate boards stamped in silver on the front board and spine, issued in a pictorial (illustrated) dust jacket with the printed price present on the front flap
- Prey was Crichton's first novel under HarperCollins after his long run with Knopf (Timeline, 1999, and earlier)
- 367 pages
- Publisher imprint reads HarperCollins
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Michael Crichton |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
| Year | 2002 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | 'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page above a complete descending number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
'First Edition' is stated on the copyright page above a complete descending number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. The first printing is bound in gray/slate boards stamped in silver on the front board and spine, issued in a pictorial (illustrated) dust jacket with the printed price present on the front flap. Prey was Crichton's first novel under HarperCollins after his long run with Knopf (Timeline, 1999, and earlier); 367 pages.

## Is this the true first?
The US HarperCollins first edition precedes the UK edition. A price on the front flap should be present on the trade first-state jacket; clipping does not by itself disqualify a first edition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the 'First Edition' statement and number line, are unpriced on the jacket, and typically show a small blindstamp (circle or dot) on the lower rear board.

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