First Edition Points and Criteria for Rabbit at Rest

Year Published: 1990
Author Last Name: Updike
Author First Name: John
Publisher: Franklin Library
Original Price:
Pages: 512

Both Knopf and the Franklin Library produced signed first editions. It is not entirely clear which is the true first. The Knopf edition was limited to 350 copies. It is not known how many of the Franklin edition were produced. We think it is more likely that the Franklin Library edition is the true first. We say this because the Franklin Libary was usually very careful about securing the rights to the very first edition. Also the first trade edition makes reference to the signed Franklin Library edition as the first edition.

The Knopf limited first edition ranges in value from $150 to $450. The Franklin first edition ranges from $200 to $400. The first trade edition ranges from $15 to $65.

Rabbit at Rest won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.


This is the slipcase from Knopf's limited first edition.


This is the signature page from Knopf's limited first edition. It states that this is the first edition, and it is signed by John Updike. It was limited to 350 copies.


Knopf's limited first edition had marbled paper covered boards.


The Franklin first edition is leather bound.


John Updike’s signature appears on a blank page in the Franklin first edition.


This is the first edition statement on the Franklin first edition.


This is the first trade edition dust jacket.


On the copy right page of the first trade edition, there is a reference to the Franklin Library edition as the first edition.


The price of the first trade edition was $21.95.

Other first edition points for books by John Updike include: Rabbit is Rich, The Centaur, The Widows of Eastwick, The Early Stories: 1953-1975, Rabbit, Run.