Blood Meridian, or The Evening Redness in the West was published by Random House in April 1985 to modest initial sales but overwhelming critical acclaim in the decades following. The first edition is identified by the Random House colophon on the title page, the price of $16.95 on the front flap of the dust jacket, and the absence of any subsequent printing statement on the copyright page.
Market History
The market for Blood Meridian first editions has risen steadily since McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize for The Road in 2007 brought renewed attention to his entire body of work. Signed copies are the true prize — McCarthy was never a prolific signer, and his death in 2023 closed the supply permanently.