# Is "Arthur & George" by Julian Barnes a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Arthur & George by Julian Barnes (Jonathan Cape, 2005) is identified by: Mustard decorative cloth boards blocked in black and cream; full number line descending to 1 with Cape 'First published' statement. UK Cape (2005) precedes US Knopf (2006).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Mustard decorative cloth boards blocked in black and cream; full number line descending to 1 with Cape 'First published' statement
- Issued without a conventional dust jacket: in its place a wraparound advertising band carrying the 17.99 net price
- Booker-shortlisted
- Publisher imprint reads Jonathan Cape
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Julian Barnes |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape |
| Year | 2005 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Mustard decorative cloth boards blocked in black and cream; full number line descending to 1 with Cape 'First published' statement |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
Mustard decorative cloth boards blocked in black and cream; full number line descending to 1 with Cape 'First published' statement. Issued without a conventional dust jacket: in its place a wraparound advertising band carrying the 17.99 net price. Booker-shortlisted.

## Is this the true first?
UK Cape (2005) precedes US Knopf (2006).

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Reprints state the later impression.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Arthur & George* by Julian Barnes a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/arthur-george
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.