# Is "Decline and Fall" by Evelyn Waugh a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh (Chapman & Hall, 1928) is identified by: Chapman & Hall London 1928, Waugh's first novel. Chapman & Hall London 1928 is the true first; the US Doubleday Doran 1929 is the first US.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Chapman & Hall London 1928, Waugh's first novel
- First issue includes Waugh's own illustrations and the subtitle 'An Illustrated Novelette.' Some early printings were censored; the first issue retains certain passages
- Pictorial jacket and cloth
- Publisher imprint reads Chapman & Hall
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Evelyn Waugh |
| Publisher | Chapman & Hall |
| Year | 1928 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Chapman & Hall London 1928, Waugh's first novel |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
Chapman & Hall London 1928, Waugh's first novel. First issue includes Waugh's own illustrations and the subtitle 'An Illustrated Novelette.' Some early printings were censored; the first issue retains certain passages. Pictorial jacket and cloth.

## Is this the true first?
Chapman & Hall London 1928 is the true first; the US Doubleday Doran 1929 is the first US. The author's illustrations are integral to the first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later impressions and US edition distinguished by imprint and date; reprints often omit or alter the original illustration suite.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Decline and Fall* by Evelyn Waugh a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/decline-and-fall
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.