# Is "Goodbye to Berlin" by Christopher Isherwood a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood (The Hogarth Press, 1939) is identified by: First edition: The Hogarth Press, London, 1939, in oatmeal/textured cloth lettered in red with red top edge, in a dust jacket designed by Humphrey Spender; copyright page without a later-printing notice. The UK Hogarth Press 1939 edition is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First edition: The Hogarth Press, London, 1939, in oatmeal/textured cloth lettered in red with red top edge, in a dust jacket designed by Humphrey Spender; copyright page without a later-printing notice
- Collects six linked pieces including the 'Sally Bowles' material later adapted as Cabaret
- Publisher imprint reads The Hogarth Press
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Christopher Isherwood |
| Publisher | The Hogarth Press |
| Year | 1939 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First edition: The Hogarth Press, London, 1939, in oatmeal/textured cloth lettered in red with red top edge, in a dust jacket designed by… |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
First edition: The Hogarth Press, London, 1939, in oatmeal/textured cloth lettered in red with red top edge, in a dust jacket designed by Humphrey Spender; copyright page without a later-printing notice. Collects six linked pieces including the 'Sally Bowles' material later adapted as Cabaret.

## Is this the true first?
The UK Hogarth Press 1939 edition is the true first. The US Random House 1939 edition was produced from British sheets and follows. The earlier separately issued 'Sally Bowles' (Hogarth, 1937) is a distinct, scarcer precursor.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The US Random House first is a separate, later issue made from British sheets; later printings note impressions. Distinguish from the 1937 'Sally Bowles' pamphlet.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Goodbye to Berlin* by Christopher Isherwood a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/goodbye-to-berlin
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.