# Is "Men at Arms" by Evelyn Waugh a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Men at Arms by Evelyn Waugh (Chapman & Hall, 1952) is identified by: First edition, first impression published by Chapman & Hall, London, 1952, in publisher's blue cloth with the spine stamped in gilt and top edges stained blue; 314 pages. The UK Chapman & Hall edition (blue cloth, 314 pp.) is the true first; the US Little, Brown edition, Boston, 1952, follows and is distinguishable by its red cloth, red dust wrapper, and 342-page collation.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First edition, first impression published by Chapman & Hall, London, 1952, in publisher's blue cloth with the spine stamped in gilt and top edges stained blue
- 314 pages
- Volume one of the Sword of Honour trilogy
- Issued in a dust jacket designed by Val Biro, which should carry the printed price on the front flap
- Awarded the 1952 James Tait Black Memorial Prize
- Publisher imprint reads Chapman & Hall
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Evelyn Waugh |
| Publisher | Chapman & Hall |
| Year | 1952 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First edition, first impression published by Chapman & Hall, London, 1952, in publisher's blue cloth with the spine stamped in gilt and top… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First edition, first impression published by Chapman & Hall, London, 1952, in publisher's blue cloth with the spine stamped in gilt and top edges stained blue; 314 pages. Volume one of the Sword of Honour trilogy. Issued in a dust jacket designed by Val Biro, which should carry the printed price on the front flap. Awarded the 1952 James Tait Black Memorial Prize.

## Is this the true first?
The UK Chapman & Hall edition (blue cloth, 314 pp.) is the true first; the US Little, Brown edition, Boston, 1952, follows and is distinguishable by its red cloth, red dust wrapper, and 342-page collation.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club printings appeared later; the first impression is identified by the Chapman & Hall imprint, blue cloth, and gilt spine.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Men at Arms* by Evelyn Waugh a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/men-at-arms
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.