# Is "Metroland" by Julian Barnes a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Metroland by Julian Barnes (Jonathan Cape, 1980) is identified by: London: Jonathan Cape, 1980. The UK Jonathan Cape edition (1980) is the true first, preceding the US St.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- London: Jonathan Cape, 1980
- Barnes's first novel
- Blue-grey boards, silver-blocked spine, grey endpapers; black dust jacket lettered in silver and white with a Jerry Bauer author photograph to the lower panel, priced to the flap and unclipped
- Title page states 'First published 1980'
- The novel later won the Somerset Maugham Award
- Scarce as the debut
- Publisher imprint reads Jonathan Cape

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Julian Barnes |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape |
| Year | 1980 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | London: Jonathan Cape, 1980 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
London: Jonathan Cape, 1980. Barnes's first novel. Blue-grey boards, silver-blocked spine, grey endpapers; black dust jacket lettered in silver and white with a Jerry Bauer author photograph to the lower panel, priced to the flap and unclipped. Title page states 'First published 1980'. The novel later won the Somerset Maugham Award. Scarce as the debut.

## Is this the true first?
The UK Jonathan Cape edition (1980) is the true first, preceding the US St. Martin's Press edition (also 1980).

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later impressions add printing statements. A separate Book Club issue also exists for 1980 and should not be taken for the Cape first.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Metroland* by Julian Barnes a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/metroland
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.