# Is "Midnight's Children" by Salman Rushdie a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie (Jonathan Cape, 1981) is identified by: Jonathan Cape London 1981 (Booker Prize winner; later 'Booker of Bookers'). Jonathan Cape London 1981 is the true first; Alfred A.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Jonathan Cape London 1981 (Booker Prize winner; later 'Booker of Bookers')
- First impression copyright page shows the number line and no later-impression statement; dust jacket with its printed price
- Publisher's boards
- Publisher imprint reads Jonathan Cape
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Salman Rushdie |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape |
| Year | 1981 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Jonathan Cape London 1981 (Booker Prize winner; later 'Booker of Bookers') |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Jonathan Cape London 1981 (Booker Prize winner; later 'Booker of Bookers'). First impression copyright page shows the number line and no later-impression statement; dust jacket with its printed price. Publisher's boards.

## Is this the true first?
Jonathan Cape London 1981 is the true first; Alfred A. Knopf New York 1981 is the first US. The UK Cape first is markedly scarcer and more valuable than the US.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
US Knopf edition carries a different imprint and price; later Cape impressions stated on verso. Franklin Library and book club editions are distinct.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Midnight's Children* by Salman Rushdie a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/midnights-children
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.