# Is "Shuttlecock" by Graham Swift a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Shuttlecock by Graham Swift (Allen Lane, 1981) is identified by: Swift's second novel, issued in cloth boards with gilt spine lettering; the copyright page reads 'First published 1981' by Allen Lane (ISBN 0 7139 1413 9). UK Allen Lane (1981) precedes the US Washington Square Press edition; the Allen Lane hardcover is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Swift's second novel, issued in cloth boards with gilt spine lettering; the copyright page reads 'First published 1981' by Allen Lane (ISBN 0 7139 1413 9)
- A first-state copy retains the original pictorial dust jacket with the printed price present and unclipped; jackets in fine condition are uncommon
- Publisher imprint reads Allen Lane
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Graham Swift |
| Publisher | Allen Lane |
| Year | 1981 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Swift's second novel, issued in cloth boards with gilt spine lettering; the copyright page reads 'First published 1981' by Allen Lane (ISBN… |
| Book-club edition exists? | No |

## Points of issue
Swift's second novel, issued in cloth boards with gilt spine lettering; the copyright page reads 'First published 1981' by Allen Lane (ISBN 0 7139 1413 9). A first-state copy retains the original pictorial dust jacket with the printed price present and unclipped; jackets in fine condition are uncommon.

## Is this the true first?
UK Allen Lane (1981) precedes the US Washington Square Press edition; the Allen Lane hardcover is the true first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition of note.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Shuttlecock* by Graham Swift a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/shuttlecock
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.