# Is "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (George Newnes, 1892) is identified by: First UK edition, George Newnes 1892. UK Newnes 1892 is the true first, preceding the US Harper 1892.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First UK edition, George Newnes 1892
- First issue dated 1892 on title with the Newnes imprint and first-state advertisement leaves; recognized first-issue points include early mis-set details
- Second issue is dated 1893
- Publisher imprint reads George Newnes
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Arthur Conan Doyle |
| Publisher | George Newnes |
| Year | 1892 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First UK edition, George Newnes 1892 |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
First UK edition, George Newnes 1892. First issue dated 1892 on title with the Newnes imprint and first-state advertisement leaves; recognized first-issue points include early mis-set details. Second issue is dated 1893.

## Is this the true first?
UK Newnes 1892 is the true first, preceding the US Harper 1892. The US first is a distinct collectible with its own points.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later Newnes reissues are dated 1893 onward and lack first-issue ad states. Verify by date and advertisement leaves.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes* by Arthur Conan Doyle a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-adventures-of-sherlock-holmes
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.