How to identify a first printing
- First printings state "First published [Year]" or "First published in Great Britain [Year]" on the copyright page with NO additional impression lines and traditionally NO number line
- Later printings noted by added lines (e.g. 'Second impression [year]', 'Reprinted...') — their presence disqualifies a first
- In the modern era Cape (under Random House) adopted a descending number line ending in 1; lowest digit indicates printing
- Absence of any later-printing notation combined with the 'First published' line is the core first-printing signal
Notable points & cautions
- Ian Fleming's James Bond novels were published by Cape — 'Casino Royale' (1953) and especially 'Goldfinger'/'Dr No' have famous dust-jacket and binding points; first-state jackets are decisive for value
- Cape published Joyce, Hemingway (UK), T.E. Lawrence, Roald Dahl (UK adult/children), Ian McEwan — high-demand modern firsts
- Watch for US issues and book-club editions sharing sheets
- Older Cape titles predate number lines — rely on the statement + absence of reprint notes
Imprints
First editions also appear under: The Bodley Head (later corporate sibling under Random House), Cape Poetry, Cape Editions, Jonathan Cape Children's. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Jonathan Cape book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. First printings state "First published [Year]" or "First published in Great Britain [Year]" on the copyright page with NO additional impression lines and traditionally NO number line Later printings noted by added lines (e.g. 'Second impression [year]', 'Reprinted...') — their presence disqualifies a first
Does Jonathan Cape use a number line?
Later printings noted by added lines (e.g. 'Second impression [year]', 'Reprinted...') — their presence disqualifies a first
Is a book-club edition a Jonathan Cape first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Ian Fleming's James Bond novels were published by Cape — 'Casino Royale' (1953) and especially 'Goldfinger'/'Dr No' have famous dust-jacket and binding points; first-state jackets are decisive for value
What era does this cover?
This covers Jonathan Cape (1921-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.
Jonathan Cape titles with documented first-edition points
Each link opens that title’s specific points of issue — the exact marks that separate a true first printing from a later one.
- A History of the World in 10½ Chapters (Julian Barnes, 1989)
- All the Conspirators (Christopher Isherwood, 1928)
- Amsterdam (Ian McEwan, 1998)
- Arthur & George (Julian Barnes, 2005)
- Atonement (Ian McEwan, 2001)
- Before She Met Me (Julian Barnes, 1982)
- Black Dogs (Ian McEwan, 1992)
- Boy: Tales of Childhood (Roald Dahl, 1984)
- Briefing for a Descent into Hell (Doris Lessing, 1971)
- Burger's Daughter (Nadine Gordimer, 1979)
- Captain Pantoja and the Special Service (Mario Vargas Llosa, 1978)
- Casino Royale (Ian Fleming, 1953)
- Concrete Island (J.G. Ballard, 1974)
- Crash (J.G. Ballard, 1973)
- Cross Channel (Julian Barnes, 1996)
- Danny, the Champion of the World (Roald Dahl (illus. Jill Bennett), 1975)
- Darkness at Noon (Arthur Koestler, 1940)
- Dead Babies (Martin Amis, 1975)
- Diamonds Are Forever (Ian Fleming, 1956)
- Dirty Beasts (Roald Dahl, 1983)
- Dr. No (Ian Fleming, 1958)
- Duffy (Dan Kavanagh (Julian Barnes), 1980)
- East, West (Salman Rushdie, 1994)
- Einstein's Monsters (Martin Amis, 1987)
Documenting 143 Jonathan Cape titles in all — browse the full title-by-title library →