How to identify a first printing
- Pre-1966 (Theosophical Press, Wheaton): older Theosophical Society titles are identified by the copyright year and the 'Theosophical Press' imprint, with no number line. Distinguish the US Wheaton, London TPH, and Adyar TPH editions of the same Blavatsky, Besant, or Leadbeater texts.
- 1966-c.2000 (Quest Books / TPH Wheaton): the Quest paperback line launched in 1966 with Bhagavan Das, The Essential Unity of All Religions. The copyright page states 'First Quest Edition, [year]' or 'First Edition', with later titles adding a number line whose lowest number indicates the printing. 'First Quest Edition' is the key first-printing statement for the paperback line.
- c.2000-2023 (Quest Books / TPH): a standard number line, lowest number equals the printing, alongside the 'First Quest Edition' statement.
- 2023/2024-present: the Quest Books imprint was sold to Red Wheel/Weiser (which had distributed Quest since 2015), so the newest printings carry RW/W branding; identify the original Quest first edition by the 'First Quest Edition' statement and the Wheaton TPH imprint.
Notable points & cautions
- Quest Books is the paperback imprint of the Theosophical Publishing House (Wheaton IL), the publishing arm of the Theosophical Society in America; the parent movement was founded in 1875 by H.P. Blavatsky and H.S. Olcott, with the Adyar (Chennai) headquarters established in 1882.
- Key multi-house tell: the same Blavatsky, Besant, and Leadbeater titles exist as Adyar (India), London, and Wheaton (US) editions, so match the specific TPH branch named on the title or copyright page.
- The Quest paperback line launched in 1966; 'First Quest Edition, [year]' is the first-printing statement for that line.
- The 2023-2024 sale of the imprint to Red Wheel/Weiser is the latest era change, and RW/W branding marks recent printings.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Quest Books (paperback line, 1966-), Theosophical Press (predecessor), Theosophical Publishing House (Wheaton), Theosophical Publishing House (Adyar), Theosophical Publishing House (London). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Theosophical Publishing House / Quest Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Pre-1966 (Theosophical Press, Wheaton): older Theosophical Society titles are identified by the copyright year and the 'Theosophical Press' imprint, with no number line. Distinguish the US Wheaton, London TPH, and Adyar TPH editions of the same Blavatsky, Besant, or Leadbeater texts. 1966-c.2000 (Quest Books / TPH Wheaton): the Quest paperback line launched in 1966 with Bhagavan Das, The Essential Unity of All Religions. The copyright page states 'First Quest Edition, [year]' or 'First Edition', with later titles adding a number line whose lowest number indicates the printing. 'First Quest Edition' is the key first-printing statement for the paperback line.
Does Theosophical Publishing House / Quest Books use a number line?
1966-c.2000 (Quest Books / TPH Wheaton): the Quest paperback line launched in 1966 with Bhagavan Das, The Essential Unity of All Religions. The copyright page states 'First Quest Edition, [year]' or 'First Edition', with later titles adding a number line whose lowest number indicates the printing. 'First Quest Edition' is the key first-printing statement for the paperback line.
Is a book-club edition a Theosophical Publishing House / Quest Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Quest Books is the paperback imprint of the Theosophical Publishing House (Wheaton IL), the publishing arm of the Theosophical Society in America; the parent movement was founded in 1875 by H.P. Blavatsky and H.S. Olcott, with the Adyar (Chennai) headquarters established in 1882.
What era does this cover?
This covers Theosophical Publishing House / Quest Books (1875-present (Quest line 1966-present)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.