How to identify a first printing
- Copyright page reads 'First published in [year] by Roli Books' / 'Roli Books Pvt Ltd' (Greater Kailash II, New Delhi); the first impression carries that line with no reprint or later-impression notice.
- First edition is usually stated; on illustrated and coffee-table titles the colophon often names the printer and impression — the first impression with no reprint line is the first.
- The Lustre Press / Lotus Collection / India Ink imprint line names the series and era; a 'Roli & Janssen' co-edition line indicates an international co-publication rather than a pure Indian Roli first, so verify which state a given copy is.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1978 by Pramod Kapoor; specialises in illustrated books on Indian art, heritage, photography and culture, with over a thousand titles. Now family-run under Kapil and Priya Kapoor.
- The India Ink (IndiaInk) fiction imprint published the first Indian edition of Arundhati Roy's 'The God of Small Things' (1997) — that was IndiaInk's debut title, a notable collecting point (black buckram, chocolate endpapers, Sanjeev Saith jacket).
- Many titles are international co-editions; verify whether a given copy is the Indian Roli first or a co-publisher's state.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Roli Books, Lustre Press, India Ink (IndiaInk), Lotus Collection, Roli & Janssen (intl. co-editions). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Roli Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Copyright page reads 'First published in [year] by Roli Books' / 'Roli Books Pvt Ltd' (Greater Kailash II, New Delhi); the first impression carries that line with no reprint or later-impression notice. First edition is usually stated; on illustrated and coffee-table titles the colophon often names the printer and impression — the first impression with no reprint line is the first.
Does Roli Books use a number line?
First edition is usually stated; on illustrated and coffee-table titles the colophon often names the printer and impression — the first impression with no reprint line is the first.
Is a book-club edition a Roli Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1978 by Pramod Kapoor; specialises in illustrated books on Indian art, heritage, photography and culture, with over a thousand titles. Now family-run under Kapil and Priya Kapoor.
What era does this cover?
This covers Roli Books (1978-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.