How to identify a first printing
- Identify by edition statement plus copyright-page printing line: the lowest digit present in the number line indicates the printing, and a first printing of a given edition shows that edition's debut year with no later reprint years.
- 1982-1990s: founded by Mark Ellingham; 'The Rough Guide to Greece' (1982) is the landmark first title, published under Routledge & Kegan Paul. Identify early editions by the edition statement and single debut year.
- 1990s-2000s: acquired into the Penguin Group; standardized copyright page carries an edition number and reprint dates, with the first printing showing only the original edition date.
- 2017-present: under APA Publications (the Insight Guides parent); modern editions carry explicit edition numbers and number lines.
Notable points & cautions
- 'The Rough Guide to Greece' (1982) by Mark Ellingham is the foundational first title; Routledge issued it after a modest advance.
- Ownership chain (independent / Routledge -> Penguin in the 1990s -> APA Publications in 2017) brackets copyright-page style.
- Collected by edition number; the number line plus edition year confirm a first printing.
- Reference (non-travel) Rough Guides exist and follow the same Penguin-era number-line conventions.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Rough Guides, Mini Rough Guides / Pocket Rough Guides, Rough Guides Reference series (music, internet, etc.). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Rough Guides book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Identify by edition statement plus copyright-page printing line: the lowest digit present in the number line indicates the printing, and a first printing of a given edition shows that edition's debut year with no later reprint years. 1982-1990s: founded by Mark Ellingham; 'The Rough Guide to Greece' (1982) is the landmark first title, published under Routledge & Kegan Paul. Identify early editions by the edition statement and single debut year.
Does Rough Guides use a number line?
1982-1990s: founded by Mark Ellingham; 'The Rough Guide to Greece' (1982) is the landmark first title, published under Routledge & Kegan Paul. Identify early editions by the edition statement and single debut year.
Is a book-club edition a Rough Guides first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. 'The Rough Guide to Greece' (1982) by Mark Ellingham is the foundational first title; Routledge issued it after a modest advance.
What era does this cover?
This covers Rough Guides (1982-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.