How to identify a first printing
- Copyright page reads 'First published by Seagull Books, [year]' with a Kolkata address; the first printing carries that first-published year and no reprint notice.
- No standardised number line — identification rests on the 'First published' statement and edition wording.
- Distinctive Sunandini Banerjee cover and design with high production values; the Seagull copyright page and ISBN confirm the Seagull edition versus a co-publisher's, and the Seagull printing is the true first even when distributed by another house.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1982 in Calcutta/Kolkata by Naveen Kishore, a theatre practitioner; began in theatre and the arts and expanded into world-literature translation and twentieth/twenty-first-century critical theory.
- Holds world-English rights for many translations; distributed worldwide by University of Chicago Press EXCEPT in India, where it is distributed by Atlantic Publishers and Distributors — the Seagull printing is the true first regardless of distributor.
- Often the first English-language appearance of major translated authors (from German, French, etc.) — collectible as translation firsts.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Seagull Books, The Seagull Library of World Literature, Seagull Books London (registered division). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Seagull Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Copyright page reads 'First published by Seagull Books, [year]' with a Kolkata address; the first printing carries that first-published year and no reprint notice. No standardised number line — identification rests on the 'First published' statement and edition wording.
Does Seagull Books use a number line?
No standardised number line — identification rests on the 'First published' statement and edition wording.
Is a book-club edition a Seagull Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1982 in Calcutta/Kolkata by Naveen Kishore, a theatre practitioner; began in theatre and the arts and expanded into world-literature translation and twentieth/twenty-first-century critical theory.
What era does this cover?
This covers Seagull Books (1982-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.