An inking device of a rotary press comprises an ink fountain roller rotatably supported on left and right frames, and an ink fountain device movable toward and away from the ink fountain roller. The ink fountain device is switchable among a fixed position close to the ink fountain roller, a throw-off position separated from the ink fountain roller, and an intermediate position provided between the fixed position and the throw-off position, and switching means is provided for switching the ink fountain device by a pivoting operation of a locking handle so that the ink fountain device is located at any of the three positions. The inking device makes it easy to secure a vertical space for operating an ink fountain, and can fix the ink fountain device with a constant clamping force without a tool.