A History of Booksellers
The Old and the New

First published in 1874, A History of Booksellers illustrates the close relationship between publishers, authors and their public.

Henry Curwen (Author)

9781108021432, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 October 2010

526 pages, 20 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 3 cm, 0.66 kg

Henry Curwen (1845–1892) was a journalist and author who became editor of the Times of India. First published in 1874, A History of Booksellers aimed at providing an informative but entertaining picture of British bookselling and publishing, by means of 'biographies' of the major publishing houses and their output. He begins with a general survey of publishing and bookselling from Roman times to the nineteenth century, including a discussion of copyright legislation. It is clear that by 1800 the demand for books was considerable and growing: Alexander Donaldson, who specialised in cheap reprints of popular works, though repeatedly sued over copyright by other publishers, died in 1794 a very rich man. Many of the firms Curwen discusses are still well-known names, such as Longmans, Chambers, Butterworths and W. H. Smith. He concludes with anecdotes on some of the better known representatives of the provincial book trade.

Preface
1. The booksellers of olden times
2. The Longman family
3. Constable, Cadell, and Black
4. John Murray
5. William Blackwood
6. Chambers, Knight, and Cassell
7. Henry Colburn
8. The Rivingtons, the Parkers, and James Nisbet
9. Butterworth and Churchill
10. Edward Moxon
11. Kelly and Virtue
12. Thomas Tegg
13. Thomas Nelson
14. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.
15. Charles Edward Mudie
16. W. H. Smith and Son
17. Provincial booksellers.

Subject Areas: Publishing industry & book trade [KNTP]