Tag: Mid 1900s

Publishing Firsts: Producing Books Electronically

The Long Short Cut by Andrew Garve (1968).
Although word-processing programs and electronic typewriters had been around since the late 1960s, Harper & Row was the first to help pioneer electronic publishing with Andrew Garve’s The Long Short Cut in 1968, which was, according to the New York Times, “the first book set into type completely by electronic composition.” More

The Hospital in Buwambo

The Hospital in Buwambo
First Mills & Boon romance novel published by Harlequin; established the iconic relationship between the two companies. More

Under the Volcano

Under the Volcano
A landmark of modernism, hailed as “one of the towering novels of this century” (New York Times). More

Ariel

Ariel
Plath’s landmark poetry collection; includes “Ariel,” “Daddy,” and “Lady Lazarus.” More

Angus & Robertson in Australia

The Angus & Robertson bookshop in Sydney (1916).
Ten thousand miles from his homeland, Scotsman David Mackenzie Angus paid £50 to open a small bookshop on Market Street in Sydney, Australia. More

Letter from “Padington”

Letter from “Padington”
Signed with a paw print, this letter from “Padington” (circa 1966) was sent to Australian booksellers and sales staff, encouraging them to sell the latest Paddington title. More

Black Boy

Black Boy
A powerful and eloquent autobiography that has sold more than a million copies since publication. More

Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley
This series celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2014 and has sold more than one million copies. More

Harry the Dirty Dog

Harry the Dirty Dog
Classic dog story; childhood favorite that has charmed readers for more than fifty years. More

Amelia Bedelia

Amelia Bedilia
The first book featuring the now-classic, hilariously literal-minded character Amelia Bedelia. More

The Inklings

The Inklings.
Clive Staples Lewis (better known as C. S. Lewis) loved nothing more than sitting in the back room of his favorite pub, The Eagle and Child, surrounded by his closest literary friends, including J. R. R. Tolkien. More

Garth Williams, Illustrator

Marketing flyer promoting the 1946 publication of Little Fur Family, written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Garth Williams.
Garth Williams was a little-known but talented young illustrator when he was commissioned by Ursula Nordstrom, head of Harper’s Department of Books for Boys and Girls, to illustrate the classic Stuart Little by E. B. White. More

A planning meeting at Collins Canada, circa 1940s

A planning meeting at Collins Canada, circa 1940s
In this photograph, Charles H. Sweeny, Editorial and Production, F. F. Appleton, publisher (center), and Margaret V. Paull, staff artist and typographer, plan the first Canadian production of Little Grey Rabbit Books. More

Henry Huggins

Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary. Illustrated by Louis Darling (Cover)
The debut novel from Newbery Medal–winning author Beverly Cleary. More

Peace with God

Peace With God
First book from Billy Graham, said to be the most influential Christian voice of this century. More

Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web
Considered a classic of children’s literature; a novel of friendship, love, life, and death. More