British Publishing and Printing Archives

We hold many collections relating to the British book industry. These form a valuable resource for the study of all aspects of book production and printing. It has been recognised as being of national and international importance by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

As well as the collections listed below, our Rare books and Writers’ and Artists’ papers are useful for researchers interested in book history.

Archives of publishing or printing firms

Companies represented include:

There may be restrictions on access to some of these collections. These will be indicated on the individual collection pages linked above.

Other collections relevant to book and printing history

There may be restrictions on access to some of these collections. These will be indicated on the individual collection pages linked above.

The Lettering, Printing and Graphic Design Collections hold further resources for the study of book production.

FOB (Firms out of Business)

Information about vanished publishing concerns, literary agencies, and similar firms can be found on FOB (Firms out of Business), a database of publishing, literary and other firms out of business. Simply search for a company name.

FOB is run jointly by the Harry Ransom Center and University of Reading Library, and is a sister project of the WATCH Project, a database of copyright contacts for writers, artists, and prominent figures in other creative fields.