Batsford exhibition marks publisher's 175-year history

An exhibition charting the 175-year history of art book publisher Batsford will be held at Holborn Library from today (8th April).

The three-month exhibit reveals how it went from a shop opened by Bradley Thomas Batsford on High Holborn in 1843 to a specialist non-fiction publisher and Pavilion Books imprint.

It tells the story using a selection of books and archive materials from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. It includes volumes by Gertrude Stein, Cecil Beaton, Stevie Smith, John Betjeman, John Piper, Constance Howard and others. Books from the highly collectable Batsford Heritage Series are on display, recognisable through Brian Cook’s iconic cover designs, while other key areas are explored including architecture, art, textiles, craft and fashion.

Tina Persaud, publishing director of Batsford said: “As publisher, it’s a pleasure to be able to work on such an illustrious and fascinating list, and heartening that so many areas of publishing that started in the 19th century – art, textiles, chess and heritage – are still some of our strongest areas now.

“It’s a list that continue to inspire, and we’re delighted to republish some of the best 1930s titles with the iconic Brian Cook covers for today’s readers: Sussex, Kent & Surrey 1939 this spring, and The Sprit of London and The Cathedrals of England next summer.’

The free exhibition is on from until 28th June every weekday except Wednesdays and on alternate Saturdays.