Everyman's Library celebrates a quarter century

Publishing should be recognised as a craft, argued publisher David Campbell [pictured] as he celebrated the 25th anniversary of the revival of hardback imprint Everyman's Library at Spencer House in St James Place last night (26th October), in the presence of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

Everyman's Library has sold some 16 million books in the list over the quarter century, and Campbell said all the books on the list will be "as agreeable to read in 100 years time, with no discolouring of the paper, as today. Few British publishers can say as much."

"Publishing is a craft, though we often refer to ourselves as an industry," Campbell told guests. "A craft that is at risk of being lost in the UK. The publishing tradition has changed vastly, and it is often small publishers who are making the running when it comes to quality of design and production…The greatest writing by the greatest writers surely deserve an edition whose paper will not discolour and sewn bindings that will not disintegrate with age."

Ed Victor and Sebastian Faulks at the party. Picture: Daffyd Jones

Campbell was joined by figures across the industry including agents Caroline Michel, Ed Victor and Peter Straus and Bloomsbury's Richard Charkin, to mark the anniversary.

Founded in 1906, Everyman's Library was relaunched by David Campbell with Random House UK and Alfred A Knopf US in 1991. Everyman's Library is marking the anniversary with a partnership with furniture brand Heal's.