Origins
The company was founded – and is still based – in the market town of Newton Abbot, in Devon, England, on 1 April 1960 by David St John Thomas and Charles Hadfield. It first made its name publishing titles on Britain's canals and railways. In Newton Abbot, the company was based in the town's old railway station building and as the business expanded, the company took over the locomotive shed for use as a warehouse.
During the early years, the company became particularly renowned for its classic books on the railways and canals of the United Kingdom. Since then, it has expanded into many new areas; however this heritage has continued with recent books including Memories of Steam.
In 1971, the company bought Readers' Union, a group of book clubs catering to enthusiasts of needlecraft, gardening, equestrian pursuits and photography. The company's publishing programme began to reflect these subject areas, moving away from the traditional transport titles for which it had become known.
In 2000, David & Charles was acquired by F+W Publications (now F+W Media), a US publisher of special-interest books and magazines. F+W's audiences include genealogists and family historians, graphic designers, fine artists, writers, crafters, quilters, photographers and woodworkers.
David & Charles is also used by F+W as a UK and Europe distribution platform for the overseas acquired companies Krause Publications and Adams Media.
David & Charles also distributes in the UK and Europe Reader's Digest books and the American list Dover Publications.
Read more about this topic: David & Charles
Famous quotes containing the word origins:
“The origins of clothing are not practical. They are mystical and erotic. The primitive man in the wolf-pelt was not keeping dry; he was saying: “Look what I killed. Aren’t I the best?””
—Katharine Hamnett (b. 1948)
“Lucretius
Sings his great theory of natural origins and of wise conduct; Plato
smiling carves dreams, bright cells
Of incorruptible wax to hive the Greek honey.”
—Robinson Jeffers (1887–1962)
“Grown onto every inch of plate, except
Where the hinges let it move, were living things,
Barnacles, mussels, water weeds—and one
Blue bit of polished glass, glued there by time:
The origins of art.”
—Howard Moss (b. 1922)