Wills and Hepworth
of The Angel Press, Loughborough, Leics. Telephone: Loughborough 2502. Cables: "Ladybird"
WW1. Wills and Hepworth began to produce Ladybird books during the First World War, as 'pure and healthy literature' for children.
1915 The Ladybird logo was registered.
1940 The books began to be produced as pocket-sized editions at a price of half-a-crown (= 2/6 = 12½p), which remained for 30 years.
Post-WWII. After the War, Ladybird expanded into educational non-fiction, bringing attractive books that children could learn from. Well known authors and artists were commissioned to write and illustrate books on nature, geography, history and religion.
1947 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers and Publishers of "Ladybird" Children's Books, Picture Prints, Calendars, Indoor Games, Letterpress Process and Lithography. (Olympia, 1st Floor, Stand No. G.20969a) [1]
1950s The first foreign translation (into Swedish) was published and have since been translated into over 60 languages.
1964 The books were no longer produced with dust jackets.
1970-71 Wills and Hepworth moved to a new site in Loughborough.
1971 The company name was changed to Ladybird Books.
1972 The company was taken over by the Pearson Group, who at that time also owned Longmans, the Financial Times and Westminster Press, as well as diverse interests such as Madame Tussaud's, Royal Doulton and a cross-channel ferry company.
1980s Ladybird began to produce many different formats.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Ladybird Books Website