Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections

Summary Information

Repository

Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections

Title

Fortune Press Records

ID

Cage 652

Date [inclusive]

1896-1974

Date [bulk]

1929-1935

Extent

.25 feet of linear shelf space, 1 box

Language

Collection materials are in English.

Abstract

This collection consists chiefly of corporate records relating to Reginald Ashley Caton and the Fortune Press (London, England) between 1896 and 1974.

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Biography/History

The Fortune Press, originally named Fortune and Merriman, was founded in 1924 by Reginald Ashley Caton (1897-1971) in London, England. From the beginning, Caton encountered legal copyright conflicts with Nonesuch Press in 1925 and 1926. Although the case was not ultimately taken to court, in 1934 Caton faced trial when ten of his books were condemned for obscene libel.

Timothy d'Arch Smith (1936- ), assistant and later owner of Fortune Press from 1970 to 1971, blamed Caton's lack of success on his poor distribution. Early 20th century antiquarian booksellers described his books as "curious," many of them involving violence, poverty, "amatory unorthodoxy," and other obscenities. Until its closing in 1971, the Fortune Press published more than 600 books under the efforts of Caton.

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Scope and Content

This collection consists chiefly of corporate records relating to Reginald Ashley Caton and the Fortune Press (London, England) between 1896 and 1974. Includes correspondence, invoices, receipts, handwritten production expenses, financial statements, and printed ephemera.

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Arrangement

This collection is arranged in a single series with miscellaneous materials located at the end of the series.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections  2013

http://www.libraries.wsu.edu/masc/

Terrell Library

P.O. Box 645610

Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA

509-335-6691

mascref@wsu.edu

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open and available for research use.

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions apply.

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Names and Subjects

Corporate Name(s)

Subject(s) :

• Fortune Press (London, England)

Subject(s)

• Book industries and trade -- England -- London
• Publishers and publishing -- England
• Publishers and Publishing
• Businesses and Corporations
• Literature

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Bibliography

Smith, Timothy d'Arch. R. A. Caton and the Fortune Press: a Memoir and a Hand List. London: Bertram Rota, 1983.

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Detailed Description of Collection

			box	folder
Correspondence 1896-1974			1	1
Invoices and receipts  1929-1935			1	2
Production expenses and financial statements, etc. 1927-1935			1	3
Printed ephemera undated			1	4
Prospectus circa 1927			1	5
Miscellaneous items circa 1900-1931			1	6