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5 Dec 2008 07:00
RNS Number : 5980J
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
05 December 2008
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
("Bloomsbury")
Bloomsbury acquires John Wisden & Co
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc is pleased to announce the acquisition of John Wisden & Co, publishers of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack , the most famous sports book in the world. This transaction is not material to Bloomsbury.
Published every year since 1864, Wisden has become synonymous with cricket, and the almanack has become recognised wherever the game is played for its unique mixture of forceful opinion, compelling features and comprehensive statistics.
The great names in cricket have been among the contributors from Sir Neville Cardus and Sir Donald Bradman to Richie Benaud and Mike Atherton. And many of Wisden's annual features - the ever-trenchant Notes by the Editor, the Five Cricketers of the Year, the Births and Deaths, and the Obituaries - have become indispensable parts of cricket tradition.
John Wisden was bought by the late Sir Paul Getty in 1993 and, since his death in 2003, has been owned by his son Mark.
In 2006 the almanack had its biggest ever sale, passing the 50,000 mark. The 2009 edition, the 146th , is due to be published in April under the editorship of Scyld Berry.
As well as Bloomsbury's bestselling Schott's Almanac, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack will join other famous reference titles published by A&C Black (a subsidiary of Bloomsbury), including Who's Who, Whitaker's Almanack, Writers' & Artists' Yearbook and best-selling sports books such as the Know the Game series.
The sale reunites Britain's two most distinguished almanacks, Whitaker's and Wisden. From 1938 to 1943 J Whitaker and Sons published Wisden and during the war a member of the family, Haddon Whitaker, took over as editor.
Nigel Newton, Chief Executive of Bloomsbury Publishing said: 'Acquiring Wisden is a landmark event in the history of the company and an important step in our strategy to increase our presence in reference and sport publishing. It is an honour to be the new custodians of such an institution. We look forward to working with the current staff to make the 2009 Wisden a success.'
Bloomsbury has been associated with the almanack since 2004, when it took over as Wisden's sales partner.
-ends-
For further enquiries:
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Nigel Newton, Chief Executive, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc care of Bell Pottinger
Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial
Daniel de Belder / Rosanne Perry +44 (0)20 7861 3232
Notes to Editors
About John Wisden and Co
1864 Wisden founded by the famous cricketer John Wisden ('The Little Wonder'), who already sold cricket equipment - and cigars. The first edition contained only 112 pages, padded out with the lengths of canals and the battles of the War of the Roses. Original copies are now worth at least £5000.
1886 The almanack is close to collapse and comes out a year late.
1887 Charles Pardon takes over as editor and begins the revival.
1889 Cricketers of the Year named for the first time. Five soon became the immutable number.
1891 Sydney Parson takes over on Charles' premature death, edited a record 35 editions, and gave Wisden its reputation for authority and accuracy.
1901 Pardon starts the annual Notes by the Editor with a strong attack on throwing.
1934 Editor Sydney Southerton denounces England's Bodyline bowling strategy: 'I deplore its introduction and pray for its abolition'.
1938 The almanack is revamped. The Eric Ravillious woodcut first appears on the cover and the distinctive Playbill typeface introduced.
1963 To mark the 100th almanack, the company presents the Wisden Trophy for Tests between England and West Indies.
2000 Wisden invited a worldwide panel of 100 experts to name their Five Cricketers of the Century. The winners were Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Jack Hobbs, Sir Garry Sobers, Sir Vivian Richards and Shane Warne.
2003 First photograph on a Wisden cover.
2004 A new Wisden honour is introduced - The Leading Cricketer in the World. Ricky Ponting is the first recipient. Unlike the Cricketers of the Year, players can be chosen for this accolade more than once. As yet, no one has.
2006 Wisden's first ever 50,000 sale.
About Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
(www.bloomsbury.com and www.bloomsbury-ir.co.uk)
Bloomsbury Publishing is one of the world's leading independent, publicly quoted publishing houses with a reputation for a high quality management team and a highly valuable portfolio of intellectual properties including the Encarta World English Dictionary, JK Rowling's Harry Potter, Margaret Atwood, John Irving, David Guterson and Ben Schott. Other databases include Who's Who, Whitaker's Almanack, Reed's Nautical Almanac, Black's Medical Dictionary, the Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners of English, Business: The Ultimate Resource and RSPB Handbook of British Birds.
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