Sunday, November 22, 2009
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Penguin Books

In their own words:

Penguin was the brainchild of Allen Lane who was then a director of The Bodley Head. After a weekend spent with Agatha Christie in Devon, Lane searched Exeter station's bookstall for something to read on his journey back to London, but found only popular magazines and reprints of Victorian novels. Following this, he recognised the need for good quality contemporary fiction at an attractive price. Lane was determined that the new range be available not just in traditional bookshops, but also in railway stations and chain stores such as Woolworths.

Penguin emerged as a separate company from Bodley Head in January 1936 and had an initial share capital of £100. It began distributing its books from the Crypt of the Holy Trinity Church on Marylebone Road where the vaults of long-departed Victorians were piled high with books. Ingeniously, a fairground slide was installed to receive deliveries from the street above!

On-line

Visit their web site at: www.penguin.co.uk.