David McKay Publications
Founded | September 1882 |
---|---|
Founder | David McKay |
Defunct | 1986 (assets now owned by Penguin Random House) |
Successor | Random House |
Country of origin | United States |
Headquarters location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
David McKay Publications (also known as David McKay Company) was an American book publisher which also published some of the first comic books, including the long-running titles Ace Comics, King Comics, and Magic Comics; as well as collections of such popular comic strips as Blondie, Dick Tracy, and Mandrake the Magician.[1] McKay was also the publisher of the Fodor's travel guides.
History
David McKay was born in Dysart, Scotland, on June 24, 1860. At the age of 11, he came to the United States with his parents. At the age of 13, he began working for J. B. Lippincott & Co., learning the bookselling trade. By the age of 21, he was placed in charge of the miscellaneous catalog of books by publisher Rees Welsh. One year later, upon hearing McKay had been offered a position with a rival publisher, Welsh asked McKay to take the helm, offering to sell the entire publishing firm to him. In September 1882, with $500 of his own money and $2,500 in borrowed money and notes, McKay began his own publishing company on South 9th Street in Philadelphia.
At age 25, McKay published the first collected set of Shakespeare’s works in the United States. By December 1905, McKay had absorbed many rival publishing houses into his own, and was publishing books in almost every popular genre of the time, including world literature, textbooks, and a number of children's books.
Comics
In 1935, the company recognized the potential of the comic book medium and began selling collections of such popular strips as Henry and Popeye. In 1936 they began publishing collections of King Features Syndicate strips in King Comics, and in 1937 followed with the Ace Comics title.[1] Ace Comics #11, the first appearance of The Phantom, is regarded by many to be a key issue in the history of comics, as it introduced one of the first of the costumed heroes, leading to the Golden Age of superheroes in comics.
McKay's son Alexander would follow in his father's shoes by taking over the house to go on to publish Walt Disney’s first Mickey Mouse comics, the Blondie and Dagwood comic series, and numerous other notable works. David McKay Publications essentially ceased publishing comics in 1950.
Acquisitions and demise
In 1950, David McKay was acquired by two executives from Putnam.[2] In 1961, McKay acquired the American operations of Longmans, Green & Co. In 1968, McKay acquired the children's publishing company Ives Washburn.[3] In 1973, David McKay Publications purchased Henry Z. Walck Publications, a publisher of scholarly and children's books, and Charterhouse Books, which it had launched two years earlier in partnership with Richard Kluger.[4][5] Other imprints acquired included Weybright & Talley and Peter H. Wyden. In 1968, David McKay Publications was bought by Maxwell M. Geffen. At the end of 1973, David McKay Publications was acquired by the British magazine publisher Morgan Grampian, in which Geffen had an interest.[6]
Random House purchased David McKay Publications in 1986.[7]
Titles
- Ace Comics (1937–1950)
- Barney Baxter (1938)
- Blondie (1942)
- Blondie Comics (Spring 1947-December 1949/January 1950)
- Blondie: 100 Selected Top-Laughs of America's Best Loved Comic (1944)
- Dick Tracy (1937)
- Feature Book (May 1937 – 1948)
- Mandrake the Magician (1938)
- Perry Mason (1946)
- Phantom (1939)
- Prince Valiant (1941)
- Future Comics (1940)
- Henry (1935)
- The Katzenjammer Kids (Summer 1947-circa 1949)
- King Comics (April 1936-November/December 1949)
- Little Annie Rooney (1935)
- Little Orphan Annie and the Kidnappers (1941, giveaway)
- Little Orphan Annie Popped Wheat Giveaway (1947)
- Magic Comics (1939–1950)
- Mickey Mouse Series (1931-1934)[8]
- Popeye (1935)
- The Romance of Flying (circa late 1942)
- They'll Do It Every Time (by Jimmy Hatlo, 1939)
- Conquest of Peru - William H. Prescott
Book series
- American Classics Series
- International Library[9]
- Living Thoughts Library[10]
- McKay Chess Library
- The Newbery Classics
- The Pocket Classics[11]
- Tartan Books[12]
Notes
- ^ a b Patrick Scott Belk, "King Features Syndicate" in Comics through Time: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas, edited by M. Keith Booker.Santa Barbara, California : Greenwood, 2014. ISBN 9780313397509 (p.217-219).
- ^ Dempsey, David (1950-03-19). "IN AND OUT OF BOOKS; Change-Over". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ "BOOK PUBLISHER ADDS A COMPANY; Ives Washburn, Inc., Bought by David McKay Concern". The New York Times. 1968-02-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ "Obituary of Henry Z. Walck". New York Times. December 26, 1984. Retrieved 2009-02-24.
- ^ Navasky, Victor (1973-09-16). "In Cold Print: Launching and Re‐Entry of a Satellite". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
- ^ Pace, Eric (1973-12-12). "M'kay to Be Sold to British Firm". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ "Fodor's Travel Guides Sold to Random House". The New York Times. 1986-10-30. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2014-11-11.
- ^ Mickey Mouse Series at Inducks
- ^ International Library, seriesofseries.com. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- ^ Living Thoughts Library, seriesofseries.com. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- ^ Pocket Classics (McKay), seriesofseries.com. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- ^ Tartan Books (David McKay Co., Inc.) - Book Series List, publishinghistory.com.Retrieved 25 May 2021.
References
- David McKay Publications at the Grand Comics Database
- David McKay Publications at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
- David McKay Publications at Inducks
External links
- Mile High Comics list of David McKay Publications titles
- David McKay, David McKay Co, and David McKay Company at Open Library
- v
- t
- e
- Captain Courageous
- Doctor Nemesis
- The Flag
- Lash Lightning
- The Raven
- Unknown Soldier
- Vulcan
Publications
- The Atom
- Al Pratt
- Black Canary
- Dinah Drake
- Doctor Mid-Nite
- Doiby Dickles
- The Flash
- Jay Garrick
- The Gay Ghost
- Green Lantern
- Hawkgirl
- Hawkman
- Carter Hall
- Hop Harrigan
- Johnny Thunder
- Justice Society of America
- The King
- Mister Terrific
- Terry Sloane
- Neptune Perkins
- Red Tornado
- Sargon the Sorcerer
- The Terrific Whatzit
- Thunderbolt
- Ultra-Man
- The Whip
- Wildcat
- Ted Grant
- Wonder Woman
- Airman
- Amazing-Man
- The Arrow
- The Clock
- The Eye
- Fantom of the Fair
- Magician from Mars
- The Masked Marvel
- Minimidget
- Atomic Mouse
- Captain Atom
- Nightshade
- Mr. Muscles
- Nature Boy
- Space Adventures
- Yellowjacket
- Bulletgirl
- Bulletman
- Captain Marvel
- Captain Marvel Jr.
- Captain Midnight
- Dan Dare
- Hoppy the Marvel Bunny
- Ibis the Invincible
- Lieutenant Marvels
- Marvel Family
- Mary Marvel
- Master Man
- Minute-Man
- Mr. Scarlet
- Nyoka the Jungle Girl
- Phantom Eagle
- Pinky the Whiz Kid
- Scoop Smith
- Spy Smasher
- Squadron of Justice
- Uncle Marvel
- Black Fury
- Blue Beetle
- Dan Garret
- The Bouncer
- Bronze Man
- Dynamo
- The Flame
- Green Mask
- The Moth
- Samson
- Stardust the Super Wizard
- U.S. Jones
- Wonder Man
- Black Cat
- Captain 3-D
- Captain Freedom
- Green Hornet
- Invisible Scarlet O'Neil
- Kato
- Shock Gibson
- Spirit of '76
Publications
- Captain Battle
- Claw
- Crimebuster
- Daredevil
- Little Wise Guys
- Silver Streak
- The Black Hood
- Bob Phantom
- Captain Flag
- The Comet
- The Firefly
- The Fox
- The Hangman
- Rang-a-Tang the Wonder Dog
- The Shield
- Super Duck
- The Web
- The Wizard
Publications
- Ace the Bat-Hound
- Air Wave
- Aquaman
- Batman
- Batwoman
- Black Pirate
- Boy Commandos
- Captain Comet
- Chris KL-99
- Congo Bill
- Crimson Avenger
- Lee Travis
- Dan the Dyna-Mite
- Dark Ranger
- Detective Chimp
- Doctor Fate
- Kent Nelson
- Doctor Occult
- Genius Jones
- Gimmick Girl
- Green Arrow
- Guardian
- Hourman
- Rex Tyler
- Johnny Chambers
- King Faraday
- The Knight
- Krypto
- Liberty Belle
- Manhunter
- Paul Kirk
- Martian Manhunter
- Miss X
- Mr. America
- Newsboy Legion
- Phantom Stranger
- Rex the Wonder Dog
- Robin
- Dick Grayson
- Robotman
- Rose Psychic
- Sandman
- Wesley Dodds
- Sandy the Golden Boy
- Seven Soldiers of Victory
- Shining Knight
- Sir Justin
- Slam Bradley
- The Spectre
- Speedy
- Roy Harper
- Squire
- Star-Spangled Kid
- Starman
- Ted Knight
- Stripesy
- Stuff the Chinatown Kid
- Superboy
- Kal-El
- Superman
- Superwoman
- Tarantula
- TNT
- Tommy Tomorrow
- Vigilante
- Wonder Woman
- Zatara
- American Crusader
- American Eagle
- Black Terror
- Captain Future
- Doc Strange
- Fighting Yank
- The Ghost
- Grim Reaper
- Judy of the Jungle
- Kara the Jungle Princess
- Lance Lewis, Space Detective
- Liberator
- The Magnet
- Miss Masque
- Princess Pantha
- Pyroman
- The Scarab
- The Woman in Red
- Blue Bolt
- Dick Cole
- The Target
- The Targeteers
- The Twister
Publications
- #711
- The Black Condor
- Blackhawk
- Blue Tracer
- Bozo the Iron Man
- Captain Triumph
- Doll Girl
- Doll Man
- Firebrand
- The Human Bomb
- Invisible Hood
- The Jester
- Kid Eternity
- Lady Luck
- Madame Fatal
- Magno
- Manhunter
- Merlin the Magician
- Midnight
- Miss America
- Miss Fear
- Mouthpiece
- Neon the Unknown
- Phantom Lady
- Plastic Man
- Quicksilver
- The Ray
- Red Bee
- Red Torpedo
- The Spider
- Spider Widow
- Uncle Sam
- Wildfire
- Wonder Boy
- Woozy Winks
- All-Winners Squad
- American Ace
- The Angel
- Black Marvel
- Black Widow
- Claire Voyant
- Blazing Skull
- Blonde Phantom
- Blue Blade
- Blue Diamond
- Breeze Barton
- Bucky
- Captain America
- Captain Wonder
- The Challenger
- Citizen V
- The Destroyer
- Dynamic Man
- Father Time
- The Ferret
- Fiery Mask
- The Fin
- Golden Girl
- The Human Torch
- Jack Frost
- Laughing Mask
- Marvel Boy
- Mercury
- Miss America
- Miss Fury
- Mister E
- Namor
- Namora
- The Patriot
- Phantom Reporter
- Red Raven
- Rockman
- Silver Scorpion
- Sun Girl
- Super Rabbit
- Thin Man
- Thunderer
- Tim Mulrooney
- Toro
- Venus
- The Vision
- The Whizzer
- Robert Frank
- The Witness
- Young Allies
- American Comics Group
- Anglo-American Publishing
- Commander Steel
- Atlas Publications
- Captain Atom
- Bell Features
- The Brain
- Johnny Canuck
- Nelvana of the Northern Lights
- Cardal Publishing
- Streamline
- Columbia Comics
- The Face
- Skyman
- David McKay Publications
- Mandrake the Magician
- The Phantom
- DC Thomson
- The Amazing Mr X
- Jack Flash
- Dynamic Publications
- Dynamic Man
- Yankee Girl
- Eastern Color Printing
- EC Comics
- Moon Girl
- Superduperman
- Elliot Publishing Company
- Fiction House
- Hillman Periodicals
- Airboy
- The Heap
- Holyoke Publishing
- L. Miller & Son, Ltd.
- Magazine Enterprises
- Funnyman
- Maple Leaf Publishing
- Brok Windsor
- Iron Man
- Rural Home Publications
- Green Turtle
- Street & Smith
- The Avenger
- Doc Savage
- The Shadow
- Supersnipe