De Harmonie
Corporate brand
UnclaimedDe Harmonie is an independent Dutch publisher known for illustrated books, comics, art books, literary works, and the Dutch editions of the Harry Potter series.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
De Harmonie is a Dutch publishing company founded in 1972 by Jaco Groot and his wife, Elisabeth Groot. Based in Amsterdam, the publisher developed from a very small independent operation into a distinctive house associated with visually ambitious books, literary publishing, comics, children's literature, poetry, prose, and art-related titles. Its name was selected through an open competition held by the Dutch newspaper Vrij Nederland; the winning suggestion came from poet Remco Campert. The Dutch phrase refers to a marching band, giving the publisher a memorable and culturally resonant identity. As part of the naming arrangement, Campert has reportedly received a copy of every book published by the company. The company is best known internationally for publishing the Dutch-language editions of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books from the 1990s onward. The series became De Harmonie's most visible commercial success, with its greatest impact arriving during the 2000s as the books achieved broad popularity. De Harmonie also maintained a Dutch Harry Potter website, extending its role beyond conventional print publishing and demonstrating an early willingness to experiment with internet media. Despite its association with a global bestseller, the publisher's catalogue is substantially broader. De Harmonie has issued work by Dutch and international authors, illustrators, cartoonists, poets, and artists. Its published contributors have included Wim de Bie, Jan Blokker, Hugo Brandt Corstius, Karel Eykman, Elma van Haren, Willem Frederik Hermans, Judith Herzberg, Freek de Jonge, Kees van Kooten, Gerrit Kouwenaar, Nicolaas Matsier, Carel Peeters, Wim T. Schippers, Art Spiegelman, Peter van Straaten, Joost Swarte, Jacques Tardi, Henny Vrienten, Elly de Waard, Micha Wertheim, and many others. The international list has included writers and artists such as Jhumpa Lahiri, Ian McEwan, Rebecca Miller, Daniel Pennac, Posy Simmonds, Tom Sharpe, and the creators associated with Wallace & Gromit. The house typically publishes approximately 30 to 40 new titles per year. A significant portion of its output is visually oriented, including illustrated children's books, comics, graphic and art books, and works in which design and image-making are central to the reading experience. It also publishes poetry and prose, allowing it to operate across the boundaries of literary, illustrated, and popular publishing rather than concentrating on one narrowly defined genre. De Harmonie remained independent during the consolidation of the Dutch publishing sector in the 1990s. Its relatively small staff—reported to have grown only from two to four employees over a period of years—helped it preserve a compact decision-making structure. Publishing choices continued to be made by the founders, reflecting a highly selective and editorially hands-on model. The company also experimented early with CD-ROMs and online media. Since 14 February 2008, De Harmonie has been located on Amsterdam's Herengracht. Its continuing identity is that of a small, independent Dutch publisher whose catalogue combines literary judgment, visual culture, children's publishing, comics, and internationally prominent licensed works.
History
De Harmonie was established in 1972 by Jaco Groot and Elisabeth Groot in the Netherlands. The company's name originated in an open contest conducted by Vrij Nederland, with poet Remco Campert proposing the winning name. The term is Dutch for a marching band, and the association gave the young publisher a distinctive cultural identity. Campert's continuing connection with the house was commemorated by the reported practice of sending him a copy of each book De Harmonie published. The publisher began as a small Amsterdam operation and retained a compact organizational structure as it developed. During the 1990s, when the Dutch publishing sector was experiencing consolidation and several established Amsterdam publishing houses became part of larger groups, De Harmonie continued independently. Its limited staffing was one factor in preserving this independence; the staff reportedly expanded from two people to four over the years. Editorial decisions remained closely connected to the founders, who continued to determine which authors and projects the house would publish. De Harmonie's catalogue has historically emphasized books in which visual presentation is important. Children's picture books, illustrated books, comics, and art books form major parts of the list, alongside poetry and prose. The company has published a broad range of Dutch authors, cartoonists, illustrators, poets, and cultural figures, including Wim de Bie, Jan Blokker, Hugo Brandt Corstius, Willem Frederik Hermans, Judith Herzberg, Freek de Jonge, Kees van Kooten, Gerrit Kouwenaar, Wim T. Schippers, Art Spiegelman, Peter van Straaten, Joost Swarte, and Micha Wertheim. It has also issued translated or international work by figures including Jhumpa Lahiri, Ian McEwan, Daniel Pennac, Posy Simmonds, Tom Sharpe, and Rebecca Miller. The company's most internationally recognizable publishing relationship began in the 1990s, when it became the Dutch publisher of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books. The series did not reach its greatest commercial significance for De Harmonie until the 2000s, when the books became a major popular phenomenon. The publisher also maintained a Dutch Harry Potter website, reflecting its willingness to use online media in support of a major book property. Innovation in formats and media was part of De Harmonie's strategy even before digital publishing became standard. The house experimented with CD-ROM projects and internet media while remaining focused on print books. This combination of small-scale independence and openness to new formats helped it compete without joining the larger publishing conglomerates. On 14 February 2008, De Harmonie moved to its current reported location on Herengracht in Amsterdam. The company has continued to publish roughly 30 to 40 new titles annually, with a catalogue that balances commercially prominent works such as Harry Potter with literary, artistic, illustrated, and comic publications. Its historical significance lies less in scale than in the persistence of a founder-led independent publishing model and its contribution to Dutch-language literary and visual culture.
- 2008
Move to Herengracht
[1]De Harmonie relocates to its Amsterdam Herengracht premises on 14 February.
- 2000
Harry Potter becomes a major commercial driver
[1]The series achieves its strongest commercial impact for the publisher during the 2000s.
- 1990
De Harmonie begins publishing Harry Potter in Dutch
[1]The publisher becomes associated with the Dutch-language editions of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.
- 1972
De Harmonie is founded
[1]Jaco Groot and Elisabeth Groot establish the Dutch publishing company.
- 1972
The company receives its name through a public contest
[1]A naming competition in Vrij Nederland produces the name De Harmonie, suggested by poet Remco Campert.
Products and positioning
An independent Dutch publisher with a deliberately selective catalogue spanning literary, visual, children's, comic, and art publishing. De Harmonie combines founder-led editorial decisions with a reputation for distinctive illustration and design, while its Harry Potter publishing has provided major commercial visibility.
Translated children's and young adult fiction · 1990
Harry Potter series
De Harmonie's Dutch-language editions of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books are the publisher's best-known commercial offering. The relationship began in the 1990s, while the series became particularly significant during the 2000s as its readership expanded. The property gave a small Dutch independent house an unusually prominent position in the national book market and was supported by a dedicated Dutch Harry Potter website.
Children's publishing
Illustrated children's books
Illustrated books for children are a central part of De Harmonie's catalogue. These publications reflect the house's emphasis on visual storytelling, illustration, and carefully designed print presentation. The category sits alongside the publisher's broader list of children's fiction, picture books, and internationally translated works.
Comics and graphic publishing
Comics and graphic works
De Harmonie publishes comics and graphic works by Dutch and international creators. This part of the list aligns with the company's longstanding interest in visual authorship and includes work from cartoonists, graphic artists, and creators whose publications combine literary, satirical, or artistic concerns.
Art and design publishing
Art books
Art and visually oriented books form another important publishing line. These titles place emphasis on images, graphic presentation, and cultural or artistic context, distinguishing De Harmonie from publishers focused primarily on conventional prose formats.
Literary publishing
Poetry and literary prose
Alongside illustrated and graphic books, De Harmonie publishes poetry and prose. Its literary list has included Dutch writers and translated authors, giving the company a role in both contemporary Dutch letters and international literary circulation.
Brand decisions
2008
Relocate to HerengrachtOtherBackground
After developing from its earlier small Amsterdam premises, the publisher changed its location within the city.
Action taken
De Harmonie moved to Herengracht in Amsterdam on 14 February 2008.
Aftermath
The Herengracht address became the company's reported base of operations.
1990
Publish the Dutch Harry Potter editionsProduct launchBackground
De Harmonie expanded its publishing profile through a relationship to publish J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books for Dutch-language readers.
Action taken
The company issued the Dutch editions and supported the property with a dedicated Dutch-language website.
Aftermath
The series became the company's best-known offering and achieved its greatest commercial importance during the 2000s.
1990
Remain independent while experimenting with new mediaStrategyBackground
During the 1990s, major Dutch publishing houses were increasingly absorbed into larger publishing groups.
Action taken
De Harmonie maintained a small staff and experimented with CD-ROMs and internet media rather than joining a larger publishing conglomerate.
Aftermath
The company remained an independent, founder-led publisher while broadening its publishing formats.
Sources3 sources
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