George G. Harrap and Co.

George G. Harrap and Co., officially George G. Harrap and Company Limited, was a British publishing house whose catalogue combined educational publishing, English classics, reference works, fiction, children's literature, and highly illustrated books. The company operated from London and was also associated with Bombay, reflecting the international reach of British publishing during the period in which its catalogue developed. Harrap became particularly recognizable in the educational trade. Its list included materials intended for school and general educational use, as well as editions of English classics. The house also issued bilingual and English-language learning series, including Harrap's Bilingual Series and Harrap's Modern English Series. These publications placed the name in the language-learning and reference-book markets as well as in conventional book publishing. Another important part of Harrap's identity was its illustrated publishing. The company issued books featuring line drawings, engravings, and etchings, and was associated with illustrators including Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulac-related traditions of finely produced illustrated books. The Cave Boy of the Age of Stone, a children's educational title published by Harrap from at least the early twentieth century and repeatedly reissued into the 1980s, is one example of the house's long-running illustrated educational catalogue. Harrap was also known for publishing the memoirs of Winston Churchill. That association connected the company with major twentieth-century political and historical publishing, while its educational and fiction lists gave it a broader commercial base. Its series included Harrap's Shilling Library and Harrap's Standard Fiction Library, alongside the Modern English and bilingual lines. The company was acquired in 1992 and incorporated into Chambers Harrap, a Scottish publishing business. Chambers Harrap was subsequently part of a chain of larger publishing ownership changes: its parent CEP was acquired by Havas in 1997, Havas was acquired by Vivendi in 1998, and Vivendi sold its European book-publishing interests to Lagardère Group in 2002. Under the resulting Hachette Larousse structure, Harrap continued as a recognizable publishing section or imprint rather than as an independent company. In September 2009, the Edinburgh offices associated with Harrap within Chambers Harrap were closed. The Harrap section was moved to Paris, and the owners stated that Hachette Larousse publishers would manage it directly. The modern Harrap identity is therefore principally connected with the continuing exploitation and management of its publishing catalogue within the wider Larousse and Hachette Livre publishing organization. The available reference material does not establish a separate current corporate identity, independent headquarters, current leadership roster, or definitive operating status for the original company.

George G. Harrap and Co. was a London-based British publishing house officially styled George G. Harrap and Company Limited. Historical references also describe it as George G. Harrap, Ltd., London, Bombay, indicating that the business was associated with both the British and wider imperial book markets. The available sources do not provide a confirmed founding year, but Harrap publications are documented from at least 1901 and the company remained associated with published works into the late twentieth century. The house developed a diverse list with a strong educational orientation. It published books for the educational trade, English classics, school-oriented material, language-learning works, fiction, and children's books. One of its recurring areas was illustrated educational publishing. Harrap books could contain line drawings, engravings, or etchings, and the company was associated with distinguished illustrators such as Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulac-related illustrated-book traditions. The Cave Boy of the Age of Stone, a classic educational children's book, was published by Harrap from at least 1901 and was republished repeatedly through the 1980s, demonstrating the longevity of parts of the list. Harrap also built a recognizable series-based publishing identity. Harrap's Bilingual Series addressed readers working across languages, while Harrap's Modern English Series supported English-language study and usage. Harrap's Shilling Library and Harrap's Standard Fiction Library placed the brand in the lower-priced and general fiction markets. These series complemented the company's educational and reference activities and helped make the Harrap name visible across different segments of the book trade. The company was also known for publishing the memoirs of Winston Churchill. This association broadened its profile beyond textbooks and children's books, linking Harrap with major political and historical publishing. Its overall catalogue therefore combined practical educational publishing with literary, illustrated, and documentary works. A major turning point came in 1992, when George G. Harrap and Co. was acquired and became part of Chambers Harrap of Scotland. The business thereafter operated within a succession of larger corporate groups rather than as an independent publishing company. Chambers Harrap's parent, CEP, was acquired by Havas in 1997. Havas was then acquired by Vivendi in 1998. In 2002, Vivendi sold its European book-publishing activities to Lagardère Group, placing the wider Harrap publishing interests within the ownership structure associated with Hachette Livre and Hachette Larousse. In September 2009, the Edinburgh offices of Harrap, as part of Chambers Harrap, were closed. The Harrap section was transferred to Paris, and a statement from the owners said that Hachette Larousse publishers would manage it directly. This represented an administrative and geographic consolidation rather than a documented end to the Harrap name. The current Larousse website continues to maintain a Harrap presence, but the supplied references do not establish whether the original legal company remains active, the exact current corporate form, or a current executive team. Harrap is best understood today as a continuing catalogue and publishing identity within a larger French-owned publishing structure, rather than as the independent British company that built the list.

• 2009

  Edinburgh office closure and Paris transfer

  [1]George G. Harrap and Co.en.wikipedia.org

  The Edinburgh offices associated with Harrap were closed, and the Harrap section was moved to Paris for direct management by Hachette Larousse.

• 2002

  European book publishing transferred to Lagardère

  [1]George G. Harrap and Co.en.wikipedia.org

  Vivendi sold its European book-publishing activities to Lagardère Group.

• 1998

  Havas acquired by Vivendi

  [1]George G. Harrap and Co.en.wikipedia.org

  The Harrap business entered the Vivendi group through Vivendi's acquisition of Havas.

• 1997

  CEP acquired by Havas

  [1]George G. Harrap and Co.en.wikipedia.org

  Havas acquired CEP, the parent associated with the Chambers Harrap publishing business.

• 1992

  Acquisition by Chambers Harrap

  [1]George G. Harrap and Co.en.wikipedia.org

  George G. Harrap and Co. was acquired and became part of Chambers Harrap of Scotland.

• 1901

  Harrap publications documented from the early twentieth century

  [1]George G. Harrap and Co.en.wikipedia.org

  The Cave Boy of the Age of Stone is documented as a Harrap publication from at least 1901, illustrating the company's early involvement in educational children's publishing.

A British educational and general publishing house positioned around English-language learning, school and reference books, classic literature, illustrated editions, children's educational works, and selected major historical or political publications.

• Educational children's book · 1901

  The Cave Boy of the Age of Stone

  A classic educational children's title associated with Harrap from at least 1901. Its use of illustrated storytelling and prehistoric subject matter exemplifies the house's interest in combining educational content with accessible visual presentation. The book was republished repeatedly and remained part of the Harrap catalogue into the 1980s.

• Memoir and political history

  Winston Churchill memoirs

  Harrap was known as a publisher of Winston Churchill's memoirs. These publications gave the house a significant position in political and historical publishing and complemented its better-known educational, reference, fiction, and illustrated-book activities.

• Language learning

  Harrap's Bilingual Series

  A Harrap series centered on bilingual publishing and language study. The available source identifies the series as part of the company's book list but does not specify the full language range, individual titles, or publication chronology.

• English-language education

  Harrap's Modern English Series

  A series devoted to modern English and associated educational use. It formed part of Harrap's broader language-learning and educational programme, alongside bilingual works and other school-oriented books.

• Affordable fiction and general books

  Harrap's Shilling Library

  A Harrap library series identified in historical descriptions of the company's catalogue. The supplied references do not provide a complete title list or precise publication dates, but the series indicates the company's participation in accessible-price book publishing.

• Fiction

  Harrap's Standard Fiction Library

  A general fiction series published under the Harrap name. It extended the company's list beyond educational and reference books into organized series publishing for readers of standard fiction.

• 2009

  Centralize Harrap management in ParisStrategy

  Background

  The owners closed the Edinburgh offices of Harrap within Chambers Harrap.

  Action taken

  The Harrap section was moved to Paris for direct management by Hachette Larousse publishers.

  Aftermath

  The change consolidated management of the Harrap section within the French publishing organization, while the supplied sources do not describe subsequent staffing or catalogue effects.

  Source

• 2002

  Transfer of European book-publishing activities to LagardèreM&A

  Background

  Vivendi reorganized its portfolio and sold its European book-publishing interests.

  Action taken

  Lagardère Group acquired Vivendi's European book-publishing activities.

  Aftermath

  Harrap's publishing interests became associated with the Hachette and Larousse publishing structure.

  Source

• 1992

  Join Chambers HarrapM&A

  Background

  The independent Harrap publishing business was acquired during a period of consolidation in the publishing industry.

  Action taken

  George G. Harrap and Co. became part of Chambers Harrap of Scotland.

  Aftermath

  The Harrap name continued within a larger publishing group and subsequently passed through the CEP, Havas, Vivendi, and Lagardère ownership chain.

  Source

1. 1George G. Harrap and Co.en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Harrap — Éditions Larousseeditions-larousse.fr