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Art publisher Lund Humphries is marking its 75th anniversary with new titles, re-releases and events across 2014.
Lund Humphries (LH), an imprint of the Ashgate Publishing Group, has been publishing illustrated art books since 1939. On its beginning as a printing company in 1895, Lucy Myers, m.d., said: “Our history still informs our publishing. We want to make the most of our heritage and make it relevant for today. We’re still trying to promote high-quality design.”
Several plans are in the pipeline to celebrate, including a history of the company written by art historian Valerie Holman for LH’s website. Titles coming in the next few months include Scotland’s Shrine: The Scottish National War Memorial (June, £40), an account of the history and public debate around the publicly funded war memorial in Edinburgh. October sees the release of a new appraisal of contemporary artist Eduardo Paolozzi’s work (£45), featuring unseen works and archival photographs.
LH is also launching a competition to try to find emerging art writers, inviting aspiring writers to answer the question: “What, if anything, is the legacy of British Modernism in British art today?” Myers said: “We want to try and bring on board a younger generation.”
The winner will be announced at a birthday event in November, alongside a debate about British art. It is also offering discounts throughout the year, as well as promotional posters for bookshops. The first in a series of events with Waterstones Piccadilly will take place at the end of May, celebrating the cenetary of British sculptor Lynn Chadwick.
Talking broadly about the anniversary, Myers said: “Our activities this year are about reinforcing what we’re doing and making the most of our heritage, although it’s also made us think about how we’re portraying ourselves. We want to get closer to our buyers and partners, and the anniversary is a nice peg to hang our promotional activities on.”