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{{Short description|Catholic publishing house}}
{{Infobox publisher
{{Infobox publisher
| name = RCL Benziger
| name = RCL Benziger
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| url = {{URL|http://www.rclbenziger.com}}
| url = {{URL|http://www.rclbenziger.com}}
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'''RCL Benziger''' is a [[Roman Catholic]] book publishing house founded by [[Joseph Charles Benziger]], in 1792, in Einsiedeln [[Switzerland]].<ref name="CE">{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02484b.htm |title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Joseph Charles Benzinger |publisher=Newadvent.org |date= |accessdate=2014-05-01}}</ref> It is currently based in [[Cincinnati]], [[Ohio]], and operates as a subsidiary of Kendall Hunt Publishing.
'''RCL Benziger''' is a [[Roman Catholic]] book-publishing house founded in 1792 by [[Joseph Charles Benziger]] in [[Einsiedeln]], [[Switzerland]].<ref name="CE">{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02484b.htm |title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Joseph Charles Benzinger |publisher=Newadvent.org |date= |accessdate=2014-05-01}}</ref> It is currently based in [[Cincinnati]], [[Ohio]], and operates as a subsidiary of [[Kendall Hunt Publishing Company|Kendall Hunt Publishing]].


== History ==
== History ==
[[Image:Benzigers Bros medal.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Benziger Brothers token.]]
[[Image:Benzigers Bros medal.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Benziger Brothers token.]]
The company started as a Catholic religious publisher. In 1833, Benziger's sons, Charles and Nicholas, succeeded their father under the firm name of "Charles and Nicholas Benziger Brothers". Two years later, in addition to their book publishing business, they began the [[lithography|lithographing]] of religious pictures, as well as the coloring of them by hand, before the introduction of [[chromolithography]].<ref name="CE" />
The company started as a Catholic religious publisher founded by Joseph Charles Benzinger in 1792. In 1833, Benziger's sons, Charles and Nicholas, succeeded their father under the company name of Charles and Nicholas Benziger Brothers. Two years later, in addition to their book-publishing business, the brothers began [[lithography|lithographing]] religious pictures, as well as coloring them by hand, before the introduction of [[chromolithography]].<ref name="CE" />


=== Charles Benziger ===
=== Charles Benziger ===
Charles Benziger (b. 1799, d. 1873), a man with a good classical education, devoted himself especially to the literary end of the business. In 1840, the ''Einsiedler Kalender'' was founded. ''The Pilgrim'', a popular [[Catholic periodical literature of the nineteenth century|Catholic periodical]] established at the same time, lasted only ten years. Charles also took an active part in public life, and served as President of the Swiss [[Canton of Schwyz]].<ref name="CE"/>
Charles Benziger (b. 1799, d. 1873), a man with a good classical education, devoted himself especially to the literary end of the business. In 1840, the first ''Einsiedler Kalender'' volume was produced. ''The Pilgrim'', a popular [[Catholic periodical literature of the nineteenth century|Catholic periodical]] established at the same time, lasted only ten years. Charles also took an active part in public life, and served as president of the Swiss [[canton of Schwyz]].<ref name="CE"/>


=== Nicholas Benziger ===
=== Nicholas Benziger ===
[[File:Benziger House 345 Edgecombe Avenue from east.jpg|thumb|Nicholas Benziger home in New York]]
[[File:Benziger House 345 Edgecombe Avenue from east.jpg|thumb|Nicholas Benziger home in New York]]
[[File:Benziger 345 Edgecomb plaque jeh.JPG|220px|right]]
[[File:Benziger 345 Edgecomb plaque jeh.JPG|220px|right]]
Nicholas Benziger (b. 1808, d. 1864), who took charge of the technical part of the business, proved himself a pioneer, introducing to the mountain village of [[Einsiedeln]] a series of improved trades methods as they appeared from time to time in the great centres of Europe and America. Under his guidance the work of [[book-binding]], which was formerly carried on in the family at home, was systematized. In 1844, the old hand-press was superseded by the first power press. [[Stereotype (printing)|Stereotyping]] was introduced in 1846; in 1856 steel and [[intaglio printing|copper printing]]; and in 1858 [[electrotyping]].<ref name="CE"/>
Nicholas Benziger (b. 1808, d. 1864), who took charge of the technical part of the business, proved himself a pioneer, introducing to the mountain village of Einsiedeln a series of improved trade methods from the great mercantile centers of Europe and the United States. Under his guidance, the work of [[book-binding|bookbinding]], which was formerly undertaken by the family at home, was systematized. In 1844, the old hand press was superseded by the first power press. [[Stereotype (printing)|Stereotyping]] was introduced in 1846, steel and [[intaglio printing|copper printing]] in 1856 and [[electrotyping]] in 1858.<ref name="CE"/>


=== End of 19th century ===
=== End of 19th century ===
On the retirement of Charles and Nicholas Benziger in 1860, the business was continued by three of Charles' sons (Charles, Martin and J.N. Adelrich) and three of Nicholas' sons (Nicholas, Adelrich, and Louis). Under this third generation, the different branches of the house were still further developed, chromolithography and other modern printing methods being added. In 1867, the ''Alte und Neue Welt'', the first illustrated popular Catholic German magazine on a large scale, was begun, and then appeared a number of illustrated Catholic family books and a series of school books, including a Bible history in twelve languages, together with prayer books by well-known authors. Between 1880 and 1895 a fourth generation succeeded to the business, and the firm name was changed to Benziger and Company.<ref name="CE"/>
Upon the retirement of Charles and Nicholas Benziger in 1860, the business was continued by three of Charles' sons (Charles, Martin and [[J.N. Adelrich Benziger|J.N. Adelrich]]) and three of Nicholas' sons (Nicholas, Adelrich and Louis). Under this third generation, the different branches of the house were further developed, with chromolithography and other modern printing methods added. In 1867, the ''Alte und Neue Welt'', the first illustrated popular Catholic German magazine on a large scale, was begun. A number of illustrated Catholic family books and a series of schoolbooks were produced, including a Bible history in 12 languages, together with prayer books by well-known authors. Between 1880 and 1895, a fourth generation took control of the business, and the firm name was changed to Benziger and Company.<ref name="CE"/>


=== Expansion to the United States ===
=== Expansion to the United States ===
Although Benziger Brothers had established offices in the United States (in [[New York City]]) in 1853, its development as a publishing house did not begin until 1860 when J.N. Adelrich Benziger and Louis Benziger took charge. In 1860, further offices were opened in [[Cincinnati]] and, in 1887, one in [[Chicago]]. The publishing of English Catholic books was vigorously undertaken, and their catalogue covered the field of devotional, educational, and juvenile literature, besides works of a theological character. Benziger was not only a publishing house, but also a liturgical supply factory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ionascribe.blogspot.com/2010/04/benziger-brothers.html |accessdate=August 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330150340/http://ionascribe.blogspot.com/2010/04/benziger-brothers.html |archivedate=March 30, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/catalogueofrelig00benz |title=Catalogue of religious articles, lithographs and engravings .. : Benziger brothers. [from old catalog&#93; : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive |date=2001-03-10 |accessdate=2014-05-01}}</ref> The American firm of Benziger Brothers is now independent of the Swiss house. The [[Holy See]] conferred on the firm the title "Printers to the Holy Apostolic See" in 1867.<ref name="CE"/>
Although Benziger Brothers had established offices in [[New York City]] in 1853, the company's development as a publishing house did not begin until 1860 when [[J.N. Adelrich Benziger]] and Louis Benziger took charge. In 1860, offices were opened in [[Cincinnati]] and in 1887, one in [[Chicago]]. The publishing of English Catholic books was vigorously undertaken, and the company's catalog covered the field of devotional, educational and juvenile literature, as well as works of a theological theme. Benziger was not only a publishing house but a liturgical-supply factory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ionascribe.blogspot.com/2010/04/benziger-brothers.html |accessdate=August 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330150340/http://ionascribe.blogspot.com/2010/04/benziger-brothers.html |archivedate=March 30, 2012 |title=IonaScribe: Benziger Brothers}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/catalogueofrelig00benz |title=Catalogue of religious articles, lithographs and engravings .. : Benziger brothers. [from old catalog&#93; : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive |date=2001-03-10 |publisher=New York, Cincinnati, O., Benziger brothers |accessdate=2014-05-01}}</ref> The American firm of Benziger Brothers is now independent of the Swiss house. The [[Holy See]] conferred on the firm the title "Printers to the Holy Apostolic See" in 1867.<ref name="CE"/>


=== 20th and 21st century ===
=== 20th and 21st century ===
==== United States ====
==== United States ====
In 1968, Benziger (US) was acquired by [[Crowell-Collier Publishing Company|Crowell Collier Macmillan]] (later to become [[Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan, Inc.]]), and the following year its headquarters were moved to [[California]]. In 1971, it was merged with three other companies — Bruce Publishing, founded in [[Milwaukee]] in the 1890s, P. J. Kenedy & Sons of New York (excluding the ''Official Catholic Directory''), and Glencoe Press, began in [[Beverly Hills]] in 1966.<ref>{{Cite news| issn = 0362-4331| last = Blau| first = Eleanor| title = Lean Days Beset Catholic Publishers| work = The New York Times| accessdate = 2019-12-22| date = 1971-08-18| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1971/08/18/archives/lean-days-beset-catholic-publishers.html}}</ref> In July 2007 the Benziger name and product line was purchased from [[McGraw Hill]] (who had acquired Macmillan's educational division) by [[New Mountain Learning#Religious Education|CFM Publishing]] and merged with Texas-based Catholic publisher RCL - Resources For Christian Living, founded in 1964 by Richard C. Leach, to form RCL Benziger.<ref>[http://www.talbot.edu/ce20/educators/catholic/richard_leach/ Richard Leach]</ref> The New Company is headquartered in [[Cincinnati]], Ohio, as in the 19th century. In 2016, RCL Benziger was sold to Kendall Hunt Publishing.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Kendall Hunt Completes Acquisition of RCL Benziger from The Wicks Group| work = New Mountain Learning| accessdate = 2017-12-26| date = 2016-08-17| url = http://newmountainlearning.com/2016/08/17/kendall-hunt-completes-acquisition-rcl-benziger-wicks-group/}}</ref>
In 1968, Benziger's American business was acquired by [[Crowell-Collier Publishing Company|Crowell-Collier Macmillan]] (later to become [[Macmillan, Inc.]]), and the following year, its headquarters were moved to [[California]]. In 1971, it was merged with three other companies: Bruce Publishing, founded in [[Milwaukee]] in the 1890s, P. J. Kenedy & Sons of New York (excluding the ''Official Catholic Directory'') and Glencoe Press, which began in [[Beverly Hills]] in 1966.<ref>{{Cite news| issn = 0362-4331| last = Blau| first = Eleanor| title = Lean Days Beset Catholic Publishers| work = The New York Times| accessdate = 2019-12-22| date = 1971-08-18| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1971/08/18/archives/lean-days-beset-catholic-publishers.html}}</ref> In July 2007, the Benziger name and product line were purchased from [[McGraw Hill|McGraw-Hill]] (which had acquired Macmillan's educational division) by [[New Mountain Learning#Religious Education|CFM Publishing]] and merged with Texas-based Catholic publisher RCL (Resources for Christian Living), founded in 1964 by Richard C. Leach, to form RCL Benziger.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Richard Leach|url=https://www.biola.edu/talbot/ce20/database/richard-leach|access-date=2021-05-13|website=Biola University|language=en-us}}</ref> The new company is now headquartered in [[Cincinnati]] as it was in the 19th century. In 2016, RCL Benziger was sold to [[Kendall Hunt Publishing Company|Kendall Hunt Publishing]].<ref>{{Cite web| title = Kendall Hunt Completes Acquisition of RCL Benziger from The Wicks Group| work = New Mountain Learning| accessdate = 2017-12-26| date = 2016-08-17| url = http://newmountainlearning.com/2016/08/17/kendall-hunt-completes-acquisition-rcl-benziger-wicks-group/}}</ref>


==== Europe ====
==== Europe ====
Benziger (Switzerland) was also on the growth path in Europe at the end of the 19th century. At the peak of its expansion, in the 1890s, Benziger published books and magazines in 20 languages<ref name="Imperium">Martina Läubli: Das Bücherimperium in Einsiedeln. in: Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 3. November 2017, auch [https://www.nzz.ch/feuilleton/das-buecherimperium-in-einsiedeln-ld.1325415 online at nzz.ch].</ref> and had more than 1,000 employees in Switzerland alone, making it one of the largest Swiss companies at the time.<ref>Heinz Nauer: [https://www.unilu.ch/fileadmin/fakultaeten/ksf/institute/histsem/Dokumente/Forschung/Abstract-hn.pdf ''„Pious industry“: The publishing house Benziger in Einsiedeln 1760–1960.''] Abgerufen am 11. Februar 2016.</ref>
Benziger's Swiss operation was also growing at the end of the 19th century. At the peak of its expansion in the 1890s, Benziger published books and magazines in 20 languages<ref name="Imperium">Martina Läubli: Das Bücherimperium in Einsiedeln. in: Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 3 November 2017, auch [https://www.nzz.ch/feuilleton/das-buecherimperium-in-einsiedeln-ld.1325415 online at nzz.ch].</ref> and had more than 1,000 employees in Switzerland alone, making it one of the largest Swiss companies at the time.<ref>Heinz Nauer: [https://www.unilu.ch/fileadmin/fakultaeten/ksf/institute/histsem/Dokumente/Forschung/Abstract-hn.pdf ''"Pious industry": The publishing house Benziger in Einsiedeln 1760–1960.''] Retrieved 11 February 2016.</ref>


They opened operations in [[Cologne]] (1884) and [[Strasbourg]] (1912). A bookstore in [[Waldshut-Tiengen|Waldshut]] was added as early as 1887, but sold in 1936<ref>Expansion Deutschland http://www.buchfleck.de/buchhgesch.htm</ref> and closed in 2019<ref>https://www.suedkurier.de/region/hochrhein/waldshut-tiengen/Die-Waldshuter-St-Marienbuchhandlung-schliesst-nach-132-Jahren-und-die-Betreiber-von-Nagelstudios-stehen-bereits-Schlange;art372623,10129294 Die Waldshuter St. Marienbuchhandlung schließt nach 132 Jahren. in: Südkurier</ref> . It was intended for further activities in the [[German Reich]]. But the [[First World War]] brought major setbacks, as the Swiss company was separated from its main sales areas. The Benziger family withdrew from the active publishing business. Later, the rise of [[National Socialism]] had a lasting effect on sales of the traditionally denominationally oriented Catholic program.
The company opened locations in [[Cologne]] in 1884 and [[Strasbourg]] in 1912. A bookstore in [[Waldshut-Tiengen|Waldshut]] was added as early as 1887, but was sold in 1936<ref>Expansion Deutschland http://www.buchfleck.de/buchhgesch.htm</ref> and was closed in 2019.<ref>https://www.suedkurier.de/region/hochrhein/waldshut-tiengen/Die-Waldshuter-St-Marienbuchhandlung-schliesst-nach-132-Jahren-und-die-Betreiber-von-Nagelstudios-stehen-bereits-Schlange;art372623,10129294 Die Waldshuter St. Marienbuchhandlung schließt nach 132 Jahren. in: [[Südkurier]]</ref> The [[First World War]] brought major setbacks, as the company was separated from its main sales areas. The Benziger family withdrew from the active publishing business. Later, the rise of [[National Socialism]] had a lasting effect on sales of the traditionally Catholic-oriented program.


After the [[Second World War]], the theological programme was supplemented by a wide range of books for children and young people and literature.<ref name="Imperium" /> Some of the best-known authors were among many others:
After the [[Second World War]], the theological program was supplemented by a wide range of books for children and young people.<ref name="Imperium" /> Some of the best-known authors included:
<div style="column-width:15em">
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Ulrich Becher]]
* [[Ulrich Becher|Becher]]
* [[Jean-Luc Benoziglio]]
* [[Jean-Luc Benoziglio]]
* [[S. Corinna Bille]]
* [[S. Corinna Bille]]
Line 63: Line 64:
* [[Khalil Gibran]]
* [[Khalil Gibran]]
* [[René Girard]]
* [[René Girard]]
* [[Herbert Haag|Herbert Haag]]
* [[Herbert Haag]]
* [[Dag Hammarskjöld]]
* [[Dag Hammarskjöld]]
* [[Eveline Hasler]]
* [[Eveline Hasler]]
Line 69: Line 70:
* [[Taikan Jyoji]]
* [[Taikan Jyoji]]
* [[Hans Küng]]
* [[Hans Küng]]
* [[Francis Xavier Lasance]]
* [[Thomas Merton]]
* [[Thomas Merton]]
* [[Herbert Meier|Herbert Meier]]
* [[Herbert Meier]]
* [[John Henry Newman]]
* [[John Henry Newman]]
* [[Seán Ó Faoláin]]
* [[Seán Ó Faoláin]]
Line 76: Line 78:
* [[Alice Rivaz]]
* [[Alice Rivaz]]
* [[Gustave Roud]]
* [[Gustave Roud]]
* [[Hansjörg Schneider|Hansjörg Schneider]]
* [[Hansjörg Schneider]]
* [[Patrick Augustine Sheehan]]
* [[Patrick Augustine Sheehan]]
* [[Otto Steiger|Otto Steiger]]
* [[Otto Steiger (writer)|Otto Steiger]]
* [[Edith Stein]]
* [[Edith Stein]]
* [[Leo Tolstoi]]
* [[Leo Tolstoi]]
* [[Walter Vogt|Walter Vogt]]
* [[Walter Vogt]]
{{div col end}}
</div>


In 1986 the publishing house was sold to the Rheinpfalz Group in [[Ludwigshafen]],<ref>Schaub-Skandal {{Webarchiv | url=http://www.nickscafe.de/randzone/art/art050124a.htm | wayback=20070210084547 | text=http://www.nickscafe.de/randzone/art/art050124a.htm}}</ref> the children's book division went to Arena Publishing in [[Würzburg]]<ref name="SLA">[https://www.helveticarchives.ch/Detail.aspx?ID=165160 Identifikation im Schweizerischen Landesarchiv]</ref> After a creeping decline, Benziger (Switzerland) was taken over by Patmos Publishing in 1994. In 2003 the publishing activities were discontinued under the name ''Benziger''. In 1985 Benziger spun off its publishing distribution. Since 2015 it has been operating under the name Balmer Bücherdienst AG and is the second largest intermediate book trade company in Switzerland.<ref>Buchauslieferung http://www.buecherdienst.ch/index.php?option=articles&task=viewarticle&artid=7&Itemid=3</ref> In 1986, the printing house in [[Einsiedeln]] was separated from the publishing house and, like the latter, became an independent stock corporation. Without the publishing house, however, it could no longer make a sufficient living and was discontinued in 1995.<ref>''Schweizer Handelsamtsblatt.''</ref> The bookstore founded in 1802 directly on the Monastery Square at Einsiedeln was sold in 1987, but it still exists under its old name.<ref>Buchhandlung Benziger http://www.benziger.ch/homepage.php?start=wir</ref>
In 1986, the publishing house was sold to the Rheinpfalz Group in [[Ludwigshafen]],<ref>Schaub-Skandal {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210084547/http://www.nickscafe.de/randzone/art/art050124a.htm |date=February 10, 2007 |title=http://www.nickscafe.de/randzone/art/art050124a.htm}}</ref> and the children's book division was bought by Arena Publishing in [[Würzburg]].<ref name="SLA">{{Cite web|title=SLA-BENZ Benziger Verlag: Archiv Benziger Verlag, Zürich, 1948-1991 (Bestand)|url=https://www.helveticarchives.ch/|access-date=2021-05-13|website=HelveticArchives|language=en}}</ref> After a creeping decline, Benziger's Swiss operation was taken over by Patmos Publishing in 1994. In 2003, publishing activities under the Benziger name were discontinued. In 1985, Benziger spun off its publishing distribution. Since 2015, it has been operating under the name Balmer Bücherdienst AG and is the second-largest intermediate book-trade company in Switzerland.<ref>Buchauslieferung http://www.buecherdienst.ch/index.php?option=articles&task=viewarticle&artid=7&Itemid=3</ref> In 1986, the printing house in Einsiedeln was separated from the publishing house to become an independent stock corporation like the publishing house. However, without the publishing house, the company could no longer bring in sufficient revenue and was discontinued in 1995.<ref>''Schweizer Handelsamtsblatt.''</ref> The Einsiedeln bookstore founded in 1802 was sold in 1987, but it still exists under its old name.<ref>Buchhandlung Benziger http://www.benziger.ch/homepage.php?start=wir</ref>


==References==
==References==
⚫
{{Commons category|Benziger Brothers}}
<div style="font-size:90%;">
<references />
<references />
</div>


==External links==
==External links==
⚫
{{Commons category|Benziger Brothers}}
*{{official website|http://www.rclbenziger.com}}
*{{official website|http://www.rclbenziger.com}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Book publishing companies of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Book publishing companies of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Book publishing companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Christian publishing companies]]
[[Category:Christian publishing companies]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1792]]
[[Category:Companies based in Cincinnati]]
[[Category:Publishing companies established in the 1790s]]
[[Category:Publishing companies established in 1792]]
[[Category:18th-century establishments in Switzerland]]

Latest revision as of 03:27, 10 October 2023

RCL Benziger
Parent companyKendall Hunt
PredecessorBenzinger, RCL - Resources for Christian Living
Founded1792
FounderJoseph Charles Benziger
Country of originUnited States
Headquarters locationCincinnati, Ohio
Publication typesBooks
Nonfiction topicsCatholicism
Official websitewww.rclbenziger.com

RCL Benziger is a Roman Catholic book-publishing house founded in 1792 by Joseph Charles Benziger in Einsiedeln, Switzerland.[1] It is currently based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and operates as a subsidiary of Kendall Hunt Publishing.

History

[edit]
Benziger Brothers token.

The company started as a Catholic religious publisher founded by Joseph Charles Benzinger in 1792. In 1833, Benziger's sons, Charles and Nicholas, succeeded their father under the company name of Charles and Nicholas Benziger Brothers. Two years later, in addition to their book-publishing business, the brothers began lithographing religious pictures, as well as coloring them by hand, before the introduction of chromolithography.[1]

Charles Benziger

[edit]

Charles Benziger (b. 1799, d. 1873), a man with a good classical education, devoted himself especially to the literary end of the business. In 1840, the first Einsiedler Kalender volume was produced. The Pilgrim, a popular Catholic periodical established at the same time, lasted only ten years. Charles also took an active part in public life, and served as president of the Swiss canton of Schwyz.[1]

Nicholas Benziger

[edit]
Nicholas Benziger home in New York

Nicholas Benziger (b. 1808, d. 1864), who took charge of the technical part of the business, proved himself a pioneer, introducing to the mountain village of Einsiedeln a series of improved trade methods from the great mercantile centers of Europe and the United States. Under his guidance, the work of bookbinding, which was formerly undertaken by the family at home, was systematized. In 1844, the old hand press was superseded by the first power press. Stereotyping was introduced in 1846, steel and copper printing in 1856 and electrotyping in 1858.[1]

End of 19th century

[edit]

Upon the retirement of Charles and Nicholas Benziger in 1860, the business was continued by three of Charles' sons (Charles, Martin and J.N. Adelrich) and three of Nicholas' sons (Nicholas, Adelrich and Louis). Under this third generation, the different branches of the house were further developed, with chromolithography and other modern printing methods added. In 1867, the Alte und Neue Welt, the first illustrated popular Catholic German magazine on a large scale, was begun. A number of illustrated Catholic family books and a series of schoolbooks were produced, including a Bible history in 12 languages, together with prayer books by well-known authors. Between 1880 and 1895, a fourth generation took control of the business, and the firm name was changed to Benziger and Company.[1]

Expansion to the United States

[edit]

Although Benziger Brothers had established offices in New York City in 1853, the company's development as a publishing house did not begin until 1860 when J.N. Adelrich Benziger and Louis Benziger took charge. In 1860, offices were opened in Cincinnati and in 1887, one in Chicago. The publishing of English Catholic books was vigorously undertaken, and the company's catalog covered the field of devotional, educational and juvenile literature, as well as works of a theological theme. Benziger was not only a publishing house but a liturgical-supply factory.[2][3] The American firm of Benziger Brothers is now independent of the Swiss house. The Holy See conferred on the firm the title "Printers to the Holy Apostolic See" in 1867.[1]

20th and 21st century

[edit]

United States

[edit]

In 1968, Benziger's American business was acquired by Crowell-Collier Macmillan (later to become Macmillan, Inc.), and the following year, its headquarters were moved to California. In 1971, it was merged with three other companies: Bruce Publishing, founded in Milwaukee in the 1890s, P. J. Kenedy & Sons of New York (excluding the Official Catholic Directory) and Glencoe Press, which began in Beverly Hills in 1966.[4] In July 2007, the Benziger name and product line were purchased from McGraw-Hill (which had acquired Macmillan's educational division) by CFM Publishing and merged with Texas-based Catholic publisher RCL (Resources for Christian Living), founded in 1964 by Richard C. Leach, to form RCL Benziger.[5] The new company is now headquartered in Cincinnati as it was in the 19th century. In 2016, RCL Benziger was sold to Kendall Hunt Publishing.[6]

Europe

[edit]

Benziger's Swiss operation was also growing at the end of the 19th century. At the peak of its expansion in the 1890s, Benziger published books and magazines in 20 languages[7] and had more than 1,000 employees in Switzerland alone, making it one of the largest Swiss companies at the time.[8]

The company opened locations in Cologne in 1884 and Strasbourg in 1912. A bookstore in Waldshut was added as early as 1887, but was sold in 1936[9] and was closed in 2019.[10] The First World War brought major setbacks, as the company was separated from its main sales areas. The Benziger family withdrew from the active publishing business. Later, the rise of National Socialism had a lasting effect on sales of the traditionally Catholic-oriented program.

After the Second World War, the theological program was supplemented by a wide range of books for children and young people.[7] Some of the best-known authors included:

In 1986, the publishing house was sold to the Rheinpfalz Group in Ludwigshafen,[11] and the children's book division was bought by Arena Publishing in Würzburg.[12] After a creeping decline, Benziger's Swiss operation was taken over by Patmos Publishing in 1994. In 2003, publishing activities under the Benziger name were discontinued. In 1985, Benziger spun off its publishing distribution. Since 2015, it has been operating under the name Balmer Bücherdienst AG and is the second-largest intermediate book-trade company in Switzerland.[13] In 1986, the printing house in Einsiedeln was separated from the publishing house to become an independent stock corporation like the publishing house. However, without the publishing house, the company could no longer bring in sufficient revenue and was discontinued in 1995.[14] The Einsiedeln bookstore founded in 1802 was sold in 1987, but it still exists under its old name.[15]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Joseph Charles Benzinger". Newadvent.org. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
  2. ^ "IonaScribe: Benziger Brothers". Archived from the original on March 30, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
  3. ^ "Catalogue of religious articles, lithographs and engravings .. : Benziger brothers. [from old catalog] : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive". New York, Cincinnati, O., Benziger brothers. 2001-03-10. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
  4. ^ Blau, Eleanor (1971-08-18). "Lean Days Beset Catholic Publishers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  5. ^ "Richard Leach". Biola University. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  6. ^ "Kendall Hunt Completes Acquisition of RCL Benziger from The Wicks Group". New Mountain Learning. 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2017-12-26.
  7. ^ a b Martina Läubli: Das Bücherimperium in Einsiedeln. in: Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 3 November 2017, auch online at nzz.ch.
  8. ^ Heinz Nauer: "Pious industry": The publishing house Benziger in Einsiedeln 1760–1960. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  9. ^ Expansion Deutschland http://www.buchfleck.de/buchhgesch.htm
  10. ^ https://www.suedkurier.de/region/hochrhein/waldshut-tiengen/Die-Waldshuter-St-Marienbuchhandlung-schliesst-nach-132-Jahren-und-die-Betreiber-von-Nagelstudios-stehen-bereits-Schlange;art372623,10129294 Die Waldshuter St. Marienbuchhandlung schließt nach 132 Jahren. in: Südkurier
  11. ^ Schaub-Skandal http://www.nickscafe.de/randzone/art/art050124a.htm at the Wayback Machine (archived February 10, 2007)
  12. ^ "SLA-BENZ Benziger Verlag: Archiv Benziger Verlag, Zürich, 1948-1991 (Bestand)". HelveticArchives. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  13. ^ Buchauslieferung http://www.buecherdienst.ch/index.php?option=articles&task=viewarticle&artid=7&Itemid=3
  14. ^ Schweizer Handelsamtsblatt.
  15. ^ Buchhandlung Benziger http://www.benziger.ch/homepage.php?start=wir
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