J. Lumsden and Son

J. Lumsden and Son is a Scottish engraving and publishing firm founded in 1783 by James Lumsden, most known for its short runs of high quality printings of children's books.

When James Lumsden retired in 1810 the firm was taken over by his son James Lumsden Junior (who in 1843 became the Lord Provost of Glasgow).

The majority of books produced by them were sold to affluent families in Scotland and Northern England with their average book price of sixpence putting them beyond affordability for the average family.

The firm was one of the earliest to engage in the practice of releasing the same book under multiple-covers to increase sales, this practice has now meant that books published by Lumsden are highly collectible.

Partial list of books published by Lumsden:

• 1812 - Peter Williamson, The life and curious adventures of Peter Williamson
• 1812 - anon, Nurse Dandlem
• 1815 - Jonathan Swift, The adventures of Captain Gulliver in a voyage to Lilliput
• 1816 - anon, Fun Upon Fun
• 1818 - Marie Le Prince de Beaumont, Beauty and the beast
• 1845 - Joseph Train, An Historical and Statistical Account of the Isle of Man

Bibliography

• Roscoe, S., and Brimmell, R. A., James Lumsden and Son of Glasgow. Their Juvenile Books and Chapbooks, Private Libraries Association, 1981