Green Tiger Press was an American publishing company known for producing reproductions of illustrations from old children's books and creating children's and gift books.[1] The company was founded by Harold and Sandra Darling in the mid-1960s.[1]
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1960 |
| Founder | Harold Darling, Sandra Darling |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington |
Early history
editBefore establishing Green Tiger Press, Harold Darling had previously set up The Sign of the Sun bookstore and The Shadow Box film theatre.[2] Those businesses became the Unicorn Theatre and the Mithras Bookstore located in La Jolla, California. Sandra, a literature graduate who later pursued painting, designed film programs and posters for the Unicorn Theatre.[2]
Origins
editGreen Tiger Press started as a postcard business specializing in reproductions of out-of-print illustrations by artists such as Arthur Rackham, Edmund Dulac, Warwick Goble, Jessie Willcox Smith, and Boutet de Monvel.[1][2] Sandra's suggestion to reproduce these illustrations led to a positive response, prompting the couple to move the business to larger premises and expand their offerings to include hand-tipped notecards, matted prints, and books.[2] The press also began accepting manuscripts and commissioning artists to create books like The Book of Unicorns, which included a combination of old illustrations, newly commissioned pieces, and text written by Harold.[2]
In 2023, the La Jolla Historical Society paid tribute to Green Tiger Press, The Unicorn Theatre, and The Mithras Bookstore in their exhibition titled 'Tigers, Unicorns, and Puppy Dog Tales'.[3] The exhibition ran from September 23, 2023 to January 21, 2024.[4]
Publication history
editGreen Tiger Press published books such as All Mirrors Are Magic Mirrors, which emphasized.[5] The press also released award-winning children's books, including The Teddy Bears' Picnic by Alexandra Day, which received recognition at the Children’s International Book Fair in Bologna, Italy.[2] The press's popular series, The Good Dog, Carl, was based on an idea found in an old book, while 'The Night Rainbow' by Cooper Edens became one of their best-selling works.[2]
In 1986, Green Tiger Press was acquired by Simon and Schuster.[6][7] The Darlings continued with their stationery line and founded Laughing Elephant Publishing, focusing on gift books and paper products.[5] The Darlings later reacquired Green Tiger in 2010, and the press continues to publish children's books.[5]
Present day
editChev and Benjamin Darling, the second generation of Darlings, founded Laughing Elephant Gifts and Books, respectively.[5] Laughing Elephant Gifts, located in Seattle, Washington, specializes in unique gifts using vintage images from the Laughing Elephant and Green Tiger Press archives.[5][8] Laughing Elephant Books, run by Benjamin Darling in San Diego, California, focuses on publishing children’s and gift books featuring vintage illustrations and designs from the archives.[8][5]
References
edit- ^ a b c Gifford, Mary-Elizabeth (1990-08-30). "Green Tiger Is Alive and Purring in New Home". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Green Tiger Press – a true tale of the publishing business | San Diego Reader". www.sandiegoreader.com. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ "Remembering The Unicorn Cinema". KPBS Public Media. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
- ^ "Past Exhibitions". La Jolla Historical Society. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
- ^ a b c d e f Werris |, Wendy. "Images Still Drive Laughing Elephant Press". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ "THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Green Tiger Press Sold". The New York Times. 1990-12-24. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ "SIMON & SCHUSTER BUYS SAN DIEGO FIRM". Chicago Tribune. 19 December 1990. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ a b "About". Laughing Elephant Books. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
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