A Tale of Two Publishers

This chapter examines Albatross Press's acquisition of Bernhard Tauchnitz. Few Tauchnitz or Albatross readers knew the reasons behind the near demise and resurrection of Tauchnitz, or the machinations behind its sale. In book trade circles in Leipzig, one rumor that circulated was that Sir Edmund Davis, the financial weight behind Albatross, wanted to purchase Tauchnitz. The Reich Literary Chamber, charged with oversight of all publishing matters in Germany, had not only approved but also officiated over the Albatross-Tauchnitz merger. This chapter considers John Holroyd-Reece's negotiations with Oscar Brandstetter that sealed the Albatross-Tauchnitz union; the agreements that would guarantee Albatross a role in the German economy for years to come; and the role of National Socialism in the Brandstetter enterprises.