Royle Publishing

Royle Publications had a worldwide reputation as one of the oldest greeting card companies. It was founded as a copper and steel engraving business and later expanded into a printing and publishing house specialising in the reproduction of artwork for greetings cards, calendars, posters and fine art prints. The firm attracted artists such as S.R. Badmin, C.F. Tunnicliffe and David Shepherd. Noel Carrington joined the company soon after World War II and was joined on the board by Rowland Hilder in 1962, both bringing their own publishing and artistic expertise and contributions to the firm. The firm was acquired by Paper House, the UK greetings card publisher in 1995, and no longer exists as a separate entity but continues to flourish as a brand within the Paper House product range. Reading University hold their extensive archive which includes a number of children’s books published in the 1930's and 1940's, including some by Kathleen Hale, author of the 'Orlando the Marmalade Cat' books. There are also other illustrated books and a number of greetings cards, calendars and original artwork, as well as catalogues and price lists.