Reprinting, republishing and re-covering old books in new clothes is an established publishing practice. How are books that have fallen out of taste and favour resituated by publishers, and recognised by readers, as relevant and timely? This Element outlines three historical textures within British culture of the late 1970s and early 1980s – History, Remembrance and Heritage – that enabled Virago's reprint publishing to become a commercial and cultural success. With detailed archival case studies of the Virago Reprint Library, Testament of Youth and the Virago Modern Classics, it elaborates how reprints were profitable for the publisher and moved Virago's books - and the Virago brand name - from the periphery of culture to the centre. Throughout Virago's reprint publishing - and especially with the Modern Classics - the epistemic revelation that women writers were forgotten and could, therefore, be rediscovered, was repeated, again and again, and made culturally productive through the marketplace.
‘Minutes of Virago Meetings, 28 September 1973–8 January 1974.’ Archive file: Add MS 89718/1/2.
‘Statement from Carmen Callil.’ Archive file: Add MS 89718/1/2.
‘Money Problems.’ Archive file: Add MS 89718/1/4.
‘Carmen Callil to Mark Shivas, 19 July 1977.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/7.
‘Company statement.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/8.
‘Notes on meeting with Paul.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/8.
‘Letter from Bob Gavron to Carmen Callil, 23 June 1978.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/9.
‘Notes from Lennie and Kate’s Publicity/Promotion Meeting on 28 January 1982.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/45.
‘Memo from Carmen Callil to Kate Griffin and Lennie Goodings, Regarding Their Publicity Notes for Virago Press Titles.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/45.
‘Sales Figures, March 1982, for Virago Press Front and Back List Titles.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/45.
‘Virago Press Marketing Schedule 1982.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/46.
‘Memo from Carmen Callil to Virago Press Staff Members, 13 April 1983.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/47.
‘Memo from Carmen Callil to Ursula Owen, Lennie Goodings, Kate Griffin and Harriet Spicer, Regarding the Image of Virago Press.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/71.
‘Virago Press Business Plan 1987.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/95.
‘Memo from Lennie Goodings to Carmen Callil, 4 September 1984.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/112.
‘Memo from Carmen Callil to Alexandra Pringle and Lynn Knight, 7 May 1987.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/112.
‘Memo from Carmen Callil to Alexandra Pringle, 26 February 1988.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/112.
‘Report from Alexandra Pringle Discussing Her Visit to Scottish Booksellers and Authors, November [no year].’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/1/115.
‘Carmen Callil to Michael Sissons, 26 Jan 1979.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/2/80.
‘Virago Catalogue, 1975–6.’ Archive file: Add MS 89718/6/2.
‘Virago New Books 1977.’ Archive file: Add MS 89718/6/2.
‘Virago: New Books & Complete List, June 1978–June 1979.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/6/4.
Virago Press: New Books & Complete List, January 1982–March 1983.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/6/8.
‘Virago Green Plaque Competition Flyer 1985.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/6/45.
‘Virago Modern Classics Catalogue 1982.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/6/46.
‘Virago Modern Classics Posters.’ Archive file: Add MS 89178/6/53.
‘Andrea Earney to Carmen Callil, 15 Aug 1978.’ Archive file: Add MS 88904/1/194.
‘Carmen Callil to Clare Hardisty, June 1980.’ Archive file: Add MS 89904/1/194.
‘Correspondence Between Carmen Callil and Paul Berry, 27–31 Aug 1980.’ Archive file: Add MS 88904/1/194.
‘Carmen Callil to Paul Berry, 10 Feb 1981.’ Archive file: Add MS 88904/1/194.
‘Carmen Callil to Paul Berry 10 March 1981.’ Archive file: Add MS 88904/1/194.
‘Correspondence Between Rebecca West and Lennie Goodings, 16–17 November 1981.’ Archive file: Add MS 88901/1/439.
‘Ursula Owen to Simon King, 4 Oct 1982.’ Archive file: Add MS 88901/1/440.
‘Susan Watt to Ursula Owen, 31 Oct 1984.’ Archive file: Add MS 88901/1/440.
‘Mary Pachnos to Ursula Owen, 25 November 1982.’ Archive file: Add MS 88901/1/440.
‘Mary Pachnos to Carmen Callil, 13 December 1982.’ Archive file: Add MS 88901/1/440.
‘Mary Pachnos to Carmen Callil, 23 Dec 1982.’ Archive file: Add MS 88901/1/440.
‘Brother Jacob, Advance Information Sheet.’ Archive file: Add MS 88904/2/11.
‘Virago Victorian Classics.’ Archive file: Add MS 88904/2/17.
‘Carmen Callil to Mr. Stock Clark, 25 January 1982.’ Archive file: Add MS 88904/2/17.
‘Carmen Callil to Tamie Watters, 25 January 1982.’ Archive file: Add MS 88904/2/17.
‘W.H. Brock to Serena Maude, 20 November 1984.’ Archive file: Add MS 88904/2/17.
‘Serena Maude to Joanne Shattock, 18 December 1984.’ Archive file: Add MS 88904/2/17.
‘Alexandra Pringle to Clare Colvin, 23 August 1985.’ Archive file: MS 88904/2/17.
‘Aurora Floyd, Advance Information Sheet.’ Archive file: Add MS 89904/2/17.
‘Receipts from September 1981.’ Archive file: MS 5223, Box 1.
‘Sales Conference Notes – 15 January 1981.’ Archive file: MS 5223, Box 10.
‘Frankfurt Notes: Books on Offer: List Additional to Ursula’s.’ Archive file: MS 5223, Box 10.
‘Carmen Callil to Ginger Barber, 5 Oct 1979.’ Archive file: Folder 11/1, MS 5223, Box 10.
‘Factors We Consider When Taking on Books.’ Archive file: Folder 11/1, MS 5223, Box 10.
‘Preliminary Notes on Booksellers Conference.’ Archive file: Folder 11/1, MS 5223, Box 10.
‘BA Conference – Fri 18th–Monday 21st April.’ Archive file: MS 5223, File 11/1, Box 10.
‘Kate Notes on Sales Conference.’ Archive file: Folder 11/1, MS 5223, Box 10.
‘Promotions Meeting 19.6.80.’ Archive file: Folder 11/1, MS 5223, Box 10.
‘Notes on Virago Meeting 29.10.80.’ Archive folder: MS 5223, File 11/1, Box 10.
‘MONEY/FINANCIAL CONTROLS etc.’ Archive file: Folder 11/1, MS 5223, Box 10.
‘Notes on Sidgwick Meeting.’ Archive file: MS 5223, Box 11.
‘Kate Griffin to Virago Sales Reps, 7 May 1980.’ Archive file: MS 5223, Box 11.
‘Dear [blank] from Kate Griffin, 14 May 1980.’ Archive file: MS 5223, Box 11.
‘Correspondence Between Kate Griffin and Mr G.F. Cousins, 23 November–1 December 1981.’ Archive file: MS 5223, Box 11.
‘Vera Brittain: Testaments – Sales to 31 12 80.’ MS 5223 Box 11.
‘Sales Figures for 1977 and 1978 Titles, Captured Jan 1981.’ Archive file: MS 5223, Box 11.
‘Kate Griffin to John Keegan 1 May 1981.’ Archive file: MS 5223, Box 11.
‘Kate’s Notes from Scottish Trip 15–17 July 1981.’ Archive file: MS 5223, Box 11.
‘Kate’s Nottingham Visit – 21st July 1981.’ Archive file: MS 5223, Box 11.
‘Kate Griffin to Ann Pritchard, 28 July 1981.’ Archive file: MS 5223, Box 11.
‘Kate Griffin to Alan Boyd, 28 July 1981.’ Archive file: MS 5223, Box 11.
‘Jane Gregory to Stephanie Dowrick 12 May 1976.’ Archive file: CW/317/6.
‘Correspondence Between Norah Smallwood to Carmen Callil 6–9 September 1976.’ Archive file: CW/317/6.
‘Carmen Callil to Jane Gregory 13 September 1976.’ Archive file: UOR, CW/317/6.
‘Marsha Rowe to Sheila Rowbotham, 17 October 1972.’ Archive file: DM 2123/1/55.
‘Anna Davin to Sue Jessop, 17 March 1979.’ Archive file: 7ADA/01.
‘Anna Davin to Mrs. Bowden.’ Archive file: 7ADA/01.
Sheila Rowbotham. ‘The Myth of Inactivity, Ruskin College 1970.’ Archive file: 7ADA/01.
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