Halstead Press

The original Halstead Press, founded in 1929 by George Robertson of Angus and Robertson, was Australia’s leading book printer for forty years. In the 1970s, after a corporate takeover, Halstead stopped printing and became a publishing imprint, Robertson’s great grandson having acquired the logo and identity. These he passed on to the present company when it was set up in 1991. In 2008, Halstead continues the tradition, as one of the longest established independent book publishers in Australian ownership.

 

Book Publishing

Halstead publishes most kinds of books, excluding new novels, textbooks and children’s stories. History and heritage are its major focus, with literature, current affairs and scholarly books forming an important part of the list.

 

Halstead Press handles all stages of book production and publishing, from concept development to marketing and promotion. On many projects this includes commissioning of research and writing, editing, drafting text, design and typesetting. Its books are printed by a number of firms in Australia and overseas. As part owner of Australian Book Group, Halstead has distribution into the commercial book trade in all states and territories.

 

The company has operated in Sydney since its foundation. Early in 2008 it established an office in Canberra to improve communication with its many associates there and to develop its work in government and government related books.

 

Our People

Matthew Richardson, Publisher

Alana Ayliffe, Sydney Production Manager & Editor

Hal Judge, Manager, Canberra Office

 

Collaborative Ventures

Halstead Press has a history of collaboration with educational institutions, government, organisations and businesses. This involves it in projects in which it takes on part of the range of publishing operations, in contract with other parties making complementary contributions. For example, for the recently published history, A Change in the Weather, Halstead sourced the text and pictures and edited the whole, while the resulting book is published and distributed by National Museum of Australia Press.

 

Commonwealth departments and agencies involved with Halstead Press in multi-volume collaborations have included the Australian Sports Commission, the former Australian Government Publishing Service, and departments of Education and Defence. Recent collaborations include:

 

Sea Power Ashore and in the Air (ed. D. Stevens, published in 2007 with the Sea Power Centre)

Canberra: City in the Landscape (by Ken Taylor, jointly published in 2007 with the National Capital Authority).

 

Similar associations with government organisations in three states, and a variety of local councils, have led to many successful books. Cultural and educational institutions and community organisations also publish books with assistance from Halstead Press; the National Trust for example, and the University of Wollongong, which has an arrangement with Halstead for all its University Press titles. Work is underway on the official history of the University of Technology, Sydney, thanks to an arrangement between the Press and the University.

 

History Books

Since it was founded, history has been one of Halstead Press’s main specialties. Its range extends through every category and from the most local and specific subjects to global histories reaching back to ancient times.

 

In 2008, for instance, it has published Tony Grey’s Seven Gateways, on the history of world religions, and in 2004, Wooden Boats, Iron Men, about the Halvorsen family of boatbuilders. Eminent Australian historians published by Halstead include Canberra author and former ambassador, Hugh Gilchrist, whose multi-award winning Australians and Greeks was completed with its final volume in 2004; Melbourne historian Peter Yule; and Shirley Fitzgerald, Paul Ashton and Robert Freestone in Sydney.

Contact us

Halstead Press Publishers Pty. Ltd

Address:	Level 4 "The Hub" 66/89 Jones Street Ultimo NSW,  2007,  Australia
Phone:	+61 2 9211 3033
Fax:	+61 2 9211 3677
Email:	halstead@halsteadpress.com.au
Web:	www.halsteadpress.com.au

 

Canberra Office

Halstead Press Publishers Pty. Ltd.

Address:	Room 24, B Block Gorman House Arts Centre Ainslie Avenue Braddon,  ACT  2612, Australia
Phone:	+61 2 6262 8612
Email:	canberra@halsteadpress.com.au

For more information, visit the Halstead Press website at www.halsteadpress.com.au