Open Court Publishing Company.

The Open Court Press was established in 1887 by Edward G. Hegeler, a zinc manufacturer of LaSalle, Illinois, to reflect his deep interest in problems of philosophy, ethics, and religion. Under the leadership of Dr. Paul Carus, a young German scholar who assumed editorship of the press in its first year and continued until his death in 1919, Open Court gained international recognition for its titles in philosophy, religion, sciences, and mathematics. The press's first publication was a fortnightly journal, The Open Court, established for the open exchange of scientific, religious, and philosophical views. This journal ceased publication in 1936, but the philosophical quarterly, entitled The Monist, begun in 1890, remains (after a hiatus between 1936 and 1962) one of the foremost philosophical journals.

From the description of Papers of the Open Court Publishing Company, 1888-1930. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 83095520

During this time, Open Court Publishing Company had a unique place in the publishing business. The company was private, family owned, and did not publish dime store novels, but serious mainstream, progressive, scientific, academic, and religious writings. Other presses would print such materials; however, most of the presses were University presses. The Open Court Publishing Company stood somewhere in the middle ground, printing academic writings, as well as books, articles, and journals for the general reading public. Diversity of subject and readership are what made Open Court Publishing Company unique in the publishing industry. In addition, Paul Carus and Open Court Publishing Company were instrumental in disseminating Eastern philosophy in the Western academic world.

From the description of Open Court Publishing Company records, 1886-1998, (bulk 1887-1920). (Southern Illinois University). WorldCat record id: 757519977