Dial Press.

Dial Press, founded in 1923 in Manhattan.

From the description of Dial Press records, 1924-1983. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702181873

Founded in 1923, the Dial Press was a distinctly separate entity from the Dial Magazine although they were housed in the same building and Scofield Thayer worked with both. Many accounts state 1924 as the founding date, but this was the year of the Press's first imprint. The Dial Press logo design was based on the signet ring of founder Lincoln MacVeagh. Early ads were headlined "At the sign of the cupid and the Lion" and later just the logo was used. Early authors included Elizabeth Bowen, W.R. Burnett and Glenway Wescott. After MacVeagh sold the Press in 1933, it was fairly inactive until 1938, when it changed ownership again. Under B.C. Hoffman, the character of the firm changed to include books of more popular appeal. In 1945, two popular titles were Gladys Schmitt's David, The King and Frank Yerby's The Foxes of Harrow. Between 1963 and 1965, the Press published several popular books, including James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time, Herbert Gold's Salt, Thomas Berger's Little Big Man, and Norman Mailer's An American Dream.

The following chronology provides dates for key events:

1923: The Dial Press was founded by Lincoln MacVeagh at 461 Park Avenue South in Manhattan. Scofield Thayer, publisher of the Dial Magazine, was the its first editor.

1933: MacVeagh sold Dial Press to Max Solap.

1938: Max Solap sold Dial Press to B.C. Hoffman.

1961: Dial Press Books for Young Readers was created.

1963: Dell Publishing Company acquired 60% of the Dial Press stock but the Press remained an independent subsidiary.

1964: Dial Press moved to 750 Third Avenue.

1969: The Dial Press became wholly owned by Dell Publishing Company.

1973: Dial Press made another move to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza.

1976: Doubleday bought Dell Publishing .

1985: Doubleday dissolved Dial Press on April 16.

From the guide to the Dial Press records, 1924-1983, (Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library)