The story
Founded by Paul Hamlyn in 1950.1
Paul Hamlyn sold the company to the International Publishing Company (now TI Media) in 1964, but stayed on until 1969.
In 1964 Hamlyn commenced in Australia under the management of Kevin Weldon. It owned an interest in the Australian independent paperback publisher Sun Books from 1968 until 1971 when Macmillan Australia acquired that company.
In 1975 the Hamlyn Group acquired "a 51 per cent control of Hanna Barbera Australia, an animation production house" and in 1978, James Hardie purchased the Hamlyn Group, that included Hanna Barbera Australia, as well as Rigby Publishers.
Paul Hamlyn bought the company back in 1986 and added it to the holdings of his new company, Octopus Books. Octopus was sold in 1987 to Reed International. Hamlyn's children's division was sold to the Egmont Group in 1998. Hachette Livre bought Octopus in 2001.
Hamlyn is an international publisher of non-fiction illustrated books. Two thirds of the business is in international, North American and export markets. Since 2003 the publisher has made two significant acquisitions:
Godsfield Press was acquired by Hamlyn in October 2003. It is a niche international publisher of illustrated books for the spirituality and alternative health market.
Gaia Books was acquired in March 2004. It is a producer of international co-editions in the field of alternative philosophies and lifestyle.
Octopus Books was sold to Lagardère Group and managed under Lagardère Publishing.
From Wikipedia’s article on Hamlyn (publisher), shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3