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Creator
Enoch, Kurt, 1894-1982
Call number
MssCol 935
Physical description
12.2 linear feet (13 boxes)
Language
Materials in English
Preferred Citation

Kurt Enoch papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library

Repository
Manuscripts and Archives Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

Kurt Enoch (1894-1982) was a German-born publisher. After a career in Europe as a publisher of paperback reprints of British and American authors, Enoch came to the United States in 1940. In 1942 he joined Penguin Books, and in 1947, with Victor Weybridge, acquired controlling interest in the parent company, and changed the corporate name to the New American Library of World Literature (NAL). Enoch was instrumental in the 1960 merger of NAL and the Times Mirror Company of Los Angeles, and played a key role in the subsequent development of both organizations. From 1960 until his retirement in 1968, he held various executive postions in NAL and the Times Mirror Company. After his retirement he was active as a book publishing consultant. Collection consists of papers dealing mainly with the merger in 1960 of the NAL and the Times Mirror Company, and the subsequent development of NAL as an autonomous subsidiary. Letters and papers concern the merger and the efforts of The Times Mirror Company to expand and diversify. Also, a few personal letters; some correspondence and papers relating to Penguin Books, Ballantine Books and the Overlook Press; correspondence and papers relating to Enoch's other publishing ventures; his work as a consultant; and transcripts of Enoch's oral history "Encounter with the Holocaust.".

Biographical/historical information

Kurt Enoch was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1894 and died in New York City in 1982. After military service in World War I, Enoch worked in his father's book and magazine distributing business and studied at the University of Hamburg, where he eventually received the degree of Doctor of Social Science. He became general manager of the business in 1920, then partner and later sole owner.

After a distinguished career in Europe as a publisher of paperback reprints of British and American authors, Enoch came to the U. S. in 1940. In 1942 he joined Penguin Books, and in 1947, together with Victor Weybridge, he acquired the controlling interest in the present company and changed the corporate name to The New American Library of World Literature. He was instrumental in the 1960 merger of NAL with the Times Mirror Company of Los Angeles, and played key roles in the subsequent development of both organizations. From that year until his retirement in 1968, Enoch held various executive positions in NAL and the Times Mirror Company. After his retirement he was active as a book publishing consultant.

Scope and arrangement

The papers do not reflect the literary and editorial aspects of publishing. To a large degree, they deal with a single event: the merger in 1960 of the New American Library and the Times Mirror Company and the subsequent development of NAL as an autonomous subsidiary. In this section there are letters and papers reflecting the operations and preparatory maneuvering leading up to the merger, the merger itself, and the immediate aftermath. There are also letters and papers (mostly printed material) which chronicle the efforts of the Times Mirror Company to expand and diversify; a few personal letters; some correspondence and papers relating to Penguin Books, Ballantine Books, and the Overlook Press; correspondence and papers relating to Enoch's other publishing ventures and his work as a consultant; and transcripts of his oral history, Encounter with the Holocaust, which was videotaped at Hampshire College.

Administrative information

Processing information

Compiled by Richard Salvato, July 1984

Using the collection

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room, Third Floor, Room 328