The Thirty-Nine Steps (61 page)

In the 1860s Collins began to expand and diversify and the idea of ‘books for the
millions’ was developed. Affordable editions of classical literature were published
and in 1903 Collins introduced 10 titles in their Collins Handy Illustrated Pocket
Novels. These proved so popular that a few years later this had increased to an output
of 50 volumes, selling nearly half a million in their year of publication. In the
same year, The Everyman’s Library was also instituted, with the idea of publishing
an affordable library of the most important classical works, biographies, religious
and philosophical treatments, plays, poems, travel and adventure. This series eclipsed
all competition at the time and the introduction of paperback books in the 1950s helped
to open that market and marked a high point in the industry.

HarperCollins is and has always been a champion of the classics and the current Collins
Classics series follows in this tradition – publishing classical literature that is
affordable and available to all. Beautifully packaged, highly collectible and intended
to be reread and enjoyed at every opportunity.

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This Harper Press paperback edition published 2012

John Buchan asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Life & Times section © Gerard Cheshire
Classic Literature: Words and Phrases adapted from
Collins English Dictionary

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