Thomas Nelson only published the Chatterbox for one issue – in 1878.  Could it be co-incidence that Nelson’s London office in Paternoster Row was only a few doors away from Wells Gardner’s ?

Thomas Nelson  (1780-1861) was the owner of a second-hand bookshop in Edinburgh who started publishing inexpensive religious and classic works for the “common man” in the early 1800’s thus establishing a two-century tradition of Christian book publishing.

In 1850 his son, also Thomas, invented the rotary printing press which revolutionised the business worldwide, and by 1853 Nelson was Scotland’s largest publishing and printing house.  Thomas Nelson Jr. arrived in New York in 1853 and opened their New York office the following year, making Nelson the first British publisher to establish a branch in America.

In the early years of the twentieth century, Thomas Nelson and Sons continued to enjoy an amazing level of success. Thomas, Jr.’ s two sons, Tommy and Ian, joined the company upon completing their education.

The business was being managed primarily by George M. Brown (Thomas Nelson's son-in-law) and John Buchan, a noted novelist (of such popular works as Prester John and The Thirty-Nine Steps), biographer, and political correspondent. John Buchan, a close friend of Tommy Nelson became instrumental in expanding the company's offerings of classic works and educational resources.

Across the Atlantic, meanwhile, Nelson's American branch was fast becoming an influential publisher of Bibles and books. All across the nation a Nelson Bible could be found in nearly every hotel bedroom. In 1901, Nelson had introduced the innovative American Standard Version. The Revised Standard Version New Testament made its debut in 1946, with the complete Bible released in 1952. This translation became phenomenally successful with three million copies sold worldwide in the first two years.

In 1960, Thomas Nelson and Sons was merged with The Thomson Organization, a worldwide publishing and communications firm. The new management separated the editorial and printing enterprises and sold the Edinburgh printing and binding operations. Nelson increased its focus on publishing reference works and school textbooks in all subjects.

Meanwhile, in Lebanon, a young man named Sam Moore attended an evangelical school where he heard the basics of the Christian faith.  In 1950, the nineteen-year-old Sam Moore came to America with $600 and an intent to pursue medical training.  To pay his way through college at the University of South Carolina and later Columbia Bible College, Sam began selling Bibles door to door.

In 1958, Sam founded the National Book Company. Three years later, he incorporated Royal Publishing, a Bible publishing company. He sold stock in 1962 to about 250 people including Morrow Coffey Graham, mother of noted evangelist Billy Graham.

Sam's publishing ventures were so successful that The Thomson Organization (Nelson's Parent Company) took notice, approaching him in 1969 to head Nelson's ailing U.S. operations. Sam surprised the Thomson representatives by offering to buy their company instead.

Thomas Nelson is still a thriving business, operating from their Head Office in Nashville.

Chatterbox
1878