229:) was acquired. All decisions and control was still done by the monks of the abbey, and in the early 1930s, it became obvious that the printing had acquired a large debt which even threatened the abbey itself. In 1934, the debt was estimated to be 27 million Belgian Francs, which, keeping inflation in mind, would amount to more than 17 million Euros currently. TO resolve this, a new structure was created, with professional external help for the financial part. The printing was no longer a part of the same company as the abbey and was renamed "Altiora". All activities were scrutinized, and those that created the losses were dropped, while new, more commercial activities were started. The circulation of
338:
started to attract clients from outside
Belgium as well, raising the turnover to over 1 billion Belgian Francs (25 million Euro). In the 1990s, the structure of the company once again changed. All printing activities were renamed to Agora in 1997, and formed no longer a part of the abbey. The book publishing activities were centralized in Uitgeverij Altiora Averbode in 1993, and all magazines were grouped in Goede Pers in 1993, which was renamed to Uitgeverij Averbode in 2000.
27:
250:, with a circulation of nearly 130,000 copies in May 1942. The magazine became gradually more German-friendly, although it never became a true propaganda magazine, and only ceased publication in May 1944, when the paper rationing was at its worst, and when the supply of electricity couldn't be assured any longer. The shortage of paper and other materials had already led to the end of the publications of
814:
Between 1945 and 1970, most youth books produced by
Averbode were either reprints of prewar successes, collections of short stories from the magazines, or new editions of fairy tales. While often very nicely illustrated, they were soon out of date with post-war Belgium, and were often criticized in
262:
and other popular magazines in 1943. On 6 May 1942 a fire destroyed most of the printing. Due to a high insurance, this fire together with the success of the magazines led to a serious reduction of the debts of the abbey. The larger abbey fire of 29 December 1942 did not touch the printing factory,
165:
were bought in 1897 and 1898, and electric power was installed in 1903. At the time, about 80 people, mainly men, worked in the factory, then called "Drukkerij van
Averbode" or "Drukkerij van de abdij van Averbode" ("Printing of Averbode" or "Printing of the Abbey of Averbode"). It was at the time
337:
was felt heavily in
Belgium, and Altiora (the printing) and Goede Pers (the publisher) plunged deep into the red. New investments were delayed until the end of the 1970s, and it took until the mid-1980s before the worst had passed and the finances were once again healthy. Altiora expanded, and
149:
was created as a monthly, which changed to a biweekly magazine in 1887. A French edition followed in 1895. To make this possible, a new press was bought in 1885, and a steam driven press was added in 1890. The circulation of both magazines together increased to nearly 100,000 at the start of
491:
Main magazine for the
Catholic youth, distributed via schools. Originally for all youth from 6 to 14, now aimed at children of 10–12 years old. Circulation reached already 110,000 in 1924, dropped again to 60,000 by 1935, but again reached about 100,000 by 1966, and 135,000 in 1976
826:
In the 1970s, Averbode tries to regain the contact with the elder readers, from 10 to 15 years, with new authors and new layouts. The Top-series, called after the magazine for 12 to 15 year olds, is the biggest success, both commercially and critically. A first success is
178:
After the war, the
Brotherhood had lost much of its momentum, and the Abbey started the "Eucharistische Kruistocht" ("Eucharistic Crusade") in 1920, as a means to get the Christian faith to the youth of Belgium. The printing continued some old publications, especially
137:
From 1877 on, with the creation of the
Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, the abbey made a lot of publications to reach out to all the members of the Brotherhood and for promotion. To reduce the costs, on 14 February 1881 a small printing press was bought in
245:
During the second World War, the printing was much restricted. Most publications of
Averbode first continued, but soon the number of pages and the frequency dropped, due to rationing, even though the popularity of most publications soared. The biggest success was
839:
in 1972. But the real expansion happens mostly in the 1980s. Authors like Gerda Van
Cleemput and René Swartenbroeckx become quite popular in Flanders. Averbode also publishes a lot of translated youth literature, mainly from English language authors like
780:), a series of over thirty books translated from German, mostly about missionaries. These series was quite successful, and was reprinted and expanded to over 40 books, some written especially for Averbode, after World War II.
204:
The 1920s were a period of expansion, with the success of the
Eucharistic Crusade as the motor. New magazines appeared all the time, and the publication of books started to boom as well from 1925 on. The cultural magazine
346:
By 2000, Averbode had published about 146 magazines, some with a circulation of over 100,000, and over 8,000 books, with nearly 2,000 books for adults (mainly religiously inspired), and over 6,000 youth books.
875:
Altiora was one of the first publishers to bring comics in their magazines, and has printed many unpublished comics over the years. However, contrary to other publishers with more purely comic magazines like
920:
In recent years, the company has branched out into multimedia publications, amongst others with CD-Roms with the imprint "Lascaux" (from 1992 on), and their websites KidCity and Explorian (from 2000 on).
294:
Things went rather uneventful until the 1960s, when the market in Belgium changed drastically. While the youth magazines of Averbode flowered and multiplied fared the adult magazines like
330:
in 1973, these youth magazines, mainly distributed through Catholic schools, had a combined circulation of 400,000. The number of employees varied between 200 and 300 in those years.
815:
newspaper reviews. The major successes were simple books for beginning readers. Among the many writers are only a few names with a wider appeal, like the prolific John Flanders and
170:. At the start of World War 1, some 267,000 magazines were published and printed weekly in Averbode.Most of this economic activity came to a halt during the first World War though.
275:
in 1946, although it was further printed in Averbode until 1959. Some other publications did not restart after the war, but the biggest successes all returned. In November 1944,
221:), a weekly story of 32 pages for the youth, debuted in 1930. New presses were also bought for commercial printing, with limited success. Finally, in 1932 the existing magazine
867:
The success continues until well into the 1990s, but by 2000, Averbode refocuses on the magazines and educational publications, and the number of books greatly diminishes.
622:
Magazine for older members of the "Eucharistische Kruistocht". Circulation was over 10,000 until the end of the war, but dropped to below 5,000 afterwards
167:
1215:
816:
954:
233:
rose from 16,000 in 1932 to 60,000 in 1938. From 1937 on, the printing started to make a profit, and continued to do so until 1943, when due to
124:
Altiora Averbode has been known as "Goede Pers", "Altiora", "Altiora Averbode", "N.V. Altiora", "N.V. Averbode", and now "Uitgeverij Averbode".
849:
1220:
836:
832:
686:
Originally called Prutske, as a multilingual magazine. Became the Dutch language Doremi in 1964. Had a circulation of over 100,000 by 1967
1200:
896:
magazine), they had little success with the edition of comic albums, and produced only a limited number of those. The most successful was
1235:
853:
586:
Had a circulation of only 16,000 when Averbode bought it in 1932, but quickly raised to 127,000 by 1943. Sold after the second World War
1132:
652:
Aimed at 8 to 10 years old, its circulation reached 100,000 after only two years, in 1968, further increasing to over 137,000 in 1976
1190:
142:, and started producing flyers and other material. Already in 1882, a second printing press and a paper cutting machine were added.
1185:
717:
Magazine for 12 to 15 years old. Circulation increased from an initial 40,000 to 100,000 in 1981, to drop down again from then on
1240:
1180:
1230:
531:
Magazine for the participants of the "Eucharistische Kruistocht". Circulation was between 2,000 and 3,000 for all of its life
166:
one of the major employers of the town, and was crucial in the coming of the tramway in 1900 and the post office in 1909 to
1195:
966:
355:
Averbode is probably best known for its youth magazines which were distributed via the Catholic schools in Belgium.
958:
768:
While occasionally, books were published from about 1900 on, the first serious effort started in 1921 with the
570:, they had an initial circulation of nearly 50,000. After World War 2, this dropped to between 5,000 and 7,000
201:) soon became very popular as well. To print these magazines, a new four colour press was bought in 1924.
937:
271:
Altiora sold the profitable but due to its too German friendly contents during the War tainted magazine
912:
were more short-lived or limited to a single story. Altiora has published no comics since the 1970s.
408:
to shorter versions over the years. Circulations was around 10,000 from the 1930s to the late 1960s
1225:
811:) by F. X. Weiser, 9 times reprinted between 1934 and 1962. It was originally written in German.
637:
Aimed at 6 to 8 years old, it reached a circulation of over 100,000 by 1964, and 130,000 in 1976
701:
French version of the magazine for children between 3 and 6. Circulation of over 40,000 by 1967
1136:
841:
448:
Circulation ranged from 54,000 in 1920 to less than 20,000 from 1954 on. Changed its name to
162:
154:. Other publications soon followed, with different parish newspapers in 1904, and the weekly
109:
63:
905:
8:
765:
Averbode has two major ranges of books, youth publications and religious publications.
158:
in 1907. The Abbey also printed for other customers, and produced a few books as well.
962:
892:
882:
800:
367:
791:) by Karitas (pseudonym of Hans Happel) in 1931, reprinted 9 times until 1979, and
909:
358:
The magazines had many famous Belgian authors amongst its contributors, including
900:
by Gray, a juvenile series about a boy and his dog. Other series by authors like
548:
334:
803:
in 1934, reprinted 7 times until 1993. The most successful translated book was
145:
By 1885, the Brotherhood has 25,000 members, and in 1886 the members' magazine
113:
34:
1201:
Catholic Documentation Centre: info on the history of the publisher (in Dutch)
1209:
857:
845:
820:
359:
310:
ended four years later. These losses were compensated by the appearance of
234:
151:
887:
606:. Circulation dropped from 6,000 to under 3,000 in its short existence
476:. Circulation reached 56,000 by 1929, but dropped below 20,000 in 1956
26:
185:
108:
publisher of books, comics, and magazines. The company is located in
948:
366:, but the one author most associated with the magazines is probably
116:. It has changed its name a few times since its foundation in 1877.
263:
but strained the resources and manpower of the abbey even further.
78:
105:
90:
901:
783:
Averbode published also a few classic Flemish youth books, with
671:. Circulation rose from an initial 8,000 to over 30,000 by 1968
363:
306:
disappeared in 1964 with a circulation of less than 10,000, and
877:
139:
1175:
74:
1176:
Homepage of the current company Averbode (also in English)
432:. Circulation was only about 2,000 in the 1950s and 1960s
406:
Bode der Aartsbroederschap van O.-L.-Vrouw van het H. Hart
147:
Bode der Aartsbroederschap van O.-L.-Vrouw van het H. Hart
430:
Messager de l'Archiconfrérie du Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur
1191:
Bibliography of Goede Pers at the Dutch National Library
856:. The most popular of the Flemish authors is the young
1186:
Bibliography of Averbode at the Dutch National Library
515:
in 1960. Circulation varied between 20,000 and 50,000
1181:
Bibliography of Altiora at the Dutch National Library
1156:
1116:
1101:
1086:
1071:
1056:
1041:
1026:
1011:
996:
981:
949:
Ghesquière, Rita; Quaghebeur, Patricia, eds. (2002).
1207:
1196:Info on an exposition about the company in 2002
1133:"Website of community of Scherpenheuvel-Zichem"
81:, children's literature, education literature
551:. Circulation was only slightly above 3,000
375:
1216:Comic book publishing companies of Belgium
25:
16:Belgian publisher of books and magazines
951:Averbode, een uitgever apart. 1877-2002
547:Cultural and literary magazine, led by
1208:
732:For 3 to 4 years old, a spin-off from
193:) and its French language counterpart
961:and Uitgeverij Averbode. p. 41.
237:, most activities had to be stopped.
1221:Book publishing companies of Belgium
864:is reprinted 11 times in 15 years.
848:, and German language authors like
13:
1236:Companies based in Flemish Brabant
14:
1252:
1169:
1157:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1117:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1102:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1087:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1072:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1057:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1042:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1027:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1012:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
997:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
982:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
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1241:1877 establishments in Belgium
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772:, and in 1925 with the series
370:, writing as "John Flanders".
1:
1231:Companies established in 1877
915:
819:, and classic Flemish writer
326:(1966). With the addition of
266:
953:. Kadoc Artes 6 (in Dutch).
350:
240:
173:
132:
7:
10:
1257:
809:The Light of the Mountains
391:
127:
959:Universitaire Pers Leuven
870:
797:Ghosts on the Rough Heath
785:De Waanzinnige Kluizenaar
373:Major magazines include:
85:
70:
59:
51:
43:
33:
24:
924:
829:De dinderen van de vrede
760:
183:, but the new magazines
119:
793:Spoken op de Ruwe heide
213:) started in 1927, and
163:rotary printing presses
778:From Faraway Countries
511:. Changed its name to
424:French version of the
60:Headquarters location
862:Duet met valse noten
805:Het Licht der Bergen
428:, originally called
474:Averbode's Weekblad
438:Averbode's Weekblad
304:Averbode's Weekblad
296:Averbode's Weekblad
285:Averbode's Weekblad
181:Averbode's Weekblad
156:Averbode's Weekblad
112:and is part of the
102:Uitgeverij Averbode
21:
906:François Craenhals
667:French version of
602:French version of
568:Vlaamsche Filmkens
566:Originally called
507:French version of
472:French version of
404:Name changed from
252:Vlaamsche Filmkens
215:Vlaamsche Filmkens
91:uitgeverijaverbode
19:
1106:. pp. 65–67.
1091:. pp. 62–65.
1076:. pp. 59–62.
1061:. pp. 55–58.
1046:. pp. 46–52.
1031:. pp. 44–46.
1001:. pp. 42–43.
986:. pp. 41–42.
904:, Renaat Demoen,
817:Leopold Vermeiren
758:
757:
99:
98:
71:Publication types
52:Country of origin
1248:
1163:
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1135:. Archived from
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898:Rikske en Fikske
835:, winner of the
774:Uit Verre Landen
604:Vlaamse Filmpjes
557:Vlaamse Filmpjes
376:
95:
92:
86:Official website
29:
22:
18:
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549:Gerard Walschap
454:MK-Het Weekblad
452:in 1956 and to
353:
344:
335:1973 oil crisis
291:all restarted.
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135:
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122:
89:
17:
12:
11:
5:
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1226:Belgian brands
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1170:External links
1168:
1165:
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1161:. p. 501.
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1121:. p. 483.
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886:magazine) and
872:
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860:, whose debut
789:The Mad Hermit
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219:Flemish Movies
199:Small Belgians
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114:Averbode Abbey
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35:Parent company
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1139:on 2007-01-03
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1016:. p. 84.
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858:Bart Moeyaert
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846:Monica Hughes
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801:John Flanders
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770:Trekkersreeks
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23:
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1152:
1141:. Retrieved
1137:the original
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1118:
1112:
1103:
1097:
1088:
1082:
1073:
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983:
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850:Hans Brunner
842:William Bell
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821:Ernest Claes
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592:Presto Films
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537:Hooger Leven
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473:
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450:Het Weekblad
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360:Ernest Claes
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342:Publications
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194:
190:
184:
180:
177:
160:
155:
146:
144:
136:
123:
101:
100:
837:Staatsprijs
833:Guido Staes
643:Zonnestraal
382:First year
324:Zonnestraal
227:Our Country
211:Higher Life
191:Sun Country
152:World War I
1210:Categories
1143:2006-11-10
916:Multimedia
888:Le Lombard
462:La Semaine
385:Last year
308:La Semaine
300:La Semaine
289:La Semaine
267:After 1945
938:Standaard
854:Jo Pestum
750:Replaced
669:Zonnekind
628:Zonnekind
509:Zonneland
482:Zonneland
351:Magazines
312:Zonnekind
277:Zonneland
256:Zonneland
241:1940–1945
186:Zonneland
174:1919–1940
133:1877–1918
79:magazines
66:, Belgium
955:Averbode
576:Ons Land
513:Tremplin
456:in 1961
414:Messager
388:Remarks
368:Jean Ray
314:(1958),
273:Ons Land
248:Ons Land
231:Ons Land
223:Ons Land
168:Averbode
110:Averbode
64:Averbode
20:Averbode
1159:op. cit
1119:op. cit
1104:op. cit
1089:op. cit
1074:op. cit
1059:op. cit
1044:op. cit
1029:op. cit
1014:op. cit
999:op. cit
984:op. cit
658:Bonjour
320:Prutske
302:worse.
128:History
106:Belgian
55:Belgium
44:Founded
39:Plantyn
965:
893:Tintin
890:(with
883:Spirou
880:(with
878:Dupuis
871:Comics
734:Doremi
723:Dopido
692:Doremi
677:Doremi
379:Title
316:Doremi
925:Notes
910:Berck
799:) by
761:Books
745:1995
727:1991
714:1995
711:1973
696:1963
681:1963
662:1960
647:1966
632:1958
619:1969
616:1937
599:1940
596:1934
583:1944
580:1932
561:1930
544:1938
541:1927
528:1968
525:1925
502:1920
486:1920
469:1968
466:1907
445:1964
442:1907
421:1968
418:1895
401:1972
398:1886
140:Paris
120:Names
104:is a
75:Books
963:ISBN
902:Jijé
852:and
844:and
612:Vlam
426:Bode
394:Bode
364:Jijé
362:and
333:The
298:and
287:and
161:Two
47:1920
908:or
831:by
752:Top
707:Top
328:Top
93:.be
1212::
957::
823:.
754:.
741:ID
283:,
279:,
258:,
254:,
77:,
1146:.
971:.
807:(
795:(
787:(
776:(
225:(
217:(
209:(
197:(
189:(
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