Troubador Press

Troubador Press was an independent publishing company founded in 1956 by Malcolm Whyte and Brayton "Brady" Harris in San Francisco, California. Initially focused on greeting cards, the company expanded into a diverse array of illustrated books, including coloring book, trivia games, and collaborations with major artists and authors.[1]

History

Troubador Press began in 1956 when Whyte and Harris, then U.S. Navy officers stationed in California, saw an opportunity to improve upon the humorous "Slim Jim" cards popular at the time. They started screen-printing cards in their rented room at the Pensioner’s Hotel in San Francisco, drawing inspiration from Shakespearean quotes and mid-century aesthetics.[2]

Following the departure of Harris in 1961, Whyte expanded Troubador’s offerings beyond cards. In 1967, Troubador published its first coloring book, The Fat Cat Coloring & Limerick Book, illustrated by Donna Sloan. The book’s success led to the company’s transition into illustrated publications. By the 1970s, Troubador was publishing an eclectic catalog of books, including collaborations with notable figures such as Edward Gorey, Morrie Turner, Larry Todd, Gompers Saijo, and Greg Irons.[1]

Troubador Press became known for producing high-quality, large-format coloring books featuring intricate artwork, particularly in the coloring book market. Notable titles include The Black & White Coloring Book (1969), Gorey Games (1979), and The Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Coloring Album (1979), the latter created in collaboration with Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax.[1]

In 1981, Whyte sold Troubador Press to Price Stern Sloan (PSS) but continued as Editorial Director, producing books under the Troubador imprint until 1996.[1] The Putnam Publishing Group (now the Penguin Group, and now part of Penguin Random House) bought Price Stern Sloan in 1993,[3] and in 1997 the headquarters were moved to New York. Though Penguin Random House still publishes titles that used to be published by Price Stern Sloan, they no longer use Price Stern Sloan as an imprint.[4]

Notable publications

  • The Fat Cat Coloring & Limerick Book (1967) by Malcom Whyte
  • The Black & White Coloring Book (1969) by Morrie Turner
  • The Occult Coloring Book (1971) by Saijo Gompers
  • Monster Gallery (1973) by Mark Sovee
  • Science Fiction Anthology (1974) by Ken and Mark Savee
  • Tales of Fantasy (1975) by Larry Todd
  • The Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Coloring Album (1979) by Greg Irons
  • Gorey Games (1979) by Edward Gorey and Larry Evans

Legacy

Troubador Press played a pivotal role in the evolution of independent publishing, particularly in the niche markets of comics, fantasy art, and interactive books. The company was acquired by Price Stern Sloan in 1981, but Whyte continued to contribute as Editorial Director until 1996.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Munson, K. A. (2016). "A Collaborative Journey: Malcolm Whyte, Troubador Press, and the Cartoon Art Museum, San Francisco." *International Journal of Comic Art*, 18(2).
  2. ^ "The Story of Troubador Press: An Interview with Malcolm Whyte" (2013). 2 Warps to Neptune. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://2warpstoneptune.com/2013/11/25/the-story-of-troubador-press-an-interview-with-malcolm-whyte/
  3. ^ "Putnam Berkley to buy Price Stern Sloan." United Press International. May 18, 1993. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/05/18/Putnam-Berkley-to-buy-Price-Stern-Sloan/9164737697600/
  4. ^ "Guide to the Malcolm Whyte Papers, 1950-2012." Cornell University Library, Rare and Manuscript Collections. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://rmc.library.cornell.edu/EAD/htmldocs/RMM04411.html
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