This obituary was transcribed from The Bookseller (4 May 1883): 6, by Ed King.
pril 16.- At His residence, Minto Street, Edinburgh, aged 52, Mr. William Philip Nimmo, publisher. The deceased, who was a native of Edinburgh, was at the age of fourteen apprenticed to Messrs. Blackwood and Sons, and on the expiry of the term of six years, came to London, and obtained a situation at Messrs. Simpkin and Marshall’s, where he remained three years. After this he was engaged for twelve months in winding up the insolvent estate of Messrs. Clarke and Beeton. Returning to Edinburgh in December 1855, he commenced a wholesale miscellaneous book business, and obtained several valuable agencies from leading London publishers. Gradually he introduced the publishing business; his first essay being Sam Slick’s works, which he published in connection with the late Mr. David Bryce [a successful publisher of miniature books]. In 1860, he started a branch business in Glasgow, which was carried on for three years, and then discontinued with the agency and wholesale business in Edinburgh. He now confined his attention to publishing; the works produced being chiefly high class non-copyright books, nicely printed and attractively bound. ‘Nimmo’s Poets’ have become famous all over the world. There was also a long series of royal 8vo volumes, and many series of children’s reward books. Personally, Mr. Nimmo was liked by all with whom he came into personal contact; he was of winning, gentlemanly manners, and never said or did an unkind thing. The business will, we understand, be carried on by his trustees under the management of Mr. Hay, who was taken into partnership five or six years ago.
Links to Related Material
- Scottish Publishers and English Literature: Some Smaller Publishers
- Cloth binding for the first version of Roses and Holly (published by Nimmo in 1867)
Bibliography
"Miniature Books in Scotland." National Library of Scotland. Web. 11 March 2024.
Created 10 March 2024