240:) 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
349:
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.
261:, 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
38:
825:
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 While often very nicely illustrated, they were soon out of date with post-war Belgium, and were often criticized in
273:
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,
176:
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
348:
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
160:
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
502:
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
837:
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
189:
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
148:
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
256:
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
850:
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
791:), 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.
215:
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
357:
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.
886:
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
931:
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).
305:
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
341:
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.
826:
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
181:. 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.
286:
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,
232:), 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
1226:
878:
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.
1231:
1246:
633:
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
1251:
244:
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
135:
Altiora Averbode has been known as "Goede Pers", "Altiora", "Altiora Averbode", "N.V. Altiora", "N.V. Averbode", and now "Uitgeverij Averbode".
1241:
697:
Originally called Prutske, as a multilingual magazine. Became the Dutch language Doremi in 1964. Had a circulation of over 100,000 by 1967
1211:
907:
magazine), they had little success with the edition of comic albums, and produced only a limited number of those. The most successful was
597:
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
1143:
663:
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
1201:
977:
153:, and started producing flyers and other material. Already in 1882, a second printing press and a paper cutting machine were added.
1196:
728:
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
1191:
542:
Magazine for the participants of the "Eucharistische Kruistocht". Circulation was between 2,000 and 3,000 for all of its life
969:
177:
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
1206:
366:
Averbode is probably best known for its youth magazines which were distributed via the Catholic schools in Belgium.
779:
While occasionally, books were published from about 1900 on, the first serious effort started in 1921 with the
581:, they had an initial circulation of nearly 50,000. After World War 2, this dropped to between 5,000 and 7,000
1236:
212:) soon became very popular as well. To print these magazines, a new four colour press was bought in 1924.
948:
852:
282:
Altiora sold the profitable but due to its too German friendly contents during the War tainted magazine
178:
173:
120:
74:
916:
827:
965:
923:
were more short-lived or limited to a single story. Altiora has published no comics since the 1970s.
419:
to shorter versions over the years. Circulations was around 10,000 from the 1930s to the late 1960s
860:
847:
843:
822:) by F. X. Weiser, 9 times reprinted between 1934 and 1962. It was originally written in German.
648:
Aimed at 6 to 8 years old, it reached a circulation of over 100,000 by 1964, and 130,000 in 1976
712:
French version of the magazine for children between 3 and 6. Circulation of over 40,000 by 1967
864:
973:
903:
893:
811:
378:
1147:
459:
Circulation ranged from 54,000 in 1920 to less than 20,000 from 1954 on. Changed its name to
165:. Other publications soon followed, with different parish newspapers in 1904, and the weekly
920:
559:
345:
776:
Averbode has two major ranges of books, youth publications and religious publications.
169:
in 1907. The Abbey also printed for other customers, and produced a few books as well.
124:
45:
1220:
868:
856:
802:) by Karitas (pseudonym of Hans Happel) in 1931, reprinted 9 times until 1979, and
831:
370:
245:
37:
369:
The magazines had many famous Belgian authors amongst its contributors, including
911:
by Gray, a juvenile series about a boy and his dog. Other series by authors like
162:
814:
in 1934, reprinted 7 times until 1993. The most successful translated book was
156:
By 1885, the Brotherhood has 25,000 members, and in 1886 the members' magazine
1212:
Catholic Documentation Centre: info on the history of the publisher (in Dutch)
898:
196:
321:
ended four years later. These losses were compensated by the appearance of
89:
912:
617:. Circulation dropped from 6,000 to under 3,000 in its short existence
487:. Circulation reached 56,000 by 1929, but dropped below 20,000 in 1956
374:
116:
17:
888:
119:
publisher of books, comics, and magazines. The company is located in
377:, but the one author most associated with the magazines is probably
127:. It has changed its name a few times since its foundation in 1877.
274:
but strained the resources and manpower of the abbey even further.
150:
101:
794:
Averbode published also a few classic Flemish youth books, with
682:. Circulation rose from an initial 8,000 to over 30,000 by 1968
317:
disappeared in 1964 with a circulation of less than 10,000, and
85:
1186:
1187:
Homepage of the current company Averbode (also in English)
443:. Circulation was only about 2,000 in the 1950s and 1960s
417:
Bode der Aartsbroederschap van O.-L.-Vrouw van het H. Hart
158:
Bode der Aartsbroederschap van O.-L.-Vrouw van het H. Hart
441:
Messager de l'Archiconfrérie du Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur
1202:
Bibliography of Goede Pers at the Dutch National Library
867:. The most popular of the Flemish authors is the young
1197:
Bibliography of Averbode at the Dutch National Library
526:
in 1960. Circulation varied between 20,000 and 50,000
1192:
Bibliography of Altiora at the Dutch National Library
960:
Ghesquière, Rita; Quaghebeur, Patricia, eds. (2002).
386:
96:
81:
70:
62:
54:
44:
1207:Info on an exposition about the company in 2002
1144:"Website of community of Scherpenheuvel-Zichem"
92:, children's literature, education literature
8:
562:. Circulation was only slightly above 3,000
30:
1227:Comic book publishing companies of Belgium
36:
29:
27:Belgian publisher of books and magazines
962:Averbode, een uitgever apart. 1877-2002
941:
558:Cultural and literary magazine, led by
743:For 3 to 4 years old, a spin-off from
204:) and its French language counterpart
972:and Uitgeverij Averbode. p. 41.
248:, most activities had to be stopped.
7:
1232:Book publishing companies of Belgium
875:is reprinted 11 times in 15 years.
859:, and German language authors like
1247:Companies based in Flemish Brabant
25:
1168:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1128:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1113:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1098:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1083:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1068:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1053:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1038:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1023:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1008:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
993:Ghesquière and Quaghebeur (ed.).
1252:1877 establishments in Belgium
783:, and in 1925 with the series
381:, writing as "John Flanders".
1:
1242:Companies established in 1877
830:, and classic Flemish writer
337:(1966). With the addition of
964:. Kadoc Artes 6 (in Dutch).
1268:
820:The Light of the Mountains
402:
970:Universitaire Pers Leuven
808:Ghosts on the Rough Heath
796:De Waanzinnige Kluizenaar
384:Major magazines include:
35:
840:De dinderen van de vrede
194:, but the new magazines
804:Spoken op de Ruwe heide
224:) started in 1927, and
174:rotary printing presses
789:From Faraway Countries
522:. Changed its name to
435:French version of the
71:Headquarters location
873:Duet met valse noten
816:Het Licht der Bergen
439:, originally called
485:Averbode's Weekblad
449:Averbode's Weekblad
315:Averbode's Weekblad
307:Averbode's Weekblad
296:Averbode's Weekblad
192:Averbode's Weekblad
167:Averbode's Weekblad
123:and is part of the
113:Uitgeverij Averbode
32:
917:François Craenhals
678:French version of
613:French version of
579:Vlaamsche Filmkens
577:Originally called
518:French version of
483:French version of
415:Name changed from
263:Vlaamsche Filmkens
226:Vlaamsche Filmkens
102:uitgeverijaverbode
1117:. pp. 65–67.
1102:. pp. 62–65.
1087:. pp. 59–62.
1072:. pp. 55–58.
1057:. pp. 46–52.
1042:. pp. 44–46.
1012:. pp. 42–43.
997:. pp. 41–42.
915:, Renaat Demoen,
828:Leopold Vermeiren
769:
768:
110:
109:
82:Publication types
63:Country of origin
16:(Redirected from
1259:
1174:
1173:
1165:
1159:
1158:
1156:
1155:
1146:. Archived from
1140:
1134:
1133:
1125:
1119:
1118:
1110:
1104:
1103:
1095:
1089:
1088:
1080:
1074:
1073:
1065:
1059:
1058:
1050:
1044:
1043:
1035:
1029:
1028:
1020:
1014:
1013:
1005:
999:
998:
990:
984:
983:
957:
951:
946:
909:Rikske en Fikske
846:, winner of the
785:Uit Verre Landen
615:Vlaamse Filmpjes
568:Vlaamse Filmpjes
387:
106:
103:
97:Official website
40:
33:
21:
1267:
1266:
1262:
1261:
1260:
1258:
1257:
1256:
1217:
1216:
1183:
1178:
1177:
1167:
1166:
1162:
1153:
1151:
1142:
1141:
1137:
1127:
1126:
1122:
1112:
1111:
1107:
1097:
1096:
1092:
1082:
1081:
1077:
1067:
1066:
1062:
1052:
1051:
1047:
1037:
1036:
1032:
1022:
1021:
1017:
1007:
1006:
1002:
992:
991:
987:
980:
959:
958:
954:
947:
943:
938:
929:
884:
774:
560:Gerard Walschap
465:MK-Het Weekblad
463:in 1956 and to
364:
355:
346:1973 oil crisis
302:all restarted.
280:
254:
187:
146:
141:
133:
100:
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
1265:
1263:
1255:
1254:
1249:
1244:
1239:
1237:Belgian brands
1234:
1229:
1219:
1218:
1215:
1214:
1209:
1204:
1199:
1194:
1189:
1182:
1181:External links
1179:
1176:
1175:
1172:. p. 501.
1160:
1135:
1132:. p. 483.
1120:
1105:
1090:
1075:
1060:
1045:
1030:
1015:
1000:
985:
978:
952:
940:
939:
937:
934:
928:
925:
897:magazine) and
883:
880:
871:, whose debut
800:The Mad Hermit
773:
770:
767:
766:
759:
757:
754:
748:
747:
741:
739:
736:
730:
729:
726:
723:
720:
714:
713:
710:
708:
705:
699:
698:
695:
693:
690:
684:
683:
676:
674:
671:
665:
664:
661:
659:
656:
650:
649:
646:
644:
641:
635:
634:
631:
628:
625:
619:
618:
611:
608:
605:
599:
598:
595:
592:
589:
583:
582:
575:
573:
570:
564:
563:
556:
553:
550:
544:
543:
540:
537:
534:
532:E.K. Berichten
528:
527:
516:
514:
511:
505:
504:
500:
498:
495:
489:
488:
481:
478:
475:
469:
468:
457:
454:
451:
445:
444:
433:
430:
427:
421:
420:
413:
410:
407:
401:
400:
397:
394:
391:
363:
360:
354:
351:
329:(first called
279:
276:
253:
250:
230:Flemish Movies
210:Small Belgians
186:
183:
145:
142:
140:
137:
132:
129:
125:Averbode Abbey
108:
107:
98:
94:
93:
83:
79:
78:
72:
68:
67:
64:
60:
59:
56:
52:
51:
48:
46:Parent company
42:
41:
26:
24:
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1264:
1253:
1250:
1248:
1245:
1243:
1240:
1238:
1235:
1233:
1230:
1228:
1225:
1224:
1222:
1213:
1210:
1208:
1205:
1203:
1200:
1198:
1195:
1193:
1190:
1188:
1185:
1184:
1180:
1171:
1164:
1161:
1150:on 2007-01-03
1149:
1145:
1139:
1136:
1131:
1124:
1121:
1116:
1109:
1106:
1101:
1094:
1091:
1086:
1079:
1076:
1071:
1064:
1061:
1056:
1049:
1046:
1041:
1034:
1031:
1027:. p. 84.
1026:
1019:
1016:
1011:
1004:
1001:
996:
989:
986:
981:
979:90-5867-232-8
975:
971:
967:
963:
956:
953:
950:
945:
942:
935:
933:
926:
924:
922:
918:
914:
910:
906:
905:
900:
896:
895:
890:
881:
879:
876:
874:
870:
869:Bart Moeyaert
866:
862:
858:
857:Monica Hughes
854:
849:
845:
841:
835:
833:
829:
823:
821:
817:
813:
812:John Flanders
809:
805:
801:
797:
792:
790:
786:
782:
781:Trekkersreeks
777:
771:
764:
760:
758:
755:
753:
750:
749:
746:
742:
740:
737:
735:
732:
731:
727:
724:
721:
719:
716:
715:
711:
709:
706:
704:
701:
700:
696:
694:
691:
689:
686:
685:
681:
677:
675:
672:
670:
667:
666:
662:
660:
657:
655:
652:
651:
647:
645:
642:
640:
637:
636:
632:
629:
626:
624:
621:
620:
616:
612:
609:
606:
604:
601:
600:
596:
593:
590:
588:
585:
584:
580:
576:
574:
571:
569:
566:
565:
561:
557:
554:
551:
549:
546:
545:
541:
538:
535:
533:
530:
529:
525:
521:
517:
515:
512:
510:
509:Petits Belges
507:
506:
501:
499:
496:
494:
491:
490:
486:
482:
479:
476:
474:
471:
470:
466:
462:
458:
455:
452:
450:
447:
446:
442:
438:
434:
431:
428:
426:
423:
422:
418:
414:
411:
408:
406:
403:
398:
395:
392:
389:
388:
385:
382:
380:
376:
372:
367:
361:
359:
352:
350:
347:
342:
340:
336:
333:, 1963), and
332:
328:
324:
320:
316:
312:
308:
303:
301:
297:
293:
292:Petits Belges
289:
285:
277:
275:
272:
271:Petits Belges
268:
264:
260:
251:
249:
247:
243:
239:
235:
231:
227:
223:
219:
213:
211:
207:
206:Petits Belges
203:
199:
198:
193:
184:
182:
180:
175:
170:
168:
164:
159:
154:
152:
143:
138:
136:
130:
128:
126:
122:
118:
114:
105:
99:
95:
91:
87:
84:
80:
76:
73:
69:
65:
61:
57:
53:
49:
47:
43:
39:
34:
19:
1169:
1163:
1152:. Retrieved
1148:the original
1138:
1129:
1123:
1114:
1108:
1099:
1093:
1084:
1078:
1069:
1063:
1054:
1048:
1039:
1033:
1024:
1018:
1009:
1003:
994:
988:
961:
955:
944:
930:
908:
902:
892:
885:
877:
872:
861:Hans Brunner
853:William Bell
839:
836:
832:Ernest Claes
824:
819:
815:
807:
803:
799:
795:
793:
788:
784:
780:
778:
775:
762:
751:
744:
733:
717:
702:
687:
679:
668:
653:
638:
622:
614:
603:Presto Films
602:
586:
578:
567:
548:Hooger Leven
547:
531:
523:
519:
508:
492:
484:
472:
464:
461:Het Weekblad
460:
448:
440:
436:
424:
416:
404:
383:
371:Ernest Claes
368:
365:
356:
353:Publications
343:
338:
334:
330:
326:
322:
318:
314:
310:
306:
304:
299:
295:
291:
287:
283:
281:
270:
266:
262:
258:
255:
246:World War II
241:
237:
233:
229:
225:
221:
218:Hooger Leven
217:
214:
209:
205:
201:
195:
191:
188:
171:
166:
157:
155:
147:
134:
112:
111:
848:Staatsprijs
844:Guido Staes
654:Zonnestraal
393:First year
335:Zonnestraal
238:Our Country
222:Higher Life
202:Sun Country
163:World War I
1221:Categories
1154:2006-11-10
927:Multimedia
899:Le Lombard
473:La Semaine
396:Last year
319:La Semaine
311:La Semaine
300:La Semaine
278:After 1945
949:Standaard
865:Jo Pestum
761:Replaced
680:Zonnekind
639:Zonnekind
520:Zonneland
493:Zonneland
362:Magazines
323:Zonnekind
288:Zonneland
267:Zonneland
252:1940–1945
197:Zonneland
185:1919–1940
144:1877–1918
90:magazines
77:, Belgium
966:Averbode
587:Ons Land
524:Tremplin
467:in 1961
425:Messager
399:Remarks
379:Jean Ray
325:(1958),
284:Ons Land
259:Ons Land
242:Ons Land
234:Ons Land
179:Averbode
121:Averbode
75:Averbode
31:Averbode
1170:op. cit
1130:op. cit
1115:op. cit
1100:op. cit
1085:op. cit
1070:op. cit
1055:op. cit
1040:op. cit
1025:op. cit
1010:op. cit
995:op. cit
669:Bonjour
331:Prutske
313:worse.
139:History
117:Belgian
66:Belgium
55:Founded
50:Plantyn
18:Altiora
976:
904:Tintin
901:(with
894:Spirou
891:(with
889:Dupuis
882:Comics
745:Doremi
734:Dopido
703:Doremi
688:Doremi
390:Title
327:Doremi
936:Notes
921:Berck
810:) by
772:Books
756:1995
738:1991
725:1995
722:1973
707:1963
692:1963
673:1960
658:1966
643:1958
630:1969
627:1937
610:1940
607:1934
594:1944
591:1932
572:1930
555:1938
552:1927
539:1968
536:1925
513:1920
497:1920
480:1968
477:1907
456:1964
453:1907
432:1968
429:1895
412:1972
409:1886
151:Paris
131:Names
115:is a
86:Books
974:ISBN
913:Jijé
863:and
855:and
623:Vlam
437:Bode
405:Bode
375:Jijé
373:and
344:The
309:and
298:and
172:Two
58:1920
919:or
842:by
763:Top
718:Top
339:Top
104:.be
1223::
968::
834:.
765:.
752:ID
294:,
290:,
269:,
265:,
88:,
1157:.
982:.
818:(
806:(
798:(
787:(
236:(
228:(
220:(
208:(
200:(
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
