Avon Publications

Little is known about Avon publications. It is not related to the US paperback and comic book publisher that is now an imprint of HarperCollins. The Australian company did not reprint US Avon publications material and appears to have published only comics.

Avon was registered on 19 September 1955 as a distributor of comic publications in NSW under the Obscene and Indecent Publications Act. This was effectively the first period when a publisher could be registered and does not reflect its actual establishment.

The address at 16-20 Bridge Street, Sydney, known as the London Assurance Building, accommodated a range of professionals, including lawyers, liquidators and accountants. In 1956 the existing five to six story stone building (https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-310222671, page 51) was demolished and redeveloped into a 13-story concrete building (https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-145125946), reopening 24 October 1958.

One known publisher at the site for an unknown period was Kenneth Craigie and Co, Australian map publishers, which existed possibly from 1859 and 1986. Rosnock Pty. Ltd. Was listed at 19 Bridge Street, Sydney, around 1949-1950, but there is no known link between the two publishers.