Memories of Times Past is the brainchild of the UK-based publishing project management company Bookcraft Ltd, its managing director John Button and its senior designer Lucy Guenot. Their passion is the way in which printing and publishing developed between 1850 and 1920 to reflect the potential and aspirations of a rapidly changing population, ever more literate and ever more curious about the world.

For several years Bookcraft has been gathering the Times Past archive, a vast collection of illustrated books, atlases, printed souvenirs, postcards, paper money, tickets, cigarette cards, and card and board games. This is the basis for the Times Past books, the first two of which were published by Worth Press in October 2006.

Future plans include more books, cards, calendars and other beautiful stationery items. We shall also shortly be opening an online shop where you can buy Times Past books and products; it will also sell original printed items from a hundred years ago.

We want to share our vision with others who are excited by the enterprise and the optimism of the period, so do join our forum and tell us and like-minded visitors all about your enthusiasm!