TheSkySearchers

I have found out that the company Willmann-Bell, source of many great astronomy books to include Uranometria and Annals of the Deep Sky series is officially closed. According to someone who spoke with an individual there (possibly owner) circumstances just kind of came together that forced them to call it quits. It was stated that the decision was not because of financial straights, but the owner is in his 80s and decided, based on various circumstances, that it was time to call it quits.

They are trying to find a buyer for the operation, and are hopeful that the products they sold will continue at some point. So I guess we will have to stand by and see what shakes out.

I hope they can find a buyer. I helped my father sell his business back in 2018. He was almost completely incapacitated but I hired an investment back in 2017 to explore strategic options. Through the bidding process a buyer finally emerged and it was sold at a good price (2.5x annual revenues). The deal closed in May 2018 but my father passed away in November of that year. I hope Willman-Bell can find a white knight to help them out.

Sad.
I have purchased many fine astronomy books from them.
I think the last were the latest volumes of the Annals if the Deep Sky.
I wish them well and regret their end.

This is poor news to hear, they carry so many reference manuals as well as astronomy that are hard to find in other places.
I do hope that someone will take over very soon.

Very sad to know this, and hope someone can continue to maintain that business.

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Nelson

I just read on another site that the owner of Will-Bell told someone recently that they are in the process of trying to sell to another publisher and that he has confidence that the deal will go through. So it seems there may well be some light at the end of the tunnel for their product lines should this indeed happen.

Regarding the Annals of the Deep Sky series, it is also my understanding that Volume 8 has been published. So what remains is for them to find someone to move that forward as well as the remainder of the series. Presumably whomever they are in negotiations with to keep the Will-Bell books and software in production. Time will tell of course.

Hi Alan. I have several great astronomy books published by Willman-Bell. This is a surprise to me, as I thought they were quite successful in their publishing business. And, as you said, I hope that they are successful in picking up the current publishing rights for the astronomy publications.