Diamond Publishing
Diamond Publishing
1962
1969
Republishing
The final edition of the original Beatles Book was published in late 1969, but in 1976 O’Mahony began to republish the original issues alongside new content. The revived Beatles Book continued to be published until early 2003, until Diamond was acquired by Metropolis International.
2003
Diamond Publishing Acquired by Metropolis International
In 2003 Metropolis acquired Diamond Publishing.
Titles published by Diamond to this day are Record Collector – The UK’s longest running Music magazine, Record Collector Bookazine Specials (on individual bands or Artists) and the bi-annual collectors bible, the Rare Record Price Guide (book), accompanied with the Rare Record Price Guide Online, a subscription database of 100,000+ collectable UK releases and their values.
2023
To this day
Diamond Publishing is currently based in Ealing, West London, with teams also based in Fleet Street London.
Diamond currently publishes 6 different titles. Fortean Times, Record Collector, Rare Record Price Guide, Viz, Cycling Electric and Cyclist are all the brands under Diamond Publishing, each bringing a wide range of content to their audiences on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis.
The brands occupied by Diamond make up the consumer arm of Metropolis International, while emap operated the B2B brands.
1962
Beat Publications
Formed in the early 1970s, Diamond Publishing was previously known as Beat Publications. In late 1962, Sean O’Mahony the previous owner of Diamond established Beat Monthly (later Beat Instrumental), which started featuring the Beatles as cover stars early in 1963.
1963
The Beatles Book
As the Beatles’ popularity in the UK grew, O’Mahony approached the Beatles manager, Brian Epstein with the suggestion that he produce a monthly magazine devoted to the band. This was The Beatles Book, first published in August 1963, with an initial print run of 40,000, which quickly sold out. At its peak, the magazine went on to sell some 300,000 copies each month.
1970’s
Growth for Diamond
Diamond launched several new magazines in the 1970s, including those devoted to The Bay City Rollers, The Police and Starsky and Hutch, and in 1979 launched Record Collector magazine which continues to be published each month. Over the years Diamond has owned and published Parkers Car Price Guide, Motor Trade Guide, Book and Magazine Collector, Family History Monthly, The Rare Book Guide, The Rare Record Price Guide, A Guide to Collecting Children’s Books and Kindred Spirit Magazine.
2021
Acquisition of Viz
In 2021 Diamond added Viz, the British comic of irreverent mix of foul mouthed, childish cartoons and sharp satire to its portfolio along with Cyclist magazine and website, including Cyclist Track Days, devoted to road and gravel riding covering news, reviews and expert analysis and the wonderful Fortean Times, launched in 1973, FT covers reviews and research on strange phenomena and experiences, curiosities, prodigies and portents.
