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J. Walch and Sons was an Australian publisher, founded in Hobart, Tasmania, by Major James Walch and several of his sons.

History

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Major James William Henry Walch (died 1852) and family[a] left England for Hobart Town, Van Diemen's Land, (later known as Hobart, Tasmania) by the barque Royal Saxon, arriving in November 1842, and was attached to Her Majesty's 54th Regiment.[1] On 1 January 1846, he and his second son James Henry Brett Walch (died 5 November 1897),[2] took over a bookseller's and stationer's shop established by James Tegg, at the corner of Liverpool and Elizabeth streets.[3] henceforth known as "Walch's corner".

An associated business, Walch Bros and Birchall, was founded to carry on a similar business in Launceston, Tasmania, later becoming A. W. Birchall and Sons Pty Ltd.[1]

In 1859 they published a 64 by 48 inches (1.6 m × 1.2 m) map of Tasmania.[4]

In 1861 they opened a stationery store with bookbinding and account book workshop headed by James Walch in Macquarie Street. In 1862 he began publishing the Tasmanian Almanac,[b] better known as "Walch's Red Book". James was succeeded as editor by George D'Emden (died 1940);[5] retired 1938.[3]

In 1873 they purchased Downing's store in Davey Street for a warehouse[3] and in 1876 removed their Elizabeth Street premises to the rebuilt establishment at the corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool streets, whose second floor housed a pianoforte and artworks display room.[6]

James Walch died in 1897,

The company was restructured some time around 1921, when its public pronouncements were first signed "J. Walch and Sons Pty Ltd".[7]

Competition

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In 1877 Thomas Lloyd Hood (died 1 May 1904), a Walch employee, opened a shop in competition with his ex-employer on a corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool streets, over the way from "Walch's corner", establishing his own landmark, "Hood's Corner".[8] In 1897 he opened new premises at 85 Elizabeth Street.[9] He opened shops in Zeehan and Queenstown.

Family

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Sons of James William Henry Walch and Eliza Walch include:

  • Arthur Walch, died in India while a member of the British Army.[10]
  • James Henry Brett Walch (22 October 1828 – 5 November 1897) married Eliza Watchorn (1830–1858) on 8 January 1852.[11] They had two children; Eliza died shortly after.
  • Major (of 54th Regiment) James William Henry Walch (1855 – 3 August 1936) was a lawyer.[12]
  • Lizzie Emmely Walch (1858–1944) married James Lyne on 15 July 1880
He married again in 1859, to Jane Crosby (1837–1828) in 1859. Their large family included:
  • Arthur Crosby Walch (14 March 1862 – 21 May 1944) of William Crosby and Co.
  • Dr Christine Walch MA MB ChM ( – ), two more daughters
  • Major Dr James Henry Brett Walch ( – ) married Joyce Unst Johnson on 8 September 1925
  • Alice Jane Walch married Carmichael Imlach Lyne in 1885
  • William Crosby Walch (died 11 April 1916)
  • Richard Crosby Walch (1865 – 30 August 1915) worked for J. Walch and Sons; managed the Macquarie St. branch from 1897 to 1915.[3]
  • G. A. Walch worked for J. Walch and Sons[3]
  • C. E. Walch worked for J. Walch and Sons[3]
  • George Crosby Walch (c. 1867 – 6 September 1940) married Marie Hannaford, was farmer at Devonport
  • Percival Crosby Walch (c. 1873 – 13 July 1948) worked for J. Walch and Sons;[13] appointed managing director in 1915.
  • Lieut Col. (of Royal Field Artillery) John Crosby Walch DSO (19 June 1875 – 22 June 1961) married Aileen May Von Stieglitz in 1905
  • Charles Edward Walch (8 May 1830 – 24 March 1915) in 1853 became business partner with brother James. He was editor of Walch's Literary Intelligencer[14]
  • George Walch was surveyor in India, later senior public servant[10]
  • Garnet Walch (1843–1913) was the youngest son of Major Walch.

Notes

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  1. ^ The party consisted of the Major, his wife Eliza, their children Arthur, James, Charles, George, Jane, Eliza, and Catherine, also his sister, the widow Catherine Man.
  2. ^ The Launceston Branch of Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. has produced an Index to Walch's Tasmanian Almanacs.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Walch Family's 100 Years in Tasmania". The Examiner (Tasmania). Vol. CI, no. 229. Tasmania, Australia. 5 December 1942. p. 4. Retrieved 11 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia. other Walch family members mentioned
  2. ^ "Death of Mr James Walch". The Mercury (Hobart). 6 November 1897. p. 3. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "J. Walch and Sons Celebrate Centenary". The Mercury (Hobart). Vol. CLXIII, no. 23, 488. Tasmania, Australia. 18 March 1946. p. 12. Retrieved 11 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Town Talk and Table Chat". The Cornwall Chronicle. Vol. XXIV, no. 2617. Tasmania, Australia. 17 September 1859. p. 4. Retrieved 11 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Mr G. E. D'Emden". The Mercury (Hobart). Vol. CLVIII, no. 22, 722. Tasmania, Australia. 28 September 1943. p. 4. Retrieved 12 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Messrs Walch and Sons' New Establishment". The Mercury (Hobart). Vol. XXIX, no. 4936. Tasmania, Australia. 22 July 1876. p. 2. Retrieved 12 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Advertising". The Mercury (Hobart). Vol. CXV, no. 16, 281. Tasmania, Australia. 14 July 1921. p. 4. Retrieved 12 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "The Late T. L. Hood". The Mercury (Hobart). Vol. LXXXI, no. 10, 650. Tasmania, Australia. 3 May 1904. p. 5. Retrieved 12 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "A New Landmark". Tasmanian News. No. 5206. Tasmania, Australia. 6 November 1897. p. 2. Retrieved 12 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ a b "Death of Mr James Walch". The Mercury (Hobart). Vol. LXX, no. 8, 639. Tasmania, Australia. 6 November 1897. p. 3. Retrieved 12 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "Family Notices". Launceston Examiner. Vol. XI, no. 997. Tasmania, Australia. 10 January 1852. p. 4. Retrieved 11 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Mr. J. W. H. Walch, Hobart". The Advocate (Australia). Tasmania, Australia. 3 August 1936. p. 2. Retrieved 11 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "Obituaries, Funerals". The Examiner (Tasmania). Vol. CVII, no. 106. Tasmania, Australia. 14 July 1948. p. 2. Retrieved 11 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ "Obituary". The Mercury (Hobart). Vol. CII, no. 14, 059. Tasmania, Australia. 26 March 1915. p. 4. Retrieved 11 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.