Mount & Page
An eighteenth-century London publishing firm noted for religious works, nautical books, maps, and maritime charts.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Mount & Page was an eighteenth-century London publishing firm whose name became particularly associated with nautical charts and maritime publishing. The partnership was established in 1701 by Richard Mount and Thomas Page. Mount had previously worked with his father-in-law, William Fisher, a publisher and bookseller whose business Mount inherited after Fisher's death. The new Mount & Page firm combined that established commercial base with a publishing program that included religious material, nautical books, maps, and charts. The business flourished during the eighteenth century and became an important participant in London's trade in maritime information. Its charts served the practical needs of navigation and commerce, while its nautical books and related publications addressed the expanding market created by Britain's seaborne trade, naval activity, exploration, and overseas commerce. The firm also benefited from government contracts, which helped strengthen its finances and reputation. Its imprint became known beyond Britain as a mark associated with nautical charts. Mount & Page was not simply a short-lived partnership. Successive generations of the Mount and Page families participated in the enterprise, and the families became connected through marriage as well as business. This continuity helped the firm preserve its identity across much of the eighteenth century. One of its notable publications was John Barrow's Navigatio Britannica, issued in 1750 and still being advertised in 1787, demonstrating the long commercial life that some of its nautical titles achieved. The firm's success generated considerable wealth for both families. By the 1760s, Richard Mount's grandson John Mount had accumulated enough wealth to retire from active business life and establish himself at Wasing Place in Berkshire. John Mount's son William, born in 1753, was the last member of the family identified as working in the business. Later generations moved into political life rather than continuing the publishing trade. Among the firm's distant descendants was David Cameron, the British politician and former Member of Parliament, although he was not part of Mount & Page's eighteenth-century management. Mount & Page ultimately disappeared as an operating publishing firm, but its historical importance rests on the combination of family continuity, government-supported publishing activity, and a strong association with nautical cartography. It represents the role played by specialist London publishers in supplying the printed maps, charts, and navigational literature required by Britain's maritime economy.
History
Mount & Page originated in London in 1701 when Richard Mount entered partnership with Thomas Page. The firm developed from Mount's earlier association with his father-in-law, William Fisher, whose publishing and bookselling business Mount inherited after Fisher's death. Under the Mount & Page name, the enterprise built a durable position in the eighteenth-century London publishing trade. The firm's output covered both religious and maritime subjects. Its maritime list included maps, nautical charts, and books intended for navigators and readers interested in seafaring. This specialization became the firm's most recognizable historical legacy: the Mount & Page imprint was known internationally in connection with nautical charts. The company operated during a period when Britain's naval expansion, merchant shipping, overseas commerce, and government surveying created sustained demand for reliable printed navigational information. Government contracts contributed to the firm's prosperity. Alongside contract work, the company maintained a commercial publishing list that included titles with long selling lives. John Barrow's Navigatio Britannica, published in 1750, was one of its notable nautical works and was still advertised in 1787. Continued advertising of the title illustrates the extended market for established navigational publications and the firm's ability to keep important works in circulation. The business remained connected to the Mount and Page families across successive generations. Family members worked in the firm, and the two families also intermarried. This structure allowed the name and business relationships to persist through much of the eighteenth century. The commercial success of the firm made substantial fortunes for both families. By the 1760s, Richard Mount's grandson John Mount had achieved sufficient financial independence to retire from the business and live at Wasing Place in Berkshire. His son William Mount, born in 1753, was the last member of the family known to work in the firm. Later descendants pursued political careers rather than continuing the publishing operation. The business therefore represents an earlier phase of family publishing in which commercial success could provide a route into landed wealth and public life. Mount & Page eventually ceased to operate, and the brand is now historical rather than active. Its significance lies in its contribution to eighteenth-century religious and maritime publishing and in the international recognition of its nautical-chart imprint.
- 1787
Navigatio Britannica remains advertised
[1]Navigatio Britannica was still being advertised, indicating the continuing commercial life of an established Mount & Page nautical publication.
- 1760
John Mount retires from active business
[1]By the 1760s, Richard Mount's grandson John Mount had retired to Berkshire and established Wasing Place, reflecting the wealth generated by the business.
- 1750
Navigatio Britannica published
[1]The firm published John Barrow's Navigatio Britannica, one of its notable nautical titles.
- 1733
Thomas Page's recorded period in the firm ends
[1]Thomas Page is recorded as active through 1733, during the firm's early multigenerational development.
- 1722
Death of Richard Mount
[1]Richard Mount died after helping establish the family publishing concern that continued under the Mount & Page name.
- 1701
Mount & Page partnership established
[1]Richard Mount and Thomas Page formed the publishing partnership in London. Mount brought experience and a business base inherited from his father-in-law, William Fisher.
Products and positioning
A specialist London publisher serving religious and maritime information markets, with a particularly strong historical identity in nautical charts.
Maritime publishing
Nautical charts
Nautical charts were the firm's best-known product category and the principal source of its lasting reputation. Mount & Page's imprint became recognized internationally in connection with maritime charts used to communicate navigational and geographic information. The charts formed part of the printed infrastructure supporting eighteenth-century naval activity, merchant shipping, overseas commerce, and maritime exploration.
Nautical reference book · 1750
Navigatio Britannica
Navigatio Britannica was a nautical publication by John Barrow issued by Mount & Page in 1750. It was important enough to remain in the firm's advertising by 1787, suggesting that it had a sustained market among readers seeking maritime and navigational information. The title exemplifies the firm's role as a publisher of practical nautical literature rather than only a producer of individual maps.
Cartographic publishing
Maps
Maps formed part of Mount & Page's broader cartographic and maritime publishing program. The firm's map production complemented its nautical charts and books by supplying printed representations of places, routes, and geographic knowledge to commercial, governmental, and general readers. Specific individual map series are not identified in the available reference material.
Religious publishing
Religious publications
Mount & Page was a firm of both religious and maritime publishers. Religious works formed part of its general publishing activity alongside its better-known nautical list. The available reference material does not identify particular religious titles, editions, or authors associated with the firm.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/mount-and-page · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled