reclam

Reclam is the common shorthand for Verlag Philipp Reclam jun., a German publishing house founded in 1828 by Philipp Reclam junior. For much of its history it was based in Stuttgart, after an earlier start in Tübingen, and it became renowned for producing affordable editions of literature, philosophy, history, and the humanities. The publisher gained wide influence through the Universal-Bibliothek series, a pocket-sized line of classics and essential works known for its price, compact format, and distinctive yellow covers. This series helped make reading accessible to a broad audience and contributed to the use of canonical texts in schools and libraries.

Reclam's catalog includes translations and scholarly editions as well as educational texts, often pairing canonical works with concise introductions, notes, and scholarly apparatus. The imprint has played a key role in shaping German reading culture by promoting canonical literature and critical thought, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Today, Reclam operates as an independent publisher with international reach, continuing to publish a mix of classical literature, philosophy, history, and reference works. In addition to the traditional Universal-Bibliothek editions, the company has expanded into digital formats and modern editions while maintaining the budget-friendly philosophy that has defined its long history.