The publishing firm Hollis and Carter was established in 1943, as a subsidiary of the Catholic publisher Burns and Oates, which at that time was owned by Eyre and Spottiswoode. Founded by Douglas Jerrold, director and managing editor of Eyre and Spottiswoode, and Christopher Hollis, the firm published contemporary Catholic material and children's literature.
In 1949 Hollis and Carter, together with Burns and Oates, were sold to Thomas Ferrier Burns. From that time, the company developed a general non-fiction list, with an emphasis on nautical books. Hollis and Carter was purchased by Ausbacher and Max Reinhardt in 1962.
