Hong Kong Investor Group buys Rowland Ward, the 140-year old publisher of Rowland Ward’s Records of Big Game.



We are pleased to announce that the intellectual property rights and trademarks to the Rowland Ward name and its Records of Big Game have been sold to a Hong Kong based investor group.

Rowland Ward Ltd. was founded in 1870 by James Rowland Ward in London and has been in continuous operation ever since. Rowland Ward is perhaps best known as the publisher of the most exclusive record book in the world, Rowland Ward’s Records of Big Game. With its twenty-ninth edition to be released this month, it is the oldest record-keeping organization in the world. Rowland Ward’s Records of Big Game maintains its exclusivity and highly regarded reputation through its support of conservation and fair-chase hunting by maintaining minimums and setting certain standards for its entries. Besides its publishing program, Rowland Ward has an extensive line of clothing, maps and DVDs.

Under an agreement with the investors, we will continue to use the Rowland Ward name to sell Rowland Ward products as before via the Johannesburg retail establishment, its brochures and the e-commerce website.

There was considerable interest in acquiring the Rowland Ward property and we are delighted to see such a quality name continue for future generations of sportsmen and sportswomen. All the products we have been able to offer our clients in the past will continue to be available from our Johannesburg operation.

Safari Press of Huntington Beach, California, will continue to distribute the Rowland Ward book titles in North America under a longstanding agreement between the companies. In addition, Safari Press has agreed to act as the exclusive agent for the investor group for future Rowland Ward ventures, licensing agreements and partnerships.


Jane Halse

Managing Director

I wonder if Robin Halse is not spinning at the news.