Our Story

Emma and James Emmerson, both born in 1973, founded Nineteen Seventy Three in 2003 at their kitchen table. Guided by a shared love of design and typography, the brand has grown steadily ever since, built on originality, quality and a genuine passion for print.

Based by the seaside in Brighton, the company has developed organically over the years, staying at the forefront of design-led stationery through the use of thoughtful print techniques and carefully chosen materials.

With over twenty years' design experience, James brings an enduring enthusiasm for print, typography and stationery. When he’s not designing, he’s experimenting with new ways to produce environmentally responsible, fully recyclable high-end stationery pieces from the 1973 workshop, as well as forging relationships with new partners to grow the business.

Emma is the creative force behind Nineteen Seventy Three, designing new collections and seeking out inspiration through visual platforms, exhibitions, travel, and fashion and lifestyle culture. Her instinct for spotting emerging talent keeps the company ahead of the curve in an often-crowded marketplace. She takes a hands-on approach too—letterpress printing on vintage Heidelbergs, stitching bindings, or mixing colour palettes for upcoming designs.

Over the years, Emma and James have created a wide range of eye-catching collections, including Paper Nature, I Love Being Recycled, The Good Life, The Letterpress Collection, Grafika, The Animals, WOW, Just My Type, Emma Cooter Draws, Blank Canvas and many more.

Alongside their own brand, they also print, manufacture and distribute work from an inspiring roster of artists and studios from around the world, including Egg Press, Rifle Paper Co, Carolyn Suzuki, Sukie, Jordan Sondler, Cut & Make, Bureau Alice and Anthony Burrill, with more joining all the time. These collaborations have helped establish a strong market presence and a diverse, design-led portfolio.

In 2025, the company expanded further with the launch of We Love Paper—a dedicated retail brand bringing together the very best of 1973’s own collections and the global designers they champion. Curated, creative and rooted in the playful spirit of the original company, We Love Paper offers customers a fresh way to discover beautifully made cards, stationery and paper goods, all crafted with the same care and originality that have defined 1973 from the beginning.