The long-established Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft - also known as the "Darmstädter Buchgesellschaft" - is insolvent. On 2 January, Herder took over part of the WBG. This means that at least one part has been saved.

The transaction with Herder includes more than 200 available backlist and frontlist titles, the journals "Archaeology in Germany" and "Antike Welt" as well as the "Publishing Services" division.

The RIGG has only had one book with the WBG: Kult des Volkes. Der Volksgedanke in den liturgischen Reformen und Bewegungen (2022). This book, we were assured, would now be available from Herder. However, it is not yet in the catalogue.