The market organization of Hungarian publishing and book trade is one of the oldest professional associations in Europe. It is the civil organization with the longest tradition in Hungary which was founded fifty years earlier than the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Its first legal successor, the Body of Pest Booksellers was founded in 1795. The voluntary Association is made up of companies in Hungarian, foreign or joint ownership which represent 92% of the publications and production in the Hungarian book market. Currently MKKE has 140 members.