Jason Epstein

Jason Epstein; editor, publisher, and important longtime colleague of Edward Gorey, has died at age 93. Mr. Epstein began his career in publishing in 1950 at Doubleday and Company and in the early 50's created the Anchor imprint which printed classic literature in an affordable paperback format. 

Edward Gorey was hired by Doubleday around 1953 and worked on the Anchor paperback series through most of the 1950's, gaining experience and renown for his cover designs and typography. It was Mr. Gorey's artistic eye that gave the Anchor paperbacks their distinctive look. 

When Jason Epstein left Doubleday in 1958 to work for Random House, he offered Edward Gorey a chance to become the art director and one of the publishers of newly formed imprint The Looking Glass Library. When the LGL imprint was closed in 1962, Mr. Gorey decided to work as a freelance illustrator. Mr. Epstein would continue to hire Mr. Gorey through the years.

Photo by Barton Silverman, The New York Times