Graphic Image History

Graphic Image produces leather bound books that have set the modern day standard for quality and design. The company was founded by Bennett Glazer, winner of the National Book Award for the AIGA and veteran of 50 years of American publishing with firms like Simon & Schuster, Harry Abrams and The Franklin Library. 

Throughout the 1980’s, the quality of these products attracted the attention of many brand conscious leaders in the retail trade, anxious to have a presence in the leather bound gift/stationery markets, but without the expertise or a supplier.  Working with these designers own recognizable leathers, Graphic Image began producing unique, private label editions of its books, developing relationships with companies like Polo that go on to this day.
 
The 1990s witnessed an expansion of the product line in many ways. What was originally a diary company now produced photo albums, leather accessories and family record books. A travel journal and atlas series opened the door to new “lifestyle” customers like J Crew and Eddie Bauer. Tom Glazer, now president, continued to look to the past for inspiration on new product directions. Old family diaries, birthday books and travel journals have since been reproduced for today’s customers.

By the end of the decade, a new trend was firmly in place at Graphic Image – one of fashion. Working with the finest tanneries in the world, new leathers were introduced for customers like Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, all of who were now large accounts anxious to buy the line in exclusive, private label leather. The main difference from a decade ago was that Graphic Image was now discovering and developing leathers for its customers, pulling on the relationships developed over the previous 20 years.

Through it all, certain constants in Graphic Image remain the same: warm ivory toned papers, subtle and classic print design and fine bookbinding production. In addition to these essential elements of the product line, a commitment to moderate pricing and uncommon value remain central to the company’s philosophy.

Entering the 21st century, Graphic Image continues to maintain its tradition of beautiful leather bound products. While the high profile, elite retailers of the past remain the cornerstone of our business, new customers continue to challenge the company to reinvent its products. Most notable among these is Martha Stewart, rapidly invading the ranks of our largest accounts with an array of fabric covered albums and journals.

A second new customer is an entire category of merchants that occupy the retail opportunities throughout the national park system. These include both the concessionaires and interpretive centers, drawn to Graphic Image by the high quality leather atlases, albums and journals we are able to supply at affordable prices. This new line may one day contribute significantly to a legacy still known best on 5th Avenue.