Stephen Abis (1944-1992)

The only notice of Steve Abis’s death was a note by Alewyn Birch in The Bookseller on 3 January 1992, p 10.

Steve Abis died at home on 5th December, aged 48, after a courageous battle with cancer. His bravery and humour, and that of his wife Janet, will be remembered by their many friends.

Steve was a rare art director, honoured and loved by colleagues, rivals and peers, as well as by those he taught (“my kids”, as he called them).

He joined Granada Publishing in 1971, already well known for his work and teaching at Harrow School of Art, the Royal College of Art and Camberwell School of Art. As a jacket designer he was innovative (and frequently imitated, which amused him): his Papillon cover became a classic. He had the most remarkable ability to capture the essence of a book, whether the biggest bestseller or the smallest hopeful.

It says a great deal for Steve that authors loved him.

At Granada/Grafton meetings, animated participants would contribute their ideas about what the jacket should reflect. Steve would listen courteously, run his hands through his hair and thank them. He would then decide on a solution, and defend it with wry clarity and tenacity.

In the mid-1980s Steve led the field in publishing design development with the introduction into the Grafton art department, and subsequently Collins, of new technology which was the envy of other publishers.

Steve was stylish, eccentric, idiosyncratic: he was one of the funniest men to enrich our lives, and one of the most talented. He was also one of the most modest.