George Blagowidow founded the company in 1970, initially as a distribution firm called Optimum Book Marketing. In the following year the publishing side of the business came into being as Hippocrene Books. The name Hippocrene comes from Greek mythology and refers to the sacred fountain of the Muses that was the source of their inspiration. Hippocrene's international focus derives from Mr. Blagowidow's passion for travel and his personal history. Born in Poland of Russian parents, he survived the Nazi occupation and narrowly escaped from communist Europe in 1945. After attending university in Antwerp, Belgium, he came to New York in 1951, where he earned master's and doctorate degrees in business from New York University. Before starting his own publishing company, Mr. Blagowidow held executive positions at Doubleday, Macmillan, and Reader's Digest. Hippocrene's first list, in spring 1972, featured European literary classics in translation, including the Polish novel The Doll. In 1973, it began to distribute foreign language dictionaries for the German company Langenscheidt, thereby entering what would prove to be its strongest category. Currently, Hippocrene publishes in over 112 languages, from Arabic to Zulu. The Hippocrene Beginner's Language Guides are excellent learning tools for both classroom use and self-study, and include 2 audio CDs to enhance the student's pronunciation.
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Welcome to Ursus Books and Prints Established in 1972, Ursus serves clients in New York and throughout the world. We provide a comprehensive selection of art reference books, superb copies of rare books in all fields, and fine antique decorative prints. Our shop is located on the mezzanine of the Carlyle Hotel. Here one will find three departments: Art Books, Rare Books and Prints. Please feel free to visit us whenever you are in New York. Ursus sends books, prints and catalogues to practically every country in the world. We accept payment by Visa, Mastercard and American Express, as well as U.S. dollar checks ( drawn on a U.S. bank ) and bank wire transfers. Ursus Art Books has a selection of reference books covering all periods and all media. We offer both new and out-of-print books, including: catalogues raisonn s, artist monographs, and important museum exhibition catalogues ( U.S. and foreign ). Since we stock both new and out-of-print books, we are able to provide our clientele with the best books on a particular artist or subject. We actively search for books for clients if they are not presently in stock. Should you wish to receive our catalogues of out-of-print books and/or our New Books Bulletin, please let us know. As well, we are happy to provide custom lists to our clients. Please contact us if you have any questions or special requests. The Print Department at Ursus specializes in 16th to 19th Century English and European decorative works on paper. We offer a diverse and important selection of original engravings, lithographs and watercolors in all fields. In addition to our historical material, we exhibit original watercolours by contemporary artists working in the great tradition of European botanical illustration. Ursus provides museum caliber custom framing, conservation and appraisal services.
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