Devon Publishing Group acquired - Paul J. Harder, Lynx Private Equity II L.P. buy art publisher - Brief Article

Art Business News, June, 2002

NOVATO, Calif. -- Devon Publishing Group (DPG), comprised of Winn Devon Art Group, Portal Publications, Canadian Art Prints, Devon Publishing Ltd. of England and Portal Aird of Australia, announced that Paul J. Harder and Lynx Private Equity II, L.P., an affiliate of Carl Marks & Co. Inc., have combined to purchase the business from Applied Graphics Technologies Inc.

"Our new partners, Paul Harder and Lynx, share our view that DPG is poised to grow rapidly," said Gary Mariani, president and c.e.o. for DPG and Portal Publications. "They are committed to supplying their talents and resources as support. DPG has a long and positive tradition. Now we are embarking on a new journey as a stand alone, private company that is well financed and blessed with great people."

Mariani will continue in his role of c.e.o. of DPG and Portal, and Hal Krieger will continue as c.e.o. of the Fine Art Group, which is comprised of Winn Devon, Canadian Art Prints and Devon Publishing Ltd. DPG will continue to publish, market and sell its products, which include fine art limited- and open-edition prints and posters, matted prints, framed prints, calendars, greeting cards and stationery.