Leonard Flax

Leonard Flax, owner of Sam Flax and Kate’s Paperie, died on April 7, 2022, at the age of 94, still working until his final days. An industry pioneer, his stores were NYC institutions for almost a century under his leadership. Sam Flax, with its iconic bold red serif logo, served artists and the advertising world with tools and materials. It was known for helping young painters, like Jackson Pollock, who offered to pay for supplies with his paintings. Kate’s Paperie was the first store of its kind, a destination for beautiful papers, stationery and eclectic ephemera from around the world. His inventive store displays and merchandising set the aesthetic for the industry and beyond.

Leonard lived his life like he ran his business, committed to innovation, creativity and exploration. Understated and gracious, with his signature neckerchief and gentlemanly manner, Leonard was most often found at trade shows and antique book fairs, on Fire Island with his family, or at Temple Emanu-El on high holidays, striking up conversation with anyone who crossed his path. Always interested in discovering the unexpected, his favorite section of the paper was the obituaries.

His never-ending curiosity made him an unstoppable force from beginning to end. In his last hours he said, “I guess it’s the end of the week, we have a lot to get done.” Family meant the world to Leonard, and he will be greatly missed by sons Lionel (Jill) and Lowell (Sarah); and grandchildren William, Ottilie and Kate. A service will be held on Sunday, April 24 at 2pm at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 West 76th Street.