[R. Dale Flick]

Steamboating colleagues:
Benjamin F. Klein, partner and co-owner of 'Young & Klein, Inc.,' passed away in Cincinnati at age 94, November 11th. Burial Friday, Nov. 17, Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati. He was a W.W. II veteran. Word had circulated locally in book circles that Ben wasn't doing well and his passing was expected. From 1947 to 1985 'Young & Klein' aggressively produced and marketed steamboat and river books in a then emerging niche market. "We worked hard producing those books and I worked like the dickens to market them as I knew they were important. They were at times a gamble as is a lot of the publishing world," he said to me around 1985 when the company was calling it quits. A number of us as kids recall running to the book stores in town to pick up the latest Fred Way publication in the early to mid 1950s.

Among the many such books produced through the years are:
'The Saga of the DELTA QUEEN,' Capt. Fred Way, 1951.
'She Takes The Horns,' Capt. Fred Way, 1953 [Under 'Picture Marine' logo]
'Cap/n Hughes' Steamboat Sketchbook,' Capt. Jesse Huges with forward by Fred way, 1951. [Under 'Picture Marine' logo]

The Ohio River Series included reprintings of:
'The Weatern Pilot, 1847,' Samuel Cummings.
'Lloyd's Steamboat Directory & Disasters on the Western Waters,' 1856
'The Navigator,' Zadok Cramer, 1811.

Next time posters/'lurkers' are in a book store seek and search for the above or other fine books by Ben's company.

You did well, Ben. We won't really say goodby, just see you later and good reading wherever you are.

Respectfully submitted,
R. Dale Flick