Overlook Press has acquired Ardis Press, a specialist in Russian-to-English translations. Peter Mayer, Overlook publisher, said Ardis is "unique," and that he simply couldn't resist buying the house. Mayer bought the 300-title backlist and name from Ellendea Proffer Teasley, the widow of Ardis founder Carl Proffer. Proffer Teasley had been hoping to sell the company for a few years, but Mayer said it took some time to work out the details. The publisher has no staff, having scaled back when Carl Proffer passed away.
Ardis Press was started in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1971, and has developed a reputation as a translator of Russian titles, including many works of fiction in the public domain. Tolstoy and Nabokov both appear on its list. It is unclear whether distribution might be integrated with other Overlook titles at Penguin. Mayer said he paid a "fair price," and that no one should read too deeply into his buy. "This is a very particular opportunity," he said. "I don't think it shows we're on an acquisitive trajectory."
