Tom Spurgeon is reporting this morning that Kees Kousemaker, founder of the great Galerie Lambiek comic book store, passed away yesterday in the Netherlands at the age of 68. The staff of Fantagraphics Books would like to extend its sympathy to his family and to the entire Lambiek staff. Lambiek is not only the world's oldest comic book shop, it is arguably the very best, a true treasure trove of great cartooning spanning centuries. I've had the good fortune of visiting several times, and Kees was always gracious and generous, even putting me up in the legendary apartment above the store for several days during a trip in 1997 or so, a space which featured dozens of 'thank yous' to Kees and Lambiek in the form of cartoons drawn by the likes of Chris Ware, Dan Clowes, and many others on one of the walls. I've always felt immensely grateful to have been welcomed, even briefly, into the amazing Lambiek family and even if I never visit again it will always stand out in my memories as a near-magical environment for people who love good cartooning, and I am truly saddened to hear this news this morning. R.I.P., Mr. Kousemaker. Long live Galerie Lambiek.
ABOVE: Photo of Mr. Kousemaker with R. Crumb.