Jerry Besson founded Paria Publishing Co. Ltd. in 1981, and held the position as Chairman in 2023. A dedicated historian, there was little he didn’t know about the history of Trinidad and Tobago. Jerry created Paria’s historical archive with thousands of historical photographs and documents and specialised in museum and exhibition design. Jerry was an independent scholar and author. He died on 25 July 2023 at the age of 81.

First complement of staff

Sue-Anne Gomes, who had joined Creative Advertising fresh out of Holy Name Convent in the early 1980s, was the company’s first principal organiser, production coordinator, often conceptualiser, and art director. Jeffrey Pataysingh was a director at Paria Publishing and a graphic designer. Peter Shim, artist, musician, writer, water colourist and designer, illustrated some of Paria’s publications, as did Stuart Hahn, Lima Cole, and others. Fitz Andrews was a photographic expert and darkroom technician. Vernon Espinoza managed the traffic department and organised productions. Later, Ann Plimmer managed the sales department and oversaw the three retail outlets, one at Piarco International Airport, another at the Cruiseship Complex in Port of Spain, and a third at Chacon Street, also in Port of Spain. Allison Pantin and Elspeth Brierley ran the office.

The downturn in the economy in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1980s affected Creative Advertising adversely. Paria Publishing’s book sales were also down. As the companies struggled to survive, we were devastated by the attempted coup d’etat of 1990. Looters destroyed Paria’s Chacon Street outlet, and the general dislocation forced the closure of both the airport and Cruiseship Complex shops. Creative Advertising was forced to seek a merger with Lonsdale, Saatchi & Saatchi. Paria Publishing was “managed down” with the help and support of good friends like Kelvin Khan of Ishmael M. Khan Booksellers, and eventually was mothballed to await a new beginning.

A new millennium - a new dispensation

In 2000, Paria Publishing Co. Ltd.’s management was taken over by Jerry's second wife Alice Besson with the help of Jonathan Costelloe. Five years later, his youngest son Dominic Besson joined us. A new dispensation was inaugurated that expanded Paria’s services into commercial design and corporate publishing. With the advent of digital printing we were also able to create a production department that assists independent authors to become self-publishers for their books.

In 2023, Jerry Besson died after battling cancer. Paria Publishing continued seamlessly after his passing, supported by a loyal customer base. We look forward to being of service to the public for many years to come—keeping history alive, creating stunning designs for our corporate and institutional customers, and helping self-publishers to get their books into print!