Penguin Books founder Sir Allen Lane was honored Wednesday for his contribution to British publishing with an orange plaque at Exeter St. David's railway station, "where he conceived the sixpenny paperback in 1934," the Bookseller reported. The plaque was commissioned by his daughter, Clare Morpurgo, and designed by Penguin Random House "as a twist on English Heritage's blue plaques." Lane died in 1970.
The unveiling was marked by a ceremony at the station to celebrate Lane's life. In attendance were member of his family, including daughters Morpurgo and Christine Teale, managing director of Penguin Press, Stefan McGrath, representatives from Great Western Railway, and local charities and community groups.