American novelist and social activist James Baldwin was born today, August 2nd, in Harlem in 1924. The literary master’s deeply personal and provocative stories examined both the African American and homosexual experience when neither identity was accepted by American culture. His works would come to galvanize the nation and give a passionate voice toContinue reading “Celebrating the Life and Work of James Baldwin.”
Category Archives: Civil Rights
In The News: Mandela Remembered.
Raptis Rare Books was featured on the front page of the Palm Beach Daily News Shiny Sheet today, July 19th 2018, in commemoration of the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela. View the Silver Gelatin Print signed by Nelson Mandela featured in the article here as well as the many other items signed and inscribedContinue reading “In The News: Mandela Remembered.”
Celebrating the Centenary of Nelson Mandela’s Birth.
Wednesday, July 18th marks the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest moral leaders of the 20th century and the proclaimed “Father of the Nation” of South Africa. The country’s first non-white head of state, Mandela led the political revolution to dismantle the institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination of apartheid South Africa. He came to beContinue reading “Celebrating the Centenary of Nelson Mandela’s Birth.”
Celebrating Black History Month and African American Literary Achievements.
Initially proposed by a group of African American educators at Kent State University in February of 1969, Black History Month was officially recognized by President Gerald Ford as a month of national observance in 1970 during the United States Bicentennial where he urged American citizens to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments ofContinue reading “Celebrating Black History Month and African American Literary Achievements.”
In the News: Worth Avenue bookstore shares lesson on Dr. King with local students.
The following article was originally published in the Palm Beach Daily News Shiny Sheet on Monday, January 15th. Worth Avenue bookstore shares lesson on Dr. King with local students. By Ian Cohen – Special to the Daily News Cindy Metzler pulled the folded sheet of paper from her purse. It was a copy of Martin LutherContinue reading “In the News: Worth Avenue bookstore shares lesson on Dr. King with local students.”
In the News: Rare manuscript by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on display in Palm Beach
From CBS12 News: PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Raptis Rare Book Store is giving visitors a look inside the mind of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as he prepared to deliver a speech to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's staff retreat on Nov. 14, 1966. Matthew Raptis, the owner of RaptisContinue reading “In the News: Rare manuscript by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on display in Palm Beach”
In the News – Martin Luther King Jr. speech notes on display
In the Palm Beach Daily News By Gregory Cox – Daily News Staff Writer The corners may be slightly yellowed and tattered, but the blue handwritten ink on a rare, hand-corrected speech that Martin Luther King Jr. delivered Nov. 14, 1966, stand as bold as the message he delivered that day. The four pages are nowContinue reading “In the News – Martin Luther King Jr. speech notes on display”
In the News – Martin Luther King Jr., in his own words
From the Sun Sentinel, By Johhny Diaz: Before Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his speech to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in South Carolina on Nov. 14, 1966, he scribbled some notes in the margins of a typewritten outline. That annotated outline is on display at Raptis Rare Books in Palm Beach. "It's aContinue reading “In the News – Martin Luther King Jr., in his own words”
Celebrating African Americans in History and Literature
African American history and culture should be recognized and celebrated every day of the year, not just in Black History Month. But during this time, we are excited to celebrate African American history and its figures through new lenses. It is interesting how much literature and authorship has had an enormous impact on the lives of many great African American figures.Continue reading “Celebrating African Americans in History and Literature”