To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the publication of one of the most important American novels of the 20th century, To Kill a Mockingbird, Raptis Rare Books is currently holding an exhibition of rare signed first editions, letters and original drawings by Harper Lee. To Kill a Mockingbird was first published by J.B. Lippincott CompanyContinue reading “To Kill A Mockingbird: the Great American Novel.”
Category Archives: Rare book highlights
The Journals and Letters of Queen Victoria.
Alexandrina Victoria served as Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 until her death in 1901. Referred to as the Victorian era, her reign of 63 years and seven months far exceeded that of any of her predecessors and was marked by a great expansion of the British EmpireContinue reading “The Journals and Letters of Queen Victoria.”
Spokesman of a Generation: The Influences and Legacy of Bob Dylan.
Born in Duluth, Minnesota on May 24, 1941, Bob Dylan‘s interest in music and performance began in his high school years and, after moving to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota in 1959, he emerged on the American folk music scene. He soon dropped out of college and moved to New YorkContinue reading “Spokesman of a Generation: The Influences and Legacy of Bob Dylan.”
Remembering Nella Larsen
Although she only published two novels throughout her lifetime, American novelist Nella Larsen earned wide recognition among her contemporaries as one of the important voices of the Harlem Renaissance, as well as an important figure in American modernism. Larsen died on this day, March 30th, in 1964 at the age of 72 and left behindContinue reading “Remembering Nella Larsen”
The 145th Anniversary of Churchill’s Birth.
This upcoming Saturday, November 30th marks the 145th anniversary of the birth of one of the most significant figures of the 20th century, Sir Winston S. Churchill. Born in Oxfordshire to a wealthy, aristocratic family, Churchill joined the British Army in 1895 at the age of twenty-one and saw action in British India, the Anglo–Sudan War, and the Second BoerContinue reading “The 145th Anniversary of Churchill’s Birth.”
The 150th Anniversary of Gandhi’s Birth.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019 marks the 150th anniversary of the Father of the Nation of India, Mahatma Gandhi’s birth. A national holiday in India, the day is celebrated worldwide as the International Day of Nonviolence. Born on October 2, 1869, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was trained in law at the Inner Temple, London, and called toContinue reading “The 150th Anniversary of Gandhi’s Birth.”
Ludwig von Mises’ Human Action: A Treatise on Economics.
One of the most influential economic treatises of the twentieth century and Austrian-American economist Ludwig von Mises’ single most important work, Human Action: A Treatise on Economics, first appeared 70 years ago, in September of 1949. Human Action was first published by the Yale University Press in 1949 and later that same year in LondonContinue reading “Ludwig von Mises’ Human Action: A Treatise on Economics.”
The World and Art of Walt Disney.
American entrepreneur, animator, and film producer Walt Disney is arguably the most important figure in the history of animation. A national cultural icon, his innovative spirit and vision revolutionized the genre of animated cartoons, making them a major part of mainstream popular entertainment. Born in Chicago’s Hermosa neighborhood, Disney began his animation career in 1919Continue reading “The World and Art of Walt Disney.”
Celebrating the Enduring Influence and 50th Anniversary of Woodstock.
Billed as “an Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music”, the Woodstock music festival was held August 15-18 1969 and attracted an audience of over 400,000 to Max Yasgur’s 600-acre dairy farm in Bethel, New York. One of the biggest rock festivals of all time and a cultural touchstone for the late 1960s, theContinue reading “Celebrating the Enduring Influence and 50th Anniversary of Woodstock.”
Remembering Toni Morrison.
Prolific American author Toni Morrison published 11 novels, 9 works of non-fiction, 5 children’s novels and received over 30 awards throughout the course of her career including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988, the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded by Barack Obama, in 2012. Born on FebruaryContinue reading “Remembering Toni Morrison.”