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: Rare book highlights
Celebrating the Centenary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s Birth.
Saturday July 20th marks the centenary of the birth of Sir Edmund Hillary, the first climber to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Born in Auckland, New Zealand on July 20th 1919, Edmund Percival Hillary made his first climb at the age of twenty, reaching the summit of Mount Olliver in the Canterbury Region ofContinue reading “Celebrating the Centenary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s Birth.”
Rare Book Highlights: Vesalius’ On the Fabric of the Human Body.
First published by Joannis Oporini in 1543, Sixteenth century Flemish anatomist and physician Andreas Vesalius’ On the Fabric of the Human Body remains the most important and influential book in the study of human anatomy and “one of the most beautiful scientific books ever printed”(Grolier). Vesalius studied medicine at the University of Paris and receivedContinue reading “Rare Book Highlights: Vesalius’ On the Fabric of the Human Body.”
Now in Palm Beach: Bases Loaded.
Raptis Rare Books was recently featured in the May 2019 issue of Modern Luxury Palm Beach. View the full issue here and view the rare inscribed first edition of The Babe Ruth Story featured here.
The 50th Anniversary of Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five.
March 2019 marks the 50th Anniversary of the publication of Vonnegut’s most powerful novel, Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children’s Crusade, A Duty-Dance With Death. Published 50 years ago this month, on March 31st 1969, Vonnegut’s science fiction-infused anti-war novel Slaughterhouse-Five became his first bestseller and made the 47-year old writer a celebrity. The story centres onContinue reading “The 50th Anniversary of Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five.”
The Poetic Voice of Leonard Cohen.
Although he is now best known for his award-winning songwriting, Canadian musical artist Leonard Cohen had a successful career as a poet and novelist throughout the 1950s and 60s, before the release of his first album, Songs of Leonard Cohen, in 1967. Cohen published his first poems in 1954 as a student at McGill UniversityContinue reading “The Poetic Voice of Leonard Cohen.”
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 Independence Day and America’s Founding Fathers.
In celebration of Independence Day we are pleased to share a selection of rare books and historic documents related to America’s great Founding Fathers, particularly those instrumental in drafting the United States Declaration of Independence. Adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, The United States Declaration of Independence announced the sovereignty ofContinue reading “Celebrating Independence Day and America’s Founding Fathers.”
Celebrating the Life and Literary Contributions of Tom Wolfe
This week we are celebrating the life and work of American journalist and author Thomas Kennedy Wolfe Jr. who recently passed away on May 14th, 2018 at the age of 88. Tom Wolfe was widely associated with the intensely immersive New Journalism style of news writing that emerged in mid 1960s America; he coined theContinue reading “Celebrating the Life and Literary Contributions of Tom Wolfe”