Happy Birthday Judy Blume

Judy Blume signing her book In the Unlikely Event

Happy birthday to Judy Blume, the New York Times # 1 best-selling author of Summer Sisters and of young adult classics such as Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Our Collector's Treasure of the Day is an autographed First Edition copy of her newest novel, In the Unlikely Event. Brand new hardcover hand-signed in person by Judy Blume. Provenance Library Foundation of Los Angeles. Includes certificate of authenticity featuring photo of Blume signing.

Happy Birthday William S. Burroughs

William S. Burroughs Autographed Postcard with Handwritten Junky Quote

Today marks the birthday of William S. Burroughs (1914-1997), primary figure of the Beat Generation and a major postmodernist author. Burroughs is best known for his novels Junky, Naked Lunch, and the cut-up works in his Nova Trilogy. Our Collector's Treasure of the Day is this interesting 4 x 6 postcard photo of Burroughs walking in New York, signed in black ballpoint at the bottom by the author, with an AQS on the reverse, “‘Junk is a way of life’ (or can become so when made difficult and experience of occurs.” In fine condition. Includes RRAuction COA. Authenticity guaranteed for life by Collector's Shangri-La.

Happy Birthday T. S. Eliot

Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats Autographed by Edward Gorey

Happy birthday to author T. S. Eliot (1888-1965), best known for such works as The Waste Land (1922), Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats (1939), and Four Quartets (1936-1942). He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948, "for his outstanding, pioneer contribution to present-day poetry." Our Collector's Treasure of the Day is this edition of Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats hand-signed by illustrator Edward Gorey. Eliot’s famous collection of nonsense verse about cats served as the inspiration for the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats. Authenticity guaranteed for life by Collector's Shangri-La.

Happy Birthday J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Book Autographed by J. K. Rowling

Happy birthday to J. K. Rowling, the British novelist best known as the author of the Harry Potter fantasy series. Our Collector's Treasure of the Day is this copy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire which has been hand-signed on the title page by the notoriously reluctant signer. The Harry Potter series has sold more than 400 million copies to become the best-selling book series in history and been the basis for a popular series of films. First Book Club Edition. Provenance Heritage Auctions. Fine condition. Authenticity guaranteed for life by Collector's Shangri-La.

Happy Birthday Tennessee Williams

Tennessee Williams The Glass Menagerie Autographed Display Owned by Studio 54's Steve Rubell

Today marks the birthday of playwright and author Tennessee Williams (1911- 1983), best known for The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The Glass Menagerie is the play which catapulted author Williams from obscurity to fame in 1944. Our Collector's Treasure of the Day is this autographed display of the program from the play featuring actress Pauline Lord in her final role. Custom-made presentation binding includes original paperwork for the Kenneth Rendell Gallery. Framed display size 16.25 x 23 inches. Fine condition. Provenance Estate of Steve Rubell (1943 - 1989), co-owner of the New York disco Studio 54. Authenticity guaranteed for life by Collector's Shangri-La.

Happy Birthday William S. Burroughs

William S. Burroughs Autographed Postcard with Handwritten Junky Quote

Today marks the birthday of William S. Burroughs (1914-1997), primary figure of the Beat Generation and a major postmodernist author. Burroughs is best known for his novels Junky, Naked Lunch, and the cut-up works in his Nova Trilogy. Our Collector's Treasure of the Day is this interesting 4 x 6 postcard photo of Burroughs walking in New York, signed in black ballpoint at the bottom by the author, with an AQS on the reverse, “‘Junk is a way of life’ (or can become so when made difficult and experience of occurs.” In fine condition. Includes RRAuction COA. Authenticity guaranteed for life by Collector's Shangri-La.

Farewell to Rod McKuen

Rod McKuen Hand-Signed Photo

Farewell to the best-selling poet, songwriter, composer, and singer Rod McKuen (1933 - 2015) who passed away yesterday after a lengthy illness. His career began with the 1959 novelty single "The Mummy" and eventually earned him two Oscar nominations and one Pulitzer nomination. His thirty books of poetry have sold millions of copies. This 8 x 10 inch black and white photograph was hand-signed in person by McKuen at the Hollywood Show convention in 2010.  Crisp clear signature on a mint glossy photograph. Authenticity guaranteed for life by Collector's Shangri-La.

Remembering James Baldwin - Collector's Treasure of the Day

Go Tell It On The Mountain Limited Edition Book Signed by James Baldwin

Today marks the birthday of author and social critic James Baldwin (1924-1987). Our Collector's Treasure of the Day is this signed leather-bound limited edition of his first book, the 1953 semi-autobiographical novel Go Tell It on the Mountain. The Modern Library included it on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. Published by The Franklin Library. Fine condition. Authenticity guaranteed for life by Collector's Shangri-La.

Banned Books Week - Collector's Treasure of the Day

Slaughterhouse-Five Deluxe Limited Edition Book Autographed by Kurt Vonnegut

Banned Books Week is the national book community's annual celebration of the freedom to read. Hundreds of libraries and bookstores around the country draw attention to the problem of censorship by mounting displays of challenged books and hosting a variety of events. Our Collector's Treasure of the Day is a signed deluxe limited edition of one of our favorite banned books: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut (1922 - 2007). The literary classic has been banned by the courts in the USA on the grounds that it is “depraved, immoral, psychotic, vulgar, and anti-Christian.” Labeled by some as "obscene", it has also been banned from many literature classes and libraries. This extraordinary leather-bound volume was produced in a limited edition of just 850 copies, is personally signed by the late author, and features special 3-color stamping, a fabric-covered slipcase, full-color illustrations, and a hand-numbered publisher's certificate of authenticity. Authenticity guaranteed for life by Collector's Shangri-La.

Collector's Treasure of the Day: Willy Pogany's Alice in Wonderland

"Shrinking Alice" Original Illustration, Alice in Wonderland (1929)

In 1929, Willy Pogány, the prolific Hungarian-born artist best known for his illustrations of classic myths and legends, lent his talents to a new edition of Lewis Carroll's classic Alice in Wonderland. Pogány modernized Alice with a whimsical "Art Nouveau" flair. This charming illustration from page 23 demonstrates the effects of the bottle marked "Drink Me".

Science Fiction Legend Ray Bradbury Dies at 91

A Chapbook for Burnt-Out Priests, Rabbis, and Ministers Limited Edition Book Signed by Ray Bradbury

Legendary author Ray Bradbury, best known for his classics Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles and Something Wicked This Way Comes, died Tuesday night at the age of 91 after a long illness. Bradbury touched the lives of countless people in a way unlike any other author of the 20th century. On a personal note, my father read to me Bradbury's short stories from R is for Rocket and S is for Space when I was a young child - sparking my lifelong love of science fiction. Bradbury's work spoke to the heart of my wife as well - she literally cried when we talked with him at the Jules Verne Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in 2007. He was there to receive a lifetime achievement award. He will be greatly missed.

Revolutionary Children's Author and Illustrator Maurice Sendak Dies at 83

Dracula Limited Edition Print Signed by Maurice Sendak

Brothers Grimm Limited Edition Print Signed by Maurice Sendak

The creator of "Where the Wild Things Are" died Tuesday at a hospital in Danbury, Connecticut after suffering a stroke last Friday.  Maurice Sendak radically changed the children's literature genre. He also collaborated on numerous operas, films and TV programs. One of the highlights of my experience as a student at Brown University was briefly meeting Mr. Sendak when he came to the school to give a lecture. His outspoken nature was inspirational.