Brazil announced yesterday that it will implement a new program called "Redemption through Reading" at four federal prisons. Inmates will have the opportunity to shave up to 48 days off their sentence each year by reading 12 works of literature, philosophy, science, or classics. Each prisoner will have four weeks to read a book of their choosing and compose an essay that is structurally and grammatically sound. A special panel will select a group of prisoners to participate in the new program. (It's unclear, but I am assuming that the same panel will evaluate the work prisoners submit.) The "Redemption through Reading" program aims to present a constructive solution to Brazilian penitentiary system's issue of overcrowding. Andre Kehdi, a Sao Paulo attorney who directs a book donation program for prisons, is very excited for the program, noting that it allows a person to "leave prison with a more enlightened and with an enlarged vision of the world." "Without doubt they will leave a better person," he said. Reading books will help shorten Brazilian prisoners' sentences Reading offers Brazilian prisoners quicker escape [more Brazilian Prisoners Can Shorten Sentences by Reading Books]
Events
A 1924 first edition of Agatha Christie's Poirot Investigates was recently sold at auction for a whopping £40,630 ($63,195.90) because of its very rare dust jacket, on which the famed Detective Poirot is pictured. The collection of short stories was not Christie's first Poirot book, but it is the first to feature the detective's name in the title and a rare instance of his depiction. The drawing originally appeared in The Sketch, an illustrated British weekly that was the first to publish Christie's stories (and in all ended up published 49 of her tales between 1923 and 1924). The detective looks characteristically dapper in a morning suit with a bow tie, poised with his top hat and white gloves in hand. The dust jacket was slightly chipped but otherwise said to be in "remarkable fresh condition". Chris Albury, a representative from the Dominic Winter auction house, noted the rarity of the dust jacket, particularly because readers of that time period would often remove the jacket and throw it away after purchasing a book. "There might be some others with the Christie family but for collectors this was probably the only chance they would have of owning one," he said. Christiaan Jonkers of Jonkers Rare Books concurred that "it is very uncommon to find this in a dust wrapper" and that he "know of only two others in existence." The book had a pre-sale estimate of £3,000-£5,000, but frenzied bidding by collectors and dealers quickly drove the price up. The previous record for a Ch... [more Rare Agatha Christie Dust Jacket Picturing Poirot Auctioned]
A small exhibit at the University of South Carolina at Columbia is currently displaying Joseph Heller's workstation. Heller's desk, lamp, and the typewriter on which he composed many of his major works are set up in the Ernest F. Hollings Library, providing students and library visitors the unique opportunity to sit at his desk and even type on his well worn Smith-Corona. USC at Columbia has one of, if not the, largest collection of Heller's papers, manuscripts, and other memorabilia. The exhibit will be on display in the Irvine Department Rare Books and Special Collections until December 20. SC library shows 'Catch 22' author's writing tools [more Heller Exhibit at USC Columbia Displays 'Catch 22' Workstation]
'The Emperor Napoleon in his study at the Tuileries', Jacques-Louis David A rare letter written by Napoleon written in English was auctioned off in an intense bidding war in Paris last Sunday, with Paris' Museum of Letters and Manuscripts taking home the letter for €325,000 ($405,000). The selling price was five times what was estimated prior to the auction. It is one of only three (surviving) English-language letters written by Napoleon. The letter was written in 1816, while Napoleon was being held captive by the British on the island Saint Helena following his defeat at Waterloo. It was a homework exercise the deposed emperor sent to his English teacher for correction, and was sealed with an imperial eagle wax stamp. Some may find it surprising that Napoleon was studying the language of his nemesis, England, a land he once dismissed as "a nation of shopkeepers", but Jean Pierre-Osenat, head of the auction house that handled the sale, said that Napoleon "really had a great admiration for England, the rules and history." Osenat went on to say that it's a misconception that Napoleon hated the English; rather, that Napoleon was a staunch military man and the French interests differed from that of the English. Napoleon's English lessons were not purely a tribute, however, ego was involved as well. "Of course, he was always very worried about his image. He wanted to read what was said about him in the English press," Osenat added. The letter is revealing, and shows a different... [more Napoleon Letter Penned in English Sold at Auction]
"So that's the answer to life. If you can find a person to love, who loves life as much as you do, and loves books as much as you do, grab her or him and get married." Ray Bradbury Yesterday we lost a literary lion, Ray Bradbury. More than just an acclaimed American author, Mr. Bradbury was always a good friend to and supporter of libraries and booksellers, and a personal friend of many ABAA members. (He even spoke at one of our California fairs several years ago.) Everyone is familiar with his classic Fahrenheit 451, but the bibliography of Mr. Bradbury's work is quite extensive and well worth delving into. Below are just a few of the tributes to Mr. Bradbury that have been posted in the past 24 hours and some past interviews. I think the NEA video gives a glimpse into what an extraordinary man, and writer, Mr. Bradbury was. Up From the Depths of Pulp and Into the Mainstream The Curious Life of Futurist Author Ray Bradbury Junot DÃaz on Loving Ray Bradbury Neil Gaiman Pays Tribute to Ray Bradbury Ray Bradbury's influence on our culture was transformative, says Barack Obama Fact Checking Ray Bradbury Ray Bradbury, The Art of Fiction No. 203 (a 2012 Interview withe The Paris review) Ray Bradbury in The New Yorker (2 Published pieces Bradbury wrote for the magazine, now unlocked for all readers) 21 Ray Bradbury Quotes: Your Moment of Friday Writing Zen Ray Bradbury on Sci-Fi, God and Robots: The Late Author's Biggest Ideas "Here lies Ray Bradbury, who loved life completely." R... [more Ray Bradbury (1920-2012)]
A reminder to register for the upcoming Booksellers' Seminar in Seattle, which will take place Thursday, June 28 from 9am to 4pm at the Seattle Public Library. The event is sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the ABAA and will feature lectures on reference sources for researching rare books, rare book photography, how to maintain control over your digital assets, and the importance of social media for rare booksellers. There will be a question and answer session for attendees, and the day will end with a small reception. The event is free but space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please click here for more detailed information. To register, please contact Priscilla Anne Lowry at (360) 221-0477 or rarebooks@lowryjames.com. I attended a similar seminar last fall and can assure you that the speakers are fantastic and will impart a wealth of information, so be sure to take advantage and reserve a spot today! [more Reminder: Booksellers' Seminar in Seattle 6/28]
Over the weekend the original cover artwork for Tintin in America (1932) sold at the Paris Artcurial auction for $1.6 million (1.3 million Euros), setting the new record for comic book art. The previous record had been set in 2008 by the sale of the same artwork for $973,000. The record for American comic book art was set last year when a splash page from The Dark Knight Returns (1986) sold for $448,125. Tintin in America is the third volume of the Tintin adventure books by creator Herge, and the aforementioned drawing was done in Indian ink and gouache. Only five covers are known to exist and two of them are owned privately. Tintin Art Sale Sets Record with $1.6 Million [more "Tintin in America" Cover Art Sets New Record]
William Haley, the son of Malcolm X's biographer Alex Haley, is asking Syracuse University to return a letter to his family and plans to make a legal claim if the request is denied. Alex Haley co-authored The Autobiography of Malcolm X, which he based on a series of in-depth interviews with the famed leader (Haley is also the author of Roots: The Saga of an American Family). Mr. Haley died in 1992. Malcolm X penned the letter in question to Haley while in Saudi Arabia after a pilgrimage to Mecca in April of 1964, only ten months before his assassination. In it Malcolm X spoke of his changing views on race relations, prompted by his journey and spending time with Muslims "whose skin was the whitest of white." He wrote, "In fact, what I have seen and experienced on this pilgrimage has forced me to 're arrange' much of my thought patterns, and to toss aside some of my previous conclusions." The letter was forwarded on to Grove Press, the publisher of the autobiography, so that it could be included in the 1965 first printing. Grove subsequently donated the archive related to the book to Syracuse University in 1969. Gregory J. Reed, William Haley's attorney, claims the publisher never had legal title to the letter, rather that Haley only lent it to Grove for inclusion in the autobiography. Reed believes the letter is worth at least $650,000 and plans to make a legal claim if Syracuse is unwilling to return it to the Haley family. The senior director of Special Collections Research... [more Legal Dispute Over Malcolm X Letter]
Ok, I'm putting it out there. I love literature, art, and music, and I am lucky enough to be a part of the fascinating world of rare books, but my guilty pleasure is what many colleagues would categorize as decidedly lowbrowI love the Real Housewives franchise. Imagine my excitement, then, at seeing my cultural worlds collide in the following promotional video for the Great River Shakespeare Festival. (Even if you're not a fan of the Bravo series, you'll likely get a chuckle.) The Real Housewives of Shakespeare Great River Shakespeare Festival [more Watch: The Real Housewives of Shakespeare]
A rare watercolor of the Brontë sisters is scheduled to be auctioned on Thursday by JP Humbert Auctioneers in England. The painting was originally set to be sold last month, but was pulled at the last moment as auctioneers tried to establish a more direct link to the supposed artist, Sir Edwin Landseer. The painting had been previously attributed by the National Portrait Gallery after four years of research by the vendor, but the auction house wanted to make certain that the link between the artist and the Brontë sisters was as solid as it seemed. John Humbert, of JP Humbert Auctioneers, says that experts have now confirmed the painting was done by Sir Edwin Landseer and is strongly believed to be of the famous sisters. "We have spent quite some time trying to establish a link between Landseer and the Brontes and after cross referencing with other known pictures by Landseer, we are confident that we have a strong argument that this picture is as important as we hoped," Humbert said. Mr. Humbert went on to say that thre has been international interest in the item and it is expected to raise between £20,000 and £30,000 ($31,580-$47,370). Brontës watercolour up for auction [more Watercolor of Brontë Sisters to be Auctioned]