NEW YORK (AP) – A Maurice Sendak picture story, originally a pamphlet for a 1970 museum fundraiser, will be coming out in book form next year.
Abracadabra! Maurice Sendak’s ‘Ten Little Rabbits’ to publish in book form
Britain’s Royal Mint unveils Star Wars coin design ahead of July 10 release
LLANTRISANT, Wales – On July 4, the Royal Mint unveiled the first coin design in its new Star Wars™ collection globally, as part of a coin reveal event from its visitor attraction, The Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant, South Wales. Experienced coin designer Ffion Gwillim has brought the brainchild of American moviemaker George Lucas to life on UK coins, working in collaboration with the Walt Disney Company. Combining traditional minting techniques with cutting-edge technology, the Royal Mint’s craftspeople have faithfully reproduced the R2-D2 and C-3PO characters in vivid color for the first time on official UK coins.
US guitar maker Fender opens flagship store in Tokyo, banking on regional growth
TOKYO (AP) – Fender, the guitar of choice for some of the world’s biggest stars from Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton, is opening what it calls its “first flagship store” in its 77-year history. The American guitar manufacturer has chosen for its location Tokyo’s Harajuku, a hot spot for Japanese youngsters who love animation, outlandish fashion and, of course, American music. The store was unveiled to reporters June 29 ahead of its official opening on June 30.
‘World’s largest’ private collection of celebrity autographs to be auctioned June 25
STANSTED MOUNTFICHET, UK – What may very well be the world’s largest private collection of autographs is currently offered in an online auction that closes on Sunday, June 25. The Clive Bullimore Autograph Collection includes the signatures of around 60,000 different celebrities, amassed by a former stockbroker over a period of more than 70 years. The massive assemblage representing a who’s who of 20th century pop culture is expected to make in excess of £100,000 ($127,600) in the sale, which is being conducted by the British auction house Sworders.
Take a peek inside Siegfried and Roy’s Las Vegas compound that just sold
The main house of Siegfried and Roy’s Las Vegas compound spans 8,750 square feet and is marked by striking architecture. Photo courtesy of eXp Realty and TopTenRealEstateDeals.com
LAS VEGAS – Magicians Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, known professionally as Siegfried and Roy, met while working on the same cruise ship. They soon turned their mutual love of animals into a dazzling stage show featuring tigers and toured the European club circuit. Invited to perform in Vegas in 1967, they made the city their home for the rest of their lives. The duo headlined at the Mirage from 1990 to 2003. The Mirage show was famous for featuring white lions and tigers, but was closed when one of the tigers mauled Roy during the show. Siegfried succumbed to Covid-19 in 2020, and Roy’s death from cancer followed shortly afterward, prompting the sale of their spectacular Vegas compound.
Calling all Wild Things: Heritage plans epic June 30 Maurice Sendak auction
DALLAS — Maurice Sendak, perhaps the greatest children’s book author and illustrator of our time, has more in common with the Brothers Grimm than most would admit. But Sendak would admit it, being a fan of the Grimms’ grim tales to the point of collecting and illustrating them. Like the Grimms, Sendak was interested in the way the world looks and feels to kids who have to negotiate it, and he knew that stories could tell us some unvarnished and necessary truths about human nature (and nature itself) in a way that could fire their young imaginations while shooting straight about the hopes, fears, dangers and pleasures of growing up. After World War II, as Disney continued to clean up Grimm’s dark universe and kids books played it increasingly safe, Sendak went against the grain, and through his masterpieces such as Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, and Really Rosie gave us expansive, complicated, interesting kids with big interior worlds — stories that did absolutely nothing to flatter the egos of grownups. In the process, Sendak became an American treasure. Sendak’s artwork is some of the most recognizable and beloved of the last century.
Punk rocker Dee Dee Ramone’s iconic stage-worn jacket headed to auction, June 22
BOSTON – Punk rocker Dee Dee Ramone’s (1951-2002) iconic stage-worn leather jacket, a cherished symbol of punk rock history, will be sold at RR Auction on June 22. Worn by the legendary Ramones bassist during his electrifying performances, the jacket stands as a testament to the rebellious spirit that defined the era and the band’s revolutionary sound.
Sports cars of the future, now classic, showcased at Petersen Automotive Museum
LOS ANGELES – The Fast/Forward: Strother MacMinn’s Sports Cars of the Future exhibit is now open at the Petersen Automotive Museum and will remain open through Sunday, February 25, 2024. The exhibition showcases a unique assortment of classic sports cars from the mid-century period, highlighting their innovative designs from the 1950s, as acknowledged by Strother MacMinn in his 1959 book Sports Cars of the Future.
Ludwig Bemelmans’ art finds permanent home at Rhode Island luxury hotel
WATCH HILL, R.I. – Ocean House paid homage to the beloved illustrator and author Ludwig Bemelmans on the 125th anniversary of his April 27, 1898 birthday with the addition of the Bemelmans Gallery and Bemelmans Suite to the luxury beachfront hotel located near Newport, Rhode Island.
1976 Steve Jobs-signed Apple check for $175 could cash out at $25K
BOSTON – RR Auction is offering a pristine Apple Computer Company check signed by Steve Jobs in 1976. The year of the company’s founding marked a turning point in the history of modern technology and this check represents an important moment in the development of Apple. The auction will conclude on Wednesday, May 10, and the check is estimated at $25,000+.