Rare Items on the Block at Children’s Art Auction at BEA
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The annual Children’s Art Auction at BookExpo America will provide added excitement this year when live bidding opens on several rare items, including the dummy used in the production of Rosemary Wells’ new Max and Ruby book, a tricycle decorated to promote Michael Buckley’s Kel Gilligan’s Daredevil Stunt Show (Abrams), a handmade baby dress by Ann Martin, and a three-foot high, three-dimensional representation of Greg Heffley, the Wimpy Kid. Walter Dean Myers, the honorary event chair, will share auctioneer duties with his son, Christopher, the illustrator of many of his father’s books.
Proceeds from the auction will support the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) and its defense of the free speech rights of young authors. “Everyone will get bidding paddles, and we expect it to be a lot of laughs,” said ABFFE President Chris Finan.
ABFFE has posted a preview of the art that will be sold during the auction. More than 70 pieces are online already, and new pieces will be added as they are received.
The auction will be held on Wednesday, June 6, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in a light and airy space at the end of the Javits Convention Center’s South Concourse (Level 2). The event is not only an opportunity to buy wonderful art but also a chance to socialize with friends from around the country. Light refreshments, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks will be served.
Tickets for the auction and reception are $95 ($75 for bookseller members of the ABC Children’s Group) and can be purchased here. Tickets are limited and may sell out prior to BookExpo. If not, they can be purchased at the event or during a preview of auction artwork in the South Concourse on June 6. Tickets purchased onsite will be $105 ($85 for ABC booksellers). A ticket to the auction is included in ABC Children’s Institute registration, which is open exclusively to ABA member booksellers.