Saturday, July 20th marks the 55th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing.   On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle and Armstrong became the first person to step onto the Moon’s surface.   Official NASA photograph of the Apollo 11 Crew; signed by Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin.   The event effectively proved U.S. victory in the Space Race to demonstrate spaceflight superiority, by fulfilling a national goal proposed in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy ..read more

One of the rarest and most significant books in American political history, The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution remains the single most influential text in the ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America. In 1787, Alexander Hamilton decided to launch a measured defense and extensive explanation of the newly proposed Constitution to the people of the state of New York in response to recent public criticism. He asserted in Federalist No. 1 that the series would “endeavor to give a satisfactory answer to all the objections which s ..read more

View our latest video short featuring Adrienne Raptis delving into the history of Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s.   Click the link above to watch the full video.   Breakfast at Tiffany’s first appeared in the November 1958 issue of Esquire Magazine. It was published only months later in book form by Random House as part of a collection of short stories.   Boldly signed by Truman Capote.   Set in Manhattan’s Upper East Side in the Autumn of 1943, Breakfast at Tiffany’s follows the story of Holly Golightly, a free-spirited young woman living in a brownstone apart ..read more

The following article appeared in the Palm Beach Daily News on May 22, 2024. The people who made the West Palm Beach Library Foundation‘s signature fundraiser possible were thanked at a reception hosted by Matthew and Adrienne Raptis.   Adrienne and Matthew Raptis, owners of Raptis Rare Books. Photo by CAPEHART.   The event took place Feb. 7 at Raptis Rare Books on Worth Avenue.   Elaine NiCastro and Melissa Sullivan. Photo by CAPEHART   The champagne-and-charcuterie evening honored Melissa Sullivan, chairwoman and platinum-level benefactor for the 2023 Food for Thought ..read more

The following article appeared in Voyage MIA on May 24, 2023. Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrienne Raptis. She recently shared the story of how she and her husband, Matthew, started their business, Raptis Rare Books, with us below:   Owners of Raptis Rare Books, Adrienne and Matthew Raptis.   Matthew and Adrienne Raptis are the proud proprietors of Raptis Rare Books. Adrienne’s passion for reading was ignited at a young age, as she immersed herself in literary classics like “The Grapes of Wrath” and “A Tale of Two Cities” while still in fifth grade. Meanwhile, Matthew foste ..read more

World-famous psychologist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics Daniel Kahneman will leave an indelible mark on psychology, economics, and beyond. With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to a brilliant mind whose work continues to influence and inspire generations. One cannot delve into the realm of behavioral economics without mentioning the groundbreaking concept of Prospect Theory, which he co-developed with his equally renowned brother, Robert Kahneman. Published in 1979, this seminal work challenged classical economic theory by demonstrating that individuals do not always make ration ..read more

In the annals of literary history, few works have captured the zeitgeist of an era as vividly as Tom Wolfe’s “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.” Published in 1968, this psychedelic odyssey serves not only as a documentation of the vibrant counterculture of the 1960s but also as a testament to the adventurous spirit that swept through America during that tumultuous time.   A First Edition of The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test; signed by Tom Wolfe, Ken Kesey and Phil Lesh.   At the heart of Wolfe’s narrative lies the enigmatic figure of Ken Kesey, a celebrated author who, disillusioned w ..read more

J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” stands as a towering monument in the literary landscape, its influence spanning generations since its publication in 1951. Through the lens of its protagonist, Holden Caulfield, the novel explores themes of alienation, innocence, and the search for authenticity in a world that often feels phony. Yet, beyond its compelling narrative lies a rich tapestry of details, from the colorful symbolism of its dust jacket art to the reclusive persona of its author, J.D. Salinger.   The Catcher in the Rye; Inscribed and dated by J.D Salinger in they year o ..read more

Gabriel García Márquez, often hailed as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, is celebrated for his mastery of magical realism. Born in Colombia in 1927, García Márquez infused his works with a unique blend of reality and fantasy, captivating readers worldwide with his vivid storytelling and rich narrative tapestries. In this blog post, we delve into the life and literary genius of García Márquez, exploring the themes, techniques, and enduring legacy of this literary giant. Gabriel García Márquez was born in the small town of Aracataca, Colombia, on March 6, 1927. Raised by his gran ..read more

In the vast landscape of children’s literature, there exists a realm where imagination knows no bounds, where whimsy dances hand in hand with wisdom, and where the fantastical becomes tangible through the power of words and illustrations. This realm is the enchanting world of Dr. Seuss, a world that continues to captivate and inspire readers of all ages, even as we celebrate the birthday of its masterful creator, Theodor Seuss Geisel, on March 2nd. Born on March 2, 1904, Dr. Seuss—affectionately known as Ted—ushered countless generations into a universe brimming with colorful characters, cleve ..read more