Jay-Z donates leather case packed with rare memorabilia to benefit the Brooklyn Public Library … as his The Book of HOV exhibit there is about to wrap up
Jay-Z, through his company Roc Nation, has donated a trunk full of rare memorabilia for auction, with proceeds from the sale benefiting the Brooklyn Public Library.
The case donated by the iconic rapper, 53, is being sold through Christie’s auction house, People reported on Wednesday.
The auction of the case runs from November 29 to December 5.
The case and its items will be on display at Christie’s Rockefeller Center in New York City from December 1 to 5.
The 99 Problems artist, whose real name is Shawn Carter, signed the black leather Pinel et Pinel case that houses the memorabilia, according to the outlet.
Jay-Z, 53, has donated a trunk full of rare memorabilia items through his company Roc Nation, with proceeds from the sale benefiting the Brooklyn Public Library. Pictured last year in Atlanta
The case donated by the rapper will be sold through auction house Christie’s, People reported on Wednesday
The box of memorabilia donated by the Big Pimpin’ artist includes 13 unique metal library cards featuring art from his solo studio albums; a metal bookmark; and a library card commemorating The Book of HOV.
The donation comes as the museum has an exhibit honoring the Empire State Of Mind rapper titled The Book of HOV, which opened on July 14 and was viewed by more than 600,000 people, People reported. It ends on December 4.
The 13 cards in the box are replicas of the cards that people who attended the exhibition received.
The library’s president, Linda Johnson, told People that “thousands of new patrons have visited Central Library to see The Book of HOV and be inspired by Jay-Z’s extraordinary journey from Brooklyn to the world stage” over the past four months .
Said Johnson: “We are grateful for the continued support and generosity of Roc Nation and Jay-Z fans around the world.”
Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez told the outlet in a statement that the exhibit was presented “as a reminder that genius lives in all of us and that there should be no barrier to knowledge and opportunity.”
According to the auction house“The immersive exhibit features a replica of the historic Baseline Studios, thousands of rare artifacts and more” and showcases Jay-Z’s “journey from growing up in the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn to an international icon.”
Christie’s said the library’s central branch saw five times as many people sign up for a library card during the life of the exhibition, with a total of more than 36,000 new members.
The box of memorabilia donated by the Big Pimpin’ artist includes 13 unique metal library cards featuring art from his solo studio albums
The 99 Problems artist, whose real name is Shawn Carter, signed the black leather Pinel et Pinel bag that houses the memorabilia
The auction of the case runs from November 29 to December 5
The donation comes as the museum has an exhibition in honor of the Empire State Of Mind rapper, titled The Book of HOV, which opened on July 14 and was viewed by more than 600,000 people.
The Brooklyn Public Library “provides millions of New Yorkers access to free books, records and media, cultural programming, classes and more,” the auction house said.
Proceeds from the sale will be used to support the library’s operating costs and future programs and displays, Christie’s said.
These include “justice initiatives, support for small businesses and entrepreneurs, teen and children’s programs, bridging the digital divide and efforts to combat censorship.”