Want to own a bittersweet piece of bookselling history?
From January 21 until January 31, you can bid on the giant “BORDERS BOOKS & MUSIC” letters that used to adorn the flagship Borders Bookstore in Ann Arbor, Michigan. All funds raised from the auction will go to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation.
Currently, the letter “B” has earned the most bids on eBay, selling for $152. The letter “K” is still a bargain at $25.
Here’s more about the auction, from the release:
On New Year’s Eve the outdoor signage was removed from Borders flagship store in Ann Arbor, MI, marking a sad, but inevitable milestone in the lives many book lovers. Because of the generosity of Malcolm Properties, LLC, the building owners, the letters spelling BORDERS BOOKS & MUSIC have been donated to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation to use in fundraising efforts. All the money raised will go toward Foundation programs to assist book store employees across the country with emergency financial grants … The 2-foot tall metal and plexi-glass letters are waiting to adorn your bookshelf, wall, cupboard, indoors or out – wherever you want a little fun. Whether you want one of the distinctive “B”s, your initials, a favorite letter, or enough letters to spell out a special word or name be sure to bid early and often!