Jay-Z’s must-see Brooklyn Public Library exhibition has proven to be the gift that keeps on giving, even after it’s closed.
An auction of rare memorabilia held in tandem with the closing of the installation has fetched over six figures in support of the nonprofit institution.
The hip-hop mogul’s entertainment company Roc Nation partnered with Christie’s to auction off a set of 14 one-of-kind metal library cards depicting artwork from Jay-Z’s 13 iconic solo albums.
An autographed Pinel et Pinel black leather case filled with the cards, as well as a “Book of HOV” bookmark, was sold for $126,000, though the winning bidder has not been identified.
“From the day the sale opened, the sale was met with unfettered enthusiasm. We saw strong participation with deep bidding from an incredible cross-section of Christie’s clients,” said Elizabeth Seigel, Christie’s Head of Private and Iconic Collection.
The briefcase contains library cards featuring artwork from JAY-Z’s solo studio albums. (Christie’s)
The single-lot auction opened for online bidding on Nov. 29 and closed Tuesday — a day after “The Book of HOV” immersive exhibit wrapped at the Brooklyn Public Library’s 82-year-old Central branch on Jay-Z’s 54th birthday.
All proceeds from the auction will benefit the library system’s offerings, including youth programs, justice initiatives, and its efforts to combat censorship.
“Collaborating with Christie’s for this auction is an honor and I hope that the spirit of ‘The Book of HOV’ serves as an inspiration for others to consistently support vital community institutions,” said Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez.
“The Book of HOV,” which opened in mid-July, served as a 40,000-square-foot, career-spanning retrospective of Jay-Z‘s original recording masters, awards, exclusive photos, media coverage, social activism work and other prized artifacts.
Open to the public with no admission fee, the first-of-its-kind exhibit attracted over 600,000 visitors and led to an increase in foot traffic of more than 70%, according to the Brooklyn Public Library. The Central branch — located at Grand Army Plaza — also saw a 553% surge in new library card registrations, thanks to the limited-edition library cards that came with the membership.
“Every day for the past four months, 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,” Brooklyn Public Library chief Linda Johnson said. “We are grateful for the continued support and generosity of Roc Nation and Jay-Z fans across the world.”