A 35th-anniversary copy of Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” signed by the author and addressed to NBA superstar Michael Jordan in 1995 is going up for sale at auction.
The auction is being held by Moments in Time, which specializes in autographs, signed manuscripts and photos, and letters.
The message to Mr. Jordan is laconic, reading “To Michael Jordan — best wishes, Harper Lee,” as shown in a photo of the front of the book posted in the auction listing.
A letter sent by the outfit putting the book up for sale, Specs Fine Books, is included in the listing; the Aug. 16 missive details the chain of custody of the book.
Mr. Jordan was sent the signed book in 1995 as part of a category of people with whom the late Lee had some connection. While her ties to Mr. Jordan are not disclosed, it was kept by Mr. Jordan and would be displayed in a home library he shared with former wife, Juanita Vanoy.
Ms. Vanoy kept the book when the couple divorced in 2006, along with the rest of the library. In 2021, she sold the book to Specs; the proceeds of that sale went to a Chicago urban literacy program, per the letter.
Moments in Time is not publicly listing the starting price; the book is worth $24,000, according to TMZ.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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