Friends of Library’s March silent auction prizes

DOWNEY – The Friends of the Downey City Library hold a silent auction fundraiser each month and bids close at 12 p.m. on the last Saturday of the month. This month's auction will close on Saturday, March 30.

In addition to in-person bids, they also accept telephonic bids at (562) 299-6790. Winner need not be present to win. All proceeds pay for library programs and services.

1. The Selected Works of Samuel Beckett, edited by Paul Auster. Few works of contemporary literature are so universally acclaimed for their expression of the human condition as Samuel Beckett’s. This 4-volume boxed set includes the enduring canon of Beckett’s work: novels, dramatic works, stories, novellas, poems, and criticism. Minimum bid: $25

2. Mathematics: An Illustrated History of Numbers, edited by Tom Jackson. Here is the essential guide to mathematics, an authoritative reference book and timeline that explores the work of history's greatest mathematicians. Includes an updated removable fold-out timeline which traces the history of mathematics from the very beginning. Features some of the greatest mathematical enigmas and interesting facts about the world of numbers. Minimum bid: $10

3. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Classics Reimagined series), by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Andrea D’Aquino. Enjoy this classic as you've never seen it before. This modern, illustrative interpretation of this classic tale follows Alice on her fanciful journey down the rabbit hole. The lush, multi-faceted images breathe new life into this classic novel, making it a collectible for readers and art lovers everywhere. Minimum bid: $12

4. The Vietnam War: An Intimate History, by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns. This unique tour de force – filled with rare photographs, illuminating guest essays, and unforgettable firsthand accounts – will reshape your understanding of the Vietnam War, and of war itself. Minimum bid: $14

5. The Living Forest: A Visual Journey Into the Heart of the Woods, by Robert Llewellyn and Joan Maloof. Through lyrical essays and arresting imagery, this books brings to some of nature’s most remarkable feats: the interrelationships that make each forest a living, breathing whole Minimum bid: $10

6. Through the Eyes of the Vikings: An Aerial Vision of Arctic Lands, by Robert B. Haas. Breathtaking photographs and literary musings convincingly demonstrate that though human activities have wrought this primitive landscape more fragile than ever before, the utter fascination that it involves remains intact. Minimum bid: $12

7. Cathedrals of World, by Graziella Leyla Ciagà. A valuable resource for architecture students, travelers, and anyone interested in religious heritage, this book takes an exciting journey through Christianity by way of its most impressive architectural creations, immersing the reader in an evocative panorama of Christianity. Minimum bid: $10

8. The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge: A Desk Reference for the Curious Mind. An indispensable resource, this book offers in-depth explorations of many subjects. A must-have universal reference book! Minimum bid: $15