05/25/2025
A Thoughtful Memorial Day to everyone, especially those who have served and those who know those who have served and sacrificed.
This weekend, I am honored to post the following announcement for anyone who was a fan of Bill Walton:
Bill Walton was, is and will continue to be Legend. In all things he did and attempted. Kevin Mullen and Mullen Books is privileged to have been entrusted by his estate with the placement of his library, select aspects of his vast music collection, the majority of his collection of Dead and Company posters, and some of his ephemeral Grateful Dead collection, which includes books, music and tchotchkes. In two weeks, we will begin offering these items on eBay primarily (username KMGM) in the interest of the widest exposure. If you use eBay, you can bookmark my page so that when new items are added, you will be notified. Items from Bill’s collections will be marked as-such. My own website, www.mullenbooks.com while wildly popular amongst art researchers and bibliophiles, is not yet known for its large assortment of Grateful Dead materials like books, posters, pins and CDs. That will change!
Bill was a collector of Legion proportions. His home was a Temple of all things Grateful Dead, Basketball and Community. All seemed larger than life. To be an acquaintance of Bill was a privilege and a commitment to whatever his singular mind and intellect might conjure at any given moment. Some might humorously refer to it as being his captive. He surrounded himself with kind and positive people who eagerly attended his daily lessons in how to live a joyous, meaningful, kind and purposeful life. The stamp in almost every book from his library bears witness to his boundless enthusiasm: “Bill Walton, Greatest Book Ever.” Close your eyes, and you can easily and convincingly hear him speak this exclamation. Even if he claimed it about the last book he discussed with you: “Oh, this book is even BETTER!” To get a glimpse of Bill’s library is to see into the boundless and exhaustive search of this man for knowledge, understanding, perspective and balance. Topics include Plants and Horticulture (his garden was legendary), Travel (all over the world), Music (a HUGE fan of the Grateful Dead, as well as Bob Dylan and Neil Young), American History, Politics, Philosophy, Sports (of course a huge amount on Basketball and Cycling), Biography of all sorts, Self-Help, Classics. Some books are like new (it was not unusual for Bill to acquire multiple copies of individual titles in order to give them to people he thought might benefit from them), while others are well-worn from exhaustive use. I was told that Bill almost always read at least a few pages before drifting off to sleep. Inspiration move me brightly!
It was Bill’s desire to see these books and these other objects being shared amongst those who shared his myriad interests and passions and love of life. He sought the Light that he believed shone so brightly within others. He absorbed Goodness and dispelled negativity the way one might flick dandruff from their shoulder. To be in his family home, meeting some of his family and spending time with these objects and memories has been an honor and a privilege.
I never met Bill and yet, through his wife Lori, his home and his collections, I have been greatly moved and humbled. I saw him at countless concerts. I never felt it proper to approach him and speak… for what purpose? Personal space is precious and sacred, and I never thought it proper to invade his simply to say I had “met him.” After his passing, he has spoken to me expansively, powerfully and magically through my exposure to just a part of what made him tick. I look forward to sharing these items and his memory with all who feel called.
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