The Harry Ransom Center celebrates its 60th anniversary with an evening of literature, arts, and wonders. The World of Wonders gala will showcase ten of the most spectacular treasures in the Ransom Center’s vast collection, including a costume from Mad Men, Scarlett O’Hara’s green curtain dress hat, Harry Houdini’s iron chains, Edgar Allan Poe’s desk, Gabriel García Márquez’s typewriter, and Robert De Niro’s boxing gloves and Oscar statuette from the movie Raging Bull (1980).

The event will be co-chaired by author and journalist Sally Quinn and writer, director, and producer Matthew Weiner, whose Mad Men collection was recently donated to the Ransom Center. Special guests will include Billy Collins, Michael Ondaatje, Colm Tóibín, Kate O’Toole, and Rodrigo García, as well as other artists, writers, friends, and benefactors.

The event will begin with a cocktail reception and auction at the Ransom Center. Dinner will be served under the glow of the Tower on the University’s Main Mall, accompanied by performances and music. Proceeds from the World of Wonders gala will make it possible for the Ransom Center to acquire new works by important writers and artists and to share these treasures with scholars, students, and the public via our Reading Room, online, and through our exhibitions and other programming.

Tables and sponsorships are now available; a limited number of individual tickets are available online.