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Birthday Present for the Boss?

The Bruce Springsteen Special Collection at Monmouth University hopes the Boss’s birthday, on September 23, will bring gifts-but not for its namesake. Instead, the curators of the collection are auctioning a rare glimpse into Springsteen’s early career to support its mission to document and archive the unique musical history of the Jersey Shore.

Springsteen’s birthday marks the opening of an online auction, which closes on October 27, of an archival quality photograph capturing an iconic image from Springsteen’s early career. The limited-edition 20×30 photograph, signed by famed photographer Barry Schneier, reveals a young Bruce Springsteen performing in 1974 at the Harvard Square Theater in Boston when journalist Jon Landau penned the now often-quoted line, “I saw rock and roll future and its name is Bruce Springsteen,” one year before Bruce was “Born to Run.”

“On behalf of Gallery591974 , and as an artist, I am honored to donate this limited edition photograph,” Schneier said. “The image captures a watershed moment in Springsteen’s illustrious career, and we hope the gift will help broaden support and awareness of The Bruce Springsteen Special Collection at Monmouth University.”

The limited-edition print is one of only 100 that will vie for ownership across Springsteen’s global fan base. Ninety copies will be sold for $5,000 each, and Monmouth University was selected as one of only five non-profit organizations to leverage the rare print to support fundraising projects.

Schneier’s photograph will be on display at the ” Glory Bound. Photographs. By Barry Schneier ” exhibit at Monmouth University’s Pollak Gallery until September 30. The exhibit also features photographs of several famous musicians in pivotal moments of their careers including Van Morrison, Patti Smith, and Jackson Browne.

The Bruce Springsteen Collection  comprises nearly 17,000 items from 45 countries that range from books and concert memorabilia to articles and promotional materials. The collection serves the research and informational needs of musicians, fans, scholars, authors and others with a serious interest in Bruce Springsteen’s life and career.

For more information on the auction, call Monmouth University’s Office of University Engagement at 732-571-3489.