In this episode we’re talking about a recent appraisal at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Founded in 1791, this institution is the oldest historical society in the United States, a treasure trove of documents, artifacts, and rare books that bring the past to life. Ken got to experience a few of these items: letters from Jane Austin and John Winthrop, plus a speech by Thomas Jefferson. We’ll discuss the difficulties of appraising such rare materials—and encourage you to visit the Historical Society and see their extraordinary collections for yourself—on this invaluable new #brattlecast.
Brattlecast #184 - A Collection of New Books
Today we’re talking about trying something new at the Brattle: brand-new books. We’ve recently purchased a large collection from a relocating publishing house that didn’t want to move its stock. It’s an unusual turn for the shop, which is known for its rare and secondhand volumes, but this group—nicely bound reissues of overlooked classics, collected quotes, and American historical documents—was a good fit for us, so we figured, why not? Placed up front by the registers, they’ve been a big hit with our growing contingent of tourist visitors, teaching us that sometimes change (but not too much change) can be a good thing.
Brattlecast #169 - Ken's Favorite Books (audio fixed)
In today’s episode we’re answering a question from a listener: what are Ken’s favorite books? Some people enjoy novels, but Ken is partial to handwritten historical documents, or a nice illuminated manuscript woven from silk. Then there are the two-for-ones: Spalding’s Baseball Guide, inscribed by Spalding himself to fellow Red Stockings player George Wright, a photo inscribed by Billie Holiday to Louis Armstrong, and a copy of The Great Gatsby inscribed by F. Scott Fitzgerald to T.S. Eliot. Sometimes the best book is the one that elicits the best response—the one that thrills a customer, puts a student in tangible touch with the past, or becomes a cherished family tradition. If you’re in the Boston area, visit the shop to find your favorite—or to hear more about Ken’s.
Brattlecast #169 - Ken's Favorite Books
In today’s episode we’re answering a question from a listener: what are Ken’s favorite books? Some people enjoy novels, but Ken is partial to handwritten historical documents, or a nice illuminated manuscript woven from silk. Then there are the two-for-ones: Spalding’s Baseball Guide, inscribed by Spalding himself to fellow Red Stockings player George Wright, a photo inscribed by Billie Holiday to Louis Armstrong, and a copy of The Great Gatsby inscribed by F. Scott Fitzgerald to T.S. Eliot. Sometimes the best book is the one that elicits the best response—the one that thrills a customer, puts a student in tangible touch with the past, or becomes a cherished family tradition. If you’re in the Boston area, visit the shop to find your favorite—or to hear more about Ken’s.
Brattlecast #161 - Postcard Collections
In this episode, we’re talking about one of our favorite things to see in the shop: vintage postcards. While today they’re mostly used to show off vacation vistas, in the past postcards conveyed holiday greetings, commemorated historical events, and gave ordinary people an inexpensive way to keep in touch. Around the turn of the century, improvements in postal service, printing, and eventually photography set the stage for a golden age of postcards in the United States and Europe. Their popularity waned as telephones became more common, and dropped dramatically due the rise of social media. Affordable, easy to find, and dealing with a broad range of subjects, old postcards can be a fascinating and fun introduction to collecting. Listen to learn more, and don’t be afraid to drop us a line at info@brattlebookshop.com.