At one of America's oldest bookshops, there are just as many stories to be told outside the pages as in them. Join bookseller Kenneth Gloss and co-host Jordan Rich as they share entertaining conversations and histories surrounding Boston's favorite spot for bibliophiles.
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What’s under the tree this year? Collectible editions of classic holiday literature! From A Christmas Carol to The Grinch that Stole Christmas, we’ll take a look back at the first editions of these beloved tales that have become ubiquitous in popular culture, and have even helped to shape the way that we think about Christmas itself. Plus, a letter from Charles Dickens, written from Boston’s Parker House Hotel on Christmas Eve, in this fun and festive #brattlecast
Ken looks back at some of the most memorable finds from his lifetime in the rare book trade, and the stories behind them. The items that stand out the most aren’t necessarily the ones with the most monetary value, but they are the ones with something interesting to say. For example, we’ll learn Thomas Jefferson’s stance on domestic terrorism, and that a local baseball hall of famer, as a teen, helped J.D. Salinger to build his house.
It’s Ken’s favorite holiday: Thanksgiving! In this episode we’ll talk turkey, specifically the evolution of American turkey cookery from the 1700’s through the 1980’s as viewed through the lens of a progression of recipes from antique and vintage cookbooks. Plus, for dessert, we’ve got vibrant, turn of the century Thanksgiving ephemera, including greeting cards and football programs. And, as always, we are thankful to you, our listeners.
The 2019 edition of the Boston Antiquarian Book Fair is just around the corner (November 15-17). If you’re new to this wonderful event and have questions about what to expect, or if you just want to get into the antiquarian book fair spirit, why not prepare by listening to this classic episode from the Brattlecast vaults? We’ll be at the fair with plenty of amazing books and complimentary M&Ms. We look forward to seeing you there!
In this episode Ken talks about a colleague and friend of the shop who has literally written the book on decorating with books. Thatcher Wine, of Juniper Books, designs curated personal libraries, some in custom dust jackets that can transform a wall of bookshelves into a stunning and dynamic mural. Thatcher has recently published a gorgeous book on his work, For the Love of Books, co-authored with Elizabeth Lane. Visit juniperbooks.com to learn more. Plus, we’ll talk about the history of decorating with books, from Downton Abbey to Caffe Nero.
