Brattlecast #247 - Declaring Independence

November 10, 2026 Brattleb

In today’s #brattlecast, we step away from the shop to check out 1776: Declaring Independence, on view now through December 19th at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, this exhibition showcases rare printings of the Declaration of Independence—plus handwritten copies by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson—alongside contemporary letters, diaries, and newspaper accounts that help place the Declaration in its historical context.

Even in history-rich Boston, the Massachusetts Historical Society feels like something of a hidden gem, and Declaring Independence offers a fascinating introduction to their collections. Learn more and plan your visit at masshist.org.

Brattlecast #241 - A Typical Week

August 18, 2026 Brattleb

Ken’s a busy guy—we’re lucky he can even make time for this podcast. In today’s episode, he’ll break down one of his typically action-packed weeks, from early morning chores and laborious book buys to photo shoots at the shop and high-end appraisals. We say at the Brattle that Ken only works half-days: from 5 a.m. until 5 p.m. Make some room in your schedule to learn more about the demands and rewards of bookshop proprietorship on this occupying new #brattlecast.

Brattlecast #232 - Almanacs

April 14, 2026 Brattleb

The Farmers’ Almanac will publish its last edition this year, ending a run that began in 1818. So how will we know when to plant our crops going forward? Don’t worry: there’s still the Old Farmers’ Almanac, which is now functionally the Only Farmers’ Almanac. Today we’re talking about the once-crowded landscape of American almanac publishing and flipping through a few examples from the late seventeen and early eighteen hundreds. In addition to covering agriculture, there were popular almanacs on medicine, navigation, abolition, and Christianity—and even satirical almanacs that parodied the genre. Designed to entertain as well as inform, these volumes offer a fascinating look at the everyday lives of average Americans hundreds of years ago, plus a wealth of folksy wisdom that may still apply today. Listen to learn more about a disappearing genre on this bucolic new #brattlecast.

Brattlecast #230 - A Presidential Collection

March 17, 2026 Brattleb

Today we’re talking about a particularly exciting appraisal: a volume of presidential autographs containing original documents signed by every American president from George Washington through Richard Nixon, with accompanying portraits. How do you even put a price on an item like this? Slowly and carefully. Complete collections of presidential signatures have been compiled before, so our evaluation largely comes down to the documents themselves: their condition, whether they were written while the president was in office, and how interesting or historically significant their content may be. Join us for an up-close look at 200 years of American history on this official new #brattlecast.

Brattlecast #222 - The Gift of Books

November 25, 2025 Brattleb

With the holidays on the horizon, we thought it would be a good time to talk about gift giving. A rare or secondhand book can make a great gift—if it’s chosen thoughtfully (otherwise you run the risk of seeming like you’ve wrapped a random volume from your own shelves). Before you start shopping, it helps to get clear on what you’d like to give: think about your budget, the recipient’s interests, and what they might already have in their collection. It’s also good to start early; a little extra time can make all the difference when it comes to tracking down that perfect item—possibly with a little help from your neighborhood bookseller. Of course, every book is a gift, it’s just that some are gifts for a person you love, while others are better suited to give to an acquaintance (or an enemy). Learn how to brighten their spirits and shelves on this generous new #brattlecast.

Brattlecast: A Firsthand Look at Secondhand Books