Usually if you walk into the Brattle with an introductory math textbook you’ll receive a polite ‘no thank you.’ However, it’s a slightly different story when that textbook was published in 1695. In today’s episode, we’re looking at a still-pretty-accurate antique trigonometry book, written in Italian and complete with engraved illustrations and folding diagrams. We’ll talk about what makes technical volumes valuable—aside from sheer age—and why Brattle is less math-phobic than most secondhand book shops (an academia-rich location, strong employees, and Ken’s background in chemistry play a part). Learn how it all adds up on today’s tangential #brattlecast.
Brattlecast #107 - Favorite Books
In this episode, Ken talks about some of his favorite book encounters, from a long career filled with them. There’s Isaac Newton’s own copy of Principia Mathematica, an unsuccessful prospector’s gold rush diary, and a book woven entirely out of silk. It’s nearly impossible to pick a single favorite, but overall, the books that came with a great story have made more of an impression on him than the ones that were simply monetarily valuable.
As things open up again, we’d like to encourage our listeners to visit our shop at 9 West Street in Downtown Boston to see this and thousands of other fascinating items!
Brattlecast #19 - Come Back In 1000 Years
When a priceless library is stolen, or a rare historical document's authenticity is in question, the U.S. government turns to one man. Ken tells stories of some of his most exciting appraisals, from Paul Revere to the Pilgrim Charter, and imparts some of the magic of everyday appraisals at the shop. All that glitters is not gold!
