As a secondhand book shop, the thing that really drives our business isn’t selling books—it’s buying them. That’s why we venture out almost every day—to houses, libraries, and storage units throughout New England—searching for good books and the occasional treasure. In today’s episode, we’re taking a behind-the-scenes look at our book buying process, from receiving phone calls and making appointments through appraisals, offers, and, if things go well, packing up the truck. These trips keep fresh books flowing into the shop, but they’re also a little adventure: we get to see new places, meet new people, and hopefully bring back a story or two for the podcast. Join us (and our 87 specifically-sized cardboard boxes) for a journey into book buying on this fully-stocked new #brattlecast.
Brattlecast #234 - A Long Wait
This week we’re talking about one of the shop’s longest book buys—a deal that took over thirty years to seal. In the late ‘70s Ken was called out to a local library, where he made a bid on some really good books. They said that the board of trustees would have to think about it. Decades passed, babies grew up, pant silhouettes changed, and the library called to check in every five or ten years. Ken would find the collection—Gutenberg Bible pages, illuminated manuscripts, Audubon folios, etc.—stored in a slightly worse location almost every time he visited. Ultimately, in the 2010s, when the library was really, really ready to sell, we cut a check for almost a million dollars and rescued the books from a janitor’s closet, next to the cleaning supplies. Ken shares his tips for summoning patience in frustrating situations on this long-overdue new #brattlecast.
Brattlecast #233 - Maps and Time
Before the implementation of standardized time zones in the United States, every town pretty much decided what time it was on their own. This wasn’t that big of a deal when you had to walk everywhere, but it created some major problems as communication and transportation got faster in the 19th century: imagine creating an accurate train schedule when the time of day is slightly different at every stop. In today’s episode, we’re taking a look at some old transportation maps—from coach lines to railroads to air travel—and reflecting on the ways our conception of time has evolved alongside these industries. Join us on a journey through time and space in this punctual new #brattlecast.
Brattlecast #229 - Special Interests
At the shop we encounter a wide range of book collectors—people with specialized and sometimes eccentric fields of interest, from esoteric wellness trends to pre-revolutionary Cuba. But how do these passions develop in the first place? In this episode, Ken draws on his own developing interest in Kenyan history to describe a self-reinforcing cycle: curiosity is sparked, reading follows, knowledge deepens, material accumulates, a collection takes shape—and, before you know it, you’re an East Africa guy. Join us for a look at how collectors are made, on this inquisitive and acquisitive new #brattlecast.
Brattlecast #195 - Railroad Timetables
All Aboard! It’s the episode you’ve been waiting for: vintage railroad timetables. Despite the potentially dry subject matter, it’s a surprisingly scenic ride. Dating back to the early 1900’s, many of these schedules are illustrated with smaller-scale (and more affordable) versions of gorgeous travel posters—advertisements for the destinations themselves, but also for the relatively new concept of train tourism. We’ll look at routes to Lake George, Pikes Peak, the Adirondacks, and many other destinations on this timely #brattlecast.