Brattlecast #64 - Fortune Magazine

First published in 1930, Fortune was a lavishly illustrated luxury magazine that thrived throughout the Great Depression, despite costing an exorbitant $1 per issue. In this episode we’ll flip through a few beautifully preserved issues, taking in cover art by Diego Rivera, fashion articles advising dowagers to avoid being outshone by their own diamonds, and advertisements touting the health benefits of smoking cigarettes. Plus, the story of a railroad heir whose fear of communism helped Ken’s father get The Brattle Book Shop on its feet.

Brattlecast #63 - Why do Lectures? Or, Gilt by Association

Libraries! Museums! Children’s birthday parties (just kidding)! Ken is out on the road twice a month: giving lectures, sharing his love of rare books, doing appraisals for audience members, and participating in some truly hair-raising Q&A sessions. Find out when he’ll be in your town here: http://www.brattlebookshop.com/events. Real fans can bring their Brattle Book Shop tote bags for Ken to sign, and then ask him to appraise the autographed tote bag (nice, but not particularly valuable).

Brattlecast #62 - We Wish You a Merry Podcast

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

Brattlecast #61 - Finds of a Lifetime

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.

Brattlecast #60 - Thanksgiving!

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.