After a successful weekend at the Boston Book Fair, Ken joked to a friend of the shop that the fair wasn’t perfect: we didn’t sell all the books that we brought. Which raised the interesting question: what do you do with the books that don’t sell? Join us for a look at the Brattle lifecycle: the journey of a book from inside the shop to the outdoor sale lot, becoming less and less expensive until it arrives… hopefully into the hands of a loving customer! It’s a challenge to bring in fresh books every day without ending up buried in them—you can help by visiting us on West Street and taking a few (dozen?) home with you.
Brattlecast #197 - Handling the Big Ones
Ever wonder how to move 20,000 books? In this episode, we lay out the logistics of our largest book buys, from the initial phone call to the transportation, storage, and sweat-soaked tee shirts. Despite all the hard work, it’s always an exciting treasure hunt—and, as the number of general secondhand book stores dwindles, the Brattle is one of the few shops that’s able to tackle tens of thousands of volumes at a time. Join us for a look behind the scenes in this heavy-duty #brattlecast.
Brattlecast #196 - One Magazine From Yesteryear
Today we’re leafing through the August 1942 issue of Ladies’ Home Journal. Although it’s just one magazine, it contains a wealth of information about women’s lives in World War II-era America: from hot fashion trends to newly available manufacturing jobs. There are beautifully illustrated soap advertisements, fiction by Pearl Buck, and a column in which First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt answers readers’ questions about why she never changes her hairstyle. Some of the content reads as humorously archaic today, while other sections could fit right into this month’s Vogue. Join us for a deep dive into homemaking on the home front in this victorious 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.
Brattlecast #194 - Boston Book Fair 2024
We’re so excited for the 46th annual Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair, a great opportunity to rub elbows with book dealers—and enthusiasts—from all over the world. This year’s fair takes place at the Hynes Convention Center on the weekend of November 8–10. Admission is free on Saturday and Sunday—but we know a guy who can get you free passes for Friday night, too (it’s Ken; reach out to the shop if you’re interested).
The book fair truly has something for everyone, from medieval manuscripts to modern first editions—and it’s fun to hold these rare items in your hands and discuss them with their knowledgeable and enthusiastic dealers. Plus, there’ll be a full lineup of speakers, a city-wide week of auxiliary events, and the Brattle’s famous jars of plain and peanut M&Ms.
For more information visit abaa.org/bostonbookfair; we hope to see you there!