In this episode we’re talking about a recent appraisal at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Founded in 1791, this institution is the oldest historical society in the United States, a treasure trove of documents, artifacts, and rare books that bring the past to life. Ken got to experience a few of these items: letters from Jane Austin and John Winthrop, plus a speech by Thomas Jefferson. We’ll discuss the difficulties of appraising such rare materials—and encourage you to visit the Historical Society and see their extraordinary collections for yourself—on this invaluable new #brattlecast.
Brattlecast #202 - The Suffragette Cookbook
In this episode, we’re digging into an unusual collection of recipes: The Woman’s Suffrage Cook Book from 1886. The first of a handful of cookbooks published by American suffragette associations, this volume was designed to raise funds—and to subtly rebuke the idea that involvement in politics would cause women to neglect their domestic duties. We’ll discuss some of its illustrious contributors and the renewed interest in often under-collected feminist history materials on this deliciously democratic new #brattlecast.
Brattlecast #201 - The Alcatraz Library
Although we spend a lot of time hunting for treasure in other people’s attics, the Brattle has its own nooks and crannies where we let interesting items pile up for years—ok, sometimes decades. When cleaning out a cubby in the office, Ken unearthed one of these inadvertently hoarded finds: an 1870s Harper’s Magazine from the Alcatraz library. We’ll use it as a jumping off point into a discussion of Alcatraz’s history, its place in popular culture, and prison libraries in general on this escapist new #brattlecast.
Brattlecast #200 - Old Ironsides
Today we’re talking about a fascinating recent appraisal: a Midshipman’s journal of the USS Constitution’s world cruise. First launched in 1797, ‘Old Ironsides’ played a crucial role in the early days of the United States Navy, defeating five British warships during the War of 1812. In 1844 she embarked on a two-year global voyage, the first half of which is documented in our unusually well-written and richly-detailed journal. We’ll discuss this remarkable travelogue, journals in general, and the Constitution’s current role as a local museum ship in this seaworthy new #brattlecast.
Brattlecast #199 - Edward Gorey
In this episode, we’re talking about a huge Edward Gorey collection that recently arrived at the shop. The author of over 100 books, Gorey is best known for his stylized pen-and-ink drawings, enigmatic narratives, and sinister sense of humor. He also designed book covers and drew illustrations for works by Samuel Beckett, H.G. Wells, John Updike, and Charles Dickens—among many others—and even created the sets and costumes for a 1977 production of Dracula. We’ll explore Gorey’s prolific career and his life on Cape Cod, talk about the logistics of acquiring this collection, and delve into the book buying circumstances that are too scary for Ken on this haunting new #brattlecast.