Brattlecast: A Firsthand Look at Secondhand Books

A university without books? Today we’re talking about the recent announcement by Vermont State University that they’ll be building an “all-digital library” and getting rid of print books as a cost-cutting measure. The decision has drawn a strong backlash from students and faculty, but, as enrollments drop, funds are slashed, and courses move online, it makes a gloomy kind of sense. Uncomfortable questions are being raised about the future of higher education in the United States. For the children of the rich, academia will continue to deliver a particular aesthetic experience—leafy quads, serendipitous browsing, and screen-free studying in a book-lined space—while for the rest it may shrivel into a bare-bones jobs training program. Join us for the discussion on this all-digital #brattlecast.

Today in the studio we have a collection of letters and speeches from one of the most colorful political figures in Massachusetts history. James Michael Curley served four terms as Mayor of Boston, a single term as Governor, and five months, for mail fraud,  in Danbury federal prison. An Irish Catholic from a working class background, Curley frequently clashed  with the city’s WASP establishment, becoming known for his wit, generosity, and corruption. He got jobs for constituents, built beaches and parks during the Great Depression, and even took the civil service exam on behalf of a friend (technically that’s cheating). Listen to learn more about Mayor Curley’s fascinating career, and to decide if his story has any relevance to our current political moment.

In this episode we’re talking about—or “riffing on”—a group of classic rock-related books, magazines, and memorabilia that recently arrived at the shop. While not the most monetarily valuable, it’s a fun collection to have around, mostly because it takes Ken back to his days as a young rocker in 1970s Boston. He saw The Stones at the Boston Garden, Van Morrison at Harvard Stadium, and—he thinks—Jimi Hendrix at the South Shore Music Circus (if you can confirm that this show happened please email the shop). Somewhat surprisingly, Ken also reveals that he attended Woodstock in 1969, but volunteers only that it was “interesting” and that “the traffic was bad.” Listen to learn more about electric guitars, Tulsa tourism, and the power of nostalgia on this very freewheelin’ new #brattlecast.

Today in the studio we have a first American edition of the catchily titled Directions on the Treatment for Persons who have Taken Poison, and those in a State of Apparent Death, Together with the Means of Detecting Poisons and Adulterations in Wine, also, of Distinguishing Real from Apparent Death by Mathieu Joseph B. Orfila. While we wouldn’t necessarily recommend following its medical advice, the book provides a fascinating look at early toxicology. It describes the effects and (alleged) treatments of various potions, poisons, and scorpion stings—a helpful resource to anyone working on a historical murder mystery. Join us for anecdotes about antidotes on a killer episode of the #brattlecast.

Today in the studio we have an 1852 copy of The Oasis: or, Golden Leaves of Friendship, edited by N.L. Ferguson. The Oasis is part of a whole genre of 19th century gift books: illustrated anthologies of poetry, essays, and short fiction with titles like The Keepsake, Forget-Me-Not, and The Book of Beauty. Published annually before the holiday season, they were intended to be given as presents, often with a handwritten inscription from gifter to giftee. Gift books were frequently criticized and parodied—even during the Victorian era—for their hackneyed sentimentality and shallow moralism, and were arguably valued more for their ornamental bindings than their literary content. However, for collectors today, the inscriptions themselves—written by long-dead ordinary people, husband to wife or parent to child—convey a timeless tenderness.

One of the great things about working at the Brattle is that you never know what’s going to walk through that door. Recently, a customer surprised us by bringing in a copy of the Nuremberg Chronicle, one of the earliest printed books to feature illustrations. As if that wasn’t interesting enough, he also had a copy of the Kelmscott Chaucer, as well as a handful of volumes inscribed by their publisher (William Morris) to their illustrator (Edward Burne-Jones) for good measure. In this episode, we’ll talk about how we put a value on such a rare collection and the importance of avoiding ethical conflicts of interest when buying and appraising books.

Today in the studio we have The American Cemetery, a monthly trade journal for graveyard proprietors and caretakers; all of the issues from 1929 have been bound into a large hardcover volume. While it may not seem like the most lively subject, The American Cemetery presents a darkly humorous juxtaposition of the mundane with the macabre. Ads extolling readers to “bury cemetery upkeep costs” share page space with landscaping tips, industry gossip, and photo illustrations of new and notable graves, giving us a fascinating window into early 20th century funerary culture.

In this episode we talk about the impact of the internet on the shop, and on bookselling in general. Dictionary and encyclopedia sales have declined precipitously as search engines supplant reference books, but it’s easier than ever to do our own research online. E-readers may be convenient, but even young people still enjoy the tactility and craft of a good old fashioned paper-style book. Overall, more information is accessible to more people – and that’s a good thing. Learn how we’re adapting on this high-tech new #brattlecast.

In this episode, Ken talks about some especially notable TV appraisals from his years on Antiques Roadshow. The highlights include a Civil War letter with a surprising twist, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph, and one item that… actually didn’t work out so well. The show is currently in the midst of its 27th season; you can catch new episodes Monday nights on PBS, or watch online here: www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow.

Today we’re talking about a great recent book buy: a library of about 25,000 interesting, well-cared-for volumes, many autographed by authors like Kazuo Ishiguro, Salman Rushdie, and P.D. James. There’s even a book of Robert Mapplethorpe photographs signed by his subjects. It took a lot of heavy lifting to get all those books back to the shop, but that’s what we do best – and why everyone who works here is so famously strong. If you also have 25,000 (or fewer) books that you’d like us to take off your hands, don’t hesitate to reach out at [email protected].