This week, we’re unwrapping (not literally) a little piece of local journalistic history: one of 150,000 condoms distributed by The Boston Phoenix. In 1987, the alternative weekly published an issue that included a condom—donated by Trojan—and a guide to safer sex with every newspaper. They intended to raise awareness of the burgeoning AIDS crisis, and to court some controversy at a time when contraception itself was still up for debate in heavily Catholic Boston. As usual on this podcast, the story behind the story is just as fascinating, and Ken’s got insider info on the unique logistical challenges posed by getting all those condoms into all those papers. Join us for a tale of courageous publishing—and shortsighted stapling—on this slightly-racier-than-usual #brattlecast.

This week, we’re unwrapping (not literally) a little piece of local journalistic history: one of 150,000 condoms distributed by The Boston Phoenix. In 1987, the alternative weekly published an issue that included a condom—donated by Trojan—and a guide to safer sex with every newspaper. They intended to raise awareness of the burgeoning AIDS crisis, and to court some controversy at a time when contraception itself was still up for debate in heavily Catholic Boston. As usual on this podcast, the story behind the story is just as fascinating, and Ken’s got insider info on the unique logistical challenges posed by getting all those condoms into all those papers. Join us for a tale of courageous publishing—and shortsighted stapling—on this slightly-racier-than-usual #brattlecast.

This week, we’re unwrapping (not literally) a little piece of local journalistic history: one of 150,000 condoms distributed by The Boston Phoenix. In 1987, the alternative weekly published an issue that included a condom—donated by Trojan—and a guide to safer sex with every newspaper. They intended to raise awareness of the burgeoning AIDS crisis, and to court some controversy at a time when contraception itself was still up for debate in heavily Catholic Boston. As usual on this podcast, the story behind the story is just as fascinating, and Ken’s got insider info on the unique logistical challenges posed by getting all those condoms into all those papers. Join us for a tale of courageous publishing—and shortsighted stapling—on this slightly-racier-than-usual #brattlecast.

Brattlecast #243 - The Condom Affair

Today we’re looking at two classic American magazines: TIME and LIFE. Published weekly for most of the 20th century, these sister periodicals offer complementary perspectives on the biggest stories of the era, with LIFE’s vivid photojournalism bringing immediacy and emotional resonance to TIME’s in-depth reporting. They’ve always been popular items at the shop, but while past collectors sought out issues that commemorated special events or milestone dates from their own lives, a younger generation of readers are embracing these magazines for the design language they helped define—as archives of iconic mid-century modern fashion, architecture, typography, and consumer goods. Explore the way that objects slip from personal nostalgia into cultural history as time and life march irrevocably forward on this new-for-now #brattlecast.

Today we’re looking at two classic American magazines: TIME and LIFE. Published weekly for most of the 20th century, these sister periodicals offer complementary perspectives on the biggest stories of the era, with LIFE’s vivid photojournalism bringing immediacy and emotional resonance to TIME’s in-depth reporting. They’ve always been popular items at the shop, but while past collectors sought out issues that commemorated special events or milestone dates from their own lives, a younger generation of readers are embracing these magazines for the design language they helped define—as archives of iconic mid-century modern fashion, architecture, typography, and consumer goods. Explore the way that objects slip from personal nostalgia into cultural history as time and life march irrevocably forward on this new-for-now #brattlecast.

Today we’re looking at two classic American magazines: TIME and LIFE. Published weekly for most of the 20th century, these sister periodicals offer complementary perspectives on the biggest stories of the era, with LIFE’s vivid photojournalism bringing immediacy and emotional resonance to TIME’s in-depth reporting. They’ve always been popular items at the shop, but while past collectors sought out issues that commemorated special events or milestone dates from their own lives, a younger generation of readers are embracing these magazines for the design language they helped define—as archives of iconic mid-century modern fashion, architecture, typography, and consumer goods. Explore the way that objects slip from personal nostalgia into cultural history as time and life march irrevocably forward on this new-for-now #brattlecast.

Brattlecast #244 - Time + Life Roll On

Kenneth Gloss talks about "the hunt", expanding on how collections of all kinds get started, from stamps to maps to, of course, books. Learn about the most important considerations of collecting. Hitting the pavement, building relationships with a community of collectors, and about the secret collection in the Gloss bathroom.

Kenneth Gloss talks about "the hunt", expanding on how collections of all kinds get started, from stamps to maps to, of course, books. Learn about the most important considerations of collecting. Hitting the pavement, building relationships with a community of collectors, and about the secret collection in the Gloss bathroom.

Kenneth Gloss talks about "the hunt", expanding on how collections of all kinds get started, from stamps&nbsp;to maps to, of course, books. Learn about the most important considerations of collecting.&nbsp;Hitting the pavement,&nbsp;building relationships with a community of collectors, and about the secret collection in the Gloss&nbsp;bathroom.

Brattlecast #3 - On Collecting

Ken Gloss takes Jordan Rich on a trip through "one of the best military autobiographies ever written", detailing the book's origins, publisher Mark Twain's involvement, and the phenomenal success it brought to one of the nation's most celebrated presidents. Learn about the value of old books, both monetary and historical, and some not-so-common sense about determining a book's authenticity.

Brattlecast #2 - The Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant

In the pilot episode of Brattlecast, proprietor Kenneth Gloss discusses the history of one of America's oldest rare and antiquarian bookshops. Learn the story of George Gloss and his son Kenneth: the Brattle's journey from historic Brattle Street through urban renewal, a disastrous fire, and the business of secondhand bookselling today.

In the pilot episode of Brattlecast, proprietor Kenneth Gloss discusses the history of one of America's oldest rare and antiquarian bookshops. Learn the story of George Gloss and his son Kenneth: the Brattle's journey from historic Brattle Street through urban renewal, a disastrous fire, and the business of secondhand bookselling today.

In the pilot episode of Brattlecast, proprietor Kenneth Gloss discusses the history of one of America's oldest rare and antiquarian bookshops. Learn the story of George Gloss and his son Kenneth:&nbsp;the Brattle's journey from historic Brattle Street through urban renewal,&nbsp;a disastrous fire, and the business of secondhand bookselling today.

Brattlecast #1 - The History of The Brattle Book Shop (Pilot)

At one of America's oldest bookshops, there are just as many stories to be told outside the pages as in them. Join Brattle Book Shop proprietor Kenneth Gloss and co-host Jordan Rich as they share insightful and entertaining conversations and histories surrounding Boston's favorite spot for bibliophiles. Topics range from military autobiographies to regional cookbooks and everything in between. Updates every two weeks.

Share Brattlecast: A Firsthand Look at Secondhand Books

Sign up to save your podcasts

Brattlecast: A Firsthand Look at Secondhand Books

Brattlecast: A Firsthand Look at Secondhand Books episodes

About Brattlecast: A Firsthand Look at Secondhand Books

More shows like Brattlecast: A Firsthand Look at Secondhand Books

Stuff You Should Know

99% Invisible

In Our Time

Pivot

Pod Save America

The Daily

Up First from NPR

Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

The Rest Is History

The Lincoln Project

Destination Morocco Podcast

The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart

The Rest Is Politics: US

Inside Trump's Head