This episode is all about maniacs! Bibliomaniacs, that is.... They may be extreme, they may be passionate, and, ignoring some unsavory criminal activity, they may even have served to preserve culture over the years. 

If you have a story about a bibliomaniac - or perhaps you are a bibliomaniac! - please drop us a note at [email protected]

Enjoy!

Special guest! Hélène Golay of Capitol Hill Books joins Jeremy and Michael to discuss post-war diplomacy through fine dining, Jeremy's hungry cat leads to an impulsive purchase of an early manifesto on the personal computer, and Michael and Jeremy realize they are often competing with themselves for the price of a book. Enjoy the show! Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments at: [email protected].

Whose Bible would be more fun at a dinner party, Mick Jagger's or Harry Houdini's? And what about that curious Wodehouse manuscript coming up for auction? So much to think about, including Michael's feeling that there is an alarming lack of respect for comic literature in the rare book market. 

Thank you for listening! Do you have any ideas for us? Email us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear about your rare book adventures, ideas for new episodes, observations, questions... whatever it is, we want to hear from you!

All about a book that was not inscribed by Calvin Coolidge to Ernest Hemingway, the gloves Lincoln wore the fateful night of the assassination, and a marvelous Harry Potter curiosity... Enjoy!

Special guest Sarah Funke Butler (funkeliterary.com) joins Jeremy and Michael to discuss a fascinating and newly unearthed trove of letters from Ernest Hemingway to the groundbreaking journalist Lillian Ross. You think you knew everything about Hemingway? Well, think again - this collection of letters has forced us to reconsider our understanding of "Papa".

We'd love to know what you think? Don't hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

In this episode we talk about dime novels and the lurid crimes they depict, and the now forgotten authors of those gazillions of highly popular novels, as well as two items of scatological interest, one of which has a very distinguished provenance. 

A quick chat about Valentine's Day gifts from the 19th century -- and the all important question of whether love was even possible in the olden days. Plus, a little more (but not much!)

We begin this episode with Michael bemoaning a missed opportunity to buy the head of Albert Einstein, and then we welcome Darren Sutherland, Senior Specialist in the Fine Books and Manuscripts at Bonhams Auctions, to discuss two upcoming sales. The first is a fascinating single-owner complete collection of books from the Kelmscott Press, assembled by a man described as having “the most remarkable taste in the arts”. And the second is just a regular mashup sale with some curious and lovely offerings including Sylvia Plath's beloved cook book, an early note by young Kafka, and more.

Welcome back to another episode of Rare Book Chat, where we dive into the delightful world of historical curiosities and the sometimes grim realities behind them. This week, we have a rollicking discussion that swings from the California Gold Rush to 17th-century plague remedies, and more —because, why not?

Gold Rush Diary: We kick things off with a riveting look at a collection of autographed letters from Warren H. Porter, a gold rush miner whose tale takes a dark turn. Spoiler alert: he doesn't quite strike gold! Join us as we marvel at the narrative flair of the auction cataloger while pondering the senselessness of his tragic fate (and the cataloger's choice of words).

Quackery Chronicles: As we transition, brace yourselves for a discussion on quackery inspired by a 17th-century book on plague remedies. We challenge our own skepticism as we explore bizarre treatments, including the potential of wine and self-confidence to ward off the plague. Who knew that a tobacco enema was part of the prescription? 

Civil War Diaries: As we dig deeper, we uncover Civil War diaries that paint a vivid picture of life during that tumultuous time. One diary even includes an encounter with none other than President Lincoln! We can’t help but wonder if Lincoln’s undignified moments were more than just charming anecdotes.

Moby Dick Musings: We then shift gears to discuss a rare copy of Moby Dick, debating the merits of acquiring a rebound version versus a pristine original. Join the internal struggle as we play the “what would you do?” game with book collecting. 

Kafka's Secret Manuscript: Finally, we tease an exciting upcoming episode featuring a Kafka manuscript that has just hit the auction block. Intrigued? You should be!

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s topics—especially your favorite quack remedies! Drop us a line at [email protected] and follow us on Instagram for more literary fun.

Check out our website for links: rarebookchat.com

In this episode, Jeremy and Michael discuss William Morris, wallpaper, and the birth of fantasy literature, with an analysis of Morris's influence on J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis in particular. Then a game of would you rather - a spectacular copy of Orwell's 1984, or a mini-collection of dystopian novels? Also a half-hearted stab at the big question: why do we collect?

Email us with questions, suggestions, grievances, at [email protected].

The books discussed can be found in the catalog for the upcoming Hindman/Freemans book sale at:

https://hindmanauctions.com/auctions/2065-fine-printed-books-manuscripts-including-americana

And, as always, our website is at: 

https://www.rarebookchat.com/

Enjoy the show!