Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

NYC Postcard

Posted on February 24, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

‘New York Postcard’. A pocket sized film shot during a few days in NYC. Directed by the Mc Gloughlin Brothers.  

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Mainly Miscellany

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Who knew that Edward Gorey designed the sets for the U.S. revival of the 1924 stage play Dracula ? I certainly did not, but this fascinating article on the terrific CrimeReads blog does a deep dive into the story. Andy Weir’s The Martian was … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Art, Books, Film, Libraries, Music, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Breakfast At Tiffany’s

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

If you were so inclined, you could pick up a signed first edition of Truman Capote’s novel Breakfast at Tiffany’s for $5000 or less. But why not spring for the artfully rebound version for $1.5 million. The new version sports more … Continue reading →

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Pangur Bán

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Over the years, I have seen a few different translations of this ninth century poem written by an unknown monk in Old Irish at or near Reichenau Abbey in what is now Germany. This version was translated by the Nobel … Continue reading →

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Protect Your Local Library

Posted on February 20, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Strip Atlas

Posted on February 19, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

British cartographer John Ogilby created an amazing project in 1675: a road atlas of 17th-century Britain, featuring strip maps of most of the major routes in England and Wales. He wrote to Charles II: I have Attempted to Improve Our … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, History, Maps | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

art too bad to be ignored

Posted on February 18, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Over the years I have visited hundreds of art museums. Most of those institutions made sincere efforts to curate collections of quality art works. Sometimes there were fails and truly bad art was exhibited. But nothing compares to the extraordinary … Continue reading →

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The Expressionist As Flâneur

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I recently stumbled on the charming video below which led me to the story of the marvelous exhibition MAX GOES FOR A WALK . “A hand-drawn Max Beckmann walks through his collection of postcards, occasionally changing outfits or morphing into … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Film, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Black History Month

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Here in the former Colonies there has been an alarming campaign by reactionary racist groups to suppress the study of American History in general and the study of the oppression of Black Americans and slavery in particular. This is not … Continue reading →

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A House upon the Height

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Closed since 2019, the Emily Dickinson Museum has now completed a multi-year preservation effort at The Evergreens, aimed at improving environmental conditions for objects in its recently documented collection, and reducing energy consumption. Reopening on March 1, The Evergreens is an integral … Continue reading →

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