Category Archives: Europe

Amsterdam Gumshoe

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Every year, the city of Amsterdam spends millions of euros cleaning up tons of used chewing gum. To bring attention to this disgusting and expensive problem, the Iamsterdam tourism marketing organization collaborated with the Gumdrop company, design firm Explicit Wear, and Publicis One to … Continue reading →

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Reading Nook

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

French artist Thierry Mandon uses video, performance art, and installations to reflect on the poetic nature of everyday existence with a twist of absurdist humor.

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Bookstore Tourism: Rome

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I don’t remember if I found the Open Door Bookshop on my first or second visit to Rome, but I do recall meeting the store’s founder the writer and journalist Charles Nopar. Secluded on a lovely street in the picture-postcard … Continue reading →

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Americain En France

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

A French “reading and conversation book” for American soldiers prepared upon the entry of the United States into the First World War. This volume belonged to David S. Blondheim, at that time an associate professor of French and later a professor … Continue reading →

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Helsinki Rebranded

Posted on April 27, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I was surprised to discover that up until very recently Helsinki never had a single or consistent brand system. Last summer, Finland’s capital finally commissioned the creative group Werklig to develop a contemporary brand design that would work across all … Continue reading →

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You can call me a library rat anytime

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I hadn’t heard the expression “library rat” since my undergraduate university days until I stumbled across this new mural by the Spanish street artist known as Xav. The work, which was commissioned by the Barcelona-based Contorno Urbano Foundation, celebrates those … Continue reading →

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Long Walk To A Dark Place

Posted on April 24, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

A big h/t to Cameron Booth for the link to this marvelous Middle Earth “transit” map. Commissioned by Empire magazine,the brilliant map which plots the journeys of the key characters through the Peter Jackson film adaptations of The Hobbit and Lord of the … Continue reading →

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The Dutch Are Religious About Libraries

Posted on April 21, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

A few years ago, a disused 15th century church in Zwolle, Netherlands was transformed into a modern library. Now,  a 19th century church in ‘s- Hertogenbosch  has been turned into a stunning 21st century combined library/museum/community center. What a great … Continue reading →

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Back to Back

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The antiquarian book above is actually two volumes in one. This rare style of binding is usually referred to as dos-a-dos, from the French “back to back”. As the term suggests, these books share the same back cover. Books bound in … Continue reading →

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Maps Telling Stories

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I have always believed that every map tells a story. When it come to exploring a geographic narrative, there are no better vehicles than 20th century illustrated maps. In the second of our series of guest posts from Dutch author … Continue reading →

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