Category Archives: History

Map of Stories

Posted on December 12, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

The Map of Stories is a wonderful interactive map that provides the opportunity to explore tales from throughout Scotland. The site allows visitors to discover the oral storytelling traditions of Scotland and listen to folktales from the ancient land. The … Continue reading →

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The Answer is Still 42

Posted on December 11, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Although the wildely popular comic sci-fi novel The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was published in the UK in 1979, it wasn’t released in the colonies until 1980. This year, legions of fans in North America are celebrating the 42nd anniversary … Continue reading →

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First Around The World Trip

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Ever since I was indoctrinated as a young child with filiopietistic reverence for Columbus and the entire panoply of European explorers, I’ve been fascinated by their extraordinary journeys. Recently, I discovered a wonderful website that traces the route of Ferdinand … Continue reading →

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Recognition At Last

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Each day, nearly 12 million French consumers visit a bakery and leave with an iconic loaf of bread. Each year, French bakeries produce more than 6 billion baguettes. It is an international symbol recognized as part of the daily life … Continue reading →

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The Direction of Travel

Posted on November 25, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

When I ran across Christian Nolle’s terrific periodical Directions of Travel I thought that some of you other travel and map geeks might need to know about the project. Nolle’s fascination with air travel and maps began when he was … Continue reading →

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The First Thanksgiving

Posted on November 24, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Warrington Wickham Colescott Jr. (March 7, 1921 – September 10, 2018) was an American artist, he is best known for his satirical etchings. He was a master printmaker and operated Mantegna Press in Hollandale, Wisconsin, with his wife and fellow … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, History, USA | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.

Posted on November 20, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

George Orwell’s seminal dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four became a powerful symbol of resistance to totalitarianism. Last month an impressive reproduction of the novel’s original manuscript was released by SP Books. The only surviving Orwell manuscript of any of his works … Continue reading →

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Brooklyn Public Library’s Most Borrowed Book

Posted on November 19, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

When I was a young child I spent quite a lot of time in Brooklyn. I did the usual things that Brooklyn kids did; I played stick ball in the street and stuffed my face at the corner candy store. … Continue reading →

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All the painted ladies

Posted on November 17, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

It’s been a minute since I visited San Francisco, but like ever other tourist I made a pilgrimage to see the famous row of “painted ladies” at Alamo Square Park. Architectural Digest produced the fascinating video (below) about these gems. … Continue reading →

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Book Tunneling

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

I recently stumbled on the interesting video below on the history of tunnel books. Over the years, I’ve owned and sold a number of travel related 19th century tunnel books and have long been fascinated by this blend of art … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Film, History, Libraries, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments