Category Archives: History

This Book Is Dangerous (again)

Posted on March 18, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In 1927, Italian Futurist artist and designer Fortunato Depero published his groundbreaking monograph Depero Futurista, or “Depero the Futurist,” which became commonly known as “The Bolted Book” because of its large aluminum fasteners. The avant-garde masterpiece had an imaginative layout, experimental typography, … Continue reading →

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All Roads Lead To Rome (eventually)

Posted on March 16, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Once again, Chicago-based cartographer and artist Sasha Trubetskoy has created an amazing transit-themed map based on the ancient Roman road network. This terrific example, Roman Roads of Iberia, is based on historic sources and covers the period of the First Century BC … Continue reading →

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It’s still Constantinople to me

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

As is often the case in the antiquarian book trade, we can search for a title for weeks with no avail and then years later stumble across a copy when we are not even looking. Many years ago I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Books, Europe, History, Libraries, Maps, Middle East, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

New House for the Bauhaus

Posted on March 10, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

This year marks the centennial of the founding of the Bauhaus movement. This world renowned school of art and design has had a dramatic impact on architecture and design around the world.  On April 6, the Klassik Stiftung Weimar will … Continue reading →

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Coast to Coast by Train and Plane

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

These days it takes about 5 hours to travel coast to coast across North America, but in 1929 the fastest route took at least 48 hours. This very cool map was given to passengers who traveled on Transcontinental Air Transport … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, History, Maps, Public Transport, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Fun With Maps

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Those of you who regularly visit TBTP know how fond I am of maps—both real and fictional. New York City-based artist Jake Berman does deep dives into archives and library collections to discover historic plans and engineering documents from municipal … Continue reading →

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Wise Men Fished Here

Posted on February 27, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In 2005, the legendary Gotham Book Mart in New York City closed its bricks and mortar store. By 2007, the iconic Manhattan bookseller was out of business for good.  Fortunately, the University of Pennsylvania was gifted much of the contents … Continue reading →

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Take A Stand

Posted on February 23, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Today is the birthday anniversary of African American sociologist, historian, writer, educator, poet, scholar, and civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois. Born February 23, 1868, Du Bois was the first black man to earn a doctorate degree from Harvard University … Continue reading →

Posted in Freedom of Speech, History, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

What’s so funny about peace and understanding

Posted on February 16, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

The 1964 World’s Fair was a two-year event centered on peace, understanding, and apparently, pop-up books. Released in 1963, Peter and Wendy See the New York World’s Fair shows two children, Peter and Wendy, – no relation to Peter Pan or Wendy … Continue reading →

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Center for Fiction

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Awhile ago I shared a story about the imminent big move for New York City’s historic Center for Fiction from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Well, it has finally happened and the new site’s grand opening is on Tuesday February 19th. The … Continue reading →

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