Category Archives: History

Yes! We Have No Bananas

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Unlike most civilized nations the United States does not deem a work to be in the public domain according to who created it (i.e. established by the death date of its creator), but rather when it was published. As you may know, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Film, Freedom of Speech, History, movies, Museums, Music, Photography, Theater, USA, Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Confusion of Confusions

Posted on December 28, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

With all of the recent maddening gyrations in the world’s stock markets, maybe the capitalist nabobs pulling the strings could benefit from perusing this 17th century financial guide recently up for auction by Sotheby’s Rare Book and Manuscript auctioneers. The … Continue reading →

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Je Me Souviens

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Brian D. Butler
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Imagine Peace

Posted on December 8, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

It’s hard to believe that it has been 38 years since the senseless murder of the voice of a generation.

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Native American Heritage Month

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

November is Native American Heritage Month in the United States. These illustrations are from the Model First Reader by Stephen Return Riggs published in 1875. The rare volume is a primer for lessons in English and the Santee Dadota dialect. You can … Continue reading →

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Art and History Are Everywhere In Berlin

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Deutsche Bahn, the German national railway network, commissioned artist and illustrator Christoph Niemann to create a pair of forty meter-long tile murals for a pedestrian tunnel at the Berlin Wannsee train station. Working with 10×10 cm tiles, Niemann designed two … Continue reading →

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Follow The North Star

Posted on November 10, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Last week, civil rights activist and progressive journalist Shaun King announced that he will be resurrecting the North Star, the abolitionist newspaper started by Frederick Douglass and Martin Delany 171 years ago, after receiving legal permission and a blessing from Douglass’ family. King … Continue reading →

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Bram Stoker: Library Miscreant

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I have been a fan of Bram Stoker’s creepy classic Dracula ever since my first reading as a child. Here in Philadelphia, we are fortunate to have a fascinating collection of Stoker’s notes for the book at the wonderful Rosenbach Museum and … Continue reading →

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William S. Burroughs gets spooky

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The Witches or Witchcraft Through the Ages, or Häxan, is a Swedish-Danish film that is a curious and groundbreaking mix of documentary and silent horror cinema, written and directed by Benjamin Christensen. Christensen’s vision was unique, basing his film on non-fiction works, mainly the Malleus … Continue reading →

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The Writer’s Map

Posted on October 26, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Just published, The Writer’s Map is a marvelous atlas of literary journeys made by authors. The book explores maps that inspired literary works as well as examples of cartography from famous works of fiction and film. Daniel Reeve recounts his creation of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Film, History, Maps, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments