Category Archives: History

Coffee Makes The World Go Round

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Lavazza, the world famous coffee producer, has just opened it new headquarters at Piazza Nuvola in Torino, Italy. While that might not be exciting to some readers, those of us who think that coffee makes the world go round are … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, History, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Lives In Transit

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

“This exhibition conceives of passports as the ruins of a modern dream now in terminal crisis – the dream of a globalized world. Drawing on the collections of Harvard Library, Passports: Lives in Transit addresses this major contemporary issue through … Continue reading →

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Save Walt Whitman’s House

Posted on July 22, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Walt Whitman, America’s most beloved poet, lived at 99 Ryerson Street in Brooklyn, New York when his world famous book Leaves of Grass was first published in 1855. Although the poet lived in more than 30 buildings in New York City … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, History, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Philly: Come for the history, stay for the food

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

For decades, many of us in the Philadelphia area have been baffled by the inability of anyone to make good use of the old Bourse building in the heart of the historic district. The beautiful 19th century Beaux Arts landmark … Continue reading →

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Reading Rx

Posted on July 10, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Since I’m laid-up this week due to a very dumb injury, I thought that a reading prescription was in order. This mix of novels and nonfiction should keep me out of trouble for a few days. So, what are you … Continue reading →

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Books Are Sharks

Posted on July 3, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

“We were talking about The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which was something which resembled an iPad, long before it appeared. And I said when something like that happens, it’s going to be the death of the book. Douglas said, … Continue reading →

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Actual Cultural Appropriation

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

These days we hear the term cultural appropriation in reference to everything from music to hair styles, but there are more serious instances where the phrase takes on real significance. For example, a recently completed exhibition at London’s British Library Ritblat Treasures … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Art, Books, History, Libraries, Museums | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

NYC Way-Back Machine

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Many years ago, when I made the transition from book collector to bookseller, a client asked me to locate a copy of “The Picture of New-York, Or The Traveller’s Guide Through The Commercial Metropolis of the United States, By a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Maps, Travel Writing, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

As Important As The Eiffel Tower ?

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Les Bouquinistes, the booksellers whose iconic green stalls have lined the River Seine in the heart of Paris for more than two hundred years, are campaigning to be recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural treasure. Jerome Callais, the president of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, History, Tourism | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Philly’s Own High Line

Posted on June 16, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

This week, Philadelphia inaugurated the initial section of the long awaited Rail Park. The first phase of the urban greenspace runs along a formerly derelict Reading Railroad 19th century viaduct. When it is completed, the Rail Park will run for … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, History, Public Transport, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment