Category Archives: History

Party Like It’s 1900

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Beginning tomorrow and running through the end of September, Fête Paradiso, the world’s first traveling festival of vintage European carousels and carnival rides, is making it’s North American debut on New York City’s historic Governors Island. The diverse collection of late … Continue reading →

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Philadelphia’s Literary Legacy

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Philadelphia is widely known for it’s treasure-trove of historical sites and it’s rich architectural heritage. And of course, it’s the mural arts capital of the world. But less attention has been focused on the area’s splendid literary legacy. Opened just … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Libraries, Tourism, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Vespalogy

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

If you have ever owned a classic Vespa scooter, or rented one on your travels, you will certainly be tickled by this marvelous animated history of the way cool two-wheelers. The retro graphic tribute to seventy years of Vespa was … Continue reading →

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Windows to the Past

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

During a recent visit to Budapest, I was intrigued by the discernible connections to Hungarian history conspicuous every where that I looked. Hungarian artist/photographer Kerényi Zoltán has created a project called  Ablak a Múltra or Windows to the Past that links … Continue reading →

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You can’t stop a booklover

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, History, Photography | Tagged | 3 Comments

London 1927

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Since nearly all of the movie footage that we see from the first half of the 20th century was shot in black and white, we miss out on the rich texture of those bye-gone years. So, this amazing film of … Continue reading →

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How Orwellian

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Some perplexing news out of India this week reporting that George Orwell’s birthplace in Motari, Bihar is being developed into a memorial site—but to Mahatma Gandhi not Eric Blair. The little bungalow, where Orwell was born and lived until he … Continue reading →

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Geography Is Always In Fashion

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

We have featured diverse and miscellaneous maps and cartographic forms, but this is probably the most fashionable use of maps to date. London-based artist and designer Elisabeth Lecourt painstakingly created her marvelous series titled “Les robes géographiques” from prints of historical … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Europe, History, Maps, Middle East | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Lost and Found

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

In celebration of its 125th anniversary, the venerable National Geographic has created a wonderful new blog designed to solely showcase never before published photographs from its extensive archive. The Found blog is being built by National Geographic photographic archive curator … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Europe, History, Photography, Travel Writing, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

What is Modernismo ?

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Barcelona’s home-grown Art Nouveau movement known as Modernista or Modernismo dates from the late 19th century, but remains an ever-present influence in this glorious city. On my last visit, I wish that I had this inspired new map of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, History, Maps, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments