Category Archives: USA

Cover Art

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

One of the privileges in collecting and selling antiquarian books is discovering the absolutely wonderful book cover art and design from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Although my specialty has always been books on travel, geography, and history, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Books, Europe, History, Libraries, Tourism, Travel Writing, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Just Another Mini Monday

Posted on May 20, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The Fairy Tales from Grimm is a collection of children’s stories written by the Grimm brothers, many of which have been popularized by Disney. This miniature book includes several stories such as the tale of Snow White. Although the stories were … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

We’re off to see the wizard

Posted on May 18, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is the beloved 1900 children’s novel written by author L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. It is the first novel in the Oz series of books. A Kansas farm girl named Dorothy ends up in the magical Land of Oz after she and her … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

By mid-May

Posted on May 17, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

–Mary Oliver  

Posted in USA, Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

If you’re happy and you know it…

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

As usual, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden top the country ranking in the annual World Happiness Report .  However, seeing Israel at #5 , just above the Netherlands and Norway, is quite a surprise. The map above also does something extra: … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, Maps, Middle East, South America, USA | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The next best thing to being there

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Yesterday, The Portal, a public technology sculpture arrived in New York City and Dublin. Serving as a virtual bridge, the installation will transmit a real-time unfiltered live stream of both cities, transcending physical barriers and putting New Yorkers and Dubliners instantly in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, Tech, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Tell me what it’s like to live without curiosity

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Letter to the Person Who Carved His Initials into the Oldest Living Longleaf Pine in North America by Matthew Olzmann                                           … Continue reading →

Posted in USA, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Free Comic Book Day

Posted on May 4, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Today is Free Comic Book Day, in which you can go to any participating comic book store and get certain designated comic books, absolutely free. Enter your zip code at this website and you can find the participating comics shop nearest … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Art, Books, Bookstore Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Literary Leviathan

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I was saddened to read about the death of the great American writer Paul Auster, who succumbed due to complications arising from lung cancer, aged 77. Auster, who has been celebrated as one of the most important American authors of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Film, Freedom of Speech, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Waiting to Work

Posted on April 20, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I was recently surprised to discover a glass enclosure about the size of a large shipping container with mummy-like figures peering out. The installation is situated in Philadelphia’s  Independence Historic National Park, at Market Street between 5th and 6th, near the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Museums, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment