Category Archives: USA

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 →

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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 →

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Ride the Pride Train in NYC

Posted on June 13, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The annual Pride Train underground art campaign has returned to New York City’s subway system just in time for Gay Pride Month. This year’s posters mirror the official MTA signage, but instead of notices about service disruptions the posters offer messages about … Continue reading →

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Anthony Bourdain and the Magic of Print

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Although he was best known for his hit travel and food shows, Anthony Bourdain also made a series of videos with Balvenie Distillery celebrating American crafts and craftspeople. In Episode Five he visited San Francisco’s famed Arion Press to meet … Continue reading →

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Bookstore Tourism: Rocky Mountain High

Posted on June 7, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Sometimes when we find ourselves in a stunning new place, even the most ardent book lover may hesitate to visit the local bookstores. So, I was “lucky” to be in beautiful Telluride, Colorado on stormy, wet and chilly day recently. … Continue reading →

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Get Your Kicks On Route 66

Posted on June 5, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I recently returned from an amazing road trip out West and of course began researching another driving trip immediately. In my slide down the rabbit hole of the internet, I stumbled upon this great project. America’s iconic highway Route 66 … Continue reading →

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Some Books Make Us Free

Posted on June 3, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not on Oz anymore

Posted on June 2, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

We all know L.Frank Baum from the famous Oz series, but did you know that he wrote other children’s fantasy novels? In 1903 he published The Enchanted Island of Yew, with wonderful illustrations by Fanny Cory. Along with imaginative book illustrations, Cory … Continue reading →

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Boarding Zone Nightmares

Posted on May 31, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

If you have done any flying recently, this very funny routine from comedian Iliza Shleshinger will certainly have resonance. Having recently succumbed to bribery to escape boarding zone purgatory, it certainly hit home for me.

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The Immigrants

Posted on May 30, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The Immigrants: A Poem by Joe Napora  is based on a photograph of his immigrant father’s family. The chapbook was illustrated and letterpress printed in 1993 by Jim Lee for his Blue Moon Press in Glastonbury, Connecticut in an edition of 90 copies. The types are Jan Tschichold’s … Continue reading →

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