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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 Gentleman Residing in the City” 1807, First Edition in the original binding, with laid-in map by William Bridges, and in Good condition.
This hard to find 223 page guidebook, which was written by Dr. Samuel L. Mitchill, also happens to be the very first published guidebook for New York City. I’ll spare any suspense and admit that I never did find a copy that met the client’s requirements. However, I recently heard about a rebound copy that sold for $1375 two months ago, as well as a complete digitized version at the Internet Archive.
If you are into early travel guides, it may be worth a look at the digital copy of this fascinating book which offers a rare glimpse into the life of America’s greatest city. The title of Dr. Mitchill’s seminal guidebook was, you will discover, a bit hyperbolic in 1807, as New York City had a population of just 60,000 and hardly qualified as “the Commercial Metropolis of the United States.” In fact, there wasn’t much to the city north of present day Soho except for farms and woods.
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 the bouquinistes’ trade group, has said that, “faced with the crisis among booksellers, the multimedia, and the increasing lack of education, we are hoping to put the spotlight on us. We are as important for tourists as the Eiffel Tower.”
The push for UNESCO recognition has received full support from the municipal government and the ministry of culture, which will put forward the booksellers’ candidacy.
Whenever I am asked to chose my favorite countries to visit, I always place Norway in the top three. After viewing this spectacular short 4k film by Moscow-based photographer Sergey Lukankin I think that you will agree with me that Norway is amazing.
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 3 miles and be twice the length and width of New York City’s hugely successful High Line.
The newly opened section follows the historic railway line southeast from Broad Street to 11th and Callowhill Streets in the up and coming Spring Garden neighborhood. While the park is well-landscaped with native plants and trees, it keeps a decidedly industrial urban vibe with metal fencing, wooden seating, and platforms.
The Rail Park can currently be accessed from entrances at Broad and Noble, and at Callowhill Street between 11th and 12th. If you’re planning to take public transit to the park, take SEPTA’s Broad Street Line to the Spring Garden Station and then it’s just one block to the park entrance.
For more information on the project visit the Rail Park website.
While some folks may think that the who;e avocado toast trend is over, the World Avocado Organization (yes, it’s a real thing) has other ideas. And to underscore their faith in the continuing allure of the tasty fruit, the WAO has just released this clever London tube map of the best places to find avocados on the menu.
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 love and tolerance.
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 master typographer and printer Andrew Hoyern.
Travel Between The Pages 