Shows
Rare Book ChatManiacs Are RealThis episode is all about maniacs! Bibliomaniacs, that is.... They may be extreme, they may be passionate, and, ignoring some unsavory criminal activity, they may even have served to preserve culture over the years. If you have a story about a bibliomaniac - or perhaps you are a bibliomaniac! - please drop us a note at hello@rarebookchat.comEnjoy!2025-07-2430 min
Rare Book ChatDining with Dali, Computer Liberation, and Bidding Against Yourself (an AI story)Special guest! Hélène Golay of Capitol Hill Books joins Jeremy and Michael to discuss post-war diplomacy through fine dining, Jeremy's hungry cat leads to an impulsive purchase of an early manifesto on the personal computer, and Michael and Jeremy realize they are often competing with themselves for the price of a book. Enjoy the show! Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments at: hello@rarebookchat.com.2025-06-0929 min
Rare Book ChatA Magic Bible, and Smith with a "P"Whose Bible would be more fun at a dinner party, Mick Jagger's or Harry Houdini's? And what about that curious Wodehouse manuscript coming up for auction? So much to think about, including Michael's feeling that there is an alarming lack of respect for comic literature in the rare book market. Thank you for listening! Do you have any ideas for us? Email us at hello@rarebookchat.com. We'd love to hear about your rare book adventures, ideas for new episodes, observations, questions... whatever it is, we want to hear from you!2025-05-2220 min
Rare Book ChatA Prank Inscription, Bloody Relics, and Harry Potter UnboundAll about a book that was not inscribed by Calvin Coolidge to Ernest Hemingway, the gloves Lincoln wore the fateful night of the assassination, and a marvelous Harry Potter curiosity... Enjoy!2025-04-3030 min
Rare Book ChatLillian Ross & Her Very Ernest HemingwaySpecial guest Sarah Funke Butler (funkeliterary.com) joins Jeremy and Michael to discuss a fascinating and newly unearthed trove of letters from Ernest Hemingway to the groundbreaking journalist Lillian Ross. You think you knew everything about Hemingway? Well, think again - this collection of letters has forced us to reconsider our understanding of "Papa".We'd love to know what you think? Don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@rarebookchat.comThanks for listening!2025-03-1842 min
Rare Book ChatCrimes, Dimes, and Scat!In this episode we talk about dime novels and the lurid crimes they depict, and the now forgotten authors of those gazillions of highly popular novels, as well as two items of scatological interest, one of which has a very distinguished provenance. 2025-03-0623 min
Rare Book ChatValentine's Day Episode (A Quickie!)A quick chat about Valentine's Day gifts from the 19th century -- and the all important question of whether love was even possible in the olden days. Plus, a little more (but not much!)2025-02-1411 min
Rare Book ChatEinstein's Frubber Face, Plath's Favorite Cook Book, Kafka's Earliest Scribbling, & the Kelmscott PressWe begin this episode with Michael bemoaning a missed opportunity to buy the head of Albert Einstein, and then we welcome Darren Sutherland, Senior Specialist in the Fine Books and Manuscripts at Bonhams Auctions, to discuss two upcoming sales. The first is a fascinating single-owner complete collection of books from the Kelmscott Press, assembled by a man described as having “the most remarkable taste in the arts”. And the second is just a regular mashup sale with some curious and lovely offerings including Sylvia Plath's beloved cook book, an early note by young Kafka, and more.2024-12-1749 min
Rare Book ChatEpisode 9: Gold Rush Diaries, Delicious Urine, and Old Uncle AbrahamWelcome back to another episode of Rare Book Chat, where we dive into the delightful world of historical curiosities and the sometimes grim realities behind them. This week, we have a rollicking discussion that swings from the California Gold Rush to 17th-century plague remedies, and more —because, why not?Gold Rush Diary: We kick things off with a riveting look at a collection of autographed letters from Warren H. Porter, a gold rush miner whose tale takes a dark turn. Spoiler alert: he doesn't quite strike gold! Join us as we marvel at the narrative flair of th...2024-11-2032 min
Rare Book ChatEpisode 8: The Man Who Did Too MuchIn this episode, Jeremy and Michael discuss William Morris, wallpaper, and the birth of fantasy literature, with an analysis of Morris's influence on J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis in particular. Then a game of would you rather - a spectacular copy of Orwell's 1984, or a mini-collection of dystopian novels? Also a half-hearted stab at the big question: why do we collect?Email us with questions, suggestions, grievances, at hello@rarebookchat.com.The books discussed can be found in the catalog for the upcoming Hindman/Freemans book sale at:https://hindmanauctions...2024-11-1230 min
Rare Book ChatEpisode 7: A Tea Party, a Traveling Salesman, and Artificial AntsIn this episode, we explore a delightful tea party invitation that connects Charles Babbage, Ada Lovelace, and Michael Faraday. The conversation then transitions to a rare first edition from 1832, which addresses a fundamental challenge in computational theory, one so perplexing that researchers have enlisted artificial ants to help sniff out a solution. For links to the items discussed in this episode, visit rarebookchat.com.2024-11-0121 min
Rare Book ChatEpisode 6: The World Series Episode: A Very Rare Book that Revolutionized Baseball... and more!In this episode of Rare Book Chat, we're diving into the revolutionary impact of Bill James's work on baseball and far beyond. Known to us (with affection) as the "Pork and Beans Man," Bill James transformed the way we think about baseball analytics, introducing statistical evaluation in sports with his groundbreaking work, "The Baseball Abstract." We discuss a very rare 1978 printing of James’ Baseball Almanac (offered by Type Punch Matrix) and how James, as an outsider, reshaped the understanding of player value and the lasting influence his ideas had on the concept of "Moneyball."As...2024-10-2525 min
Rare Book ChatEpisode 5: Constitution Recap... a Bargain at $11M?In this episode we discuss the sale price of a the extremely rare ratification printing of the US Constitution sold at Brunk Auctions last week. Was $11M high or low? Listen to the episode to find out why it was probably a bargain.2024-10-2329 min
Rare Book ChatEpisode 4: The Most Important Printed Document in American History?In this episode of Rare Book Chat, hosts Michael DiRuggiero and Jeremy O'Connor discuss a rare ratification copy of the US Constitution with Seth Kaller, the pre-eminent dealer of rare and important American historical documents. The conversation explores the document's historical significance, the complexities of its journey from creation to ratification, the role of compromise in the Constitution's formation, the importance of Charles Thompson's signature, and the implications of the auction for collectors and historians alike. 2024-10-1546 min
Rare Book ChatEpisode 3: Marx, Darwin, Smith, and MuttonIn this episode of Rare Book Chat, hosts Jeremy O'Connor and Michael DiRuggiero explore the fascinating world of rare books, spotlighting three legendary first editions: Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, Karl Marx’s Das Kapital, and Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species. They discuss what makes these books so valuable, why Jeremy thinks Das Kapital is cheap compared to the other two, Michael's regrets about not being a shepherd, and how these three authors shaped history. Along the way, they touch on the emotional side of book collecting and the lasting influence of these groundbreaking thinke...2024-10-1232 min
Rare Book ChatEpisode 2: Did American Literature begin with a con?In this episode we discuss a wonderfully strange 1809 first edition that just might be the founding work of American literature … Jeremy then takes the conversation in a different direction by making a comparison with this book and the much-coveted and exceptionally valuable 1623 Shakespeare first folio, the first collected edition of Shakespeare, and then we look at the current market for this strange 1809 book and find that, compared to other foundational works, it’s surprisingly affordable. As always, please check our website for links to the books we discuss. Enjoy!2024-10-0824 min
Rare Book ChatEpisode 1: Einstein Dancing in the MultiverseWelcome to Rare Book Chat: In this episode we discuss Eleanor Roosevelt’s This I remember, a letter addressed to Jimmy, Einstein dancing in the multiverse, and the filthiest story ever told... Enjoy!We have a very basic website up at rarebookchat.com, but please feel free to email us at RBC@manhattanrarebooks.comItems discussed:A special copy of Eleanor Roosevelt's This I Remember:https://historical.ha.com/itm/books/martin-luther-king-jr-lyndon-b-johnson-and-eleanor-roosevelt-signed-copy-of-this-i-remember/a/6305-47200.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515Letter from Gettysburg:https://bid.fleischersauctions.com/lots/view/1-9JMEZH/gettysburg-vivid-soldiers-letter...2024-10-0235 min
Rare Book ChatWelcome to Rare Book Chat!Dive deep into the fascinating world of rare books with Rare Book Chat. Hosted by Michael DiRuggiero and Jeremy O'Connor, the co-founders of The Manhattan Rare Book Company, this twice-weekly podcast explores the unique and often valuable items that fill the world of rare books, manuscripts, letters, photographs, archives, and more.From historical documents to literary first editions, we'll discuss the stories behind these one-of-a-kind treasures. Join us as we explore the intricacies of the rare book trade and discover the hidden gems that await.2024-09-2808 min