Welcome 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From historical documents to literary first editions, we'll discuss the stories behind these one-of-a-kind treasures.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.
What would you prefer? The 1st printing of the Declaration of Independence? OR... the 1st printing of the Constitution? OR... an Official Signed Ratification Copy of the Constitution?
Episode 9
Welcome 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 the auction cataloger while pondering the senselessness of his tragic fate (and the cataloger's choice of words).
Quackery Chronicles: As we transition, brace yourselves for a discussion on quackery inspired by a 17th-century book on plague remedies. We challenge our own skepticism as we explore bizarre treatments, including the potential of wine and self-confidence to ward off the plague. Who knew that a tobacco enema was part of the prescription?
Civil War Diaries: As we dig deeper, we uncover Civil War diaries that paint a vivid picture of life during that tumultuous time. One diary even includes an encounter with none other than President Lincoln! We can’t help but wonder if Lincoln’s undignified moments were more than just charming anecdotes.
Moby Dick Musings: We then shift gears to discuss a rare copy of Moby Dick, debating the merits of acquiring a rebound version versus a pristine original. Join the internal struggle as we play the “what would you do?” game with book collecting.
Kafka's Secret Manuscript: Finally, we tease an exciting upcoming episode featuring a Kafka manuscript that has just hit the auction block. Intrigued? You should be!
Episode 8
In 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?
The books discussed can be found in the catalog for the upcoming Hindman/Freemans book sale at:
https://hindmanauctions.com/auctions/2065-fine-printed-books-manuscripts-including-americana
Episode 7
In this episode of Rare Book Chat we delve into a brief yet significant letter written by Charles Babbage, which sold for over $53,000 at a recent auction at Bonhams. The letter connects three pivotal figures of the 19th century: Babbage, Ada Lovelace, and Michael Faraday. The conversation explores the historical context of the letter, the lives and contributions of these figures, and the social dynamics of Babbage's soirees. Additionally, they discuss the origins of the traveling salesman problem, a foundational concept in computational science, and its implications in various fields today.
Featured Items:
A Tea Party Invitation from Charles Babbage, sold at Bonhams for $53,760
First Edition of Alan Turing's On Computable Numbers, also at Bonhams ($56,320)
The Travelling Salesman Problem ( £2750, Item 3 in September New Acquisitions from Quaritch)
We invite you to send in your questions, suggestions, and comments via email at hello@rarebookchat.com. You can also find links to the items we discuss on our Instagram and website.
Episode 6
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 we celebrate the start of the World Series, we also meander through the fascinating world of rare baseball memorabilia. We discuss everything from a jaw-dropping $24 million Babe Ruth jersey to a valuable questionnaire filled out by Jackie Robinson. Throughout our conversation, we explore the intersection of sports, literature, and how printed documents can help us understand cultural movements.
Featured Items:
Bill James’ 1978 Baseball Almanac, A groundbreaking work by the Isaac Newton of baseball, from Type Punch Matrix
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie baseball card, sold at Heritage Auctions (August 22, 2022)
We invite you to send in your questions, suggestions, and comments via email at hello@rarebookchat.com. You can also find links to the items we discuss on our Instagram and website.
Episode 5
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.
Episode 4
In this episode of Rare Book Chat, we discuss a rare ratification copy of the US Constitution with Seth Kaller, a leading dealer of rare and important American historical documents. We discuss 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.
Episode 3
In 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 thinkers.
Episode 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!
Links to items mentioned:
Washington Irving (William Reese Company)
Another copy (Heritage Auctions)
A copy in original boards (PBA Galleries)
Episode 1
Welcome 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!
Links to items mentioned:
This I Remember (Heritage Auctions)
Gettysburg Letter to "Friend Jimmie" (Fleischer's Auctions)
Einstein & Daniel Lipkin (Heritage Auctions)
Trailer
A brief introduction in which Michael mentions something about Nietzsche fetching underwear for Richard Wagner, Jeremy expresses enthusiasm for a rare printing of the Constitution, with additional discussion of Civil War letters and a bit more.