Library of Popular Culture

A Book of American Trade-Marks & Devices: An Illustration of Early Advertising Logos - by Joseph Sinel Purchase through Amazon The majority of American businesses fail, falling apart within the first few years of inception. Running a business is terribly difficult as the carnage reflected in A Book of American Trade-Marks illustrates, offering a graveyard tour of popular and powerful businesses nearly a century ago, an insight into past…Read more A Book of American Trade-Marks & Devices: An Illustration of Early Advertising Logos
A Dictionary of Old English Music & Musical Instruments - by Jeffrey Pulver Purchase through Amazon  Jeffrey Pulver wrote numerous works on music, including Paganini, the Romantic Virtuoso, and Aids to Elementary Violin Playing. This particular work seeks to rescue and herald the English history of music, and to elevate it to the status of music found in France, Italy and other European nations in…Read more A Dictionary of Old English Music & Musical Instruments
A New Art of Brewing Beer, Ale, and Other Sorts of Liquors: So as to Render Them More Healthfull to the Body and Agreeable to Nature - by Thomas Tryon Purchase The young Horatio Alger heroes often sold newspapers or delivered telegrams, a reminder of how technology has moved on. Alger’s tales created youthful heroes whose persistence and pluck triumphed over enormous odds, often having to educate themselves by a flickering candle and late at night. But they hoped for better things…Read more A New Art of Brewing Beer, Ale, and Other Sorts of Liquors: So as to Render Them More Healthfull to the Body and Agreeable to Nature
American Indian Love Lyrics: and Other Verse from the Songs of North American Indians - by Nellie Barnes, Foreword by Mary Austin Purchase through Amazon  The verses selected reflect a variety of subjects, including friendship, sadness, nature, special places and religious beliefs. Although the book is old, it remains a notable source of information on Native American verse. The selections were chosen by Nellie L. Barnes and are sourced from…Read more American Indian Love Lyrics: and Other Verse from the Songs of North American Indians
Annals of the Royal Society Club: The Record of a London Dining-Club in the Eighteenth & Nineteenth Centuries - by Sir Archibald Geikie Purchase through Amazon Sir Archibald Geikie was born into a life of privilege on December 28, 1835. He attended Edinburgh High School, and then went on to attend the University of Edinburgh. Geikie’s focus was on geology, and he became an assistant with the British Geological Survey, where, among other things,…Read more Annals of the Royal Society Club: The Record of a London Dining-Club in the Eighteenth & Nineteenth Centuries
Bohemian San Francisco: Its Restaurants and Their Most Famous Recipes - by Clarence E. Edwords Purchase on Amazon  |  Purchase on CreateSpace Clarence E. Edwords’ book is both a culinary history that remains a reference and a reminder of just how different San Francisco has always been, despite how we think it just recently became the capital of the unconventional. Anthony Ashbolt quotes the familiar view of…Read more Bohemian San Francisco: Its Restaurants and Their Most Famous Recipes
British Letters: Illustrative of Character and Social Life - by Edward T. Mason Purchase on Amazon  |  Purchase on CreateSpace Edward Tuckerman Mason (1847-1911) published anthologies on American humor, along with studies of Samuel Johnson and Robert Browning, as well as a still admired – and ahead of its time – work on the Italian actor Tommaso Salvini and his interpretation of Othello. This…Read more British Letters: Illustrative of Character and Social Life
Collecting American Presidential Autographs - Purchase through Amazon Paul C. Richards, Edited and Introduced by Paul Rich The collecting of autographs of American presidents is done with a passion that is not found about similar figures in other countries.  Canadian prime ministers or Finnish presidents are not the focus of hobbyists. The enthusiasm of getting a set of presidential signatures is…Read more Collecting American Presidential Autographs
Curious Epitaphs: Collected from the Graveyards of Great Britain and Ireland: with Biographical, Genealogical, and Historical Notes - by William Andrews FRHS Purchase through Amazon  How do you summarize a life in just a few words? William Andrews takes readers on a journey through strange and unusual epitaphs of the 19th century in England, featuring a variety of both notable and obscure figures: servants, soldiers, clergy, musicians, clerks and more. Andrews’ work is…Read more Curious Epitaphs: Collected from the Graveyards of Great Britain and Ireland: with Biographical, Genealogical, and Historical Notes
Deep Sea Chanties: Old Sea Songs - by Frank Shay, Illustrated by Edw. A. Wilson, Introduction by William McFee Purchase through Amazon  Deep Sea Chanties offers a unique lens upon seafaring life punctuated with fabulous woodcut illustrations by Edward A. Wilson. From the editor, Frank Shay: “In bringing these songs together I have sought to catch for the moment the spirit of…Read more Deep Sea Chanties: Old Sea Songs
Doctor Judas: A Portrayal of the Opium Habit - by Charles Evans Purchase William Rosser Cobbe was a Chicago journalist who became addicted to opium, which he nicknamed ‘Doctor Judas.’ He was addicted for at least nine years at the time of writing his account, and discusses the mental and physical toll years of addiction took on himself, as well as that of his…Read more Doctor Judas: A Portrayal of the Opium Habit
Dogs in Early New England - by Howard M. Chapin Purchase through Amazon Howard M. Chapin’s interesting and unusual study offers a look at dogs in the New England region during the 1600-1700s. He offers accounts derived from both Native Americans and incoming settlers, and includes archival evidence and photographs of artifacts. A dog fancier himself, Chapin sheds some light on…Read more Dogs in Early New England
Historic Styles in Furniture - by Virginia Huntington Robie Purchase Virginia Huntington Robie was born on October 18, 1868 in Salmon Falls, New Hampshire. She enjoyed the immense benefits of education throughout her childhood, and she went on to attend the School of Decorative Design at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and later the Art Institute in Chicago. Her…Read more Historic Styles in Furniture
Kingsglaive’s Exploration of World War II, Cultural Trauma, and the Plight of Refugees: An Animated Film as Complex Narrative - by Amy M. Green Purchase Kingsglaive’s Exploration of World War II, Cultural Trauma, and the Plight of Refugees: An Animated Film as Complex Narrative posits that the 2016 film, tied narratively to the video game Final Fantasy XV, merits far more critical attention that it has received. Given that Kingsglaive is both CGI animated and…Read more Kingsglaive’s Exploration of World War II, Cultural Trauma, and the Plight of Refugees: An Animated Film as Complex Narrative
Naturism in the United States - Purchase through Amazon  |  Purchase through CreateSpace This controversial book has been a stalwart part of the reading lists of those attracted to naturism, which involved much more than simply taking off clothes and lying on a beach. The complex relationship that involves nudity with disciplines as disparate as yoga and environmentalism makes the subject…Read more Naturism in the United States
Negro Poetry and Drama: Revisiting the Voices of Early African American Figures - by Sterling A. Brown, Preface by Whitney Sheperd Purchase through Amazon  |  Purchase through CreateSpace Commissioned by the great Alain Locke and edited by Sterling A. Brown, Negro Poetry and Drama was an essential tool in the African American adult education movement during the early twentieth century. The fight for civil rights was accompanied by a…Read more Negro Poetry and Drama: Revisiting the Voices of Early African American Figures
Occultists and Mystics of All Ages - by Ralph Shirley Purchase Ralph Shirley was born on December 30, 1865 into the aristocracy. As a result, he enjoyed the trappings of wealth, and was educated at Oxford University. He went on to become the director of William Rider & Son, a publisher of books on what is today considered New Age topics: occultism,…Read more Occultists and Mystics of All Ages
Old-World Japan: Legends of the Land of the Gods - by Frank Rinder Purchase on Amazon  |  Purchase on CreateSpace Frank Rinder (1863-1937) was the art correspondent of the Glasgow Herald and adviser to the National Gallery in Melbourne, Australia. He had the luck of a substantial bequest to the gallery, which enabled him to be aggressive as its agent. His other books included a history…Read more Old-World Japan: Legends of the Land of the Gods
Palaces of Sin, or The Devil in Society - by Col. Dick Maple Purchase through Amazon  “Colonel” Dick Maple was the fanciful pen name for Seth McCallen, who penned a great many highly polemical works. He wrote this particular work against alcohol and nightlife. In particular, he guards readers against women in corsets, who drink or otherwise dabble in lifestyles or actions he finds…Read more Palaces of Sin, or The Devil in Society
Peasant Art in Sweden, Lapland and Iceland - by Charles Holme Purchase through Amazon  Art made by those not traditionally trained has several terms, including outsider art, folk art, raw art and peasant art. This particular work offers a carefully chosen selection of both the decorative and fine arts of Sweden, Iceland, and the northern-most region of Finland. A comprehensive survey, it includes…Read more Peasant Art in Sweden, Lapland and Iceland
Pirates with a Foreword and Sundry Decorations - by Daniel Defoe, Introduction by C. Lovat Fraser Purchase through Amazon Daniel Defoe has a very long history of readership. Thought to have been born on September 13, 1660 as Daniel Foe, he lived until April 24, 1731. He was many things, including a writer, trader, political thinker and spy. He wrote a great deal…Read more Pirates with a Foreword and Sundry Decorations
Secret Chambers and Hiding Places: The Historic, Romantic & Legendary Stories & Traditions About Hiding Holes, Secret Chambers, Etc. - by Allan Fea Purchase through Amazon Allan Fea (1860-1956) went to Grove Hall School, Highgate, became a researcher in the India Office Library and then Private Secretary to Field Marshal Lord Strathnairn before a career in the Bank of England, 1880-1900. His history of hiding places features many illustrations. The work focuses on English history and…Read more Secret Chambers and Hiding Places: The Historic, Romantic & Legendary Stories & Traditions About Hiding Holes, Secret Chambers, Etc.
black and white cover image with a silhouette cutout of a family scene at the bottom Speech and Manners for Home and School - by Miss E. S. Kirkland Purchase E. S. Kirkland wrote books intended for children regarding domesticity in general. Her most popular book was Six Little Cooks, aiming to teach children how to cook, along with some specially selected recipes. When first released, Speech and Manners for Home and School was advertised with the following:”This book…is…Read more Speech and Manners for Home and School
Spiritualism: A Popular History from 1847 - by Joseph Martin McCabe Purchase Joseph Martin McCabe was born on November 12, 1867. At the age of 15 he began training in the Franciscan order, and in 1890 was ordained. He was praised for his excellent scholarly work, especially in philosophy and was selected to study at the Catholic University of Louvain. By February…Read more Spiritualism: A Popular History from 1847
Spring or Cruel Winter?: The Evolution of the Arab Revolutions - by Dr. Alon Ben-Meir Purchase on Amazon  |  Purchase on CreateSpace The Arab Spring, sparked by Tunisian university graduate turned street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi’s act of self-immolation, is an ongoing, integral part of global transformation, ushering in a new era in which no ruler can deprive his citizens of their basic rights. However, this idealism was…Read more Spring or Cruel Winter?: The Evolution of the Arab Revolutions
The History of Fashion in France: or, The Dress of Women From the Gallo-Roman Period to the Present Time - by M. Augustin Challelmel Translated by Mrs. Cashel Hoey and Mr. John Lillie Purchase through Amazon Born in Paris, Jean Baptiste Marie Augustin Challamel (1818-1894) was a historian who wrote extensively about various aspects of the social history of France. He wrote a great deal, and his works were well-received. Some of his titles included…Read more The History of Fashion in France: or, The Dress of Women From the Gallo-Roman Period to the Present Time
The History of Playing Cards: Anecdotes for Their Use in Conjuring, Fortune Telling & Card Sharping - by Rev. Ed. S. Taylor Purchase through Amazon  |  Purchase through CreateSpace The History of Playing Cards offers a comprehensive look at the history and usage of cards, tracing their movements through India, China, the Middle East, and through Europe, with a heavy emphasis on cards in France and England. Taylor included a great deal of…Read more The History of Playing Cards: Anecdotes for Their Use in Conjuring, Fortune Telling & Card Sharping
The Laws of Ecarte: The Laws of Écarté, Adopted by The Turf and Portland Clubs with a Treatise on the Game - by Cavendish Purchase through Amazon  In the 19th century, Écarté was all the rage. The name is French for ‘discarded’ as the two player game focuses on each playing working to get rid of undesirable cards, and negotiating with the dealer for a set of potentially better cards. The game requires a lot of quick…Read more The Laws of Ecarte: The Laws of Écarté, Adopted by The Turf and Portland Clubs with a Treatise on the Game
The Magic Casement: An Anthology of Fairy Poetry - by Alfred Noyes Purchase through Amazon This cleverly illustrated volume by Alfred Noyes offers a literary selection of poetry that reference fairies in all their shapes and forms. Along with works by Noyes, The Magic Casement also features selections by William Shakespeare, Rudyard Kipling and G. K. Chesterton. Noyes allows the reader to traverse new,…Read more The Magic Casement: An Anthology of Fairy Poetry
The Old Spanish Missions of California: A Historical and Descriptive Sketch - by Paul Elder Purchase through Amazon  There were twenty one Spanish missions in California, established between 1769 and 1833 by Catholic priests to spread Christianity. Paul Elder collected various snippets of California history and compiled it in this work with quotes from various primary sources and photographs of numerous missions across the state, which presents…Read more The Old Spanish Missions of California: A Historical and Descriptive Sketch
The Politics of Impeachment - Margaret Tseng, Editor Purchase Print Edition  |  Purchase Kindle Edition As changes in our political system have developed over the last two centuries, impeachment has grown even more political. The polarization of political parties, the power of interest groups and the expansion of suffrage has deeply impacted who we elect. Those elected officials, in turn, are responsible…Read more The Politics of Impeachment
The Rise of the Book Plate: An Exemplative of the Art - by W. G. Bowdoin, Introduction by Henry Blackwell Purchase through Amazon  Bookplates were made to denote ownership and hopefully steer the volume back to the rightful shelf if borrowed. They often contained highly stylized writing, drawings, coat of arms, badges or other images of interest to the owner. Theearliest known form of a bookplate originates…Read more The Rise of the Book Plate: An Exemplative of the Art
The Women of the French Salons - by Amelia Gere Mason Purchase through Amazon  Amelia Gere Mason developed Women of the French Salons by creating an archive of oral histories of women who participated in the salons. She also poured through letters, original manuscripts, memoirs and other writings of participants. Mason credits the salon culture with assisting French women in developing a…Read more The Women of the French Salons
Vampires and Vampirism: Collected Stories from Around the World - by Dudley Wright Purchase through Amazon  Dudley Wright’s fascinating work offers an academic treatment of the history of vampires. He traces the legend of vampires through history and around the world, making stops at Hungary, Britain, Russia, and various parts of what was then referred to as the Orient. He offers a collection of stories…Read more Vampires and Vampirism: Collected Stories from Around the World
purple border at the top with the title of the book, and an image of grapes against green scrollwork vines Wine, Women, and Song: Medieval Latin Students’ Songs Now First Translated into English Verse with an Essay - by John Addington Symonds Purchase John Addington Symonds was born on October 5, 1840 in Bristol, England. He became well known as a poet, researcher, and teacher. Biographers have often remarked on Symonds’ bisexuality as being a significant influence on his life. He was in multiple relations with men and women throughout his life. These…Read more Wine, Women, and Song: Medieval Latin Students’ Songs Now First Translated into English Verse with an Essay

Historic Styles in Furniture

by Virginia Huntington Robie Purchase Virginia Huntington Robie was born on October 18, 1868 in Salmon Falls, New Hampshire. She enjoyed the immense benefits of education throughout her childhood, and she went on to attend the School of Decorative Design at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and later the Art Institute in Chicago. Her…Read more Historic Styles in Furniture

Kingsglaive’s Exploration of World War II, Cultural Trauma, and the Plight of Refugees: An Animated Film as Complex Narrative

by Amy M. Green Purchase Kingsglaive’s Exploration of World War II, Cultural Trauma, and the Plight of Refugees: An Animated Film as Complex Narrative posits that the 2016 film, tied narratively to the video game Final Fantasy XV, merits far more critical attention that it has received. Given that Kingsglaive is both CGI animated and…Read more Kingsglaive’s Exploration of World War II, Cultural Trauma, and the Plight of Refugees: An Animated Film as Complex Narrative

A New Art of Brewing Beer, Ale, and Other Sorts of Liquors: So as to Render Them More Healthfull to the Body and Agreeable to Nature

by Thomas Tryon Purchase The young Horatio Alger heroes often sold newspapers or delivered telegrams, a reminder of how technology has moved on. Alger’s tales created youthful heroes whose persistence and pluck triumphed over enormous odds, often having to educate themselves by a flickering candle and late at night. But they hoped for better things…Read more A New Art of Brewing Beer, Ale, and Other Sorts of Liquors: So as to Render Them More Healthfull to the Body and Agreeable to Nature

purple border at the top with the title of the book, and an image of grapes against green scrollwork vines

Wine, Women, and Song: Medieval Latin Students’ Songs Now First Translated into English Verse with an Essay

by John Addington Symonds Purchase John Addington Symonds was born on October 5, 1840 in Bristol, England. He became well known as a poet, researcher, and teacher. Biographers have often remarked on Symonds’ bisexuality as being a significant influence on his life. He was in multiple relations with men and women throughout his life. These…Read more Wine, Women, and Song: Medieval Latin Students’ Songs Now First Translated into English Verse with an Essay

black and white cover image with a silhouette cutout of a family scene at the bottom

Speech and Manners for Home and School

by Miss E. S. Kirkland Purchase E. S. Kirkland wrote books intended for children regarding domesticity in general. Her most popular book was Six Little Cooks, aiming to teach children how to cook, along with some specially selected recipes. When first released, Speech and Manners for Home and School was advertised with the following:”This book…is…Read more Speech and Manners for Home and School

The History of Fashion in France: or, The Dress of Women From the Gallo-Roman Period to the Present Time

by M. Augustin Challelmel Translated by Mrs. Cashel Hoey and Mr. John Lillie Purchase through Amazon Born in Paris, Jean Baptiste Marie Augustin Challamel (1818-1894) was a historian who wrote extensively about various aspects of the social history of France. He wrote a great deal, and his works were well-received. Some of his titles included…Read more The History of Fashion in France: or, The Dress of Women From the Gallo-Roman Period to the Present Time

Dogs in Early New England

by Howard M. Chapin Purchase through Amazon Howard M. Chapin’s interesting and unusual study offers a look at dogs in the New England region during the 1600-1700s. He offers accounts derived from both Native Americans and incoming settlers, and includes archival evidence and photographs of artifacts. A dog fancier himself, Chapin sheds some light on…Read more Dogs in Early New England

Annals of the Royal Society Club: The Record of a London Dining-Club in the Eighteenth & Nineteenth Centuries

by Sir Archibald Geikie Purchase through Amazon Sir Archibald Geikie was born into a life of privilege on December 28, 1835. He attended Edinburgh High School, and then went on to attend the University of Edinburgh. Geikie’s focus was on geology, and he became an assistant with the British Geological Survey, where, among other things,…Read more Annals of the Royal Society Club: The Record of a London Dining-Club in the Eighteenth & Nineteenth Centuries

The Politics of Impeachment

Margaret Tseng, Editor Purchase Print Edition  |  Purchase Kindle Edition As changes in our political system have developed over the last two centuries, impeachment has grown even more political. The polarization of political parties, the power of interest groups and the expansion of suffrage has deeply impacted who we elect. Those elected officials, in turn, are responsible…Read more The Politics of Impeachment

The Old Spanish Missions of California: A Historical and Descriptive Sketch

by Paul Elder Purchase through Amazon  There were twenty one Spanish missions in California, established between 1769 and 1833 by Catholic priests to spread Christianity. Paul Elder collected various snippets of California history and compiled it in this work with quotes from various primary sources and photographs of numerous missions across the state, which presents…Read more The Old Spanish Missions of California: A Historical and Descriptive Sketch

Deep Sea Chanties: Old Sea Songs

by Frank Shay, Illustrated by Edw. A. Wilson, Introduction by William McFee Purchase through Amazon  Deep Sea Chanties offers a unique lens upon seafaring life punctuated with fabulous woodcut illustrations by Edward A. Wilson. From the editor, Frank Shay: “In bringing these songs together I have sought to catch for the moment the spirit of…Read more Deep Sea Chanties: Old Sea Songs

The Laws of Ecarte: The Laws of Écarté, Adopted by The Turf and Portland Clubs with a Treatise on the Game

by Cavendish Purchase through Amazon  In the 19th century, Écarté was all the rage. The name is French for ‘discarded’ as the two player game focuses on each playing working to get rid of undesirable cards, and negotiating with the dealer for a set of potentially better cards. The game requires a lot of quick…Read more The Laws of Ecarte: The Laws of Écarté, Adopted by The Turf and Portland Clubs with a Treatise on the Game

American Indian Love Lyrics: and Other Verse from the Songs of North American Indians

by Nellie Barnes, Foreword by Mary Austin Purchase through Amazon  The verses selected reflect a variety of subjects, including friendship, sadness, nature, special places and religious beliefs. Although the book is old, it remains a notable source of information on Native American verse. The selections were chosen by Nellie L. Barnes and are sourced from…Read more American Indian Love Lyrics: and Other Verse from the Songs of North American Indians

Curious Epitaphs: Collected from the Graveyards of Great Britain and Ireland: with Biographical, Genealogical, and Historical Notes

by William Andrews FRHS Purchase through Amazon  How do you summarize a life in just a few words? William Andrews takes readers on a journey through strange and unusual epitaphs of the 19th century in England, featuring a variety of both notable and obscure figures: servants, soldiers, clergy, musicians, clerks and more. Andrews’ work is…Read more Curious Epitaphs: Collected from the Graveyards of Great Britain and Ireland: with Biographical, Genealogical, and Historical Notes

The Women of the French Salons

by Amelia Gere Mason Purchase through Amazon  Amelia Gere Mason developed Women of the French Salons by creating an archive of oral histories of women who participated in the salons. She also poured through letters, original manuscripts, memoirs and other writings of participants. Mason credits the salon culture with assisting French women in developing a…Read more The Women of the French Salons

A Book of American Trade-Marks & Devices: An Illustration of Early Advertising Logos

by Joseph Sinel Purchase through Amazon The majority of American businesses fail, falling apart within the first few years of inception. Running a business is terribly difficult as the carnage reflected in A Book of American Trade-Marks illustrates, offering a graveyard tour of popular and powerful businesses nearly a century ago, an insight into past…Read more A Book of American Trade-Marks & Devices: An Illustration of Early Advertising Logos

Secret Chambers and Hiding Places: The Historic, Romantic & Legendary Stories & Traditions About Hiding Holes, Secret Chambers, Etc.

by Allan Fea Purchase through Amazon Allan Fea (1860-1956) went to Grove Hall School, Highgate, became a researcher in the India Office Library and then Private Secretary to Field Marshal Lord Strathnairn before a career in the Bank of England, 1880-1900. His history of hiding places features many illustrations. The work focuses on English history and…Read more Secret Chambers and Hiding Places: The Historic, Romantic & Legendary Stories & Traditions About Hiding Holes, Secret Chambers, Etc.

Negro Poetry and Drama: Revisiting the Voices of Early African American Figures

by Sterling A. Brown, Preface by Whitney Sheperd Purchase through Amazon  |  Purchase through CreateSpace Commissioned by the great Alain Locke and edited by Sterling A. Brown, Negro Poetry and Drama was an essential tool in the African American adult education movement during the early twentieth century. The fight for civil rights was accompanied by a…Read more Negro Poetry and Drama: Revisiting the Voices of Early African American Figures

The History of Playing Cards: Anecdotes for Their Use in Conjuring, Fortune Telling & Card Sharping

by Rev. Ed. S. Taylor Purchase through Amazon  |  Purchase through CreateSpace The History of Playing Cards offers a comprehensive look at the history and usage of cards, tracing their movements through India, China, the Middle East, and through Europe, with a heavy emphasis on cards in France and England. Taylor included a great deal of…Read more The History of Playing Cards: Anecdotes for Their Use in Conjuring, Fortune Telling & Card Sharping

Spring or Cruel Winter?: The Evolution of the Arab Revolutions

by Dr. Alon Ben-Meir Purchase on Amazon  |  Purchase on CreateSpace The Arab Spring, sparked by Tunisian university graduate turned street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi’s act of self-immolation, is an ongoing, integral part of global transformation, ushering in a new era in which no ruler can deprive his citizens of their basic rights. However, this idealism was…Read more Spring or Cruel Winter?: The Evolution of the Arab Revolutions

Naturism in the United States

Purchase through Amazon  |  Purchase through CreateSpace This controversial book has been a stalwart part of the reading lists of those attracted to naturism, which involved much more than simply taking off clothes and lying on a beach. The complex relationship that involves nudity with disciplines as disparate as yoga and environmentalism makes the subject…Read more Naturism in the United States