Books by Theme
My collection is not just a random assortment of books; rather, there are certain topics and types of books that particularly interest me. Overall, my goal is to collect books that are “time capsules” of information. These are all specific themes that support that goal and work together to produce an interesting, cohesive collection.
Social & Political Commentary
Society’s views — on religion, etiquette, women, music, and many other topics — have changed a lot over time. Even more than we realize. These books provide unique insights into what we considered controversial at different points in time.
Early American Printings
Printing in America began soon after the first settlements in the 1600s, but the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War prevented printing from really taking off. So, pre-Civil War printings tend to be somewhat difficult to find.
Victorian Era Christmas
Christmas as we know it today didn’t really begin to take form until the publication of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in 1843. Christmas books published right around that time are a fascinating time capsule, providing a glimpse at a familiar holiday that hadn’t yet adopted the form we’re familiar with, and still had vestigial aspects from earlier celebrations of the holiday.
Gaming
Card and boardgames have provided entertainment, and distraction, for people for centuries. It’s fascinating to see the evolution of familiar games over time, and also the appearance, and disappearance, of forgotten games.
Science
Antique science books provide a rare opportunity to observe the evolution of scientific progress through first hand accounts. From understanding of the human body, to the evolution of animals, to looking ahead to future technological advancements, scientific books are always an interesting read.
