Blog

Designing the Stars and Stripes

Most historians credit Francis Hopkinson as the designer of the first American flag. Read more about the story behind the star pattern.

J.R.R. Tolkien: One of the World’s Greatest Fantasy Authors

After the success of The Hobbit, Tolkien wrote The Lord of the Rings over the span of thirteen years, between 1939 and 1952. Its final length was an astonishing 1,192 pages! In this weeks blog, re...

The First Frigate of the United States Navy

On March 27, 1794, the United States Congress authorized construction of the original six frigates of the United States Navy. On May 10, 1797, the U.S.S. United States, a wooden hulled, three-maste...

1858 Mitchell’s Map of the United States - A Snapshot in History

Mitchell became one of the most prominent American map publishers of the mid-19th century and his visual record of the early Unites States gives us an incredible lens into the rapid growth of our ...

Yellowstone: The World's First National Park

In honor of the 151st anniversary of Yellowstone becoming the United States first National Park, we take a deeper dive into the history of Yellowstone and how it captivated not only U.S. travelers,...

Douglas Adams: British Sporting Artist

Douglas Adams (1853-1920) was a London based landscape painter. He exhibited in the Royal Academy between 1880 and 1894, showed at the Society of British Artists, the Grosvenor Gallery, and the Ne...

Mapping James Bond

The colorful and intriguing Ian Fleming Thriller Map charts all of James Bond’s adventures during the popular book series, across four continents and many countries. With the help of a large key at...

Understanding Inscribed Books and Their Importance in Book Collecting

Read about how inscriptions in books bring great value, and help solve the puzzle of provenance in many cases.

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Her

Valentine's Day gifting for that special person in your life is easier than you think! We've rounded up nine great gift ideas for her. We've selected products made with intention, care, and quality...

Edward S. Curtis: Preserving Indigenous History

Edward S. Curtis created one of the most iconic visual records of the Indigenous peoples in the history of the photographic medium. His work shifted the way Indigenous people were viewed across the...