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Category Archives: Authors/Illustrators
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice Turns 200
A classic in English literature turns 200 this week — Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. There have been numerous film adaptations over the years including a Bollywood version, a zombie spin-off and an Academy-Award winning version from 1940. Here’s the movie trailer to that 1940 film with Laurence Oivier in the role of the dapper [...]
Actress Maggie Smith in the Broadway play ‘Lettice & Lovage’
Season Three of Downton Abbey has begun! And if you’re a fan, then you know Dame Maggie Smith delivers the best one-liners in the show. I had the privilege of seeing Smith on Broadway back in 1990. She was starring in a play by Peter Shaffer called Lettice and Lovage. Apparently, Shaffer wrote the play [...]
Also posted in People/Places Tagged Broadway play, Lettice and Lovage, Maggie Smith, Peter Shaffer Leave a comment
Lord of the Rings Illustrated Poster by James Cauty
Before James Cauty became known as a musician for his “ambiant house music” he was a successful artist. His best known work is a poster of the Lord of the Rings. He painted it at the age of 17. This poster was a popular seller upon its release in the late 1970s and still remains [...]
Painted Ponies: American Carousel Art
I remember my mom purchasing this book many years ago. It’s a wonderful book of carousel art made in the U.S. There are hundreds of photos, historic information and profiles of artists, styles and manufacturers. For example, Fredrick Savage, an English engineer and machinist, developed a steam engine that powered carousels and got them moving [...]
Also posted in Uncategorized Tagged amusement park rides, carousels, historic carousels, history of merry-go-rounds 1 Comment
Children’s author Maurice Sendak and his book “A Hole is to Dig”
A friend from college told me about this classic children’s book, “A Hole is to Dig: A First Book of First Definitions.” The text is by Ruth Krauss; the illustrations are by Maurice Sendak. The book was first released in 1952 and has been reprinted numerous times. Upon hearing of Sendak’s death last week, I [...]
The History of Flappers in the Roaring Twenties
I just started reading this fun book about the history of flappers. It’s by Joshua Zeitz. Zeitz writes how the flapper was born and how she became the prime mover and shaker in the 1920s. The Roaring Twenties was a decade of fun and naughtiness. This is a breezy and enlightening book about the glitzy [...]
The Monkees: Who’s Got the Button? Book
In the mid-1960s, Beatlemania was replaced by Monkeemania. Afterall, a new group had to replace the cute, madcap, frenzy humor The Beatles had outgrown. And so, enter Mike, Micky, Davy and Peter. Monkee merchandise hit the stores as their records were climbing the charts. Who’s Got The Button? is a hardcover book released in 1968. [...]
Also posted in Music Tagged books about The Monkees, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork Leave a comment
Illustrations from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
There are so many wonderful illustrated editions of the 1908 children’s classic The Wind in the Willows. Here’s just a brief sample taken from a new annotated edition by Seth Lerer.
Collecting Phil Spector Record Book
There’s no doubt Phil Spector is one of the most influential (and controversial) record producers in rock and roll. His trademark was the Wall of Sound; a production technique using layered musical arrangements with backing bands the size of orchestras. Songs produced with the Phil Spector touch included: “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Be My Baby” [...]
Also posted in Music, People/Places Tagged Phil Spector discography, Phil Spector's Wall of Sound, records produced by Phil Spector 2 Comments
Just My Type: A Book About Fonts
I’m reading a fantastic new book about the history of fonts. It’s called Just My Type and is by Simon Garfield. Many of us take for granted or don’t realize the variety of fonts we confront in our everyday lives. But, typeface can make an impact or generate feelings we may not realize. I first [...]
Also posted in Art/Architecture, Recommended, Uncategorized Tagged books about fonts, history of typography Leave a comment