I have come to acknowledge that I have unintentionally started a small collection of nineteenth- and twentieth-century sex manuals. My most recent purchase is The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Sex from May 1954, originally published in 1950. The book was written by several authors, the ones listed … [Read more...] about Forbidden Publishing: Cadillac Publishing Inc. and their Bouts with the Law
Blog
Book Update
Initially, I was planning on doing the December blog on a 1950s Sex Manual and then remembered this blog was supposed to be a book update. I am going to push back the Sex Manual blog to January and it will most likely be a two-parter. My initial goal was to have a draft of my first chapter … [Read more...] about Book Update
An Album of “Love and Friendship”: Mary C. Lear and Her Autograph Book 1882-1884
I'm excited to get a chance to write amidst school and work. Because of the busyness of the season, this post will be much shorter than usual. This past summer I picked up an autograph book that was given to Mary C. Lear by what appears to be her Sunday school class in Mt. Airy on September 24, … [Read more...] about An Album of “Love and Friendship”: Mary C. Lear and Her Autograph Book 1882-1884
In Your Dreams: Dr John’s Dream Book c.1890-1930
Several years ago, while wandering around the Vineland Flea Market, I stumbled upon a small booklet on a pile of miscellaneous items. It was an exciting find! Although no date is printed on it, I guessed that it was probably from the 1880s-1920s. The small publication is titled Dr. John's Recipe and … [Read more...] about In Your Dreams: Dr John’s Dream Book c.1890-1930
Writing Blog: Introduction Update
I am slowly working my way through my book and have approached my first deadline -the introduction. I wanted to have a draft of it completed by September 1st. My goal was to have my introduction be 10,000 words, roughly 20 pages. I finished editing the first draft of my introduction on August 31st … [Read more...] about Writing Blog: Introduction Update
Russell Thacher Trall & His Book “Sexual Physiology” Part 2
Restore woman to health, and give her what God has ordained as her birthright-- the control of her own person -- and the trade of the abortionist will soon cease; but until then not only will the abortionist flourish, but the larger race of empirics in every city, who sell useless or injurious … [Read more...] about Russell Thacher Trall & His Book “Sexual Physiology” Part 2
Writing Blog: I Have Begun Writing a Book…
As I wait on a book for the second part of the Trall blog, I have decided to share some news - I have begun writing a book on nineteenth-century brothel guides. I honestly did not think this research would become a book, I could not see it grow into something more than my Commonplace article, … [Read more...] about Writing Blog: I Have Begun Writing a Book…
Russell Thacher Trall & the Water Cure Movement
Last time my partner and I went to Philly we visited the record store, The Long In the Truth where I was excited to find a small green book titled Sexual Physiology: A Scientific and Popular Exposition of the Fundamental Problems in Sociology by Russell Thacher Trall, published in 1874. Upon looking … [Read more...] about Russell Thacher Trall & the Water Cure Movement
What is this Really?: Maurice Pepin’s WWI-Era Postcards
Recently on a visit to Cape May, NJ my partner and I stopped by an antique shop that we have visited many times before. I purchased several pieces of ephemera and a TY Beanie Baby Goose named "Loosy." No, I will not remove the tag, I do not want her to lose her monetary value, haha. I digress, two … [Read more...] about What is this Really?: Maurice Pepin’s WWI-Era Postcards
Fantasy & History
At midnight on August 2, 2008, after several hours of playing Twilight Trivia and other related games at the Hamilton Borders (now BAM), my best friend Aly and I finally got our copies of the much-anticipated book Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer. The rest of the weekend we spent our time devouring … [Read more...] about Fantasy & History