About the Speaker

Michael has been a rare book collector and dealer for nearly thirty years.  His areas of interest are primarily Americana, architecture, early printing, fine bindings, local history, nautical, science & medicine, travel & exploration, and original handwritten diaries and manuscripts.

He has also turned his avocation for rare books into historical writing, using his book collection for much of his source material.  He is the author of several historical articles, some of which have appeared in The Log of Mystic Seaport, Writer's Digest and Naval History and has authored a book An Historical Account of Charles Island.  Currently, he is writing a book about the lives of three men based on their diaries and letters.

The Presentation

The field of rare and collectible books is a fascinating one, touching upon every aspect of human culture.  Michael will present an overview of the rare book world and will bring several books & manuscripts as examples of books from various periods, different bindings, illustrators, etc.

Copious use of illustrations will be made in the presentation to show a wide variety of manuscripts and books from the Vulgate Bible written in the 13th century to a selection of 20th century Hardy Boys dust jackets showing how they changed over time.

A typical talk consists of a well-illustrated PowerPoint presentation and lasts about two hours.  Questions from the audience are strongly encouraged.  The fee for a speaking engagement is $250 plus travel expenses beyond a 30 mile radius of Middlebury, Connecticut.

 Topics

Medieval Manuscripts

Vellum & Paper

History of Printing

First Editions

Binding Types

Book Terminology

Color Plates & Maps

Illustrators and Illustrations

Dust Jackets

Fore-Edge Paintings

Rare Book Libraries

What Makes a Book Collectible