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How did Hans Worrenberg, Europe’s most famous dwarf performer, go from dazzling English royalty to drowning in a wooden box in Rotterdam? Discover the astonishing life and tragic end of this 17th-century entertainer, whose fame couldn’t save him from a fatal twist of fate.

Jaqueline Foroni, born in Italy in 1779, had both male and female characteristics In 1802 her body was examined by a scientific committee.

A fragile paper from 1938 tells a powerful story. This Passover order form from Hermann Rieder’s kosher grocery in Mannheim offers a rare glimpse into Jewish life just months before Kristallnacht. More than a shopping list, it’s a record of survival—and of a woman who escaped the Holocaust with her daughter, while her store and community were destroyed.

Explore the story of the Österreichisches Central-Organ, a rare 1848 Jewish weekly that championed civic equality, revolution, and emigration to America.

Should you observe an individual handling a book while wearing white gloves, attempt to subdue them with the utmost speed. Ensure that any force used is proportionate. You'll find more useful tips in this article.

At first glance, these two brief handwritten documents from 1780 seem unremarkable. But they offer a striking insight into how the Dutch slave economy was deeply intertwined with the financial markets of cities like Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Central to the story is Willem Suermondt, a Rotterdam merchant who actively traded in bonds tied to Surinamese plantations.

Discover the story of Falenica, a former Jewish resort town near Warsaw that became the site of a Nazi ghetto during WWII.

Discover the life and work of Dutch writer Josepha Mendels, a trailblazing author known for her independent spirit and bold storytelling.

Discover the life of P.T. Barnum, legendary showman who revolutionized entertainment with his circus, marketing genius, and autobiography.

Final auction of Ricky Jay’s collection at Forum Auctions on Feb 27, 2025—rare broadsides, illusionist history & magic’s enduring legacy.

Does collecting stem from a traumatic experience in early childhood? Explore the psychoanalytical theories behind collecting.

Naudé saw libraries as spaces where intellectual disagreements and conflicts could unfold, with books serving as intellectual ammunition.

Godefroy & Co. marketed an "Insurance Corset, against [...] onanism", preventing the wearer from suffering a slow and miserable death.

Discover the art of book collecting with our 10 essential tips for beginners. Start your journey today!

Discover what makes old books valuable and why age alone isn't enough. Explore the six factors that determine a book's worth.

In the 1920s the Nazis used banknotes to spread their propaganda. Remarkably, 2024 saw the return of this form of propaganda.

Explore the top 25 websites for book lovers, including resources for identifying prints, podcasts, historical paper research, and much more.

Chang and Eng Bunker, famous conjoined twins from Siam, were exhibited to the public in Amsterdam in June 1836.

One of the earliest printed depictions of a fountain pen, invented by Daniel Schwenter.