Yeoman's in the Fork Blog

Here at Yeoman's, we not only carry a variety of rare books, we also have a large inventory of ephemera, including stereoviews, which some may be unaware of. So for those that may be wondering what exactly a stereoview is and when they were popular, etc., read on!

What is a stereoview?

Stereoviews (also known as stereo views, stereographs, 3-D views, stereopticon cards, stereoscope views, and others) are pictures taken by means of a camera with two lenses. This provides two separate pictures 2.5 inches apart, about the distance between the eyes. Although the pictures appear the same, they are not. When looked at in a viewer, which has prismatic lenses, your eyes will blend the two views into one and the brain perceives it in three dimensions the same as normal vision.

When did stereoviews become part of our culture?

Stereoviews became popular in the late 1800s as a form of entertainment. Before there were photographs in newspapers or magazines, people would pass around a stereo viewer and look at these cheap photographs (which simulated a three dimensional view) as a social activity. In general they tended to be views, plus some portraits of comic scenes. At one time the stereoscope and view cards were found in every American home. From 1850 until World War I, the stereoscope allowed our forefathers to visit every corner of America and the world. It is estimated that by the mid eighteen-fifties over a million homes owned one. The London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company came into being in 1850 and continued for some seventy years. Their output was colossal; they listed over a hundred thousand stereo photographs in their 1858 catalogue. The most famous and successful company was Keystone View Company of Meadville, Pennsylvania.

What happened to them?

Rapid transportation, radio, movies and other forms of entertainment created the demise of the stereoview and by 1920 only one company survived. Today, they are collectible items that provide a 3-dimensional view of the world during that time.

What are the most valuable stereoviews?

Tens of thousands of stereoviews were made at their peak of popularity between 1860 and 1920. An expert appraiser might think a stereoview is worth only $20, but if it has a picture of a Chicago Cubs baseball game, a collector of Cubs memorabilia might be willing to pay $40, someone who was at the game might be willing to pay $80, and someone who's father is playing second base might be willing to pay $200. Hence, its value is $200, and there is no way an appraiser can predict this. Photos by famous photographers such as Muybridge or William Henry Jackson are usually more desirable than images by the talented but anonymous shooters at Keystone.

Recently I had a great friend of mine, who I had not seen in a number of years, come into town to pay a visit. We had lunch and I suggested to him that he come out and see our store in Leiper's Fork before he left. So, the next day, as I was working at the shop, my friend stopped by and was very impressed with what he saw. I think he was most awestruck by our Benjamin Franklin bench that sits out on the lawn. Who could blame him? It is perfect for those that want to spend some time reflecting and take in a lazy day here in The Fork. Like many others, he was curious as to why we chose to have a bronze sculpture of Benjamin Franklin on a park bench in our front yard. So for those of you who may also be curious there are three great reasons. The first is that Benjamin Franklin represents what we are passionate about here at Yeoman's! We strive to preserve the history and the memory of the founding fathers and to keep alive their ideals to future generations. Secondly, Benjamin Franklin is the namesake of the great city of Franklin, Tennessee, of which we are a part! Thirdly, it is just a stunning work of art and it is our hope that each person who visits our store will enjoy the bench and even take their picture with a founding father! My friend's curiosity also caused me to remember the many others who have asked questions and made very complimentary comments about the sculpture. So, for those who have asked, "How much does your Ben Franklin weigh?" "Why does he have a key in his hand?" "What book is on his lap?" or "What is his foot resting on?" I think it would be appropriate to share with you the words of the artist himself, Gary Lee Price. What follows is the words of Mr. Price about his creation:

It was with great anticipation that I added Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), America’s greatest Folk Hero, to my “Great Contributor” series. He is without a doubt one of the most remarkable men in history and certainly the most famous symbol of America’s rustic democracy and innovativeness. Retiring financially at the age of 42 he was rapidly becoming an international celebrity, already famous for his contributions to science and printing. He later said of all of his accomplishments he wanted to be known as a printer. Aptly so, I created Ben wearing one of his most famous inventions, bifocals, along with a copy of his Poor Richards Almanac on his knee. In his left hand he holds a key, symbolic not only of his significance in America’s independence and founding but of opening doors in so many aspects of every day life. His was a life of great service evidenced in his “giving” of the lightening rod to humanity- just because he saw a problem, used his ingenuity and solved it. His foot rests upon a document container representing his super-involvement in the politics and negotiations of the times. His ambassadorship to France was vital to our country’s very existence.

I invite you to come, sit and take short respite with this amazing man. Perhaps ponder his contemplative smile and consider his approach to life along with his wit, wisdom and humor.

And for those of you still curious, Ben weighs 475lbs. Be sure to come by and see us (and Ben) soon!

     After over a decade in the rare book business, I believe that I have only scratched the surface of the thought processes that are behind the distinction of a book as art. It is easy to say that a book with a particularly fine leather binding, scroll work or tooled details is art, but what other factors come into play? I believe that the perception of a book as more than a book has more to do with the person than with the pages and binding in most instances.
     My wife Katie teaches second grade in the suburbs of Nashville. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a masters degree in reading education. For the most part, she really doesn’t understand why or how a person is able to make a living selling old books or bits of junk as she calls the antiques that inevitably come along with the books. This perception was shattered when I happened to present her with a rugged copy of Harry Potter a few years back. In the world of rare book hoarding, condition is paramount! No surprise that when I came across a copy of Harry Potter that had been written in, scribbled on, and colored up, I knew I had to get rid of it… Thinking that a child in her class might appreciate this hand me down no matter the condition, I brought it home. The sight of this book was enough to bring her to tears. Her eyes welled up and in an instant it was as if someone else on the planet Earth had really grasped what she had believed all of her life. Words are to be shared and they are instrumental in teaching the youth of all nations. I could not believe that she could be so stirred by the torn up copy of Mr. Potter that I had just handed over to her. At first I thought that she was upset with me for bringing another book to the house (even a reading specialist can reach her limit apparently), but then she smiled and began to speak.
     She spent the rest of that evening with her face glued to the pages only stopping long enough to laugh and give me the minute by minute account of what she was finding throughout the book. It seems that this book had been given as gift to a very special granddaughter by a loving grandmother. She had spent what must have been weeks marking up the interior! Little drawings and notes filled the pages. “The one and only annotated edition by Grandma S.” written in the margins on the title page. “Harry Potter looks a whole lot like you did!” on another page… This was no book; it was a time capsule. To date, the book resides on one of our special book homage cases and is used more than any other book in the house I’m sure. This was the way that books were supposed to be used. This book represents the hope that reading and family traditions of sharing and passing on the written word are not dead. The beat up copy has now been seen and used by dozens of teachers and booksellers. It has traveled the roads and has seen many a rainy afternoon. Saved from the abyss, it is a family treasure with a new family. Why was this book sold off as if it were a recyclable tin can? I guess it goes to show that one man’s trash really is another man’s treasure. A book that is torn up, scribbled in, written on and basically abused can be an amazing treasure. This book is a beautiful piece of art to us! It brings the best of family, business, teaching, reading and sharing together. It has stirred the souls of many… Is this book with notes from the mysterious Grandmother S. more important or valuable than a Picasso? Don’t ask my wife!

Mike Cotter, Director of Operations Yeoman’s in the Fork

PS. If Grandmother S. happens to read this, give me a call – I have something that belongs to you and Dalton!

This past Saturday, February 6th at the Hillsboro United Methodist Church in Leiper's Fork, the Williamson County Historical Society had their monthly meeting. We here at Yeoman's were honored to host the event. Yeoman's In The Fork would like to express our thanks to Rick Warwick and his continued support of our efforts to host historically meaningful lectures. We have had a tremendously positive response from each of our lectures and we look forward to hearing more from Rick! Be sure to check with us at the shop or go to our website for the next lecture featuring Rick. As a reminder, historian Bill Potter will be here on February 20th to give a talk entitled, "Patrick Henry: Apostle of Liberty, Enemy of the State." We will meet promptly at 5:30 at the church! Hope to see you there!

Keith Wallace, Store Manager

Over the years I have been asked many questions regarding collecting rare books and documents. Questions such as, “What should I buy?”; “How do I know what is a good investment?”; “Where do I buy?” and “How do I know the item I buy is Authentic?” All of these questions are typical and certainly understandable concerns for the new collector. While no one single source is the be-all, end-all in collecting, there are many books written that are wonderful reference guides. Recently, I came across a book that I think fits that mold, one that most autograph and document collectors, old and new, will find invaluable. It is called In The Presence Of History: The Authoritative Guide to Historical Autographs for Collectors, History Enthusiasts and Investors. The book was written by Steven, Jonas and Nathan Raab of The Raab Collection. These men have been in the business for a very long time and offer in this book some great information about the history of manuscript and autograph collecting. They give an assessment of how to judge the quality of a document and how this relates to value. Also provided in the book is a guide to buying and selling as well as concerns of authenticity. The last half or more of the book is devoted to Presidential autographs, with examples given for each, as well as a “who to collect” in terms of historical Americans. This is an incredible resource for the collector!

Beautifully illustrated and laid out in a style that is user friendly and easy to read, this book comes highly recommended by Yeomans!

CLICK HERE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING THIS BOOK

If you have read the New York Times best-selling novel, The Widow of the South, by Robert Hicks, then you know how fortunate we are to have such a gifted writer right here in Williamson County. Robert’s latest novel, A Separate Country, is set in the post civil war era New Orleans and features General John Bell Hood and the internal and external struggles he faces in the aftermath of The Battle of Franklin. For those of you who have read A Separate Country, you will be familiar with Hicks’ characters, Rentrah, Pascal and Eli as well as General Hood and Anna Marie. From March 18^th-22^nd, Robert Hicks will be your host in New Orleans as he guides you to some fabulous places in the city, including the Hood home, Lafayette Cemetery, the Confederate Museum, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the New Orleans Fine Arts Museum, the Degas House and a few wonderful places to experience the famous food of the city! The details of this adventure can be foundby followingthe link below! Have to give Robert credit on this one as he is most certainly proving to be one of the most approachable authors you will ever meet. This is your chance to tour New Orleans with expert guide, best-selling author and our good friend - Robert Hicks.

http://www.customtravelconcepts.com/8629037_75857.htm

PURCHASE A SIGNED COPY OF "WIDOW OF THE SOUTH" HERE

PURCHASE A SIGNED COPY OF "A SEPARATE COUNTRY" HERE

Do you remember how the mere mention of a field trip when you were in school sent you flying off to higher places and dreaming of days spent away from what you perceived as the most boring job on earth? School was a drag, only made fun and interesting by lunch, friends and field trips. That is exactly how I remember it and have only now begun to appreciate the education and street smarts I picked up along the way while in school. This past week, Yeoman's played host to a group of amazing students from Franklin Christian Academy. I must say that the entire group gets my vote for class of the year. These guys and gals were quiet, polite, interested and genuinely fun to be around if only for an hour. I seriously cannot ever imagine being interested in historical documents and/or rare books when I was 14, but it gives me a glimmer of hope for our society that this group really had questions and took in the history that they soon realized was around them while here at Yeoman's. If only I had started at that age...

I want to thank Taylor Clement, Headmaster Hugh Harris, the amazing students who endured my boring chatter and all the others who came out last week from Franklin Christian Academy. One of the core missions at Yeoman's in the Fork is to share as well as sell. We are simply caretakers of history and realize that the history that surrounds us belongs to all of us as much as it belongs to the client who purchases it. We enjoy and share while we have these little bits of history and you have helped us in this endeavor. Your visit with us brings out the best in us and we can't thank you enough. We look forward to hosting you in the future and appreciate you very much.

Mike Cotter, Director of Operations

Am I a bookman or a book dealer??? The question was posed to me over the holiday and I must confess that it caught me a little off guard. I have always referred to myself as a book dealer, but bookman has a certain quality and most certainly rolls off the tongue easier... The powers that be over at WIKI have shed some light on the subject for us all:

Bookman - the definition was a studious or scholarly man, and now means one who writes, edits, publishes, or sells books (Hmm... I do sell them...)

Book Dealer - one whose profession is the buying and reselling of rare and used books

I guess that in all of the years in the business, I should have given this a little more thought, but better late than never I guess. I suppose that I will leave the final decision on my general title in the world as it pertains to my profession to you, but if you see me in the near future - how about a nod for bookman. The term dealer seems harsh and is generally associated with those we either seek to put behind bars or those we dread negotiating with over the price of the upgraded back seat airbag on the new Toyota... I have not become a DEALER…have I?

Hope this helps and HAPPY NEW YEAR from your friendly, neighborhood BOOKMAN in the Fork!!!

Mike Cotter, Director of Operations

Well, here we are approaching yet another beginning, another year, another decade. As is often the case, this time of year evokes feelings of nostalgia, accomplishment, regrets and likely, a host of other emotions. We are sitting at the beginning of what will assuredly be a noteworthy decade in the history of our country. The fast paced progress of man and his philosophy, ideals and technology, combined with an increasing population resulting in competition between nations for resources and our continued investigation into our footprint on the planet, will certainly all factor into the history that will be made in the next several years and will likely define this new decade in a significant manner. Whatever the future will bring, it is my hope and prayer that men and women who still love freedom and the ideals that continues to form what it means to be in America and to be an American, will rise up and make our voice heard as the brave men and women did in the 1760’s and 1770’s.

In 1826 Thomas Jefferson wrote concerning his Epitaph. It is noteworthy to me that the three things he wished to be known for were:

1. Being the author of the Declaration of American Independence

2. Being the author of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom

3. Father of the University of Virginia

The rights of man (freedom), religious freedom and education...these three among everything else Jefferson did, were the things he wanted to be his legacy.

As we move into a new year, many will make resolutions, decide to give up a vice, decide to be nicer or maybe some will just say “we are all doomed, so I will do nothing.” Whatever the twists and turns yet to play out in the history of man, I do know one thing...it will be much, much more interesting than any fiction. Happy New Year!

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/207.html

Recently I was reading about an obscure signer of The Declaration of Independence named George Walton. Walton was born in Virginia in 1741. Walton was orphaned by age seven and raised by his Uncle in Prince Edward County, Virginia. At age nineteen he moved to Georgia where his older brother, John, was residing. Of particular note to me as I was reading was how George Walton was considered an honest and trustworthy man by some and a scoundrel by others. Walton was no doubt a hard worker with a great deal of dedication. Not allowed candles to read at night by his uncle, Walton used wood shavings and other such scraps to study law while he worked as a carpenter. Walton became a very successful lawyer in Georgia and worked his way into public prominence.

Walton was elected Governor of Georgia, appointed Chief Justice, a superior court judge and a state senator at various times during his life. He was in and out of public favor it seemed. His feud with fellow declaration signer, Button Gwinnett, led to his censure by the legislature for his involvement in a duel which led to Gwinnet’s death. He was also involved in several shady land scandals that rocked the government, the most famous being the Yazoo Land Scandal. During the Revolutionary War he was captured by the British and later ransomed for a British Captain or worked his way to freedom by giving his services as a British officer, depending on which story you feel is accurate as both are written in brief biographies about him. By these seeming contradictions one can get a sense that there is something accurately human about George Walton that gives him such an air of fascination for such an obscure historical figure.

Not a great deal is written about George Walton. There are no huge tomes written and not even modest biographies. The most one can find are brief sketches found in books written about the signers of the declaration. Yet he most certainly played a huge role in the early history of Georgia. His role as signer of the declaration is significant in that he signed the document, but any other significance is limited to his role as a leader in Georgia. Given the scandal and the huge canyons of differing opinion by men who knew him, it is certainly a shame that we do not know more about George Walton. From my view, I am certain his story would put many of our political scandals today to shame. But it does go to show that there is, indeed, nothing new under the sun.

Has anyone out there read 'A Guitar and a Pen: Stories by Country Music's Greatest Songwriters?’ This charming look inside the farther reaches of the storyteller's mind is undoubtedly one of the most under-appreciated books to come out of Nashville in years. You've got original stories (and some pretty darn good ones) by a few legends in this town - Kris Kristofferson, Tom T. Hall, Charlie Daniels, Robbie Fulks and Hal Ketchum to name a few. The book features a foreword by Vince Gill and touts endorsements from Bill Anderson and B.B. King! The book hit stores just over a year ago and never received the backing that it really needed to break through. In my opinion, a series of major flaws with production, distribution, and advertising caused the book to essentially go unnoticed by almost everyone on earth. I have just uncovered the publishers stash of these books that never went out of the warehouse for public offering and am determined to give this book a little of the credit that it deserves. Yeoman's in the Fork will soon be offering multi-signed copies of this modern Nashville classic to the world. As chance would have it, this little find was a sheer stroke of luck. I was attending the annual publisher remainder book show in Chicago last month and happened to see the samples sitting around. I was actually there in search of the Limited Edition of ‘1776’ by David McCullough (which we found and have for sale at a great price on the site already!) as well as the audio version of Robert’s book, ‘The Widow of the South.’ Right place, right time folks…

Yeoman’s is currently trying to line-up the authors and contributors to join in the fight to save a little piece of Nashville history by spreading the word that copies of ‘A Guitar and a Pen’ have been located and will soon be offered at our shop and on our website. How can you miss with a tale of a rock that looks like a naked woman from Kris Kristofferson and ‘A Big Batch of Biscuits’ by John Bolinger. By the way John, I loved this story and it most certainly takes me back to my childhood in West Tennessee. It is a sobering reminder that nothing lasts forever and to always be grateful for what cha got I guess…

CHECK OUT THESE PHOTOS OF OUR PRIVATE SIGNING WITH TWO OF THE EDITORS, ROBERT HICKS AND JUSTIN STELTER. WE WILL UPDATE YOU AS SOON AS WE MAKE THESE LITTLE COUNTRY CLASSICS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE!

The written word has come a long way from the days of clay tablets and papyrus rolls. Until the invention of the Guttenberg press in the 1400s, all books were printed and bound by hand, mostly by monks of various religious orders. Although still labor and time intensive, printing made books more accessible as it was much faster than copying an entire book by hand. Books became a status symbol of the rich and educated and bookbinding became a viable profession. With the many advancements in technology that have been realized, making the book less expensive and faster to produce, hand-bound books are treasured among collectors and book lovers to this day.

Binding a simple book by hand can encompass around 30 steps including folding and collating pages, stitching and gluing, and can take 12-20 hours to complete. The covers of these books, which are usually leather, are stamped using heated tools, which is the most difficult part of the process, especially when applying the gold leaf to the books. It is agreed, however, that nothing really compares to the aesthetic of a leather-bound book with gilt decoration and lettering.

It may seem odd to write a blog about something so old-fashioned and to some, possibly out-dated “art.” Personally, I tend to gravitate towards them (and this blog is for a store that specializes in rare and antique books, coincidentally). I don’t know very many women in their twenties who spend most of their time crocheting, hand quilting, sewing and crafting away their time in general. And yes, I realize that to a good number of people, this form of occupation may seem dull, tedious and frankly, a waste of time. But then, I could probably say that about something you do for fun. I enjoy it immensely. So, with that in mind, I have been chosen to pursue an education in bookbinding to become the official bookbinder of Yeoman's in the Fork's very own in-house bindery. I am attending my first class (Fundamentals of Bookbinding) at the American Academy of Bookbinding in Colorado in May and am very excited about it! I hope to keep you updated throughout my formal and self education!

Michelle Peppard

Online Sales Lead and Assistant Cataloger

We want to thank everyone who made it out to hear Rick Warwick’s talk on the history of Williamson County a few Saturdays ago. Quite a number of folks turned out and we are hoping to build upon the success of this venture with more talks planned with Rick and others! Thanks to The Country Boy Restaurant for allowing us the use of their facility and for fixing that wonderful food!

Please come down to Yeoman’s and see our Rare Books and Documents if you haven’t already. We will be very happy to talk your ear off about history or anything else that might interest you for that matter. We hope to see you at our next event, “An evening with Bill Potter, Author & Historian,” on December 19. His talk is entitled “Would George Washington have seceded from the Union in 1861?” We will begin at 5:30 and this event will be at the United Methodist Church here in Leiper’s Fork. And don’t forget our Children’s Reading Hour on December 12^th from 1-2 pm! Bring the kids for some educational as well as entertaining reading.

This weekend presented me with a situation that I must admit - I was not prepared for… Part of our Yeoman plan was to hold small gatherings for our friends and clients periodically, but this past Saturday night brought out more than a few of us! I write to you with a humble respect and a newly rediscovered understanding of the power of good in the world. Saturday night’s event featured a speaking by author and historian Bill Potter. It was suspected to draw a crowd of 15 to 20 people. We made arrangements with our favorite local restaurant to house and feed us and we prepared the shop for the pleasures of intelligent company on a Saturday night. We surpassed the 15 to 20 friend estimate thirty minutes prior to the speaking and finally closed the doors with a count of 68!! I am overwhelmed and honestly shocked by the crowd that turned out for our first ever event. Building event attendance is generally slow and grows over the period of years folks… I was and still am speechless!! I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. I was really worried that our first event might only draw two or three people. I was prepared to fill up my coat pockets with the prepared snacks and chug down about 14 Dr. Pepper’s like Forrest Gump. That way you see, I would not have wasted money on food and drink that at least wasn’t enjoyed by one.

To Bill Potter and his crew – THANK YOU for a wonderful evening and I look forward to many, many more. Bill is slated to come back to see us at the end of December. I promise to have a larger space then! Bill and I are in the talking stage over the topic, but John Bunyan / Pilgrim’s Progress printing history and a myriad of Civil War battle talks are high on the list.

To Rick Warwick and the Williamson County Historical Society – I can’t wait until this coming Saturday night to hear Rick give us tid-bits on Leiper’s Fork in his talk, ‘Where the devil is Leiper’s Fork, TN.’ SEE YOU ALL AT COUNTRY BOY RESTAURANT IN DOWNTOWN LEIPERS FORK AT 5:30 ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2009!!!

To the staff at Country Boy Restaurant – Thank you for helping to make our events as beautiful as I hoped they would be. We at Yeoman’s appreciate all you have done to help us as we build our speaking event schedule!

LET’S ALL COME OUT AND SUPPORT RICK FOR HIS FIRST TALK HOSTED BY YEOMAN’S IN THE FORK AND COUNTRY BOY RESTAURANT!!

 

I recently completed Dan Brown’s latest novel, “The Lost Symbol,” and I thought I would ramble on for a little while about my reaction to it. By now I have picked up on the Dan Brown MO: write a novel about something mysterious and full of esoteric, historical tidbits….a subject that, the true meaning of which, has alluded man for millennia, add to it a series of ciphers that must be solved and that build upon one another like a series of falling dominoes, and then after all of the chips have fallen, the die have been cast and it is time for our hero Robert Langdon to ride off to his Harvard classroom for a lecture on the symbolism of the esoteric nature of Gnostic Christianity as it relates to the Hindu Vedas, we find that the ultimate question that was being posed and in which was being unraveled throughout the novel is mostly unanswered. As if Dan Brown himself is telling us, “These mysteries are beautiful enough: they don’t need to be solved.”

Before I go any further, I want to state that I loved the novel and in no way is the above paragraph to be read as “making fun” of Dan Brown or the novel. I was just trying to be clever and humorous, so if I failed, then well…damn. I will say that the novel made me want to know more about Noetic Science and I am now praying to the Supreme Architect of the Universe every night that it is truly real and that it will really happen! I did enjoy the Masonic twist the novel had and I appreciate Mr. Brown for portraying the Masons in a good light. He also featured our favorite friend and American Patriot, Ben Franklin, in his novel as well, so that is always appreciated. I think, in all seriousness, that Dan Brown is a genius. He can take subject matter that is extremely controversial or hard to grasp and makes it very simple and for the most part accepted by the masses. That is what has made him the biggest thing in books since, perhaps J.K. Rowling. His bank account probably also rivals hers as well. Can we say BILLION folks? So now I am wondering...how long until the next one, Dan? Don’t keep us waiting!!!! I want more symbols and stuff!

 

               My first exposure to Dan Brown was shortly after the release of The Da Vinci Code.  I was in my favorite local bookshop when I was suddenly stopped by an old friend and fellow Mason. He suggested with great enthusiasm that I read this book and that it was “right up my alley.”  He knew that I loved to read speculative history and alternative theory type of books and that I had a love for the mysterious aspect of humanity.  I blindly took his advise and purchased the book immediately. I did not even look at the inside flaps and read those ever important blurbs that tell you why you should buy a book and why it is so incredible.  But as I have always believed and have had reinforced through experience all my adult life, word of mouth is the best advertisement.  And so it was on this day as well. 

               I devoured the book within a few days or a week, I don’t remember…..I loved it and just knew that this book was one of those special works of fiction that would “make it big.”  I didn’t feel that way because the writing was great or that Dan Brown was an extraordinary story teller.  Not to take away from Dan Brown, he is certainly talented and is one of the better fictional writers around right now, but that isn’t what attracted me to this novel.  Instead, it was the content, the subject matter and that a writer actually had the conviction and the courage to write such a book.  To question the most powerful organization in known human history is pretty incredible and to do it as clever as Brown did it, I thought was pretty damn cool.  After reading the book, I picked up Angels & Demons and even read Brown’s lesser known novels that weren’t a part of the Langdon series.  I must confess that I am a big fan and I am about to read his new novel, The Lost Symbol.  I pre-ordered it, but haven’t gotten it yet.  Something seems wrong about that. 

               I need to back up and reveal how I had a secret insight into the content of Brown’s long awaited novel.  Back in 2003 when the book was released Brown went on the usual book signing tour and Nashville was the last stop.  Mike and I were ready.  We knew the book would be a hit, based upon my gut instinct after reading it and the fact that it was climbing up the charts of course.  We purchased every first edition we could find and when Mr. Brown arrived in Nashville on his final stop before going into hiding to write his new novel (which took nearly 6 years!), we were ready with about 50 books for him to sign.  Right before his talk at the signing he walked right up to us and we began to chat.  He agreed to sign every book we had, so we waited last in line and he was very gracious and kind.  He mentioned that his new book was going to be about, in his words, “the oldest organization in history.”  He was speaking, of course, about the Freemasons.  This perked my interest as I have been a Freemason since 1999.  I briefly spoke with him about this, but of course, he wasn’t revealing his plot to two country boys from Nashville!  So, now 6 years later I am ready to begin reading a book that I have been waiting to read since meeting Mr. Brown that day.  I hope it doesn’t disappoint!

 

As many of you know, our gallery is now officially open.The shelves are brimming with books and the cases are filling with relics. We at Yeoman’s have many exciting doings in the hopper and the future for rare books and collectibles in the Fork looks like a bright one. Since the day that we opened, it has been on my mind to do a little note of introduction to our recently acquired bronze statue of Benjamin Franklin which now resides just off our front porch. A few months ago, I happened upon an advertisement for a Utah sculptor named Gary Lee Price in Fine Books Magazine. I perused his work and was immediately taken by his Benjamin Franklin piece, which is a part of his “Great Contributor Series.” I was equally stirred by a few of the quotes that I found attributed to the artist himself such as,

"I hope I can assist the world in visualizing a place where fences and boundaries, both real and imagined, are non-existent; a place where bias and prejudice are long forgotten; and finally, a place where acts of kindness, mutual respect, and love are everyday happenings." - Gary Lee Price

I could not have done better job at summing up our beliefs! The beauty of the piece and the beliefs of the creator locked it in that we had to secure Ben and bring him home to Leiper’s Fork. Benjamin Franklin is a great representative of all that we try to do at Yeoman’s. The area where we are located bears his namesake. We are a store, yes, but we are much more. Our devotion to sharing, teaching and learning from our fellow man wakes us up each morning and keeps us loving what we do for a living. Money doesn’t buy fulfillment and happiness as the old saying goes. Just like Gary Lee Price, we are proud to be spreading the word of the power of good and are equally proud of the methods in which we’ve chosen to do it.

Our bronze statue of Ben has many features for which you should pay close attention. First off, you might take a gander at the bifocals he is wearing. These glasses were actually invented by Franklin. Next, you’ll make your way to the copy of Poor Richard’s Almanack on his knee. This is representative of his publishing career and the Almanac is one of the more famous aspects of it. The key that resides in his left hand is symbolic of America’s independence and his role in the founding of our country. It is also symbolic of his experiments with electricity and the many other doors that Ben helped to unlock. You might also take a look at the box that his foot sits upon. This box is a document box that was quite common in his day. The box represents his role in government and his political doings at a crucial time in history. Ben is made of bronze and weighs just less than 800 pounds. He was mounted and displayed by our expert landscape artists. He awaits your visit! Please check out these photos and be sure to ask for a photo next time you come to the shop. We are happy to offer free photos with Ben to any and all visitors.

Special thanks to Gary and his studio crew. Ben looks right at home under the magnolias in the Fork!

Mike Cotter, Director of Operations
mikecotter@yeomansinthefork.com
615-983-6463

 

As many of you know, the Southern Festival of Books hit the Tennessee Capitol area this weekend. Every year, dozens of authors, speakers, fans, booksellers and publishers descend upon downtown Nashville to show their wares and take the necessary steps to keep the literary world alive and active. For me, this was a special year of attendance as it was the first time that I actually felt like I was doing my all to really be part of this great crowd. This was the first year that I was able to walk around, talk with publishers and authors and truly have something great to talk about - our new store in Leipers Fork. We at Yeoman's met the rainy day with great hope and we were not disappointed! We were able to pick-up a few new products, including an amazing new book on the ghost stories that surround the American Revolutionary war as well as a much needed visit with our favorite author, Robert Hicks. Since the beginning stages of renovation on our new home in the Fork, Robert has been a great support to us (and congrats to Robert on the new book, A Separate Country!!!)

This annual event has become a staple for downtown Nashville life and has made great strides over the years at attracting the kind of literary talent that this town deserves. It is a given that Nashville ranks at the top when it comes to bringing big name art and music to town, but literary greats have not shown us the love we deserve in my opinion. I guess that we even rank up there when it comes to sports since the we brought the Predators and Titans to town, but why no Stephen King? Why can't we get big names all the time like I see in other great cities across this country? Why have we not been able to support an Annual Antiquarian Book Fair? Why has Nashville fallen behind when it comes to literary hot-spots? This city should be a MUST STOP for every author with a new book! This city should rank higher than Blytheville, Arkansas guys... It is of great pride that I write to you about the Southern Festival of Books today. This annual event is doing their part to stake our claim in the world of books, are we???

P.S. We love you WPLN and all of the sponsors - Keep up the great work knowing that you have the support of team at Yeoman's (a future powerhouse voice in the world of books in Tennessee)

Southern Festival of Books Website (for future notifications)

http://www.tn-humanities.org/festival/exhibitors.php

CHECK OUT THESE PHOTOS OF THE FUN:

As you can see by this website, we at Yeoman’s are working hard to bring you the best in rare books, documents and all things early America.  We are proud to be a part of the historic business community of Leipers Fork, a charming little village just south of Nashville, TN.  The decision to build our beautiful gallery in the heart of small town America is a decision that stems from who we are and what we believe in.  We at Yeoman’s made the call to bring our world class collection of rare books and documents to the Fork believing in the sentiment made famous by Bill Kinsella in ‘Shoeless Joe’ - If you built it, they will come!  We have brought our Washington, Jefferson and Jackson’s to a town not far off the mark from those that would have been very familiar to them in their lives.  The Fork represents the best of us and is truly a magical place to set up shop as purveyors of our historical treasures. 

 

As the Director of Operations for Yeoman’s, I am proud to write to you in what I hope will become a frequent message board for my ramblings and adventures in the business that has become the passion of my professional life!  I appreciate your time and I hope to meet you all in my new home away from home – Leipers Fork. 

 

Mike Cotter, Director of Operations

Yeoman’s in the Fork

mikecotter@yeomansinthefork.com

Here, we at Yeoman’s will share their thoughts on books, collectibles, history, news in the collectible world, and more.  The Yeoman’s blog is a very personal extension of the business that we run.  This is where each member of our staff will have the chance to talk about what they find exciting or special in the world of collecting books, documents and early Americana.  We will discuss upcoming events and any new and fantastic historical treasures that have come our way.  I have always found the little told stories to be the most interesting and the most helpful.  We hope that the little tid-bits here will become a source of great pleasure for you as well us for us.  Be sure to check out our blog every time you visit us online to learn what is going on at Yeoman’s in the Fork! 

 

When I was asked to write the inaugural blog post for Yeoman's in the Fork, I first felt honored to be asked. Then I felt a slight twinge of fear because I had to think of something to write about. I figured the most natural thing to write about is how this all came to be, from my perspective.

I first met Mike & Keith a little over 5 years ago when they gave me the opportunity to join the fascinating and sometimes bizarre world of book collecting. From the onset, I could tell they both had a keen sense for history, whether it be their daily tidbits of historical facts they would share with me (whether I wanted to know or not), or their profound excitement when we came across a treasure with historical relevance like an official government document signed by Theodore Roosevelt. We were all working for another company at the time whose main market was rooted in more modern works of literature, books for the Hemingway and Faulkner or King and Grisham lovers of the world. We would get in pieces of history from time to time and did build up a nice collection related to the Presidents of the 20th century. We were able to build a nice following and clientele with this business, though it may not have been exactly the market Mike & Keith were interested in.  After some time and with dreams of bigger things, they decided to venture out on their own and pursue their own goals. I stayed behind and continued to ply my trade in the collectible book market.

The company line is that Mike & Keith realized their dream of opening their own historical bookstore. From my vantage point about 2 years ago, that dream seemed very long and far-fetched. I kept in contact with them during the interim as they were friends of mine and I was interested in working with them again. I was surprised to find they were selling vintage baseball cards online in Mike's cramped basement. That was about as far from opening a bookstore as you could possibly get. But with any dream, sometimes you have start from the bottom and scratch and claw your way to it.

Months passed and I didn't really hear much from the pair. During that time, the company I worked for became stagnant and I was becoming weary with the day to day grind that it had become. I was hoping for something new and tried my luck with a phone call to Keith to see how they were doing. What I heard was very exciting and renewed my interest in working with them. They were able to build a nice collection of books through their baseball card sales and then were able to reconnect with an old client of theirs that was interested in doing business. From this, they purchased a rather large collection of vintage and antique books from an estate sale in Virginia. They now had an office in downtown Nashville, TN. It was a big leap forward from Mike's basement. At this point, they still had to scratch and claw to get many things done and were not able to hire me at that time but the outlook was looking much brighter and their dream did not seem so far-fetched.

A short time goes by and I hear from Keith that they are in the beginning stages of opening a bookstore focusing on early American history. I really couldn't believe they went from selling baseball cards to opening a beautiful new bookstore in such a short time period. The store was being built in a house that is on the National Historic Registry of Homes and is located in historic Leipers Fork, just outside Franklin, TN. That was a few months ago and since then, they were able to bring me on to the team where I can hopefully apply my talents to help make this the best bookstore in the South.

Currently, I am writing this blog in an incredible and beautiful bookstore that I am sure is much more than they could have ever imagined. The store is just about complete and opening day is coming soon. Even though I am one of the newest members of this team, the sense of pride & history that is emanating from Mike & Keith has definitely rubbed off on me over the years. I can't wait to welcome any and all to our store and website and share with them all the wonderful pieces of history we have inside these walls.

Sorakray Xayvong, Webmaster
Yeoman's in the Fork
sorakrayxayvong@yeomansinthefork.com