Rare Book Collecting with Ben Brown

Rare Book Collecting with Ben Brown

From The Shakespeare and Company Interview by Shakespeare and Company

March 26, 2026 · 1h 8m

About this episode

This episode features a discussion with rare book dealer Ben Brown about the intricacies of book collecting, including first editions and signed books.

In this special edition, we revisit three conversations with Shakespeare and Company rare book dealer Ben Brown, originally recorded in 2022. Across these episodes, Ben guides us into the fascinating, often mysterious world of book collecting. We begin with the basics: what makes a first edition and how collectors identify them. Ben shares insights into the thrill of the hunt and the appeal of owning a first edition. Next, we explore the extraordinary publishing history of Ulysses, from censorship battles to rare early editions, revealing how controversy shaped its legacy. Finally, we turn to signed books, unpacking why an author’s signature adds emotional and monetary value—and how provenance can transform an object into a story. Discover our rare books collection here: https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/lists/rare-books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Shakespeare and Company

Guest: Ben Brown

Topics covered

  • rare book collecting
  • first editions
  • Ulysses
  • signed books
  • book provenance
  • censorship battles

Keywords

  • rare books
  • book collecting
  • first edition
  • Ulysses
  • signed books
  • book provenance
  • censorship

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Shakespeare and Company

Books & works: Ulysses

More episodes of The Shakespeare and Company Interview

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Shakespeare and Company Interview podcast page.