Nathan Raab – Experts Hunt for History

Smithsonian Associates Artist Interview Series

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and this is episode #481.

As part of our Smithsonian Associates, Art of Living interview series, I am so pleased to be joined today by author, Nathan Raab.

Nathan Raab, the preeminent American dealer in rare documents, is contacted by at least 20 people every day looking to sell historical documents and artifacts. He constantly combs through other dealers’ catalogs and examines lots offered by the top auction houses. Forgeries are common and spotting them is an art in itself, but Nathan Raab’s work transcends the documents and pieces of paper and gets at the heart of what’s been written and by whom. It’s important to work, and it’s the Hunt for History.

That of course is our guest today, Nathan Raab, reading from his excellent new book, The Hunt for History. We’ll be talking to Nathan Raab about much more, including what his business is like day to day, the fascinating story of how he learned to tell the difference between real and forged artifacts, and of many amazing finds that were nearly lost to the ages. Whether it’s the first report of Napoleon’s death or an unpublished letter penned by Albert Einstein to a curious soldier, every document and artifact he uncovers comes with a spellbinding history.

Please join me in welcoming to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates author interview series, via internet phone, author Nathan Raab.

My thanks to Nathan Raab, who will be presenting at Smithsonian Associates on October 8, 2020, via Zoom. Details are available on our web site, or at Smithsonian Associates. Nathan Raab’s new book, The Hunt for History is available for sale. Thanks, too, to the wonderful Smithsonian team for all their help and assistance with the show, and my thanks to you, our wonderful Not Old Better Show audience. Stay safe everyone, and practice smart social distancing, and remember to Talk About Better. The Not Old Better Show. Thanks, everybody.
For more information about this Smithsonian Associates program, please click here:
https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/experts-hunt-for-history