Official book collectors thread

Another bad business practice is raising prices as the stock is depleting.

 

I had the same issue as Marshall with the Figoni book, but what can you do. I should have ordered it from Motors Mania.

 

I can remember when the standard practice for on line purchases was, “your card will not be charged until your item has been shipped.” I don’t see that at all anymore.

 

The only Porter Press Ferrari book that has sold out so far is the 250 GTE book which was limited to 750 copies, was reasonably priced and was made in just one "standard" format.

They would be smart to use that as a business model from now on.

 

FWIW (recognizing my post is not F-car focused, moderators feel free to redirect me), I recently picked up the Karl Ludvigsen, Reid Railton - Man of Speed two volume set from EVRO. Fascinating insights into pre-WW2 racing, the ERAs, land speed records, Brooklands, etc. And I'm only into the end of the first volume.

I also would highly recommend the Michael Argetsinger biography of Walt Hansgen. I recall my parents speaking highly of his skills and his passing when I was a child. The book does a great job of situating his significant accomplishments in the post war American sports car scene. I'd not realized the extent to which he was associated with the Cunningham team. RIP David Bull (and Michael Aregetsinger), and thanks for leaving a legacy of well researched and produced historical documents. Wish I'd had the chance to meet them.

Both are great value in terms of content, research and documentation. In a world of superficial appearances and picture books, they both convey the real history at the foundations of motorsport.

 

I actually think it may have been a miscalculation. They probably could have sold another 100-200 books and reduced their unit costs. I guess the “secondary market” will tell.

As for the GTO book, as of Monday when I checked, it was still available, so they may have over estimated the demand for this one. I’m sure it’s a great book but it seems like every book that comes out on the subject promises to be the “ultimate” one. Granted, Porter has a good reputation, but how do we know this truly will be the last word?

 

I'm ok with the book not selling out before it has even been released.
Allow people to see the book in a specialist bookseller, flick through it and choose if it's worth the investment.
When they are still available years and years later (did I hear someone murmur Taschen ) then they have made too many and would hardly be considered collectable.

 

Book of the month in June Classic and sports car magazine.

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I just got April last week.

Highly recommended.

 

Yes!

Brilliant, did not know that, very happy and proud to have put Arnaud and my publisher Doug in touch!

Arnaud did a truly superb job over several years, this is his baby.

Then I remember all the hours translating, adapting the text so it would read right in English. Endless...
You can't just blindly translate, these languages are very different as are the ways of thinking and apprehending things.
I did a lot of this in shopping malls as my gf shopped till she dropped and would suddenly reappear saying let's go and it would take me a moment to switch mental gears!

Then I added my Jean Claude Andruet interview, one of the most poignant I ever got to record.

Really happy with how it turned out

 

Well done Marc, good to be recognised!

 

Didn't I see another review of the book in Octane magazine as well?

 

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New one.

Marcel Massini

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Another brand new one.

Marcel Massini

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Both only available in Italian I'm assuming.

 

That is correct.
Suggest an Italian girlfriend..........

Marcel Massini

 

Hahaha !!

I think a 4th girlfriend for me is too many.

 

Coming late 2021 or early 2022.
Ferrari 75 years, by Jurgen Lewandowski (text) and Gunther Raupp (photographer), publisher Delius Klasing in Germany, more than 300 pages.

Marcel Massini

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Most likely another complete waste of trees.

 

Hahahahahah

 

You're not a fan of Gunther Raupp then?
Nathan

 

No, him and Lewandowski have been milking the cow for many years, nothing of interest has come from it.

 

I don’t care for Raupp’s style of photography.

 

I have never told Gunther because I did not want to vex him but I call that morgue photography. I prefer to put a car in a beautiful setting, even romantic. I no longer shoot but did 14 covers in the 90's with mostly classic Ferraris, always with a beautiful background and aiming for an evocative image not that extreme stark look with too much light.