Official book collectors thread

Thank you. I realized after posting that I could have just looked it up myself.

I’ll wait for the reviews as the author is a bit of an unknown entity, although he does have some work published. Hoffman is certainly a worthy subject.

Now, if we could just get a Chinetti biography done…..

 

I found sample pages (attached), but no audio file. Sounds like a great subject for a book.

 

You're right, audio file was attached to the email they sent me:
https://soundcloud.com/velocebooks/myles-kornblatt-interviewed-by-giles-brown-talk-radio-europe-crop?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=on_the_grid_the_veloce_newsletter_2022_issue_2_september&utm_term=2022-09-07

 

By chance, I was glancing at Keith Bluemel's new F40 book, just arrived on the Porter Press stand at the Goodwood Revival today, when who should appear but the author himself. Also getting his first look at a printed copy (and the book looks superb, by the way).

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Great photo.

In fact he could very well be signing my copy there as I have a man on the ground who just texted me to say I have your K.B signed F40 book ready to post off to you.

 

You never know! Actually, (and I hope this isn't giving away a secret) Keith told me he got sent a pile of the opening page to sign which then got bound into the finished books. That was how there were signed copies there even though Keith hadn't seen a finished copy until then.

 

Nice. I really don’t like signature plates.

 

Porter Press told me there wouldn't be any limited editions of the F40 book. But maybe, they sell some of the signed copies as special copies.

 

Well that's a change for Porter Press.

At least in recent years for their Ferrari books anyway.

 

Logistically they are the easiest solution.

 

That always looks a bit 'el cheapo'.

 

Well not everyone has el Timo to get an author in front of a pile of books...

 

Agreed, but to me a “live” inscription adds a sense of occasion that a signature plate cannot.

 

And that translates directly into dollars and cents. I doubt that I am the only one who is more likely to buy a hand signed book and usually willing to pay more for one. Bookplates are something of a compromised middle ground. Ordinary unsigned books almost always compete directly with Amazon, Abebooks, etc., all of which are a race to the bottom from a pricing (and, no doubt, profitability for the author) perspective.

 

Nothing against it if it can be done at events such as Retromobile, Essen, Goodwood etc.

 

Yes, and autographed photos vs. autographed photo presentations which have a separate signature on paper, not on the photo. These are very similar to books with regard to prices/values and desirability. They still sell fairly well, but do carry a lower collector value and lower $ value.

 

It makes sense, if the author has been in contact with the book (or photo) then to a collector it is more desirable then a stuck on signed label added later.

In terms of collectability it would go from least to highest:

Signed book plate

Signature of the author in the book

Signature and date in the book especially if the date is close to its initial publication date.

Then surprising a dedication or message from the author. This is because the more words written, the easier it is to determine if the signature is a fake or not.
I however am not a fan of buying a second hand book with "To Peter" when my name is Mark, but that's just me.

 

Not an unusual sentiment. Generally a book that has been flat signed is more desirable than one with an inscription. For better or worse, some people insist on always signing with an inscription, possibility trying to reduce secondary market reselling?

 

Well that's my thought too but it seems to a collector and confirmed by many collector book websites inscriptions are more desirable then just a signature alone.
Go figure.

 

I actually like a dedicated inscription. I have a few and I think they add something to the book.

 

When anyone of you holds his or her copy of the F40 book by Keith Bluemel in hands, I shall be most grateful for some comments/views on it. Because I am still undecided whether to buy it or not.

 

I think it's a no brainer.
Keith is an excellent researcher and author.
Porter Press do a very high quality production.
There are not many really good books on the subject of the F40 (especially in English) and the price is certainly reasonable.
I'm in.

 

Absolutely. As mentioned above, I had a good look at it (although not to read it through, of course) at Goodwood. I'm waiting for my own copy to arrive but I wouldn't hesitate.

 

I ordered a copy from PP. Perhaps it will arrive in undamaged condition one day (Yes, I am still traumatized from the 250 GTO two volume book sent by PP).
PS: There is another new F40 book as well, from Giorgio Nada Editore in Italy.

Marcel Massini

 

My two cents worth...
I agree, and this is exactly the same with collecting autographed photos. The only exceptions I've ever seen with personal inscriptions on photos and also with some autographed books (but much less often).... If the inscription or dedication has been written to someone well known in the automotive world such as a designer, race driver, well known artist, significant person in the auto industry, etc.... then that can add to the value & selling price. And obviously, this needs to come with some sort of proof/verification of the person is it was dedicated to.