Official book collectors thread

I mean, seriously, I just picked one randomly.

https://www.motors-mania.com/en/histoire-de-l-automobile/7938-archives-des-metiers-l-automobile.html

28 € at motors-mania, 3,99 € at Amazon...

I can understand paying these prices when I visit a specialist bookshop. But on the internet? No way.

 

Except that Amazon does not deliver to certain countries..........!!

Marcel Massini

 

Switzerland is really such a backwater, I would seriously consider moving to a more developed country.

 

Many of these books should be sold by weight (kilo, pound, or whatever). It's only a few books that can command a premium, and non of them are discounted.

 

It's about customs/duties, Amazon says the country is too small, they do not want to adapt bc the market here (in Switzerland) is uninteresting for Amazon (hence they don't want to deliver). They completely underestimate the financial power of this small country, one of the wealthiest on this planet.

Marcel Massini

 

Incredible, I live in Luxembourg which, as a country, may have the same number of inhabitants as Zürich, and Amazon is delivering here. But I refuse to use them anyway.

 

Switzerland (fortunately) is not in the EU and Amazon therefore just doesn't care at all.

Marcel Massini

 

Just count your blessing!

 

Ha ha I was citing Amazon as an example, I didn't want to start a debate about customs duties and the European Union.

There are other places to find these books at ridiculous prices. This "sale" is really a home clearance sale at antique dealer prices.

 

Apparently Motors Mania closed its physical shop in Pau and is now an online shop only, which is sad. I still prefer physical bookstores as can be found in Brescia, Hamburg, Milan, and Paris.

 

Well the owner of Motors Mania is based with his inventory in Antibes on the Med coast and told me I was welcome to visit his offices by appointment. I will do so this spring, I have been happy dealing with him.
I recall visiting Chaters in the UK by appointment with my publisher years ago, it was nice to have the shop to myself so I bought several books and early Cavallino issues.

 

All wonderful but shops are closing down, one after the other.

 

The Paris bookshop "Passion Automobile" seems to be as strong as ever. I go there from time to time, and I'm very rarely the only visitor. But they sell practically only new books. Very few old books and no second-hand books.

 

Wonderful store with friendly people, I frequent them regularly. New books only!

 

Btw, how’s the 250 GTO guide developing?

 

They also have maintained a "historic" address - more than 50 years ago it was the registered address for the publishing house "Editions Pratiques Automobiles" (now long gone, after having been renamed for a while as "Editions Presse Audiovisuel")...

 

Has anyone received this book? Is it worthy of purchase?

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Like any good book, delayed !
Struggling a bit with administration and my daily work...

 

‘Courage!’

 

Yes, I really like it. It isn't the kind of book you sit down and read from start to finish but rather one you dip into whichever section you feel like. Lots of interesting bits of information you won't find anywhere else. Also, worth mentioning that, although it is originally a French book the English version (published by Evro) has been expertly translated

There is a review on Speedreaders here: https://speedreaders.info/27962-100-years-of-legends-the-official-celebration-of-the-le-mans-24-hours/

As always, shop around for the best price.

 

It seems the original / French version is significantly cheaper than the translated one, so I might be tempted

 

Almost twice cheaper in french, great !
Oh and we are going to have Luca Dal Monte's Enzo Ferrari book in french too, on 17 April (at Glénat)

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£42 GBP for the English edition. 40 EUR for the French edition as far as I can see (shopping around, like I said). A minor point but the French edition was published in November 2022 and, unlike the English edition, does not cover the 2023 race.

Either way, well worth the price, as far as I'm concerned.

 

Well, the regular price of the english edition is 70 £... Fairly overpriced.

 

Famous photo of Enzo and 0868 during it's shakedown.