Official book collectors thread

Looks like an Oligarch coffee table bauble that will never be read.

 

WRONG.
1) Not on a coffee table, on a tool cart from Uline.
2) I keep it in the garage, not in the living room.
3) I often enjoy reading it before/after driving Ferraris.

 

Hello there, please note I was not criticising you, I would never do that, but that sort of "book."

 

It actually contains some decent info as well as many beautiful/historic images. I'm enjoying it.

 

An overrated, overpriced status symbol (just my opinion).

Plenty of more informative Ferrari books around for 1/10th the price.

 

It contains some beautiful images I've never seen elsewhere. And I enjoy the look of the case in my garage. I didn't buy it as a status symbol, if for no other reason, nobody else enters my garage other than myself. So if nobody sees it, how could it be a status symbol?

I'll refrain from further contributions to this subforum to avoid triggering the delicate peanut gallery.

 

Exactly, these ridiculous offerings with indecent prices are made so that buyers may brag about them to their guests OR on a forum.

Same difference.

Also, like the Assouline books I mentioned here after having a look at them in February, it seems the bigger, costlier the book, the shorter and more worthless the text. Asking about new research in such books would be utterly pointless.

 

Different horses for different courses! There’s no problem.

 

Firstly this is an open forum so opinions and discussion is the purpose of why we are here (sometimes a slightly thicker skin would also be preferable).

Secondly you just posted a photo of the Taschen Ferrari book- no comment, no context, nothing. Just a random photo ??!!
That book has been discussed to death within these 321 pages so unless you're bringing something new to the discussion I don't see the point of your post.

Having said that you are welcome to post what you want within the topic but just don't get offended by comments that don't align with your own.

For most its a free forum so contribute, don't contribute, that's your choice.

 

For those interested in boats, Taschen is publishing 'America's Cup' in two editions. The 'poor man's' edition for EUR2.500,- and the one with a carbon fibre bookstand, designed by Marc Newson, for EUR12.500,-. There's clearly a market for vanity publications, and the contents of the books (other than the pretty pictures) are more or less a side show. Both editions of course limited to one less than the market is willing to absorb.

 

I see their prices have become more reasonable compared to the US$17,000 "standard" edition of the Ferrari book which took them over 6 years to sell out.

 

I happen to be in London at the moment for holiday and today visited the book department at Harrods - and what did I see there: the Ferrari book by Taschen!

So, I took the opportunity to take a close look at it.

In my opinion, the idea and execution of the cylinder-head-like book box is most enjoyable and excellent, and I can understand everyone who takes pleasure in this piece of art.

As far as the book itself is concerned, in my opinion, it doesn't live up to the ambitious expectations raised by this project. I have seen many pictures published before, and the reproduction of a number of images is rather disappointing compared to other great books like 'Ferrari in Camera', 'Inside Track', 'Ferrari by Millanta', or 'Ferrari Monza SP1/SP2'.

But in the end there cannot be anything like a common opinion on an unusual project like this. And if someone buys and enjoys it, he or she has my utmost sympathy as I know that I am enjoying books as well which others wouldn't and vice versa.

 

Thank you Sven for your post and assessment.

That being said, Harrod's, just like its Paris equivalent Le Bon Marche where I perused the Assouline books in February, caters more and more to Eastern European and middle Eastern very new, not exactly cultured, money, all about shallow appearance.

I recall the last time I was at Harrod's a few years ago, I saw two Lambo Aventadors nearby within an hour. Arab and Bulgarian plates.

Those people wouldn't know new research in books if it fell on their heads.

 

To be fair, Taschen does publish some high quality, not necessarily expensive, books. Assouline IMHO is always more show than go.

 

Unfortunately many newer, younger current model Ferrari owners buy the car just as they would a watch, handbag or other expensive accessory and would have no idea on the company's history or couldn't name any of the models prior to 2010.

 

2010 might already be quite a stretch.

 

For those you interested in the older Ferraris of the 1940/50s, I have written, and just had published, a book about the F1/F2 and FL Ferraris of 1948-52. It's called: "Ferrari, the early Monopostos of 1948-52". Amberley Publishers, Stroud, England.

 

^^

After seeing your post about your new book, I spent a delightful hour last night revisiting my copy of Fifty Years on the Track, and was struck by how so many cars pictured in the ownership section were painted resale red when you compiled the information. I look forward to reading your new book!

 

Not Ferrari related but soon to be published. Seems to be an official Alfa publication and available through Rizzoli. Any thoughts or additional information?

 

There is a boastful promotion page by Stellantis themselves which makes me rather sceptical with all the superlatives in the text ...

https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/alfa-romeo/press/alfa-romeo-tells-the-story-of-the-33-stradale-in-a-collector-s-edition-book

And here is the official announcement by Rizzoli:

https://www.rizzoliusa.com/book/9788891842732/

 

I just received the current Porter Press newsletter. I didn’t notice any mention of the Chinetti/NART book…..

 

To be fair, this newsletter seems to be exclusively an announcement for the GT40 Vol. 2 book, no ongoing project is mentioned.

 

I helped source several of the vintage Alfas that were displayed at the Alfa/Hagerty House in Pebble Beach when the 33 Stradale was unveiled during Monterey Car Week last week. I was gifted a copy of the book as a token of appreciation. I haven't read it in detail yet, but at first glance the text and photos remind me of articles from The Official Ferrari Magazine, with corporate PR-style commentary and remembrances from insiders involved with the development of the 33 Stradale, and concept drawings and photos of both the original Tipo 33 as well as the new car. The book is oversized and printed on heavy stock paper. My copy has only English language text, and the layout and photo style are very similar to TOFM. If you are excited by the 33 Stradale then I think the book would be an interesting addition to your library, although I wouldn't pay USD$85 for it.

As an aside, I don't understand why Alfa incurred so much expense marketing the 33 Stradale during Car Week. They claim all 33 units are already sold. Many of the attendees at the unveiling did not appear to have been qualified as sales prospects. I understand it's a halo car, but the rest of the product lineup is aging and the US sales and service dealer network is shrinking, so I would think that the marketing dollars could have been better spent elsewhere. It's almost as if Stellantis is determined to repeat Alfa's history in the US. End of rant.

 

Working with Junior, DN must be tearing his hair out.

 

Ouch!