Out of Print Military Books (1 Viewer)

[Terp152]

I have been to this store, back in the early 90's. etc., and Military Bookman was not picky about condition at all and didn't take much care in describing conditions, so I returned books on several occasions because the condition of the books weren't even close to what I would accept. The Colt's could be a might prickly to deal with if you were somewhat picky. Needless to say, I wasn't their favorite customer. :rolleyes2: -- Al

Ah, the memories of the red book catalog arriving in the mail. For me it was a gateway to many out-of-print books pre-internet days. Even got a note once with the catalog stating they hadn't heard from me in a while. Didn't know about the book relating to the store. May have to find a good used copy.

Speaking of the internet. Had a copy of the WWI boy's novel Renfrew Rides The Sky, about a Canadian Mountie in WWI RAF. It was part of a series handed down to me by my father. I used to comb used books stores to find other volumes for my sons and had an occasional success. Went to the internet a few yrs ago and found practically all of the other vol. You know, it wasn't quite as satisfying as when I used to prowl the book stacks and attics of book stores and come out with a trophy.
Chris

 

[lancer]

Ah, the memories of the red book catalog arriving in the mail. For me it was a gateway to many out-of-print books pre-internet days. Even got a note once with the catalog stating they hadn't heard from me in a while. Didn't know about the book relating to the store. May have to find a good used copy.

Speaking of the internet. Had a copy of the WWI boy's novel Renfrew Rides The Sky, about a Canadian Mountie in WWI RAF. It was part of a series handed down to me by my father. I used to comb used books stores to find other volumes for my sons and had an occasional success. Went to the internet a few yrs ago and found practically all of the other vol. You know, it wasn't quite as satisfying as when I used to prowl the book stacks and attics of book stores and come out with a trophy.
Chris

Chris, I sure do miss the old days, the catalogs that came in the mail and sitting, perusing each page in order not to miss anything. Also, having to read them fast so you could place an order as fast as possible because of the competition from other buyers for the one-of copies. With the internet, the rush is all but eliminated because of the multitudes of sources and copies now available. Of course there is always the rarity that still commands a premium, but the sheer magnitude of choice makes the whole rush thing obsolete. I sure miss the brick and mortar bookstores and the adventure of combing the shelves for the treasures that were hidden on them. -- Al

 

[DMNamiot]

Oh those were the days! I still have a couple of brick and mortar stores nearby that offer up gems. But you guys are right about the internet, while it makes it easier to find things it does take the fun of the hunt out of the equation.

Dave

 

[lancer]

Oh those were the days! I still have a couple of brick and mortar stores nearby that offer up gems. But you guys are right about the internet, while it makes it easier to find things it does take the fun of the hunt out of the equation.

Dave

As I am located in the suburban Washington DC area, I had relatively easy driving access to Maryland, DC, and northern Virginia book stores, something like 4 dozen stores I visited on a regular basis. I spent whole days just visiting bookstores on my rare off days. Today, there are fewer than a half dozen brick and mortar stores that I could visit in a timely matter. For better or worse, the internet has increased availability and ease of buying but has completely killed the thrill and pleasure of the very real tactile experience of hunting/buying books. -- Al

 

[Terp152]

As I am located in the suburban Washington DC area, I had relatively easy driving access to Maryland, DC, and northern Virginia book stores, something like 4 dozen stores I visited on a regular basis. I spent whole days just visiting bookstores on my rare off days. Today, there are fewer than a half dozen brick and mortar stores that I could visit in a timely matter. For better or worse, the internet has increased availability and ease of buying but has completely killed the thrill and pleasure of the very real tactile experience of hunting/buying books. -- Al

Yeah, Butternut and Blue (closed a couple of yrs ago) and Morningside (closed many yrs ago) were publishers of ACW books and had printed catalogs. They were the best in the business for the genre IMO. I don't think they will be replaced for quality and quantity of titles re-printed. Of course I have many more books than I can hope to read. :rolleyes2: But still purchased half a dozen titles in the last couple of weeks. I'm incorrigible. :redface2: Chris

 

[lancer]

Yeah, Butternut and Blue (closed a couple of yrs ago) and Morningside (closed many yrs ago) were publishers of ACW books and had printed catalogs. They were the best in the business for the genre IMO. I don't think they will be replaced for quality and quantity of titles re-printed. Of course I have many more books than I can hope to read. :rolleyes2: But still purchased half a dozen titles in the last couple of weeks. I'm incorrigible. :redface2: Chris

Incorrigible, a word that describes me and my collecting. I have neither bottomless funds nor adequate space for more books, but the flow of new titles to my library seems unending. If my wife had any idea how many and how much, you could read about the results in my obit. {sm2} -- Al

 

[Terp152]

Incorrigible, a word that describes me and my collecting. I have neither bottomless funds nor adequate space for more books, but the flow of new titles to my library seems unending. If my wife had any idea how many and how much, you could read about the results in my obit. {sm2} -- Al

I wonder what will be on our tombstones Al. ^&grin

My "problem" is I read a book and buy several of the reference titles. Some of which l actually get to read. Chris

 

[Terp152]

Oh those were the days! I still have a couple of brick and mortar stores nearby that offer up gems. But you guys are right about the internet, while it makes it easier to find things it does take the fun of the hunt out of the equation.

Dave

Dave, what are your areas of interest? Chris

 

[Terp152]

Did anyone ever go to this bookstore? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1508849447/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 I use to buy books off them but only by mail. I never realized what a neat little bookstore it was.I am ordering this book.
Mark

Thanks for the link Mark, l ordered a copy. Any particular area of interest for you? Chris

 

[lancer]

Did anyone ever go to this bookstore? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1508849447/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 I use to buy books off them but only by mail. I never realized what a neat little bookstore it was.I am ordering this book.
Mark

I was also unaware of this book and will be ordering it soon. Want to see what it has to say about my friend, Jason Duberman, whom I knew for years and was the Colt's main assistant for many years. -- Al

 

[DMNamiot]

I am lucky when it comes to the stores around here, but like you guys I am always hunting for the next gem. The only good thing is my wife knows what have in my library and is fine with it since I don’t have a really huge variety that I am looking for, mainly tank related and obviously India which goes with the bulk of my Toy Soldier collection. And a few other eras.

Dave

 

[marco55]

Thanks for the link Mark, l ordered a copy. Any particular area of interest for you? Chris

I go through different periods of interests.For a while this year I was interested in 17th cen. New France, Gallipoli for a while then King Philip's War.Right now it's late 19th cen. colonialism.My main interest for years was the French & Indian War but I've went through periods of interest of the ACW, Late Roman Empire,Byzantine history,German Invasions of Britain,Viking period,Age of Discovery so what happens is I'll get interested in a period get a ton of books (I had over 200 on the ACW at one time) and read about that period until I just get bored about that period so I'll sell off a bunch of books and buy more.:smile2: I too miss my little red catalog coming plus I use to have a lot of other catalogs coming too.I use to be disappointed in some of the books I got from the Bookman but they were from the 1890's so I got use to some books in rough shape.
Mark

 

[lancer]

I go through different periods of interests.For a while this year I was interested in 17th cen. New France, Gallipoli for a while then King Philip's War.Right now it's late 19th cen. colonialism.My main interest for years was the French & Indian War but I've went through periods of interest of the ACW, Late Roman Empire,Byzantine history,German Invasions of Britain,Viking period,Age of Discovery so what happens is I'll get interested in a period get a ton of books (I had over 200 on the ACW at one time) and read about that period until I just get bored about that period so I'll sell off a bunch of books and buy more.:smile2: I too miss my little red catalog coming plus I use to have a lot of other catalogs coming too.I use to be disappointed in some of the books I got from the Bookman but they were from the 1890's so I got use to some books in rough shape.
Mark

Mark, I remember in particular one title that Military Bookman had that I just had to have. It was Cyril Falls' book The 36th (Ulster) Division, published in 1922. Back, pre-internet, it was an incredibly tough find. No one ever had it and few had even seen it and it commanded a premium price. Well, MB had it and I was lucky enough to get it. The anticipation was incredible but I was devastated by the condition of the book when I got it and opened it. It had been described as good condition (a lower condition book for me, but willing to take it as such a rare title), but I could only see it as poor, at best, and I was really agonized whether to keep it or send it back. I called the shop, and explained the problem to Jason, who sympathised and explained the way the Colt's did business and how condition was not their priority as much as supplying the actual rare titles, regardless of condition, and how they expected their customers to understand that and accept it. It didn't help me much but Jason did give me a partial refund to mollify me. I kept the book but never felt good about it. Today, the book is readily available in many forms, original, reprint, HC or SC, just about whatever one wants, and at reasonable prices. Ever after, I always grilled the MB rep about conditions of books I was interested in. I know I was 'red-flagged' as a pain in the butt customer (and I was, and remain so). All that said, MB got titles that no one else could back in the day, and one just had to deal with the eccentricities of dealing with MB. -- Al

 

[marco55]

I get used books more often now as the new ones are really getting expensive but usually get the ones that says as new or very good condition, sometimes good condition if it's hard to get or just too high to get a new copy. If it says acceptable it has to be one I can't find anywhere else. Sometimes they come as described, sometimes they exceed expectations and once in a while I get a real clunker.
Mark

 

[lancer]

I get used books more often now as the new ones are really getting expensive but usually get the ones that says as new or very good condition, sometimes good condition if it's hard to get or just too high to get a new copy. If it says acceptable it has to be one I can't find anywhere else. Sometimes they come as described, sometimes they exceed expectations and once in a while I get a real clunker.
Mark

I could deal with the vagaries of how different dealers grade books if I could be sure that said book would arrive in a safe manner but way too many of the sellers I have dealt with are just amateurs when it comes to packing books, just throwing them into jet packs or those terrible vinyl envelopes that don't protect anything. I've had too many 'new' or 'fine' books arrive in degraded condition because of damage in passage. It's really frustrating and has forced me to be very selective in who I purchase from, ie., trying to pick dealers that specialize in books, with a long history of business, and that doesn't mean the big book warehousers with thousands of sales. They tend to be among the worst when it comes to packing. It should be illegal to mail a book in anything but a box, with the book wrapped in bubble wrap if the book costs over $5.00.:rolleyes2: -- Al

 

[marco55]

I've been lucky as I can't recall a damaged book. Maybe a corner bent a little here and there but nothing major.
Mark

 

[lancer]

I've been lucky as I can't recall a damaged book. Maybe a corner bent a little here and there but nothing major.
Mark

That is good news. The one huge downside to buying via the internet is not being able to see or handle the item prior to pushing the 'pay now' button and having to trust the dealer to get the item to you in as described condition. -- Al

 

[Terp152]

I get used books more often now as the new ones are really getting expensive but usually get the ones that says as new or very good condition, sometimes good condition if it's hard to get or just too high to get a new copy. If it says acceptable it has to be one I can't find anywhere else. Sometimes they come as described, sometimes they exceed expectations and once in a while I get a real clunker.
Mark

I could deal with the vagaries of how different dealers grade books if I could be sure that said book would arrive in a safe manner,... trying to pick dealers that specialize in books, with a long history of business, and that doesn't mean the big book warehousers with thousands of sales. They tend to be among the worst when it comes to packing. It should be illegal to mail a book in anything but a box, with the book wrapped in bubble wrap if the book costs over $5.00.:rolleyes2: -- Al

I used to only buy new books and always a hard back edition if possible. The exceptions were out-of-print copies available thru Military Bookman and used book dealers. But now I look for used books and paper backs if it's not something special to me. I realized paying premium prices for books that I'll read once (hopefully) and store in my basement is not practical or make $ sense. My sons are interested in history, but don't read much of that nor have a desire to own my collection. I'm starting to think of when would be the appropriate time to liquidate the library, or at least a large part of it. Same with the TS collection. Large number of War In The Sudan and Nap figs shelved in the basement. Chris

 

[lancer]

I used to only buy new books and always a hard back edition if possible. The exceptions were out-of-print copies available thru Military Bookman and used book dealers. But now I look for used books and paper backs if it's not something special to me. I realized paying premium prices for books that I'll read once (hopefully) and store in my basement is not practical or make $ sense. My sons are interested in history, but don't read much of that nor have a desire to own my collection. I'm starting to think of when would be the appropriate time to liquidate the library, or at least a large part of it. Same with the TS collection. Large number of War In The Sudan and Nap figs shelved in the basement. Chris

Same here, Chris. My library and TS collection hold no interest whatsoever to my 2 sons or daughter. Might be able to get my daughter to take some of my books but it would be minimal. Have to decide when and how to liquidate. Not looking forward to that activity.:rolleyes2: -- Al

 

[Terp152]

A famous brick and mortar bookstore facing closure. Chris

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/famed-strand-bookstore-warns-it-may-close-due-to-covid-19