oldirish33
Member
"All Jaguars run on Guinness!"
Posts: 3,331
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Post by oldirish33 on Apr 3, 2022 18:53:10 GMT -5
I have picked up a couple of new books to add to the collection over the last few days. The first, Ferrari 1947-1997 is a tribute book commissioned by Ferrari to honor its first fifty years. I have wanted this book for quite awhile to go on my Ferrari shelf in my library, but copies have been until recently, more than I cared to spend. I believe that is starting to change as the books are now a quarter century old and 75th Anniversary books are out. Still, I found a mint edition of the book in its original slip cover for $35 USD with shipping. Well worth it for a decade by decade account of the first half-century of Ferrari. Thumbing through, there are great photos, technical and cut away drawings, as well as drawings of each Ferrari production car up to 1997. It will be a great reference book I'm sure and many hours spent at the kitchen table (due to its size and weight) getting lost in its pages.  The next book, Chaparral Can Am and Prototype Race Cars came to me as part of a lot I won at auction of automobilia belonging to the late Norman Dewis. If you don't know who Norman was, he was Jaguar's chief test and development driver/engineer for over three decades. Norman raced at Le Mans and set speed records in Jaguar cars, as well as sat behind the wheel of most Jaguar production and race cars from 1952-1985. After his 'retirement', he became an ambassador for Jaguar at race events and car shows around the globe. One such event was the Monterey Historic Races in 2005, where Chaparral was the featured marque. Norman was given this limited edition copy of Dave Friedman's great book on Chaparral. Made just for the Monterey event, I'm trying to pin down how many copies were produced. While Norman tossed the dust jacket at some point, the book is almost pristine. It appears to be exactly like the first printing of the book in 1998. Excellent photos from one of the best racing photographers, with Norman's provenance it has pride of place in my library with my Jim Hall signed copy of the original book.  |
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Post by JSB33 on Apr 4, 2022 5:12:25 GMT -5
The Chaparral book is a real treasure. I have the original version but this is special.
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Post by Tom on Apr 4, 2022 11:22:34 GMT -5
What a special book! I have exactly one book with a story behind it, must dig it out to show it here.
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Post by Alfaholic on Apr 4, 2022 17:09:25 GMT -5
That Ferrari book is an absolute steal Jerry. I am trying to stay away from Ferrari books as I have a few, but if I found a cheap copy of this one I might be interested.
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Post by GBOAC002 on Apr 14, 2022 16:40:46 GMT -5
I still have the yellow special edition mint in original slip case from 1997. I don't think it'll show me a profit considering it's 150GBP price back then.
Norman Dewis was a great bloke much missed by Jaguar fans all over. He was at a 2011 Sandown Park Toy Fair celebrating 50 years of the E-Type. Taken by surprise at the great man's presence I hastily bought an IXO fifty year Coupe off a stand inside the Toy Fair, took the model to Norman and asked him to sign the box for me, and he was delighted to do just that. That model is one of my 'I'll never sell it' possessions. Incidentally I was only 14 when the 1:1 was launched at Geneva in '61.
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Post by DeadCanDanceR on Apr 14, 2022 16:43:45 GMT -5
That Ferrari book looks fabulous, and what a steal!  |
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oldirish33
Member
"All Jaguars run on Guinness!"
Posts: 3,331
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Post by oldirish33 on Apr 14, 2022 18:21:08 GMT -5
I still have the yellow special edition mint in original slip case from 1997. I don't think it'll show me a profit considering it's 150GBP price back then. Norman Dewis was a great bloke much missed by Jaguar fans all over. He was at a 2011 Sandown Park Toy Fair celebrating 50 years of the E-Type. Taken by surprise at the great man's presence I hastily bought an IXO fifty year Coupe off a stand inside the Toy Fair, took the model to Norman and asked him to sign the box for me, and he was delighted to do just that. That model is one of my 'I'll never sell it' possessions. Incidentally I was only 14 when the 1:1 was launched at Geneva in '61. Actually, these books are usually more expensive. I lucked out. To a Ferrari collector a special edition might be worth a bit more than you paid for it. Norman was a special man. He always had time for everyone and always with a genuine smile. He is missed. |
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oldirish33
Member
"All Jaguars run on Guinness!"
Posts: 3,331
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Post by oldirish33 on Apr 19, 2022 15:39:32 GMT -5
Jaguar Design: A Story of Style - You might have to be a bit deep into the Jaguar weeds like me to fully appreciate this book. Its a hefty tome, with 512 pages in a larger format (9.5" x 11.5") which makes the over 500 illustrations, many not published before, stand out. Its an in-depth look at the styling that took place from the very beginning making motorcycle sidecars to the present, what the vision was and the various ideas, prototypes and obstacles they overcame to meet that vision. I have thumbed through the book a couple times and have started the text. I think that a quote from Ian Callum, former head of Jaguar design sums up the content of the book. When asked if form should not follow function?, he replied, "Yes of course, but one of the functions of a Jaguar is to be beautiful." Regardless of whether you agree that they always achieved that function or not, The book is an in-depth look at how they went about doing it. 
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Post by JSB33 on Apr 19, 2022 16:49:47 GMT -5
Imagine you having this? Shocking!
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Post by GBOAC002 on Apr 19, 2022 17:10:54 GMT -5
I'm wondering how I missed this book. 2015 Publication date as well.
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oldirish33
Member
"All Jaguars run on Guinness!"
Posts: 3,331
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Post by oldirish33 on Apr 19, 2022 17:19:15 GMT -5
I'm wondering how I missed this book. 2015 Publication date as well. Not sure about over your way, but Amazon has on sale here. |
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Post by DeadCanDanceR on Apr 19, 2022 18:10:35 GMT -5
That Jaguar book looks extremely nice and quite tempting! Going to visit Amazon in 3, 2, 1… |
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oldirish33
Member
"All Jaguars run on Guinness!"
Posts: 3,331
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Post by oldirish33 on Jun 14, 2022 17:25:07 GMT -5
Julio's posting of his book collection got me thinking I should photo mine to go along with my written inventory list for insurance purposes if nothing else. I didn't do the comprehensive job that Julio has been doing. For the most part I don't remember when or where I got most books, or if gifts, who gave them to me. So, I have taken some images of my bookshelves and thought I would share. As you can see from the wear on dust jackets, many of these books have been well read and used, many a lot! This exercise has also made me realize that I need to do some rearranging of titles to get better groupings and make books easier to find.  It should come as no surprise to anyone that Jaguar books are the predominant subject in my book collection. So without further ado, here are my books:    Before my 1/1 automotive world became consumed by Jaguar, there was Austin Healey and I have a number of books on that subject as well.  While owning a 1/1 Ferrari is a pipe dream, having books on the subject is not. These are most of my books on Ferrari (and the Automobile Quarterlys I kept.)  Le Mans is the one race that dominates my book collection. There are a few other racing series titles, as well as books on some of my favorite drivers as well.  These shelves are filled with books on racing, drivers and racing photography books which I also really enjoy taking off the shelf and thumbing through for both pleasure and diorama inspiration.    Finally, what would a book collection be without books on the toys we love?  Your welcome to come browse the collection. Just remember, the library hours vary, best to call ahead. |
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Post by WallOfCars on Jun 14, 2022 18:22:37 GMT -5
Jerry, that looks like the Western branch of the official Coventry archive  I really look forward to some photos (if you want to share) of your collection on display? Maybe it's been shown before? Just lovely seeing everyone's passion here - I cannot wait to do the same, but first need to build the house that will surround it! |
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Post by DeadCanDanceR on Jun 14, 2022 18:35:06 GMT -5
Fabulous collection of books, Jerry! There are many books that we share and many more that I would love to own. Believe me, if we lived closer, much closer, I’ll happily accept your invitation to browse your books! Some time ago I took similar photos of my bookshelves and published them in Facebook. I’ll try to find them and publish them in one of my book threads. |
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I really look forward to some photos (if you want to share) of your collection on display? Maybe it's been shown before? Just lovely seeing everyone's passion here - I cannot wait to do the same, but first need to build the house that will surround it!