The Armour Archive

Can someone tell me about this pair of books. At $730, does anyone think that's a totally ridiculous price for something printed in the modern world?

Waveicle

It's more than I would pay at this point in my life, so I don't own it. It is, however, a wonderful book. It is full of pictures and descriptions of the armour in their extensive collection. I think the new edition added some things like the color pictures, most of it is black and white. The text is all in multiple languages. Specialized books of this quality are always expensive.

The best way to get a copy to look at is Inter Library Loan, unless you know someone with a copy.

Having held the books in my hands and had the opportunity to look through them, I can honestly say that I would not hesitate to buy them at that price if I could afford it.

They are an incredible resource.

Just my .02$

I've had a look through an Original (held in local library ) and it is well worth the price. It contains lots of helpful info on the collection and its history. The armourers mark list in th back is superb too. If i had th emoney on me, i wouldn't hesitate buying the new ones.

The problem is that the two book are in some way redundant.. or better, i think that most of us could own just the second book that contain the item arranged inf function of the newest organization of the armour pieces.
They are a piece of art in heavy paper and leather covers with gildings..
I admit that i tried to ask the editor for a digital version or a cheaper publication, but this is not in their plansas is easy to understand.

Beautifully printed and presented books that I feel are well worth the price. While the English translations are at times spotty and appear hurried, you can always refer to the Italian text for a better understanding when needed.

A necessary cornerstone for any armour library wth an interest in 14th and early 15th century armour.

The problem with a book of this print quality and presentation is that there is not a very large market. A publisher/printer would not run hundreds of thousands of copies (or millions). The cost cannot be shared by the masses and recouped. Cost is shared and (hopefully) recovered by the few who would purchase it.

Print costs, especially for the glossy B&W and color content in the second book are often prohibitively expensive (you have royalties, photography, setting for print, print costs, materials, other associated costs, etc). I am surprised (and greatful) that the second volume was published at all.

By the way, it is not actively in print. What is being sold is still the original print run, from my understanding. If you want it, get it while you can. Some day (tomorrow, next year, ten years from now?) it will again be available only through used book channels.

Having missed out on buying an original years ago ($375 for a book? Are you crazy?) because I was stupid, when the reprint came out I snapped it up. I think it was 475 pounds Sterling at the time, somewhere around 600 or 700 US I guess. It was worth every penny. It was a limited edition printing so I was shocked when it did not sell out. I know Ken Trottman was still carrying these not too long ago (and may still be).

Is it worth it to you? It depends on how badly you want it. It is a lot of money for a book, but if you have to buy expensive books and you love armour, this is a good one to get.

They would make a lot more money by selling a lot more books at a lower price.

Alcyoneus wrote:They would make a lot more money by selling a lot more books at a lower price.

Hard to say without knowing the cost of the project, number of books run and other pertinent details, don't you think?

Unfortunately, I doubt that method would work... not in this case. The quality is superb and fairly expensive to produce (even in large quantities) for one thing.

Then you would NEED a lot more customers to sell it too. You would need to know this ahead of time... before even making the decision to move the project forward.

Let's say I had 10,000 books printed at $10.00 a piece and wanted to sell them at $12.50 in order to recoup my $100,000 printing cost and make another $25k in order to turn a bit of profit (VERY marginal and almost not worth doing it for that margin in today's world).

Problem, if there are only 1000 people out there willing to purchase my book.... I just brought in a grand total $12,500.00 and lost the shirt off my back and I am sitting here with a HUGE pile of books and can't get rid of them. That is what dealing with a specialty market like historic armour (and even more specifically a single private collection) is like when publishing books. Not enough interest to do huge runs and therefore bring the price down to a reasonable amount. Therefore, we (the interested parties) need to pay to fuel our interest.

The churburg reprint and addition were released almost 10 years ago... and there are still copies left from the original source at:

www.churburg.com

With the above represented scenario; I would probably be better off only printing a reserved number of copies and pricing it up some. I can expect my already interested customers to still purchase it and I come out with a safer bet, much less risk and will not be potentially sitting on a huge amount of overstock. Also, with a limited/numbered run there is the potential for it to be more coveted and desired.. therfore definitely selling out the limited run that I did print.

That is my opinion on the subject having been through similar situations.

See this thread
http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=52699

Thanks for the opinions from the archivers. It seems the intrinsitic cost of these books depends on your direction and status in smithing. At this point, $700 equals a nice mig with gas. However, I can see how they would be a special, meaningful purchase.

Man 700 for books! I was whinning in college about $100 a book. Maybe after the holidays ...

Chao

Waveicle

waveicle wrote:Thanks for the opinions from the archivers. It seems the intrinsitic cost of these books depends on your direction and status in smithing. At this point, $700 equals a nice mig with gas. However, I can see how they would be a special, meaningful purchase.

Man 700 for books! I was whinning in college about $100 a book. Maybe after the holidays ...

Chao

Waveicle

It is a lot of money. The problem with this particular book, is that the reprint is a limited edition and originals prints are hard to find at an affordable price. So once the reprints sell out, it may be hard to get your hands on a copy. I don't have mine in front of me, but I think the reprint run was for what, about 2000 books total? I don't know how many remain in stock.

if your on a budget save your money and find some of the other good sources that have passed copy right experation and pick up a reprint there.

probibly cheeper paper stock and flimsy card board cover.

but information is still valid.

the mysteries of nature and art was printed in 1638 the only copy I could find was priced at over 1k
copy right has expried and would make for a good reprint among others.

Greetings

First check the used book websites (abebooks.com, etc...) I saw a copy for less than $500 a couple of years ago. Yes that is still ALOT of money, but if you want the info it is the best way here in the states.

Second, Most of us have a copy of TOMAR , Have you check his biblography and looked at the prices on some of his other refernce books? Laking's "A record of european armour and arms through VII centuries" 5 vol.+ 1 Used (1920's printing) Starts around $1500 and goes up. Reprints, when you can find them are about $700. Yes I know that much of " Record ...." is out of date and is incorrect on the pieces, but it is still a good set of pre-war armour books.

Third If you have the money, buy the Churburg set it is a very nice set and a good refernce for that type of armour.

Hope this helps
Jeff

losthelm wrote:if your on a budget save your money and find some of the other good sources that have passed copy right experation and pick up a reprint there.

probibly cheeper paper stock and flimsy card board cover.

but information is still valid.

the mysteries of nature and art was printed in 1638 the only copy I could find was priced at over 1k
copy right has expried and would make for a good reprint among others.

That is how Dover makes their money.

Talbot,

Sent you a PM or two.

Thanks,

Waveicle

I have this book. 1929 hand numbered original. I would sell it for the right price (starting bid minimum of $1000). I would then take most of the money from the sale and buy the reprint.

Seriously this is some nice armourpr0n.

Cheers!
~K

WaaaghBoss wrote:I have this book. 1929 hand numbered original. I would sell it for the right price (starting bid minimum of $1000). I would then take most of the money from the sale and buy the reprint.

Seriously this is some nice armourpr0n.

Cheers!
~K

Kevin,

I will happily give you twice (perhaps even three times) what you paid for it. Double your money ain't half bad, eh?

You are too funy Brian!

For that price I think I'll keep it.

Cheers!
~K