Re: Suggesting that an old book be reprinted?


"Billy Bob" <billybobnospam@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:3kc8m1FthuqmU1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> To whom would I suggest that a particular book be reprinted?
>
> The following book is *the* most important historical book on billiards
> ever published. The author of this book was the first person to understand
> basic principles of billiards which are still in use today, and to then
> publish a book on these principles.
>
> However the book is quite rare and sells in the $2,000.00 range!
>
> There are many people who would like to read this book (like myself), but
> can't afford the high price. Suggestions for getting it reprinted?
>
> [1839 The Game of Billiards. Scientifically explained, and practically set
> forth, in a series of novel and extraordinary strokes; and illustrated by
> numerous appropriate diagrams. To which is added the rules and regulations
> which govern the numerous games as they are played at the present day in
> all the countries of Europe. Kentfield, Edwin. $2070.00]


If the book is of value for its informational content -

If it's out of copyright*, there's nothing to stop you resetting the type
and publishing it yourself. If there are half tone illustrations, again
there's nothing to stop you restaging the shots and re-photographing them.

Or if there are drawings and diagrams you're probably better
scanning them and making subtle alterations and rescaling them, so its
clear they're not straight copies.

* This copyright question may not be as straightforward as this however.
Because if anyone has published another edition in the meantime which you
maybe don't know about, then maybe the coyright resides with
those publishers. This would need research.

Whether it would be economically viable in terms of the hours you would
need to put in - or pay someone else, would largely depend on the likely
market. The actual preparation, setting up the book and preparing the
illustrations will probably represent a greater expense that the actual
printing and binding costs.

But not that difficult nowadays, if you've mastered DTP to any extent.

Off the top of my head, a publisher such as Dover Publishing in the US
publish reprints of all sorts of things. If they could be persuaded
there was a market for it, then they might possibly consider it.

The question is really how many other people share your interest in
billiards ? The market in secondhand billiard titles may be driven
by certain well off individuals - nouveau riche people who maybe like
to install a billiard room in their newly acquired mansion - while there's
very little demand for reprints at all. Maybe, maybe not.


michael adams

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