Stackpole books - what the H-E-Double Hockey sticks going on!!!

[1912]

I - stupidly - sold my copy of Brophy's M1903 book some years ago as I had a temporary collecting hiatus / life change (no, not divorce lol) - the original hardcover book in gloss paper.

 

Recently getting back into collecting, I started re-acquiring the references I previously had - Brophy being one of them. Scouring eBay and seeing some silly prices, I decided on the new paper back copy of the book, thinking it'd be the same. IT AIN'T!

It's horrible. Poor paper quality, scanned images are atrocious, pixelated or latticed and dark, not being able to see any detail. Almost like someone just photocopied an unbound original in the lowest potato-grade photocopier you can buy. And I still paid over $100 for this abomination! I'm almost ready to put it back on eBay and buy an original.

Plus being large but paper backed, the durned thing is awkward to try to read as it just flops around.

Anyone else agree with this assessment? I found one reasonably priced on eBay, but the shipping here hurts.

[GWS]

I've had an "old" copy of Brophy's 1903 Springfield book for so long i can't remember when or where I got it, or even what I paid for it! It's a working book for me that is well traveled to many shows and auctions and shows lots of wear and a somewhat abused cover. I have to say though, it's paid for itself many times over and saved my butt a few times too.  Some people nowadays buy books in hopes they will go way up in price to sell in the collector  book market.  I plan to keep all my favorite books forever, or at least as long as I can still see them!  An old saying I took to heart long ago---If you think a book is expensive now, wait 'till it goes out of print!  Grit your teeth, drag out your wallet and buy the real thing!

And promise yourself never to sell it!  Good huntin'.

 

Steve

[gitana]

It seems that people are printing books in the public domain, or perhaps making copies of those that aren't, using a digital on-demand printer. I ordered a novel and had the same experience - 8.5 x 11 inch paper, poor reproduction, poorly photoshopped cover, etc. After that I try to look more carefully at what I'm ordering.