Survey about Reference Books like a Standard Catalog

Stone193 · February 6, 2008 1:55AM

Drew's thread on catallogs and pictures got me to thinking about something I've been pondering for a long time.

Just want your input - are you involved in the hobby enough to pay for really high quality references that have more descriptions and nice scans of the front and backs of exemplar cards and something that covers ALL the different varities of sets that are out there.

How much would you be willing to spend?

Me? If someone came out with a really superb reference, I would be willing to pay $2-300 for it - just think what text books cost today?

Just curious what you think?
mike

Griffins · February 6, 2008 2:00AM

I've got shelves of books just like that- Lipset's, Hagar's, Warshaw's, Slocum, over a decade worth of Mastro and REA and Halper and Copeland and other catalogs.
They're great when you're looking to learn about a new set, or just want to look at cards.
I go in Taschen's store all the time, and it's not uncommon to see $300-600 books. I think a concise reference book would certainly be worth $200-300, but that the market would be too small to be worth publishing it.

Stone193 · February 6, 2008 2:15AM

<< <i>I've got shelves of books just like that- Lipset's, Hagar's, Warshaw's, Slocum, over a decade worth of Mastro and REA and Halper and Copeland and other catalogs.
They're great when you're looking to learn about a new set, or just want to look at cards.
I go in Taschen's store all the time, and it's not uncommon to see $300-600 books. I think a concise reference book would certainly be worth $200-300, but that the market would be too small to be worth publishing it. >>

Totally understand Anthony.

But, I have to tell ya - if a tome came out every 2 or 3 yrs with updates, it would really be great to have.

Of some of the older references like Hagars and Lipsets e.g. - which is your favorite?

Just a side note - a new member at net54 is a pin oficionado and wrote a book on pinbacks - Dr Paul Muchinsky - but when I looked it up, the cost was over 200 bucks! I don't need anything that comprehensive on a specialized area like that right now - and obviously the cost is based on low publication numbers.

I still think - if someone did it - like a guy like Bob Lemke et.al. - I would invest in it.

AlanAllen · February 6, 2008 2:26AM

If a high quality reference was realeased for football cards that had:
Color pictures
In-depth descriptions - release dates, modes of distribution, major discoverties, etc
Covered all varieties
Estimated copies extant

I'd also pay $200-$300. It wouldn't even need values - although we all know prices in almanacs are outdated by the time we get them, they can be a good indicator of relative scarcity and demand.

Joe

perkdog · February 6, 2008 2:51AM

I for one think there is limited information regarding vintage football, at least in comparison to baseball so I would love to see a more informative publication on the subject. Definately worth it IMO if one was to be issued.

AlanAllen · February 6, 2008 3:32AM

There is definitely less information out there for football. I recently bought this ebook, thinking it would be the resource I was looking for, but I was dissapointed. It was worth the $10, but was basically a compendium of articles Lamendola and Bonner had already published, and most of which I had read.

Joe

perkdog · February 6, 2008 3:43AM

Joe, I might pick that book up unless you think its a waste of money.

bowdowntome · February 6, 2008 4:40AM

I've been waiting for someone to come up with an all-encompassing football reference book for a long time. For comparison, in the world of stamp collecting you have the Scott catalogs, which is like 6 or 7 volumes, each costing about $50, which covers worldwide stamps, but only in a general sense. You can find even more specialized books for specific countries, some of which run into the $100's of dollars as well.

I wouldn't bat an eye at paying a couple hundred $'s for a specialized reference book for football. But my suggestion would be to go a step further and maybe print them in 2 volumes. On covering cards up to, say 1980 (or some other cutoff point), and one for newer cards. My only complaint for a one-volume-covers-all book is that I don't collect newer cards so don't need it all, but if the information covered for the older stuff was devastatingly awesome, I'd still buy it.

bowdowntome · February 6, 2008 4:52AM

Of course, the alternative might be to start up a "virtual" reference guide on the web. I've seen stuff like this for other hobbies and they were very successful with them. Basically someone might volunteer to start out with the basic set up of the site, and information could be added as it was made available.

storm888 · February 6, 2008 4:54AM

Price Guides and Counterfeit Detection Guides are
the only books/literature that I will spend money on.

bowdowntome · February 6, 2008 5:00AM

That's a good idea! An all-in-one reference book could also include information about reprints and counterfeits, and how to spot them.

AlanAllen · February 7, 2008 1:45AM

<< <i>Joe, I might pick that book up unless you think its a waste of money. >>

It's worth $10. Don't expect a lot of pictures or comprehensive checklists, but there's some good information on rare pre=war football sets.

Joe

Survey about Reference Books like a Standard Catalog

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