Books

[marko]

Good question Hannibal and the answer from all collectors is we all intend to paint them, read them etc. , i.e. we started out with good intentions...despite require a 300 year life span to complete.

For my library I have a pretty good track record in that 70 - 80% have been read - and it is a large library.  Fortunately I can read quickly but, am finding I have little patience these days with poorly written books.  (I just finished reading NAM Rodgers first two volumes on the British Navy for the second time with the third supposedly due any day now.  What a wonderful writer...)

With flats I am doing pretty good and a finish a fair number but, far more to paint than painted.  (I used to do aircraft and still do the occasional WWI but, donated most of them due to the paltry completion rate.  Similar case with rounds.  However, all were purchased with good intentions.)  My issues with all of them is I have tendency to start a lot of things based on mood but, then finish far less.

I have become much more choosy and careful in recent times but, there are still so many shiny objects.  With books if I am going to read it once and then get rid of it I tend not to purchase and with flats I have a set of rules now which have slowed the pace.  (I also have talked myself out of some WWI 1/32 bomber kits based on massive wingspans - what does one do with a model 2 feet wide?)

Perhaps this site needs some type of a support group similar to Alcoholics Anonymous?

mark

[Hannibal]

Same for me too, All Osprey are digital, French maganzine "Figurines" wsa scanned to be on a hadr drive.
Only two collections of books are paper when I bought them young, but indeed, electeronic access and storage are much better.


But another question to all of you,:  When had you the time to read all the books you have in your houses !!!! in your busy life, and if not read, why to you bought them all?  Decoration?


(I've the same quesion on myself, why did I bought a grey army of 10,000 flats if not for painting them ?  (but on my age !!!)


Ah! Ah!

[marko]

Hey PJ me as well. 

I adore books and have a room in my house that is a library with floor to ceiling book cases.  Separate from that I have a hobby room with its collection of books as well - including hundred's of Osprey's, Windsock magazine, as well a complete collection of Historical Miniature etc, etc.  Fortunately I used to tear apart magazines and file articles by subject or I would have had several thousand other magazines.  (That collection which once resided in a 36 inch four drawer file cabinet has since been disposed off.)  I love them all but, use most of them hardly at all with the internet slowly taking precedence.  (Osprey I now buy digitally as most of them I purchase because they are interesting but, have no reason to keep a publication on Victorian Gunboats for example - I will never model from it.)

Beyond a shame but, tastes change.  (It also one of the reasons I enjoy the BFFS Journal so much as it covers a fair amount of ground on the history of our craft not to mention requiring no shelf space!

Good luck let me know if you crack it?

mark

[PJDeluhery]

Willie, I'm glad to see you're still buying books. I'm at the other end of the spectrum -I've got a lot of books I want to sell or dispose of in a emotionally satisfying way. Any suggestions?
Our stuff is not the kind of material you can donate to the local senior center, and kids don't read books anymore - or at least not our kind.

I have to say I'm using books less and less. The internet is a quick and free way to do research. The argument for hard copy books is diminishing from year to year. Don't misunderstand - I love a good book and holding it in my hands. But the world seems to be moving in a different direction.
Hope all is well with you.
Anyone else in the same place?

PJ

[willie]

 So in about 4 more days it well be November. and before you know it the year will be over   I don't have to tell you how its been just feel your pocketbook   i have canceled more orders then I care about. The postal Services lost a book from Italy     Still weighting for The Danish Army in the Napoleonic Wars Vol 3 Wars and Soldiers in the Early Regine of Louis XIV Vol #6 the Italian States1660-1690 . Volume #7 The German States will be out in 2023. All these are printed by Helion & Company Next well be Osprey Men At Arms 1. Armies of the First Sino War.1884-1895 . just out . In 2023 we will have  The Dacians and Getae at war  4th century BC 2nd Century AD  The Dutch Indonesian war 1945-1949  The Elite Series will be Post Roman Dark Ages Gaul & Britain  AD450-800 The US Marines Corps 1775-1859 Also out this year the Gladiators 4th 1st centuries  BC  Willie

[Brian]

]Have not been buying many books the supply system is a bet missed up


A bit like everywhere me old mate  

[willie]

 So just received the second Man At Arms series The Roman Army Units in the Eastern Provinces  2  It is a nice book and the plates are very good.  Have not been buying many books    the supply system is a bet missed up   Willie

[willie]

 Ok just a short note to say that my A History of the Imperial Service Troops of the Native States came today first; printed in 1903  mine was printed in 2006
   in Lahore Pakistan  Rs 400. 00    Its mostly contracts with various Indian states to  furnish troops to the The British Army in time of need. OK then           who said being a Maharaj  did not have its PERKS   Now for some light reading to take your mind off painting. Fox Tossing Octopus Wrestling and other forgotten Sports The Most Dangerous and Bizarre Sports in History  by Edward Brooks -Hitching  2015  This will help you unwind after painting all those flats   Willie[size=78%]                                                                                                                                [/size]

[shogun]

There is another byzantinic court availible from Kieler Zinnfiguren too. Formaly by Prof. Vollrath, engraved by Lecke.
 http://www.kieler-zinnfiguren.de/Listen/Justinian.html
 

[John Alberts]

The painted flats in the link are excellent. Enjoy seeing Daniel's engraving and Martin's style of painting. 

[willie]

   Shogun. Thanks for the information on the set of flats.  Willie

[shogun]

Hi Willie,seems you are looking for somethings like this:
 https://www.freebooter-anime.com/zinnprinzessin/images/fmge/brzp01-g.jpg
 

[willie]

    Today the book By the Emperors Hand Military and  Court Dress Regalia in the Late Romano Byzantine Empire  By Timothy Dawson . This is a outstanding book well written and nice color plates on the Court Dress. Now all we need is some figures to paint in this period. Willie

[johnr]

Thanks Willie,
 I have some figures of this period that I might get round to painting, I have a small interest in the Indian army.
I have the MacMunn book with the Lovett illustrations this is a great book with some beautiful illustrations also the Boris Mollo and one or two others. An interesting time in British history with some colourful uniforms.


Thanks again.
John R

[willie]

   Hi John the publisher is The Naval & Military Press    Willie Are you interested in the Indian Army. Willie