[Books] ATTN : TIMD (book expert) :)

[Graham]

Here we are, chap. I've found that other book.

Entitled :

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MOTOR RACING
by S.C.H. Davis

Second Edition : 1932
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It has a written dedication inside the front cover :

August 22nd 1933

To my Darling John, Wishing you the happiest of birthdays.

Always your sweetheart, Doris


Nowt to do with the author, unless Sammy became John (or Doris) on weekends. It's quite a thick book, well-thumbed shall we say (not battered about though) and looks damn interesting.

I also found a rather 70's book called "Motor Racing in Colour" by Doug Nye. God, I remember poring over that when I were a wee lad. (sigh)

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What's the word old chap? Do I start spending the money now?

[TimD]

This is spooky.

Not a peep for a year, and then two references to the great S.C.H. Davis in two days.

(Check the Gravel Trap "Ageing-Growing Old" thread)

Sammy was one of the original Bentley Boys, who competed at Le Mans in the late 1920s, as well as being a noted journalist and author for the whole of his long and active life.

Now then Graham, what you have is a wonderful book. But it is so good, I think it stayed in print for about 40 years. It isn't that scarce. So a nice 1932 edition, while a good thing to have, isn't going to have the added value of containing information that is impossible to find elsewhere.

If you were looking specifically for a 1932, I think you would be looking to pay £17-25 for a nice "reader", not tatty, but not immaculate. But as I say, it's not rare, so bargains can be found. (This means that value can get undercut...)

The Doug Nye book I don't know, but he's an eminent motor racing author, and always worth reading. Again, the real money is in the specialised titles.

Hope this helps. You've probably gathered this is something of an enthusiasm of mine.

So what's next Graham, I suppose you're going to casually tell me that you've got Laurence Pomeroy's "The Grand Prix Car" or George Monkhouse's "Motor Racing with Mercedes Benz" and are they worth anything....?

[This message has been edited by TimD (edited 19 April 2000).]

[Graham]

I don't care if the book isn't worth anything. I'm a reader of books. Can't put a price on knowledge (esp. of The Beautiful Sport - not football which is neither sport nor beautiful)

Are those other books pricey then?

[This message has been edited by Graham (edited 19 April 2000).]

[TimD]

Oh, I agree with that sentiment. The books are for reference and enjoyment first.

And with things as old as the Davis title, there's the sheer joy of handling something that old, that you can imagine someone being given as a present 70 years ago.

Amongst my collection I have a quantity of Brooklands race programmes. I've been buying them whenever I see them, because they have detailed archive information I need for my own book. In my head, I tell myself that I can scan the information onto disk and sell them on.

And my heart won't let me. By my keyboard right now is the racecard for the Whitsun 1930 race, and someone who was there has neatly inscribed in a copperplate hand, the finishing times for all the races. I cannot part with the thing.

In answer to your question, yes, Pomeroy and Monkhouse are ridiculously expensive - when you can find them. Pomeroy so much so that its fame has spread to the general book trade, not just the specialists.

I saw both volumes of Pomeroy on an ordinary pile of titles at a book fair in Gerrards Cross a few years back. Thinking my luck was in, I did the usual noncholant browsing at them, mulling over them, and finally the casual...

"How much for these two, then?"
"£425.00 the pair, Sir."
"Ah, you know what they are, then."
"Indeed, Sir, and you are the third one today."

I'm still living in hope though.

[Graham]

Tell you what - if the person who seems to give away motorsport books to the Scout jumblesale each year sends on anything like that, I'll be happy to take your money

Meanwhile, check out the post I'm about to make...