alsancle Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 So I thought there was a thread on this already. I counted yesterday and I have 8 bookshelves across 3 different physical locations with twice as much stuff stacked on the floor. I've started a program of organization and pulled all my decent hardcover books on to a single shelf. The books only took up this small shelf. The lesser books, binders, magazines, etc take up all the other space. Got a picture of your books? 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 I keep trying to put mine all in one place but then I need info at all different times and places so they're scatted all over the house and garage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3macboys Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 This is a small portion of, as my wife and kids say, "library". Yes that is real library shelving that I picked up from an auction at a college. Those shelves are now all full plus more, now to just keep getting it all organized.... 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 That's what I need, books in den are three deep on some shelves and are on all four walls to ceiling and closet including over the computers. Shudder to think how much weight in paper on 2nd floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 Not only has my life been filled with books of all kinds for all of my life, but I married a librarian, as well. We should have named my son Dewey and told him it was his job to organize it all. There is one sure way to tell if a person is a reader, they can spell. Just looking around my little home office while I am waiting to be called to supper. Good thing we didn't decide to live on a houseboat. 2 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 (edited) Here is a small portion of my books on cars. I have others, but they are buried in my office. Edited January 3, 2021 by keiser31 (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 (edited) Good time of year for this discussion. My books include marque specifics of interest, I also like anything from the 50s to early 80s, I would call collectible books but more for content then value, periodicals such as the Antique Automobile, and last, any Model A or MB R107 series book that comes to print. I keep them in two areas, my den and in our finished basement where we keep car related stuff. Will snap a couple pics, but here are two latest books. Edited January 2, 2021 by Steve_Mack_CT (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bloom Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 (edited) “Automobile books and periodicals personal library” hey AJ, I started a Thread with the above title August 8. Mine related to a plan for organizing your library. I am a sucker for books. Edited January 2, 2021 by John Bloom (see edit history) 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share Posted January 2, 2021 21 minutes ago, John Bloom said: “Automobile books and periodicals personal library” hey AJ, I started a Thread with the above title August 8. Mine related to a plan for organizing your library. I am a sucker for books. I thought there was another thread. I was searching for "bookshelf" and maybe that word is not in your thread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bloom Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Mine was related to “how do I organize all this stuff”. There are a couple of interesting software options for a personal library. It isn’t unusual for me to buy something I already have. I like your idea for this thread..... let’s see some people’s pics of their libraries. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Apologies if this is a repeat, I thought I posted under "What are you working on" but one summer project was deep storage for decades of Cars & Parts and a few other periodicals I just dont want to part with... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe in Canada Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 What to do with old brass carbs you can not find a home for? You make book ends out of them. One I posted a couple of years ago I got an email from a fellow that wanted it for his 17 Oldsmobile. Great for your automotive library and becomes a change of shelf for the carb. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Inside, better stuff in den/office with magazines and tech stuff downstairs. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 I do have a few odd items lurking.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 I am even pictured in one of the books I have. My brother is next to me. I am the short one with the fat head in the background. Our Dad took us the the Old Car Festival at Greenfield Village and we were watching the cars from behind the fence....I remember those suspenders.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Some of it. Craig 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share Posted January 2, 2021 10 minutes ago, Steve_Mack_CT said: Inside, better stuff in den/office with magazines and tech stuff downstairs. I’m embarrassed to post my magazine piles. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Just now, alsancle said: I’m embarrassed to post my magazine piles. I miss my copies of "Mad" & "Cracked" magazines. 😁 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Humor in a Jugular Vein ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JV Puleo Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 (edited) A good question... I really don't know how many books I have but I think it's about 3,000 to 4,000. I've actively collected them since I was about 10... Most of my house is stuffed with them and I will have to build more bookcases - as it is, they are stacked up on the floor in at least 4 rooms. Needless to say, I live alone. Cars are, however only a small part of it. The bulk if the collection is military history (17th to 19th century), Russian history (up to the Revolution), 19th century machine technology, Judaica, 17th and 18th century imprints....etc. Books, in general, are what I do. I have written several as well as edited and designed enough so that I no longer have any idea how many. When I post on this forum I'm taking a break from my current design project...I work in the machine shop during the day and at home on the books at night. Edited January 2, 2021 by JV Puleo (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 6 hours ago, alsancle said: So I thought there was a thread on this already. I counted yesterday and I have 8 bookshelves across 3 different physical locations with twice as much stuff stacked on the floor. I've started a program of organization and pulled all my decent hardcover books on to a single shelf. The books only took up this small shelf. The lesser books, binders, magazines, etc take up all the other space. Got a picture of your books? I could cull down the books on this rack............what’s with all the foreign stuff? Toss the Delage book and replace it with Dodge....at least then it will be useful. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, alsancle said: I’m embarrassed to post my magazine piles. I can imagine the pile of your porno mags.........reaching to the ceiling.......🤭 Edited January 2, 2021 by edinmass (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share Posted January 2, 2021 31 minutes ago, edinmass said: I can imagine the pile of your porno mags.........reaching to the ceiling.......🤭 Actually. I was thinking of my PAS magazines. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 I was adding to a book shelf in the basement and came up for coffee, great timing. I'm not an organized person, but dream of being one, the most often used car books wouldn't make for a worthwhile photo. The special ones are signed by the author, and have a credit for help or use of some photos. The one I want turned up at Pebble Beach with a car on the cover that I painted, what a shock! Aunt Betty was a librarian, every Christmas starting in 1961 I'd get a Ralph Stein book. The Treasury of the Automobile was my first, nobody ever wrote a better book on the hobby. I have no idea how many books fit in a 1999 Lincoln trunk, back seat and front passenger seat, but I've filled it four times in 2020. Sure beats selling & boxing transmissions and rear axles. Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1935Packard Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 (edited) My books are mostly still in boxes from a recent move, but I see that AJ, Keiser, and John have Leon Mandel's 1982 book "American Cars" from the Harrah collection. Great stuff. I spent countless hours reading that book and looking through its pictures when I was a teenager. I still have my copy, with the spine beaten up from use, in one of these boxes. Edited January 2, 2021 by 1935Packard (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bloom Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 6 hours ago, 1935Packard said: My books are mostly still in boxes from a recent move, but I see that AJ, Keiser, and John have Leon Mandel's 1982 book "American Cars" from the Harrah collection. Great stuff. I spent countless hours reading that book and looking through its pictures when I was a teenager. I still have my copy, with the spine beaten up from use, in one of these boxes. It is a great book. I have two copies “just in case”. My favorites are Beverly Rae Kimes books. I am on a mission to have one of every book she wrote. I’d like to suggest Dean Batchelor’s book on the Harrah Collection. I have bought 7-8 copies of the book through the years. I like to give it as a gift to other car friends. It is very thought provoking as you see lots of cars, but also a database of all the collection held. What an undertaking. Grab it if you don’t have it. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dosmo Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 15 hours ago, 60FlatTop said: There is one sure way to tell if a person is a reader, they can spell. Sad, but oh so true - it is amazing how many folks living in my Seymour community who seem to think it is spelled "Seymore". One is related to me, and has lived in this area for 40 years. Your comment resonated deeply. I'm amazed at the people frequenting the message boards on internet news websites who have trouble putting sentences together. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 I have a few books, but honestly my attention span doesnt allow me to hardly get through a magazine. I used to keep the nicer ones, fine woodworking, aaca, smoke signals, then my wife threw everything out. Im kinda glad she did. My 2 older brothers are the intellect in the family, I helped with a move one time and he literally had hundreds of boxes of books. My wife reads alot but has lately been hooked on the library. Send them back when your done instead sitting on a shelf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 (edited) To paraphrase the famous Eliza Doolittle, "'Ere's the book what done me in." This book arrived on the shelves of the Brockport Seymour Library (yes Seymour) in 1961. My car interest had blossomed in the summer of 1959. The timing was perfect and I had been a library user since my preschool days. I bought the original book in a library discard sale and have also picked up a couple more because of its significance to me. The true and deep significance lies in one page. This one: I have spent most of my teenage and adult life trying to convince myself that I could duplicate what the owner of that car did. Had I been a little less confident in myself I could have spent the effort earning enough money to buy the finished car from him! Books, the opiate of youth. Bernie Edited January 2, 2021 by 60FlatTop (see edit history) 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JV Puleo Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 I remember that page very well...the odd thing is that the "before" picture looks so good - like anyone could find a Stutz Bearcat in such complete condition. I'm sure that isn't what Stein had in mind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JV Puleo Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 I should add to my previous post that probably 80 to 90 percent of my collection cannot be found on the internet and very little of it would be readily available via the library system. The only aspect of my research projects where the internet has been very useful is in finding original material so I can buy it... Remember, most public libraries base their retention policy on circulation. A book may contain priceless information but if it doesn't "circulate" it gets discarded. I once bought the entire run of RI Regimental Histories from the Civil War from our local library for about $2.00 each. RI being a small state, all of these are rare and some were extremely rare. They were disposed of because they didn't circulate with absolutely no thought given to the fact that they were not available elsewhere. Academic libraries are a bit better but if the material you need is particularly rare the chances are it is not available via the inter-library loan system. I've encountered this many times and the only alternative is to travel to the library...hence I've found that it is far better to have the original volume on hand, especially if you might want to reference it in the future. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 10 minutes ago, JV Puleo said: I remember that page very well...the odd thing is that the "before" picture looks so good - like anyone could find a Stutz Bearcat in such complete condition. I'm sure that isn't what Stein had in mind! Fact of the matter is......that Stutz was pure and unmolested compared to half of what is running around in the HCCA. Lots of dead bodies buried in brass cars.......and the assembled cars from floor sweepings is ten times higher than most people realize. If you don't have a photo of your car pre 1950........it's assumed to be not real in collecting cirlces until proven otherwise. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 I am in the on going process of refiling , reorganizing my library - it is on the 2nd floor of my house, unbound periodicals are in the basement. BUT after my heart surgery three years ago at this time of the year, once home after months in recovery in rehab I was told I was not allowed to climb stairs ! So by my request a lot of material was brought down to the first floor so I could refer to it for on going research and writing. Now that I am allowed to be back to climbing stairs for some time I need to return all of what was brought down to where it was upstairs! Trouble is I get distracted and want to look at/read most of it , and then once back in my library find more interesting stuff I knew I had but haven't seen in several years. It is like looking at pieces of a puzzle and then seeing them all fit together - makes another story, which of course I have to share because it is not like me to hoard information as you witness with my thread on period photographs, prices of cars when new pre war etc. Of course scanning original material takes hours, as does resizing , saving etc. People ask for help and I try to do that but some are demanding and impatient as they know I have the information. photograph, etc and they need it. I have come to just ignore people like that . Once the clutter is dealt with I will post a few photos. I have to get this done, I have committed to contribute to a new ( gonna be spectacular) magazine that will be making its debut soon. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erska Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Here's a photo of my main auto bookcase, some shelved two-deep, the accumulation of some fifty (!) years. This all started with two gifts from my father: Philip Van Doren Stern's Pictorial History of the Automobile, and Ralph Stein's Treasury of the Automobile (interesting that a couple of others have mentioned that book too). The second photo is another shelf -- stories of early 1900s road trips in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia. These are great stories of the cars and roads of the time, along with the countries and cultures travelled through. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
playswithbrass Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 I guess my library is more of a collection of early reference books 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Sometimes wish I could be as organized, every few years I try to straighten things up but it never lasts & the stacks return. At least I try to keep it to a second floor room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 21 minutes ago, Erska said: Here's a photo of my main auto bookcase, some shelved two-deep, the accumulation of some fifty (!) years. This all started with two gifts from my father: Philip Van Doren Stern's Pictorial History of the Automobile, and Ralph Stein's Treasury of the Automobile (interesting that a couple of others have mentioned that book too). The second photo is another shelf -- stories of early 1900s road trips in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia. These are great stories of the cars and roads of the time, along with the countries and cultures travelled through. Wow, Erska, want to adopt me so I can read that second shelf? Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 4 hours ago, Ben Bruce aka First Born said: Ralph Stein's Treasury of the Automobile (interesting that a couple of others have mentioned that book too). It was one of the first books available in the United States that wasn't British in origin. Lots of Vintage British publications back then. I never paid attention to Hemmings in my younger years. Motor News? Who wants more of that furin stuff? That's the way I interpreted it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) About 20 years ago, I donated two big pallets of service manuals, technical information, owners manuals, and a large assortment of stuff to the Sloan Museum to get it to a place that others might be able to use it. Mainly to make room in the house for other activities. I figured if I ever needed a particular service manual, I would just go out and buy it. That said, I still have a full wall of books in my office at the house. Mostly older pre 1920 service literature and owners manuals along with a lot of reference books like Dykes. I do have some current as in 80's/90's for my current vehicles. Edited January 3, 2021 by Larry Schramm (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 It is interesting how many books and cars I bought new that are now collectible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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