Coffee table book

[JeffD]

This is from the gee whiz category.

I was talking with some friends about the on line community here at Mandolin Cafe, and a half thought kind of evolved.

What about a coffee table book "a pictorial history of the mandolin."

With contributions from long standing cafe members, pictures of significant mandolins owned by different members, contributions from Gibson, Martin, as well as Weber other smaller shop builders and independant luthiers, and the off shore builders too like Eastman.

Sections on all the different kinds of mandolin music extant in the world, with high res pics of performers and instruments.

It would be a labor of love for a lot of people here, and a labor of labor for many as well so we would have to work that out so that nobody was taken advantage of. The book could be published under the Mandolin Cafe logo -

I know of various organizations that have self published a book that was then purchased by most the members, and also available outside. They basically broke even on the membership sales and made a little on outside sales. In some antique collectors organization the book became a kind of reference - and those whose personal treasures were pictured in the book saw their antiques go up in value - now that there was a book that explained the uniqueness of them.

One of my greatest assets is that I have no idea what I am talking about. So I am not impeded in my enthusiasm by the cold hard facts that prove that all endeavor is impossible.

But it would be cool to have such a book. And perhaps it could make a little money for Scott and the site.



........or not.

[barry k]

There was a coffee table book published about american luthiers about 1999. It is called "Hearts and Hands Across America" By Jake Jacobson and Trisja Malisoff. Featured musical instrument builders of all types of instruments . But it would be great to have a strickly Mandolin book, as you say.

[JeffD]

But it would be great to have a strickly Mandolin book, as you say.

I am sure the makers large and small would want to contribute material, pictures and histories - thier influence and luthiery goals.


It would be a huge task, and hearding all of us into action would be daunting in and of itself.

But it could ba a lot of fun, and lots of us would love to have a copy.

[DryBones]

but would it sell to the masses? thats the only way a publisher will touch it. Unless somebody wanted to do an independent thing. I definitely would like one if it ever came to be.

[JeffD]

but would it sell to the masses? thats the only way a publisher will touch it. Unless somebody wanted to do an independent thing.

That's what I was thinking. The particular antique collector organizations I was refering to did a vanity press - you know - pay to publish. A very slick book was produced. The members loved it and most of them purchased it - the organization broke even on memebership sales.

[Bill Van Liere]

Gee whiz Jeff I have the same idea. I have even asked Fatt-dad if he would write the Flatiron chapter,and hope that maybe Daryl could do the Loar segment and Dan could do the Gibson A portion, maybe Hans could add some building comments. I am some where between kidding and serious here, but look at how much info is not clear about about old Gibsons. It would great if the history of these great boutique (spelled somthing like that) times were documented in some way.

[mandroid]

Waterproof paper treatment so the coffee will wipe off,
without staining the pictures too !

[JEStanek]

I think Gary Vessel (TESTORE) was looking for contributors for something like this earlier this year (or last).

Jamie

[KNP String Band Mando]

ill buy one!!!

[JeffD]

but look at how much info is not clear about about old Gibsons. It would great if the history of these great boutique (spelled somthing like that) times were documented in some way.

The book would fill in lots of wholes in the mandolin story.

Amongst us all we have the knowledge and researchy skills, the questions and the answers, the instruments and the pictures, and enough mando-enthusiasts that copies would be purchased, and the whole international community, so we can get chorro, and ballo liscio and who knows whatever else is out there.

A pictorial history of the mandolin and its music. Eight String Press, a subsidiary of Mandolin Cafe.

[Jim Garber]

This was discussed a few times here before. In fact there was an aborted project involving some Cafe members a few yeara's ago.

Unless you have the backing of a solid publisher it is extremely expensive to produce such a book. And unless you put the money into nice photo printing, you may as well look at pictures in the Archive and get your info on the Web.

Of course, if this book was produced, I would definitely want one...

Jim

[PaulO]

I have contributed to coffee table books and am now working with another client on some photographs of a golf course for a book. (I photograph for a lot of colleges and private schools). The good news is that they are beautiful, the bad news is that they are notorious for not making any money. If someone approached it as a labor of love it would be a worthwhile effort. I have contacts for producing that type of publication if anyone is interested. Of course I'd have to travel to all of the builders and owners of these wonderful instruments who are included to illustrate the book. Just get back with me when you all are ready.

Paul O'Mara

[thistle3585]

There is one in the works. Last I heard, it is more Loar specific, than anything else. I believe there will be some other builders included that reflect the Loar tradition but only as an extension of the Loar tradition. Maybe the writer will chime in.

On a personal level, having been doing some research on Handel tuners, I have spoken with a a fair number of people that were involved with the musical industry as far back as the 30's and it is unfortunate that so much history is being lost as they pass away. I would much rather see a more comprehensive archive/collection of builders and associated craftsmen. It wouldn't surprise me if there's someone looking for info on Allen tailpieces or Ellis inlays 100 years from now. Maybe a Wikipedia of mandolins where people can contribute photos of instruments and other documentation.

[DryBones]

now if only we could play the book like a mandolin. you know, a mandolin book that is actually a mandolin (doing my best Kramer)

[JeffD]

That was a funny one - where he published a coffee table book on the history of coffee tables - and the book was large and had those little fold out legs so it could serve as a coffee table.