Eric Holland's book "Coniston Copper: A History"

Mine exploration, photographs and mining history for mine explorers, industrial archaeologists, researchers and historians

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Blackcraig1
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16 years ago

Thinking about a point raised in my "MOLES AGM 2009" thread, about Ian Tyler's last Lakeland Mining book being released this year.

Would it be worth CATMHS, or Cicerone Press (or both) attempting a new print run of the late Eric Holland's history of the Coniston Copper Mines - "Coniston Copper: A History" - as a tie-in to Ian's books? There should be a demand for the book, especially since it's been out of print for more than 20 years and it is referred to in Eric's other Coniston book "Coniston Copper Mines: A Field Guide", which is still in print.

If another print run could be arranged, the book should be revamped to bring it's look up-to-date, some extra information bringing subsequent developments at the mines (such as CATHMS exploration and conservation work) could be added in and better, more recent pictures added, as this is one area the old printing lacks, not surprising maybe given it's age!

Sound a good idea?

Chris

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Moorebooks
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16 years ago

I think you will find there was a second print run.

There is always a danger with reprinting books, for instance Bottallock has been reprinted and sales have been poor. The same with Alan Buckley's South Crofty.

It may be sensible to look at a lower budget format rather than hardback

Mike

sparty_lea
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16 years ago

It's certainly very difficult to get a hold of these days. The field guide is common but not the history.
I would have thought it might be quite popular, especially if updated as suggested.
I don't know how these things are set in motion though. Somebody capable of doing the update talks to a publisher like Dalesman?

There are 10 types of people in the world.

Those that understand binary and those that do not!

Blackcraig1
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16 years ago

I agree, paperback would be the best format for a new run, I was thinking that it could follow the format used for Ian's books? With a similar price tag perhaps as well?

Moorebooks
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16 years ago

I would worry that you could end up with a lot of copies on your hands, it was never a best seller.

Mike

rhychydwr
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16 years ago

The orginal book is still widely available. An addenda, would be a much better bet.

Cutting coal in my spare time.

Monty Stubble
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16 years ago

Just a peculiar sidelight on this story. I was in Enumclaw, Washington State, a few years ago when I wandered into a 2nd hand book store. In there was a mint copy of the Mines of Furness, and the Coniston book, also mint. How did they get there - the bookseller hadn't a clue. I bought the furness book but left the other. maybe it's still there if you're really desperate for a copy. :lol:

The finest workers in stone are not copper or steel tools, but the gentle touches of air and water working at their leisure with a liberal allowance of time.
Henry David Thoreau

patch
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Newbie

16 years ago

I don't have a copy of this book but if someone could post details of its size, how many pages, photographs etc and whether it is hard-back or soft back, I could give a ball park figure fairly quickly on how much a facsimilie reprint would cost. There are machine now that are a sort of hybrid between conventional printing machines and photocopiers and they can achieve very high quality reproductions on small print runs. i.e. 50-100 copies.
It might be an idea to canvass orders on this site and others like ME to see if the interest was there.
Two points do arise
1 The book is still probably in copyright
2 Any photos would lose about 20-30 percent definition in a facsimilie reprint, unless the originals could be located or suitable replacements obtained.

Don't wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel, stride down there and light the damn thing yourself

Moorebooks
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16 years ago

The book will still be copyright, Eric only died about 12 years ago.

You can easily buy second hand copies at the moment

Mike

rhychydwr
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16 years ago

#10

I can offer:

CONISTON COPPER MINES / A Field Guide by Eric Holland 1986 120 pp, 54 figs mainly surveys. SB £6.00 post free

Cutting coal in my spare time.

Moorebooks
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Newbie

16 years ago

#11

The field guide is still in print at £6.99

Tony's price is a good one

A History of Consiton Copper Mines is going for about £30

Mike

Blackcraig1
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Newbie Topic Starter

16 years ago

#12

Who holds the copyright to the book, presumably Cicerone Press as publishers or Eric's next of kin? The best idea I thought was for Cicerone to reprint it with assistance (for updating the information at the end of the book and for providing newer and better quality photos to replace some, but not all of the originals, and as extra photos) from CATMHS.

Chris

carnkie
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Newbie

16 years ago

#13

Changing the subject slightly but still on books I had an e-mail this PM that said this.

Reminder,
On behalf of Welsh Mines Society.
You contacted David Roe requesting a copy of The Lode Of History.
these are now available

I must be having some serious senior moments because I haven't a clue about this or remember contacting David Roe. Did this subject arise on here recently and I've completely lost the plot? :confused:

The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.

rhychydwr
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16 years ago

#14

"carnkie" wrote:
I've completely lost the plot? :confused:

Probably 😉

The Lode of History is the proceedings of the Bickfest, which was to honour the memory of the late David Bick, founder of The Welsh Mines Society. As soon as my copy arrives, I will put the contents on the forum. Should be well worth getting a copy.

Cutting coal in my spare time.

Moorebooks
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Newbie

16 years ago

#15

I think you will find Eric's family will hold the rights unless he left it as a bequest to another body. Cicerone are likely to have details as the field guide is still available and I guess they must pay royalties to someone.

Talking of Eric what happened to all the aretefacts he held in hi private museum?

Mike

Moorebooks
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Newbie

16 years ago

#16

Lode of History
thanks tony that will save me writing a precis for my website where it will be on sale

mike

rhychydwr
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16 years ago

#17

"Moorebooks" wrote:

Lode of History
thanks tony that will save me writing a precis for my website where it will be on sale

mike

No problem Mike. Have a look at my Mining Book list, a skip load of précis and books at bargain prices which include postage 😉
Regards - Tony

Cutting coal in my spare time.

Moorebooks
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16 years ago

#18

Thanks that is very much appreciated - I always try to acknowledge where or whom this has been copied from. As not everyone does this!!

cheers

mike

PITPONY
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Newbie

12 years ago

#19

i agree this is a nice detailed book that should be reprinted for new readers , i have a nice original copy myself that i purchased from ebay , the secondhand sites such as abe books have copies for sale but seem very steep at around 30.00 , it would nice to see a revised paperback edition available , ebay and other auction sites seem to have them now and again and theres a first edition on ebay now with no bids and amazon have two copies as well , hope this helps , regards tony ;

RJV
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Newbie

12 years ago

#20

From day to day experience, anybody looking to re-print books in paper form is on a hiding to nothing.

In the last 18 months of commuting Kindles/IPads etc have gone from being an exotic rarity to being used by at least a third of the people on the train. Within the same period again it'll probably be fair to say that they will have near saturated the market (whether you think thats a good thing or not).

The possibilities for reprinting things in an electronic form if done properly are limitless however. Unlimited photos, interactive maps, directly linking with other websites & books etc.