I bought a new research book!
This is not exactly a surprise, because I often buy research books, sometimes because a Risky recommends them.
I first saw this book for sale in an antique shop in Middleburg, Virginia. The cost, as I recall, was about $300 (but you can buy it for as little as $11.07). That was a bit too much, even for my research book obsession! This weekend, though, my friend (and book-pusher) Mary Blayney offered me her copy.
Actually she said, “Would you like a coffee table book? It is as big as a coffee table.” All I had to do was buy her dinner.
The book is Coaching Days of England (1966) by Anthony Burgess, and it is full of color and black and white prints from the 18th and 19th centuries.
You can get an idea of how big it is by the ruler I placed on the cover.
Here’s a peek at what I purchased!
Color Prints
North-Country Mails at the Peacock, Islington
The Duke of Beaufort Coach
I’m not the only one who loves this book. Somebody actually made a YouTube video about it.
Have you ever seen this book? Do you think it was worth the price of a dinner?
Check my website this week for my new book cover and a sneak peek!
Definitely worth the price of a dinner, given that you will also have enjoyed (a) the food and (b) the company! By the way, is $11.17 a typo? That doesn’t seem much to me for a book like this!! Wish I could find it at that price in the UK…
HJ,
Yes, that is a price quoted on Amazon and at abebooks.com – not counting the postage, though.
There are plenty for sale in the UK! Look at http://tinyurl.com/cyr2lsc
They tend to be a bit on the more costly side, but I suppose that is because you Brits know better the value of the book!
Hi Diane–Thanks so much for posting about this book! It’s exactly the research book I need for the new Austen book that I’ve just started writing. (It would have been a big help, too, when I wrote my last one, The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen.) You’re right, a used copy is available on Amazon for $11.17! I decided to pay twice that to buy one that I hope is in better condition, but I’m sure that whatever condition this book is in, it’ll be wonderful to have, and a real bargain. I loved the video on You tube too, so thanks for sharing that link!
The only problem is where to keep the book. I don’t even have a coffee table big enough!
I too have a copy of this gigantic book! It is a terrific resource. I found it in an antique store ten years ago and paid $30. Mine, however, is missing the dust cover. 🙁
I would have happily paid $30 for the book if that had been the price in the store where I first saw it.
Edith Layton described this as a coffee table versus a coffee table book. Maybe you could set it on a stand with a glass top when not in use? In any case I want one!
Good idea, Elena!
Anthony Burgess as in Clockwork Orange???
Yes! I just did some snooping and found out it IS the same Anthony Burgess!
http://everything2.com/title/Anthony+Burgess
Lovely book. I’ve not seen it before, but I tend to steer clear of such large books. I have been tempted by several and really don’t have room for them. Definitely worth the price of dinner. I hope you took her someplace really nice.
It was a nice-enough place to eat. Get this—Mary had Beef Wellington!
Definitely worth the price of dinner, especially since you also enjoyed the company and the meal, as HJ pointed out. 🙂
I’m more concerned about space than cost on this one. I did, however, recently purchase “Adventures in the Rifle Brigade.” I believe I may safely blame the Riskies for this. 😉
We’ll take the blame, Laurel. I can safely blame the Riskies for multiple purchases of research books.