The design Branch Records

[rob love]

About a dozen years back, while going through a divorce and a deep deep thinning out of my collection, I sold off an original 2 volume set of the Design Branch Records. Many of us are familiar with these, and I know they are available on CD. But as most of you know, there is nothing like the real thing, especially when it comes to books.

Anyway, long story short I was given the opportunity to purchase them back last week, and did not hesitate to. They are not something you come across everyday. I just won't be able to brag about getting them for $5 like I did the first time.

Along with them came an original copy of the Canadian Army Overseas Vehicle Data Book, which Bill Gregg later reproduced in soft cover. This one has the hard cover, and on the cover is marked for the Chief of Staff, and inside has the rubber stamp of General Montague and dated 1945. Not sure if that would have been his personal copy, or merely one of many in the HQ offices.

Photos attached. Looks like I will have a little light reading to re-do over the next while.

[rob love]

Below are some shots from the Design Branch Records. These were originally published in very limited numbers in an 8 volume set. They were later re-published in a 2 volume set, and in a little higher numbers. But all in, I don't think there were more than a couple hundred of both published, so they should be considered somewhat rare. The artwork in them is beautiful, so I have included a couple of the lead pages.

[Mrs Vampire]

HI Rob can you supply a link to where I might purchase a CD version??

Thanks

[rob love]

I can't find a link, but I believe it was through Clive Law's Service Publications.

[Ewen B]

It is nice to have the originals which have not been used by the mechanics that are covered in grease and fingerprints. Excellent find. You'll have to keep me from following you to these favourite haunts of yours when I move closer. e

[chris vickery]

I bought my CD copies from Andre Gilbeault from around the Montreal area.
He usually shows up at the OMVA swap meets in Ontario. Next time I see him I will inquire and try to obtain some contact info as well as price and availability.

[David Dunlop]

This item is currently in prep at Service Publications, I believe. The last catalog I received from them showed a possible price of about $30.

David

[Mrs Vampire]

many thanks found it thanks to your post

http://www.servicepub.com/

[Bruce MacMillan]

For those that want an original hard copy:
http://tiny.cc/lw6qlx

Abe Books, only $300

[rob love]

Well that link is making me feel a little better about spending this much on some old books. The copy offered is in poor condition with damaged cover and spine. It is being sold by Berry-Peterson-Booksellers in Kingston, in case someone in that neck of the woods wants to drop in and dicker.

Perhaps in the world of out of print books that price is not out of line. Consider that the copies of this book that were published by Dr Gregg and sold from the RCA museum for around $10 are often listed these days for around $120 or more.

[servicepub (RIP)]

If I ever get of my a** I will finish Vol 1 of "Drive to Victory". This includes much of the text from the Design Records books as well as the photos from the Vehicle Data books. The difference will be that there are MANY more photos and they are all quality pix, printed on quality paper. There will be 2-3 volumes and the 700+ pages are almost done (thanks to great input from many MLU'ers).
Clive

[rob love]

Looking forward to it. Any idea of the price range?

I had always hoped someone would reproduce the design records in hard copy. I wasn't sure there would be anyone crazy enough to do so with the limited numbers of sales of a likely expensive book to a very specialized group of collectors and modellers.

[servicepub (RIP)]

Originally Posted by rob love

I wasn't sure there would be anyone crazy enough to do so with the limited numbers of sales of a likely expensive book to a very specialized group of collectors and modellers.

Rob,
You have just described my business model - and the reason I haven't turned a profit in 20+ years.

I think that the books will retail for $59.95/volume.

C

[rob love]

You need to take your business and make a pitch on the Dragon's Den to find out what real venture capitalists think about your model. But I am pretty sure you already know the answer.

Thanks for doing what you are doing.