CMP book series

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Sorry guys but I am told that there is going to be a limited print run of perhaps 1500 copies. Once they are gone, they are gone, but they should perhaps be worth more than the purchase price if past evidence is anything to go by. I will definitely sign copies as requested. So please register interest today.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

David,

Thanks for the heads up. I'll send an e-mail to Alan.

I have no doubts about the never-before seen photos, but I worry a bit about the text. Will that be a rehash of well known sources like it was the case in the article From Otter to APC (February 2003 issue of Heritage Commercials magazine)?

Regards,
Hanno

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Hanno, just as you were posting I was on the phone to Alan. I asked him about the article and the answer is that it was taken and written from original source material: VAUXHALL MOTORIST Magazine, August ?1945 and a piece by Pearsons in COMMERCIAL MOTORIST, 1946. The former was a General Motors official supplement published in Vauxhall Motors' magazine found in Luton by Alan. The problem is that others may have acessed the same original sources.

I believe that all the subsequent articles in HERITAGE COMMERCIALS wer based on original material and one I wrote on Bedford QLs was with the benefit of my copy of AN ACCOUNT OF OUR STEWARDSHIP which was published by Vauxhalls in 1946. The author's son and I dialogue reguarly by coincidence.

So the answer is that we have gone to original source materials and archives because in Alan's justified opinion information on the internet is often wrong. I have spent hundreds of pounds in copying fees for documents from Canadian, British and Australian archives and waded through probably thousands of pages. The photo archive that will be published perhaps in the second book I have been through and there are a huge number of photos some of which make your eyes pop out because they are amazing. I cannot remember how many photos there are but it could be over 250...there was a big pile of them!

I have a personal collection of photos that I have accumulated from company archives that really were being just thrown away. Some have never been revealed before, others have but not in a publication that sets them into correct context. Since I just wrote that I have worked out that I have been privileged to have been through three companies' holdings plus museums, local authorities, and private collections from people who were there. I managed to obtain wartime photos from two gentlemen who should never have had a camera in theory in what was at the time a top secret establishment! It was so Top Secret that they allowed packing cases with say 'JEEP' to be stored outside for the kids to play on!! Also, brand new engines were taken in utmost secrecy from the local railway station to the works piled high on railway handcarts/horsecarts, and were then photo'd!

I personally have tried to go to the original material in public archives but I have to qualify by saying that others may have been there beforehand. This is an adjunct of six years as a PhD student, on top of 30 years as a magazine writer, an editor, and an enthusiast. I have spent man-years going through everything that I could find that was relevant for some of the series of books and have extracted the overall information, boiled it down, and quoted where necessary the references and authorities for the benefit of subsequent researchers.

However I have to defer to experts such as your goodself Hanno, and other MLU friends including our Antipodean friends, for their greater specialist knowledge and if I ever have to use such expertise I shall be delighted to acknowledge the same. I would also qualify what I just said above and add that sometimes original material is simply inaccessible or not available. In those circumstances it may require internet research but whilst my website material is freeware I would always endeavour to extend the courtesy of asking permission to use information, or at the very least acknowledge the source. With the benfit of hindsight and Hanno, this should have been made clear.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
So the answer is that we have gone to original source materials and archives because in Alan's justified opinion information on the internet is often wrong.

David,

In that case please reread Alan's article From Otter to APC, then read my pages on the C15TA Armoured Truck and then please convince me there isn't quite an overlap in content ...

However, I am not questioning your expertise and endorse it to be highly and rightly valued. The fact that you are (co-)authoring this CMP book series means I will buy a copy of each of them without further deliberation. I would be honoured to have copies signed by you on my bookshelf!

Hanno

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Hanno, you have of course posted the point, with considerable justification previously. I plead Guilty to the inexcusable offence of adding information from your website without ensuring that the final copy gave due credit. The text was written by Professor Alan Earnshaw, and then I added information from my own research evidently including your website and I was in error for my oversight. Please accept my sincere public apologies here.

I subsequently obtained some information on Danish QL trucks for a HERITAGE COMMERCIALS article and with the permission of Henrik Teller and the Danish museum quoted information etc. and I made absolutely certain that due credit and from memory a website address for the museum was printed.

I regret that despite my editing of articles when sent to me for final checking the magazine made mistakes in captions for photos and I am still embarrassed at the result. That is why I am very conscious about ensuring that any errors are minimised and that authorities are quoted.

Also, where relevant a list of acknowledgements will be given in the books to include experts' assistance. The response to my request for photos was overwhelming. May I suggest that, between gentlemen, an extra signed copy from yours truly to yourself Hanno and all you other MLU friends who have contributed would be acceptable?

I have just realised that I should state here that yours truly will be solely authoring, with Professor Earnshaw editing, improving and publishing. Alan is a world-renowned military vehicle, railway, commercial vehicle and agricultural vehicle historian. The series will I hope expand laterally, but at least for the first four volumes yours truly is the Captain with Alan as Commodore.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

If you cannot use the link provided, please just PM me to pass on the message. If you do PM me can you please quote your e mail address?

Also whomever you e mail can you please quote your postal address as there is a small leaflet to be sent.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
Please accept my sincere public apologies here.

I gladly accept the explanation about the mistake being made by the magazine. So there is no need to apologise, my friend!

May I suggest that, between gentlemen, an extra signed copy from yours truly to yourself Hanno and all you other MLU friends who have contributed would be acceptable?

David, I gladly accept an extra signed copy, but only if you accept payment for it. I think your intention to write a series of CMP books is commendable and should be supported by MLU'ers buying the whole series. You are one of the major contributors on this forum and I'd like to see you continuing your research in this area. You will need all the help you get selling these books as the audience for them is relatively small, compared to that of the American vehicle scene. Keep up the good work!

And to my fellow CMP nuts I'd like to say: put your money where your mouth is!

Regards,
Hanno

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

May I appeal to any non-UK MLU members to take some leaflets for the book series and distribute them to those whom you think might buy, such as museums? Cheers. 15000 leaflets have been printed and in an ideal world 10% would turn into orders.

[Alex van de Wetering]

David,

I have to admit that I still have to write an email to Alan Earnshaw to show my interest in your CMP-book series. But I will!

If you like I could distibute some leaflets under some fellow modelers here in the Netherlands. I am sure I can find some people who are interested.
On saterday 20 march I will be on a large modeling show in Antwerp, Belgium. I could distribute some leaflets over there.....
Is that possible in such short notice?

Alex van de Wetering, Haarlem, The Netherlands

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Alex, hi there! I have PM'd you in response. It is also possible I think to send an email with a leaflet in jpg form [it is A5] to run off if anyone wants one before the leaflets come back from the printers.

The front is a bit 'corny'*as the Yanks would say but there is a photo of a Diamond T 980/981 and Dodge trucks to confirm that it is not just CMPs we are talking about.


* The idea was that the front had to be so eye-catching that recipients would open it. I did not design the leaflet but most of the words are mine.

[Bill Murray]

Evening David:

I emailed Alan and since it was not sent back, I assume he got it.
That was for me personally.

Not to get into overkill here, but there are lots of opportunities to sell the book/s. If you will e-mail me a high res copy of the flyer, I will display and distribute it in my HobbyTown USA store. We also have our twice a year model contest at end of March and that would be a good way to get attention. I would order a small number of books to sell in my store as well, once the price/distribution is sorted out.

I have no idea of your eventual hopes for the book/s but I am reasonably sure Alan is aware of MotorBooks here in the states www.motorbooks.com who distribute probably 10,000 different titles mostly automotive. They do not have a great reputation with authors and small publishers but it is a thought.

Please do email me the flyer and it will be up in the shop the next day.

Bill

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Bill, just in case can you either PM me or send to gmhistorian@btinternet.com your e mail address.

I have anti-spamming etc. so am not bothered by rogue e mail readers

[Tony Smith]

So how's the book coming along, David? I have sent my e-mail address and postal address to Prof. Earnshaw months ago, but have not received any confirmation of my interest. It would be good, too, to have some advert leaflets as the Christmas gift-buying period approaches, I can leave lots lying around for the wife to find!

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Alan Earnshaw says that he has been inundated with various railway books but hopes to get the first CMP books rolling shortly. He is also chasing those leaflets that have been half printed...tomorrow.

Merry Christmas by the way!

[Brent Delaney]

Hi Board,

I also e-mailed Prof Alan Earnshaw expressing interest in a copy of the upcoming cmp book, that was approx 12 months ago!

So I'm still keen, it will be worth the wait.

Thanks.

Brent Delaney.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

I too expressed interest and am re-expressing it. But if Tony is buying me one for Xmas then maybe I need'nt order one. Sorry Tony, what did you say?
Bob

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I have rung Prof Earnshaw again and have it on authority that we should be getting somewhere soon. It is a question of a railway book series being imposed on the publishers....

[Tony Smith]

TTHHHRRRRUURRPP!!!!

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Touche!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
I have rung Prof Earnshaw again and have it on authority that we should be getting somewhere soon. It is a question of a railway book series being imposed on the publishers....

David, how soon is "somewhere soon"?
The series is eagerly awaited, but one can't keep a kettle simmering for well over 2 years without it cooking dry...

H.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Well, the first book was drafted some time ago BUT new information has come to light as a consequence of my hard work with VINTAGE ROADSCENE and the pre-war British WD vehicles story that is truly fascinating! Basically I have a lot of answers now as to 'why did they [in Canada] decide to go that way'. Essentially I have found a lot more information about the use of the Marmon-Herrington systems in WD experiemental vehicles, together with similar multi-drive systems that we all know of in MLU.

The first book is scheduled for March 2006 release now, but the second book is already written in part and then we should have one every six months I hope.

I still need some assistance please with some aspects, namely which CMP types were first and beagt the others so to speak. If anyone can offer assistance I shall be very grateful and will acknowledge and remunerate.

In the meantime I have had printed and released the English Electric Type 4 Class 40 locomotive book, and the British Chevrolet buses book [1920-32] is going to print shortly. I am working on book on Ice Cream vehicles and will edit more VRS articles..the pre-war story is going to take some telling over several issues!!

[cliff]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
David, how soon is "somewhere soon"?
The series is eagerly awaited, but one can't keep a kettle simmering for well over 2 years without it cooking dry...

H.

I agree Hanno. I too emailed over 12 months ago expressing interest and have heard nothing since. While I still have a keen interest in the book it will start to wane soon.

cheers
Cliff

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The first book is scheduled for March 2006 release now

Sorry for the delays but apart from personal excuses, new information has come to light that would have made an earlier publication rapidly out-of-date. I would much prefer to have bricks thrown at me for tardiness and go to print knowing that we have the correct information at last. As I said the second book is largely written and the first has the CANADIAN photo selection done. However although the second one could have easily been published a while back it has been decided that we must go in chronological sequence.

To be frank I cannot see how anyone would want to purchase a new book in the series if having purchased the first it turned out to be so lacking [in up-to-date information] that it was a waste of money. Therefore I ask for forbearance please and once again appeal for anyone who can assist with vetting the text for accuracy.

I believe that there will only be a limited number of books printed so anyone who buys a copy may find that it has a value once the copies are sold out. Again, a reason to get things right first time.

[cliff]

Originally posted by David_Hayward


I believe that there will only be a limited number of books printed so anyone who buys a copy may find that it has a value once the copies are sold out. Again, a reason to get things right first time.

David I just hope that you have kept a list of us who e-mailed our names to purchase a copy as, while I did email to the addy you gave I have not recieved a polite email recieved message or a leaflet if they were ever sent out.

As to the book riseing in value I don't care as long as I can purchase a copy at the original release date and do not miss out.

cheers
Cliff

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I have a list here of all that wrote to me asking for a copy and I believe Alan has archived one as well.