Undocumented Fairy Lamps

In my last note to the Club members, I indicated that I was considering self-publishing a book of the Undocumented Photo Album and ask for input from our members. I have received a few comments related to publishing the book in two volumes or one. So far, the consensus is to publish one volume. The logical break point would be when the "U-numbers" reach 400. This makes sense to me and there is only a $5 difference in cost to publish per book.

Also, the preference seems to be for a softcopy version as opposed to a hard back book. This is a good choice as it keeps the cost down considerably. ($10 per book) However, a choice can be made at the time of purchase as books are published "on demand." There is no inventory for me to maintain.

By far, however, there is a concern about many lamps in the Undocumented Photo Album that are marriages, incomplete, or perhaps should not be included at all. If a book is published, my plan is to identify (with the help of others) the "problem lamps" with an explanation so that new collectors are not miss-informed. In addition, I plan to document new information we have learned along the way.

So with that in mind, I would welcome your ideas and suggestions.

Jim.

Jim,
If you decide to publish the U series lamps, many of them will need to be photographed again with better detail than some that have been in the newsletter. Are you asking everyone who has lamps in the newsletter to photograph them, or are you going on a world tour as the last couple did? Many of the lamps also don't have accurate size descriptions (or non at all). Would the size figures need to be ironed out as well. After sitting in many living rooms taking notes and measuring lamps for the last book, I know how long that can take. Also, the last book was created using many eyes and lots of input as far as the prices go. Are you also going to include a price guide with the book? Since many of the lamps have sold either at auction or over the internet, the price could be determined from those sale figures.
If you need help, feel free to call.

Brian

Perhaps "publish" is too strong a term. "Reprint and bind" is a better term.

Currently I "publish" the Undocumented pages in a three ring binder for those who wish to have a complete collection as a reference. This certainly serves a purpose and allows for updates. I was just looking for a way to "cut myself out of the loop" by having someone else do the printing and binding for me.

Jim.

That still leaves the question about prices. Currently the prices are not put in the newsletter sheets, would that be updated to show sale prices in the bound edition? Would the format (layout) still be the same as now, or would the photos be larger?
Don't get me wrong, I will still want at least two Hard Bound copies.

Brian

No, I would not plan to include values.

The format would be nearly identical to the current format, perhaps a little smaller. The format will be 8x10 portrait. There are other larger formats available but the cost is prohibitive. And, as you indicated, many photos will not be suitable for a larger format.

Below is currently the direction I'm headed:


It will look like the current format but with slightly expanded descriptions to take care of the marriages, incompletes, etc. Of course, at this point everything is subject to change.

And again, this is not a new "publication". It is basically a reprint of what we have already produced in a three-ring binder but bound like a book.

Looks great, I will take one hardbound, and one paperback copy. They will look better than the big white binder I have currently, and it would be easier to carry around to shows and auctions.

I hope that we will still get the goodies in the newsletter each time as before, up until number U-800, when we (of course that “we” still means you, Jim) can do this all over again.

Brian

Oh yes, the newsletter and additional Undocumented pages will continue just like they are now.

Being able to carry this around is just one of the reason I want to get it bound.

Hmmm....at 400 images for the first 10 years, I will be 75 when we reach 800. I hope the kids pick a good home with a high-speed wireless connection.

Jim.

Has any thought been given that the owners of those lamps in the undocumented may have supplied the information for the knowledge to club members only.
Are you now assuming that all those members are going to be happy for their lamps to be published or are you going to seek their approval ?
Surely the photographs are thier intellectual right ?

I agree.

It is the major issue of concern and will stop me from publishing this collection in any other format.

I can not gain permission from all the contributors and, if it is published in another format, it will likely be for my personal use or perhaps for "members only."

Jim.

I have a few and would be delighted to see them printed Jim. Sort of like showing off your grandkids pictures.

I also have at least 7 or more for your next 800-let us know when you will start collecting new
pictures. There are already at least 5 of mine in the undocumented pages now and I think it would be great to see them in a published format.
You have done wonders with the pictures I have sent you of my lamps from the beginning,
so from my end you actually are now the owner of these pics.

Thank you.

I am always looking to new photos of undocumented fairy lamps. Please send them along when you get a chance. With the photos, please include any significant information, including dimensions.

Don't be disappointed if I don't use them right away. Sometimes I hold images in reserve to make a single page similar style lamps. Kinda like porcelain standards in the last issue.

Thanks again,
Jim.

I am beginning to revise the descriptions of the Undocumented Photo Gallery. I have only addressed U-01 through U-20 so far.

The goal is to identify those lamps that are marriages, incomplete, or miss-identified. In addition, I would like to add new information that we have learned along the way, i.e. model numbers, manufactures, dates, etc.
I do not have room for a long-winded explanation nor do I wish to create a separate table/document to capture the new information.

The first revised descriptions are at:

http://www.fairy-lamp.com/Fairylamp/FairyLampUndocMain.html

The revisions are shown in red. I want to get a reaction to this approach before I go any further.

There is no decision yet to republish the Undocument Photo Gallery pages. For now, I simply want to correct the descriptions of what we have already.

Comments, corrections, additions welcome.

Jim.