Headstamp Publishing - Peter Laidler, please comment.

I'm curious about how many members here have been following Ian McCollum's (Forgotten Weapons) new book launch "Chassepot to FAMAS" on Kickstarter.

He raised $800,000+ USD during the Kickstarter campaign (including $112 USD from me)! I don't even like French guns.


His new publishing company https://www.headstamppublishing.com/ looks like they are going to be producing some awesome quality books.


With the demise of Collector Grade Publications, I thought wouldn't it be cool if Peter Laidler got his books updated (in full colour) and reprinted there.

I just checked on Amazon and was blown away at what his books are demanding.

On Amazon the prices are:
- The Sten Machine Carbine $765 CAD
- The Guns of Dagenham $1452 CAD
- .303 No4T Sniper Rifle $1917 CAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so glad I bought these books when I had the chance. My wife couldn't believe what they are selling for now.

Peter, penny for your thoughts?

Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with Headstamp.

The Sterling book is being reprinted and upgraded by Pen and Sword books as we speak. New info regarding the Sterling Company and its demise plus some from James Edmiston and lots more about the guns plus other info that I was not permitted to reveal when it came out originally.

They are keen to follow this up with the Bren book next - and then the Boys rifle. Not likely to be a world best seller! But as someone said some years ago, The Boys was to tank busting what the No5 was to prize winning scores

Hey Peter,

Great news on the Sterling book. Will there be any additional colour content?

How about this for an idea...A large format book that combines your No.4T & No.32. publications into one, but with added content from the past 30 years. Also with lots of colour pictures.

Cheers!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bladerunner

I just checked on Amazon and was blown away at what his books are demanding.

On Amazon the prices are:
- The Sten Machine Carbine $765 CAD
- The Guns of Dagenham $1452 CAD
- .303 No4T Sniper Rifle $1917 CAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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If one was contemplating making such an "investment" :D on a publication such as one of these, for example, it does seem somewhat surprising that an individual who maybe prepared to pay these sorts of prices does not consider the possibility of the publication being reprinted. :sos: One can imagine one's slight irritation on having "invested" such a sum, :yikes: on hearing the news that the said publication is due to be reprinted and marketed at a fraction of the cost that one has just paid. :crying: One can also imagine one's spouse's slight irritation :bash: at the sudden devaluation of one's "investment" too. :nono:

Thanks for the news on the re-print Peter, it is great to hear.

1st Ed's will always command a higher premium than a re-print I managed to get a signed copy of the T from Ian Skennerton with a motto penned in it by him its one of my prized books I then stumbled across a few years ago 2 brand new copies of the T book at a bargain price in a gun shop so brought both sold 1 and kept the other for a reader the other is a shelf queen.

Peter, any though of writing a book on British L1A1s and their service history?

The best person for that will be Kevin the Kiwi. He has many of the trials microfisches too. Where are you KtK?

"... The Boys was to tank busting..." Old guy came into the shop years ago and stood staring at the PzB we had on display. He asked if I had ever heard of a Boys. "Of course." says me. Guy said he had been pre-War Indian Army and they used the Boys in the mountains to snipe at the assorted tribesmen. Always liked having those guys come into the shop. Living history. When you could get 'em to talk.
"...book on British L1A1s and their service history?..." That was covered by Blake Stevens(RIP Blake. He died in April.) of Collector Grade Publications. Not exactly inexpensive either.
UK and Commonwealth FALs (Volume Two of the FAL Rifle Series): R. Blake Stevens: 9780889350038: Amazon.com: Books
Or here. UK and Commonwealth FALs by R. Blake Stevens - Paperback - 1980 - from Book Gallery // Mike Riley and Biblio.com

Yes, this is a dreadfully old thread. Yes, there has been a lot of water under the bridge since then. However, I was prompted to see what copies of Peter's STEN book were selling for. Absolutely stunned at the number of digits on asking prices. Those of us sitting on copies, which are well thumbed, annotated and flagged, have a certain civic duty to others interested in acquiring the knowledge.

Where are Peter's printer's proofs? Are they protected by publisher's rights? Who owns the intellectual property?

Secondly, despite Peter's circumstances a man has to eat, and pay his lawyers' bills. He'll likely be barred from any contact with firearms and ammunition, and likely personna non gratta at his previous haunts. Has anyone had any conversation with the man or his family about what next? I ask because it strikes me as a possible source of income that Peter's books could be a modest source of income with Print On Demand production of the wide catalogue.

I'd respectfully suggest that your second and third paragraphs be confined to a PM sent to the man himself.

And no offence intended of course.:cheers:

Umm? Has he been released? Does he have computer access? I really don't know Peter's current circumstances.

I would let things lie low and allow PL time to recover from what must have been an exceptionally difficult and trying time for himself and family, he may or may not come back to us here I hope he will but for now just let things idle along for him pretty sure he will have other things occupying his time.

He will be back, given a bit of time. The long and expensive appeals process has started (against a couple of the counts) and the first appearance with savvy Barrister, thumping the table with her boxing gloves on has been a stunning success. This relates to the TRUE values against the pure horse-manure given by the military police to the press who were excluded from all the courts. The Military freely admitted that of the 4 items, 3 were valued at NIL/long obsolete. While the 4th an also obsolete Cadet straight-pull L98 had a nominal 'spare parts only' valuation. Set by the Judge, on balance, as being £1001!

It's good to see you back, Peter.

Welcome back. Having not been around here too long, I've valued the information you've put here in this forum. I have noticed the varied threads "where is PL?...How is he doing?" pop up from time to time since I joined and, void of context, I just figured maybe you got the COVID or were otherwise under the weather.
Now that it's on my radar, I notice that facts certainly don't come out in the press - even the bbc article seems purposefully misleading.
I'm not trying to solicit any detailed discussion of it here. Since this is a book publishing thread...put me on the pre-order list for a "PL Tells All" book when it's all over, or a "How to navigate the system...". If it's as terse as your stock fitting articles, I'll smile with every page. I'm curious enough to want to know the real story, and patient enough to wait and ignore the press' clearly twisted account of it.
Good luck to you!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

He will be back, given a bit of time. The long and expensive appeals process has started (against a couple of the counts) and the first appearance with savvy Barrister, thumping the table with her boxing gloves on has been a stunning success. This relates to the TRUE values against the pure horse-manure given by the military police to the press who were excluded from all the courts. The Military freely admitted that of the 4 items, 3 were valued at NIL/long obsolete. While the 4th an also obsolete Cadet straight-pull L98 had a nominal 'spare parts only' valuation. Set by the Judge, on balance, as being £1001!

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Excellent progress Peter, give 'em' hell, Mod Plod need their noses rubbed in it!