Headstamp Publishing - Peter Laidler, please comment.

[Bladerunner]

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.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Peter Laidler]

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

[Bladerunner]

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!

[Flying10uk]

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 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If one was contemplating making such an "investment" 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. One can imagine one's slight irritation on having "invested" such a sum, 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. One can also imagine one's spouse's slight irritation at the sudden devaluation of one's "investment" too.

[303Aus.]

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

[CINDERS]

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.

[enbloc8]

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

[Peter Laidler]

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

[Sunray]

"... 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

[Maple_Leaf_Eh]

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.