Hi, I was actually considering purchasing a limited edition of Midnight Mass. I think it was offered through Cemetary Dance. What I am wondering is, do you actually read them??? I know I am going to want to if I buy it but I also know people who won't even touch a limited, or even just a signed copy because they don't want to ruin the value or condition- they just diplay it. Just wondering... Thanks!

There are two reasons to buying the limited editions:
1. Having a pristine copy never to be read and only to increase in monetary value.
2. Having a copy of the book to read available long before the mass market editions.

In the case of SIMS and Midnight Mass, my collection follows the first reason only because Cemetery Dance didn't get the "first" edition out in time before the mass market. Otherwise, I usually read the collector's editions since those are generally the only copies I own. Once the paperback comes out, then, if I want to re-read them, I'll get the PB.

Regarding Midnight Mass, the cover of the limited looks way cool. I contacted CD to see if I could get a separate, rolled copy of just the dust jacket to frame, but they didn't respond on that.

I guess that depends on whether or not you're a bona fide collector. I'm a dilettante. I just dabble. I have a few signed editions, but I bought them for the fun of it and didn't pay a lot for them. I did read some of them, so I guess I've gone and blown the turnaround value. But I don't want to sell them.

Biggles will give you the skinny on the true collector's point of view.

I collect what I like, but I'm not a "true collector". I like to keep my collected books in good shape, but since I never part with them, I don't care whether they appreciate in value, and I'll read them (carefully) if I like. I have some nice guns too, but I don't see the point in having them just to look at--I like to shoot them!

I collect what I like, but I'm not a "true collector". I like to keep my collected books in good shape, but since I never part with them, I don't care whether they appreciate in value, and I'll read them (carefully) if I like. I have some nice guns too, but I don't see the point in having them just to look at--I like to shoot them!

Which reminds me; knowing how you like the movie ZULU, here's a rifle you might get a kick out of.

http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/...cts_id/918

Seems like a goodly number of these were found in an old warehouse in Nepal or some such place. Definitely a piece of history.

Ken V.

Which reminds me; knowing how you like the movie ZULU, here's a rifle you might get a kick out of.

http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/...cts_id/918

Seems like a goodly number of these were found in an old warehouse in Nepal or some such place. Definitely a piece of history.

Ken V.

Very neat! Ammo might be hard to get, though?

I collect what I like, but I'm not a "true collector". I like to keep my collected books in good shape, but since I never part with them, I don't care whether they appreciate in value, and I'll read them (carefully) if I like. I have some nice guns too, but I don't see the point in having them just to look at--I like to shoot them!

I would say you are a "True Collector" because you collect what you like and keep your collections in good shape. You are not an "Investor" which is someone who buys now in order to turn around and sell for a profit. I figure that what I collect and treasure most, my FPW collection, will either be given to my sons or donated to a museum or library. Except my copy of "The Keep" which will be buried with me. I figure I've got to have something good to read on the other side.

Very neat! Ammo might be hard to get, though?

I don't know. I'll have to check it out. I have a couple of original rounds in my collection -- pre-1900. The brass is rolled, and not drawn like modern brass is. I also have a round that's drawn -- post-1900. If I remember correctly, this round was fairly popular in Africa up until about the 1950's.

I'll buzz on over to the web and see If I can find out anything.

By the way, both early and late rounds used a paper-patch bullet.

I looked up the cartridge in Cartridges Of The World, and find a reloading spec. with two Lyman bullets. And it gives the bullet mold numbers.

Ken V.

I would say you are a "True Collector" because you collect what you like and keep your collections in good shape. You are not an "Investor" which is someone who buys now in order to turn around and sell for a profit. I figure that what I collect and treasure most, my FPW collection, will either be given to my sons or donated to a museum or library. Except my copy of "The Keep" which will be buried with me. I figure I've got to have something good to read on the other side.

It would be tragic if you forgot to have a reading lamp installed in your coffin. Which is probably exactly what I would do -- forget that is.

Ken V.

Very neat! Ammo might be hard to get, though?

I haven't done a thorough search, but so far I haven't found much. There's one place that sells Kynoch brass for about $6.00 a pop. YOWWWW!!

Did find an interesting site about the history of the rifle and ammo however. Seems I was wrong about the change from rolled to drawn brass being in 1900. This site says it was done in 1885, which makes those rolled rounds in my collection at least 120 years old.

Here's the site:

http://www.svartkrutt.net/engmartinihenry1.php

Nuts!! I sure wish I could make it to GU-4. I think you'd get a kick out of seeing some of the really old cartridges in my collection. I have a few American cartridges that pre-date the War of Northern Oppression, and some that were used during the war. The largest one I have is from a Holland and Holland .600 Nitro Express -- elephant gun.

Fun stuff!

Ken V.

I have a few American cartridges that pre-date the War of Northern Oppression, and some that were used during the war.
Ken V.

The "Second American Revolution" or "Second War of Independence" you might also say. BTW, The Whiskey Rebellion was "the War of Eastern Oppression". It will be awfully hard to root for the Eagles on February 6, since I still harbor a 210 year old grudge.

The "Second American Revolution" or "Second War of Independence" you might also say. BTW, The Whiskey Rebellion was "the War of Eastern Oppression". It will be awfully hard to root for the Eagles on February 6, since I still harbor a 210 year old grudge.

As I turn my head, I see my copy of Thomas P. Slaughter's, THE WHISKEY REBELLION: FRONTIER EPILOGUE TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Tarring and feathering tax collectors . . . something I think rather highly of.

Ken V.