Doble Book

The editor just sent me a pair of downloads for Jim Crank's Doble book. There's still a few little things to do, but it seems printing will start soon.

What is soon, months or year(s)?

The word I received was "WEEKS"

I just received word that the book, all 640 pages, will be sent to the printer before end of business today. So, it really IS moving along.

X



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/30/2020 05:49AM by IronChief.

Not off the top of my head, I'll contact Jim Anderson. Don't quote me, but I believe there is a substantial discount for SACA members (maybe as much as 50 percent). It's enough to make it worthwhile to join SACA before ordering.

Last I heard the price was $300. Would definitely like to be able to use a SACA discount, as I really want to buy this 2 volume set, but $300 is a steep hill to climb.

Keith T.

$300 is not that a steep hill to climb... If I sold my injector with the semiconductor switching array with a water cooling pump cooling system it would cost $2000



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/30/2019 07:23PM by Jeremy Holmes.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2019 10:34PM by Jeremy Holmes.

The word I've just received is that SACA members get 50% off the price of the book. The club member price will be $250.00. More to follow.

I'm trying to scrape up money but can't see any way .
SteveW

So, the book was sent to the printer the end of March, now it's nearly the end of May, any word?

Christopher Swan has stopped responding to my email requests for status.

Now the end of June, any status update?

Now near the end of July and no word - my guess is that the publisher looked at the business case for the book and has decided to abort the whole thing - I sure hope I'm wrong, has anyone heard any news?

I haven't heard anything for a month or so. When you talk about "the publisher", I suspect you're making a few incorrect assumptions.

It's a complicated story and, even if time permitted, I wouldn't go into great detail since some of the information is possibly confidential.

Jim Crank spent a lot of years, and money, gathering materials for the book ... sometimes pulling Doble documents and drawings out of the trash bin. Eventually, he ran out of cash and, when he started writing, he got an investor. This was probably a mixed blessing since the project started off on what I think was the wrong foot --- the project seems to have drifted because the whole arrangement was informal and without a business plan and tight organization. The Great Recession made it impossible for the investor to continue and Jim went on slowly, for some years, without the backing.

Jim Anderson then stepped in. I advised Jim that, in my opinion, the venture might not be profitable because the Doble was so rare that many potential readers would probably have no contact with the machines which would spark their interest. It simply doesn't have the wider name recognition such as "Bugatti". Jim A. decided to go ahead and sponsor Jim C. because he decided the story simply needed telling. Jim A. contributed a fair amount of money to Chuk's LSR project, owns a Stanley, is part of the Canadian Land Speed Record Team and also volunteered to serve on the SACA Board of Directors (unlike a lot of more vocal steam car enthusiasts). Suffice it to say that he is very committed.

Somewhere along the way, Jim realized that he wasn't an author and would need an editor to whip things into shape, compose the pages, arrange for a website, advertising and so on. Unfortunately, the editor has become involved in other projects and is not giving the Doble book his full attention, so things are dragging on. Jim Anderson is more frustrated about this turn of events than anyone given the very large investment to date. To give you a clue, the investment is large enough that all of Jim Crank's research materials devolved to Jim A. upon Crank's death. These fill a few file cabinets and are stored in Tom Kimmel's shop, along with large boxes to store the drawings flat.

So, this isn't a commercial publisher backing out of a project. Honestly, I am doubtful any publisher would have touched the project as conceived. If a commercial publisher had taken the project on, the book would have long been on the shelves simply because they would have a full time editor dedicated to getting it out.

Unless things have changed drastically in the last few months, Jim A. is committed to getting the book out and just wishes he could start printing and sell some volumes to recover some of his investment.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/2019 09:59AM by frustrated.

I apologize for posting cynical comments on this -- now all deleted, I think. I sincerely hope that Jim Crank's Doble book gets into print. If it does, I will buy a copy. Thanks for the extra back-story information Ken; it is good to know what is going on with this, behind the scenes. I will be buying a copy to read, but investor/collector types might note that, judging by the information, this book is looking like a "rare, valuable, limited-printing collector's item".

Peter

Thank you for the clarifications, Ken. I too will be buying a copy of the first edition if/when it eventually goes to print, despite the understandable high cost.

I am also ready to buy a complete set

The First Proof!
What you see in the photo is the first proof copy of Jim Crank’s The Doble Steam Car.

The books are currently being assembled and shipped. They are to arrive in Menominee, MI some time mid to late August. I hope to have copies available for the fall Steam Meet in Berrien Springs, Sept. 13-15, 2019.

The book is being printed in China primarily because of its size. It is 2 volumes, 11”x14” in a ship case and totals over 600 pages. The quality of the images and printing are second to none. The price and quality are what I believe Jim Crank had in mind. Jim Crank and Abner Doble had a lot in common. For the most part, that’s a compliment. In addition to all the data and detail its really a good story. In many cases, coffee table books are often looked at and not read. This one is worth the read. I am now working on packaging so it can be shipped without damage. I expect to have this resolved by the time the books arrive. I will post a notice when the book is available.
Stay tuned, Jim Anderson, The Doble Steam Press

Thank you for the update.


>>Jim Crank and Abner Doble had a lot in common. For the most part, that’s a compliment.<< You need a smiley.

It sure is good to see a good steam project approach completion. Jim Crank was a hard one to get a smile out of. The completion of this project will have him smiling big time. May you now rest in peace Jim.

Woohoo, can't wait!

Hi Jim,

Thanks, Yay! By way of explanation, us eager beaver Doble/Crank fans have been thinking "where's the Doble book? Where where where?" Then the delay led to "Not here yet, something must be wrong". Then the conspiracy theories. Any time a train of thought leads to conspiracy theories, the baloney alarms ought to sound off. Well, I'm glad to hear directly from the publisher -- thanks -- and very happy that the book is finally on the way!

Peter

A long time ago I sugested walsworth publishing. They specilize in small runs and literally do 1000s a year specilizing in school year bocks.

When I woked their they had 100 or so editors working mostly on year books.

They still have editors but with the online editor apps the schools are able take on the job.

I do not know the cost but must be vary reasionable as I saw quite a few cook books that were from small town social groups.

Hi Andy,

There's now a lot of publishers out there. I found one company doing print on demand that will go as low as single copies, and the price still is reasonable. Better yet, they will ship directly to third parties. Another firm will market through Amazon, ship to customers directly and send the profits to your account. Heaven knows how long this will last, give it another decade or so and most people won't even want the paper book. Of course, some of these firms will compile and distribute e-books as well. The Gutenberg Revolution is, maybe, almost over.

Ken

Hello, any news? Were there copies available at the steam meet? Are copies now available via the SACA storeroom?

I got my copy and I think eleven were sold. The website to sell the book is underway and they are making arrangements for fulfillment through Amazon.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/21/2019 12:27PM by frustrated.

I sent in my check today directly to Jim Anderson, can't wait to get my copy!

Good morning friends.

Greetings from Russia.

Please tell me how do I get this wonderful two-volume?

To whom and how much to pay?

Thanks a lot. Regards, Yui

I received my copy from Jim Anderson, I'm delighted with it! Lots of great information on many types of steam cars, not just Dobles. Also much insight into Abner, his skills and personality, and his various businesses.

For non-members that are interested in obtaining a copy, here is a link to the book as offered through Amazon.

[www.amazon.com]

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