From:Chris Gans e-mail:nagamon@execpc.com
Subject:RE: RE: RE: RE: Henderson Book Date:Mon Oct 29 20:55:09 2012
Response to:4342
Dave,
While most Henderson guys are not poor there are some of us that don't have that extra coin and have to be careful what we spend on. That being said, I had no problem paying what Rich wanted when I was able to buy one. I have been called a tight wad on several occasions but when it comes to the Henderson stuff even the wife just shrugs her shoulders and says "go ahead". Value is just that and worth paying for. Somewhere I have a copy of Those Fantastic Fours that was my dads. It's all torn up from our drooling over it when we were younger. He probably paid less than a buck for it. Now they go for around one hundred. The hardcovers, I believe, were library copies. They had a bland cover in gray or brown. If they were for the public they would have had the red cover.
Whatever the cost I am sure I will buy one. I might not tell the wife how much it cost me..........but on the other hand the way she seems to feel about my Henderson she might buy it for me. Who knows. I told her what all the improvements for the KJ motor would cost after talking to Dale at Wauseon and her only comment was "not all in one year".
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Doug,

I agree with Rich’s desire for a hardbound book – that’s what I would like to see. Most people of our generation still prefer quality paper books. Purchase price is immaterial – there are few poor Henderson owners.

But as you mention, hardcover requires a fixed press run with a big up-front investment. Perfect-bound (softcover) books can be produced using Print-On-Demand techniques, which would be the best alternative if the venture capital for hardcover can’t be found. Digital versions would steal sales from any printed versions, so I think they should definitely be avoided.

“The Golden Age of The Fours” was, I think, originally a hardcover and then reprinted as a softcover. Might be one way to go.

Here’s an idea - have a Detroit book (Volume 1)and a Chicago book (Volume 2). The current book is pretty much Detroit anyway, so removing the few pages of Chicago wouldn’t hurt too much. Replace that with the historical perspective, serial number lists, or other information that applies to both cities. It shouldn’t be solely Detroit – you want it to appeal to everyone.

For the Chicago book - there is so much more known about the Chicago bikes – I think it would easily fill a similar sized book. There were a lot of changes to the De Luxe series that really aren’t documented anywhere. While a full-blown “How To Restore” is beyond the scope, there is a lot of semi-technical info (trivial example, paint colors) that could be included. Unfortunately, as time went on, there were less and less factory documents or advertising. Dick Winger had collected a lot of factory documents – did that all go to the AMCA/AMF?

While I’m fortunate enough to have a copy of Rich’s book, there are many Henderson owners who aren’t. And there’s no more to be had. Whatever form it takes, I hope we can get this off the ground.

Dave