Hartungs Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes - Updated Version.

[Suzy]

A while back I noticed many people were interested in obtaining the book "Hartungs Astronomical Objects For Southern Telescopes" which at that point if I understood correctly, was no longer being published. If that's the case, I have good news! I have come across an updated version currently selling at The Book Depository. This book has 448 pages and sells for $145 (free shipping). Looks a really good read.

You can google preview it here http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780521554916/Hartungs-Astronomical-Objects-for-Southern-Telescopes

[Kevnool]

Sorry Suzy the link is dead for me.

But i did a search and found it.
Cheers Kev.

[Suzy]

I re did the link. Apologies, thanks Kev.

[astroron]

Amazing:eyepop:I wonder where they got them from the book has been out of print for ages:shrug:

[Zaps]

Thanks Suzy, but I see no way to actually purchase the book on/from that site, just a link to "Try Abebooks".

Did one of you guys score their only copy? ;)

[GrahamL]

Good luck guys , some booksellers will take and place an order , only to contact you back to tell you its out of print .

They used to pop up used now and then but You really have to keep chasing them as they don't last to long.

[MikeyB]

There's four available on Abe Books (http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=Astronomical+Objects+for+Souther n+Telescopes&x=0&y=0) at present - at $US72 - $US156.

[Zaps]

Those would be the first (non-Malin) edition from 1968. An excellent book, I have it, but would love to get my hands on an affordable copy of the later (Malin) edition some day.

[MrB]

What!?
That can't be right?
$US72 to $US156 for the original? Crazy.
I got one in new condition at a secondhand bookstore for $12
:shrug:

[DavidTrap]

Well that was from someone who didn't realise it's value...

DT

[Suzy]

Apologies for the confusion guys. I didn't see the AbeBooks link to purchase it, just thought you could buy it straight from book depository. :shrug:

Thanks Mikey for adding that link- I had a look and I see these ones are used & dated to 1968, whereas the Book Depository one is 1995. So, I am a bit confused. I wonder why Book Depository is advertising it .:question: Anyhow, at least there's second hand ones available thru AbeBooks. Expensive though!

[MrB]

I'm with them.
Yeah it's a good book, but.... :shrug:

[Liz]

I have seen this on Book depository lots of times - if they havent got it, they give 1 -2 places that have.
Abe books are great too - some very good 2nd hand prices, usually. :)
I actually bought a book from there yesterday for $1 US, and $3 US postage.

[stephenb]

Great links thanks for posting. I purchased my latest copy several years ago through the Book Depository, from memory it was around $90. I personally don't see any surprise in paying anything less than $100 for such a sought after, out-of-print publication. If you want it, you'll buy it. :thumbsup: If you can get it for less then go for it. :thumbsup: I have seen copies for up to $400 in some online bookshops through my pastime in buying and selling books such as Hartungs. Believe me there are copies out there and places like Abe and Amazon are good places to start!!

[RickS]

So, I should continue to treat my near perfect condition, second edition copy gently? :) It was pretty expensive when I bought it new considering the value of 1990s dollars!

Cheers.
Rick.

[stephenb]

A valuable book such as this one never depreciates in price. This price only reflects the true value. All I can say that you scored a bargain with your purchase, and the previous owner/seller was truley ignorant of its worth.

[NeilW]

The Book Depository is great. I just purchased Stephen O'Meara's "Messier Objects" for $A46.69 and delivered in seven days. I think it's closer to $90 here if you can get it.

[AdrianF]

$399 here

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ol/0521554918/ref=aw_d_ol

$502.78 from here

http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qsort=p&isbn=0521554918&siteID=eSmaWuUpnDY-vvTEmfx2yOnIBsIEnjmuXw

$769 from here

http://www.biblioz.com/search.php?a=79&i=20174783



Adrian

[acropolite]

Looks like this book was published by Melbourne University Press, perhaps someone could ask the question is there going to be a reprint in the forseeable future.

[astroron]

Phil, I think that question has been asked in the past, with the answer being No:(
Maybe next time someone goes to a David Malin lecture,they could ask him about a reprint.

[AdrianF]

Until you can find a hard copy will this do? There are a few pages missing from the scan though. It must be OK its on Google ;)
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=EQAYGmZT0o8C&printsec=frontcover&dq=hartungs&source=bl&ots=vGcseQl57d&sig=SupmJIPAUUCmbIuHP9mzght5zYM&hl=en&ei=lC09TKqEPIe0vgPx28mPDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CCkQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q&f=false

Its like having the last page of each chapter ripped from a detective novel though.

Adrian

[Suzy]

Crikey :eyepop: Do people actually pay that sort of money :question:, I hear it's a good book and all, but... but...:question:


That is one of my favourite books Neil. Yes, thumbs up indeed to Book Depository. Also, if there is any issue, they have replied by email to me and sorted out straight away. I see now why they get the "Queens Excellence Award". :thumbsup:

[[1ponders]]

Suzy in Brisbane keep an eye out for the University Book Sale at UQ St. Lucia. I picked up some fantastic books there a couple of yeas ago including a 2nd ed. for $1.50

[NeilW]

:lol:, Suzy, I agree...my SCOPE didn't cost that much!!

[Lismore Bloke]

I picked up my new copy from a newsagent's throwout table for $10. Couldn't believe my luck!

[GrahamL]

Did they have two copies Paul ?:)

[leon]

Why is someone selling this for nearly $400.00 bucks :shrug:

Leon :thumbsup:

[M54]

I have this book.

I bought it back in the nineties for $79.95 from the 'Hill of Content' bookshop in Melbourne with birthday money.
Only started using it a couple of years ago, because I didn't have a telescope till then.
I knew when I saw it that I would be using it one day.:D

[Lismore Bloke]

Honestly Graham, if they had I would have picked up both of them. It was the one gem on a table full of out of date magazines and general rubbish.
I cannot believe that this title has not been reissued, especially when you consider how many trees are wasted printing material you can only classify as crap!! (sorry mods, but seeing this really irks me - and as for asking nearly $400 for a copy :eyepop:).

[M54]

Someone is selling a copy at the moment, in the accessories section of the IIS classifieds. Asking $395.:eyepop:

[AdrianF]

Maybe if we all sent an email to Melbourne University Press they may reprint it.

Adrian

[Suzy]

Adrian, I was thinking the exact same thing!
What do you think everyone? Wouldn't they know though, that there is a big demand for this book? :confused2:

Adrian, I also only just noticed that google link you put up, many thanks and will have a look at it soon.

Paul, thanks for that tip, I will be keeping an eye out.

And for all you lucky lucky people that got these books at practically nothing, :prey2: a big pat on the back is in order for being at the right place at the right time. :D

[casstony]

My wife is an expert shopper - I'll ask her to keep an eye out for a forgotten copy in the local bookshops/newsagent and pass it on if we find one. ($394 including postage - just kidding :) )

She bought my Hartung many moons ago in a local bookshop before I even knew it existed.

[taminga16]

Keep an eye on the second hand book tables at your local library, with bean counters running these services books that do not move much are deemed to be taking up space and sold off. My copy was $3.00 and is in good condition.

Greg.

[Doomsayer]

Pretty amazing asking prices.
I found a first edition hardbound copy in a used bookstore near St Leonards in the early 1990's for $10. Great condition, including dust jacket and signed by Hartung himself!

guy

[Suzy]

I got a pm last night from a very generous person that has offered me this book for $40 incl. postage. :D

He doesn't want to profit from the book- in fact he would have been happy with any price, it was I that made the offer upon his request of what I wanted to pay. He just wants it to be used. It's re-assuring to know there are good people in this world that perform generous acts of service beyond greed.

You know who you are - :thanx:. I haven't mentioned his name as I don't know if he'd mind. :shrug:

Suzy.

[AdrianF]

Nice......
Let know if you dont like it and I'll buy it off you.....:D

Adrian

[AdrianF]

For those interested in Hartung's book.

Send an email to cmar@unimelb.edu.au
Asking about the reprint of the book. If there is enough interest we might get lucky.

I have asked if this book will be reprinted or made into an eBook for download.

Adrian

[Zaps]

A few days ago I did the same, only via the mup-info@unimelb.edu.au address on their website.

It will be interesting to see if we can light a fire under them. :)

[AdrianF]

This is the reply I got from the email I sent

Hi Adrian,

I'm afraid there aren't any plans to reprint this title at present. I have
noted your interest, however, and MUP will consider this title for possible
addition to our print-on-demand series in future. I can't guarantee it will
be reprinted in print-on-demand form, but I'll certainly put it to the
publishers for consideration.

Original editions of this title are available through Amazon US and UK (at
admittedly high prices):

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-k
eywords=Hartung%27s+Astronomical+Ob jects&x=0&y=0&ih=1_0_0_0_0_0_0_0_0_1.264_
53&fsc=-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field
-keywords=Hartung%27s+Astronomical+O bjects&x=0&y=0&ih=1_0_0_0_0_0_0_0_0_1.38
0_37&fsc=-1


Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Thanks,
Clare

Adrian

[Zaps]

Adrian, I received the exact same (copy-n-paste) reply today.

[Suzy]

I don't get it...:shrug: don't they want to make some money? As they are referring you'll to these sites, surely they can clearly see the high demand and high prices to warrant a re-print. What am I missing?

[rmcconachy]

While I'd love to buy a copy of Hartung too (preferably the second edition) I don't think a dozen or two people on an Internet forum counts as "high demand". The high prices are caused by some sellers using the tiny supply to gouge those forming the small demand. While I hate to say it, if the publisher was to print another run of 1,000 or so books I bet they would wind up with many unsold copies sitting out there in the channel for ages. The publisher has done their sums and decided that they are better off printing something else instead and they are probably correct, the market for astro toys and books is a very small one.

[RickS]

I'm afraid that I have to agree with Ricky. What's even smaller than the market for astro toys and books? The southern hemisphere subset of that market...

[JethroB76]

Agree, and its basically the same situation with another sought after and out of print Atlas, the Herald-Bobroff Astroatlas..

[RickS]

I have a copy of that too! I must tell my wife that I'm not just spending money on toys... I'm making wise investments in future collectables :lol:

[Suzy]

You'll make a good point guys.

[AdrianF]

Even an eBook would suffice. No expense to publish just a website pay ya $$$ and go.

Adrian

[MrB]

LOL Ditto. 'Cept the wife bit.

[Suzy]

:lol::lol::lol: Classic comeback!

[hotspur]

Thanks for the link MikeyB, I notice Mikey mentions 4 copies,when I looked there was three,so looks like a good pointer and the price is fair.

I have collected and bought and sold various refrence books from time to
time,I think,this Hurtungs book is a fair price $150-$200, over $250 is a bit too
much.

I note the link that MikeyB gives us has mainly the 1968 copy not the newer version,so keep that in mind.There information would be the same.

[Zaps]

Hartung's first edition (1968) is an excellent book. Although dated in some respects it stands up very well in all others. How much it's truly worth I couldn't say, but for 100 AUD or less I suspect it would be a worthy addition to the bookshelf.

The Malin edition is also excellent and more up-to-date, but at those prices? Man! Maybe for a hard-core collector it could be worth that, but not to me as a 'mere' amateur astronomer, although some of you guys may think otherwise.

There are a lot of other books around that can fill the gap and for a lot less.

[AdrianF]

I personally would not pay 300-400+ for a book. I would probably pay 100-150 without a problem if the book was in good order.

Adrian

[astroron]

IMHO those High prices are BS for these Books:mad2: Just go into used bookshops every chance you get, you are bound to come up trumps eventually:)
That's how I picked my first edition of Hartungs,Cosmos(Carl Sagen) Comet (Carl Sagen) and quite a few other books I have been looking for over the years:thumbsup:

[AdrianF]

I must have missed something bere what link?

Adrian

[astroron]

I think he is refereing to post #8

There's four available on Abe Books (http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=Astronomical+Objects+for+Souther n+Telescopes&x=0&y=0) at present - at $US72 - $US156.
Cheers

[AdrianF]

Thanks I did a search and found the post. I have just ordered the book at US$80. An ex li rary copy but tbe info is the same.


Adrian

[[1ponders]]

I can definitely recommend the science, astronomy, and physics sections of the UQ Sale. Yes they are old and many out of date, but there are some gems in there. ;)

[5ash]

I had a copy in mint condition at the beginning of the year and a friend of David Malins phoned him and asked him about the price and he said about $300 to $350 . Since i aquired it among other books with a telescope I'd bought second hand i passed it on to someone locally who was desperate to find a copy , for $200. I was happy and so was he.
philip

[Will Robinson]

Attached are some data files which may be of interest to some members.
They provide the H-B C & D series page references for the Hartung objects.

\thanks