Regional Food Issues Book – Any Interest?

[Tom B.]

As respected collectors, I am looking for some general feedback regarding a proposed book from F+W Media on regional food card sets. The book (table of contents and sample cover photo attached) will look at various regional issues: Esskay Meats, Post Cereal, JELL-O, Stahl-Meyer Franks, etc.

Not a price guide, this provides a background of the regional issue, its intricacies, a flavor for collecting them in that era and its resulting popularity today.

In this publishing climate, I need to present support for such a book prior to approved publication. If such a topic interests you, E-MAIL ME stating such so I can compile a portfolio of hobby support. Thank you.

[Rich Klein]

With sales of 1,000 or less copies.

Frankly, a book such as this is so fragmanted in today's hobby that unless you understand that the book will not come close to 10,000 copies or you are williing to deep deep discount the book immediatley --- there is no reason for this book to be done by F&W

I understand that book print runs may be secret by nature, but WE on this board are the readers for this tome and look even the SCD sub level is probably under 10K now and if you figure that 10 percent of that readership would purchase this book, we're back at the 1,000 level.

There is nothing wrong with "printing like this" but understand that the groundswell will not exist.


I wrote several messages before the standard catalog came out this year about my projections and I'll wager that I'm dead on. I saw the ad from F&W selling the book direct to the public at about $19 a couple of weeks ago. Which of course brings up the issue, why publish to wholesale out your own door.


Trust me, I would have loved to have tried to do something like this at beckett, but there is no mass appeal to this book.

Figure the best way to do this book, color laden photos, good glossy paper, basically a coffee table book and hope that you sell enough at $39.95 because of the quality in the book.


Regards
Rich

[Rich Klein]

After reading the PDF --- maybe a sell through of 500 copies.

Rich

[Chris Counts]

I realize it's a small market, but I'm looking forward to reading the book. I think the story of the regional food cards of the 50s and 60s is one of the most underrated chapters in the history of the hobby. When I first started collecting vintage cards in the mid-70s, the 50s regionals were the Holy Grails of many collectors. They had far more appeal than all the strange-looking pre-war sets that we often saw but knew little about. I also think the Kahn's Weiners cards deserve a chapter of their own, and it could easily be called, "The Weiner the World Awaited."

[Tom B.]

Appreciate the feedback. There aren't any delusions about a high print run for this. It would be a trade book, not mass market, with this audience as one of the main targets for sell-through.

[toppcat]

I've sent a note and encouraged others to do the same. I really hope this comes off. I have a copy of a 2009 Hot Wheels book done by F+W in what I assume is a similar style to the proposed regional book and it't fabulous.

Can F+W print to order or do they have to do a run of x copies?

I would add, after reading the TOC, that I hope all years of a particular set such as Post, are used, not just certain years. That may be your intention, I just can't tell.

Well-good luck with this!

[Rich Klein]

The advantages is that the articles have probably been already written for SCD and thus no extra writers cost.

I'm glad there are no delusions on print run.

I will still say I anticipate a sell through between 500-750 copies

Rich

[Tom B.]

The following link provides a more in-depth look to the proposed book by an outside author on the aforementioned regional food issues. This provides more flavor of what the book is about and the style of writing vs. just a TOC.

Fair warning, it's a bit lengthy, but if you like these issues, you'll like the essay.

CLICK HERE

[steve B]

That looks interesting

Is is actually coming out? if it;s out, a link to where to buy it would be helpful.

Steve B