Marco Gilardetti wrote:
Geroge, I'm a bit puzzled about the order in which your books are best read. It is clear that some of them are on specific topics (accessories, advertising, etc.) and are perhaps best read later, but what about the "generic" ones? Would you suggest reading them in the same order in which they have been printed, or is there a specific one (not necessarily the first) that you would suggest as first reading?
Useless to say I would like to have them all but, although they're inexpensive for being illustrated books with quality pictures, they're still comparatively costly for the avarage salary here.
By the way thank you very much for finding the time to write some kind positive words about my modest WWI commemoration "gramophone concert". It's been an unexpected endorsement for such a modest gramophone enthusiast as I am!
Hi Marco,
Please excuse the delay in my response - I haven't checked this "Links" section for awhile and only now saw your question.
First, I think you're doing yourself a disservice in describing yourself as a "...such a modest gramophone enthusiast..." The care you took in preparing your admirable presentation shows a person who is not only enthusiastic, but respectful of his subject and his audience. Your modesty is admirable, but from my perspective we can all learn something from enthusiasts like you.
As for our books, you ask a good question; one that I've never heard put quite that way. For someone already somewhat well-versed in our hobby, I don't think it makes much difference in which order the books are read. However, for someone starting out, the
Compendium is probably the best book with which to begin. After that, I suppose it might make sense to continue with the "machine" books (
Discovering;
Flair; and
World of...). On the other hand,
Advertising not only gives an excellent overview of the early marketing of talking machines, but many of the images contain lots of information. For instance, where else can a collector read through an ENTIRE 1894 catalog of Graphophones? The interpolation of hard information and beautiful marketing is one of things I like about
Advertising. The same may be said of
Phonographica, with perhaps a bit more emphasis on aesthetics. I've heard at least two non-collectors say that
Phonographica is their favorite because of the sheer eye candy it contains. Maybe for that reason it should be among the first books for a neophyte. Hmmm... It's becoming obvious that I'm making a mess of this.
Ultimately, I guess the order should depend upon the person and their intentions. If the person is already "hooked" on antique talking machines, go with the
Compendium. If they need "dinner and a movie" first, perhaps some less-technical eye candy might provide the necessary seduction...
George P.
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