Phil: The first 100 pre-publication subscribers will see their names listed as "Patrons" on a page in the front, and the rest of the subscribers to the Signed 500 Limited Edition will be listed in the Appendix. I got this idea from Robin Chute's British bibliography, Shooting Flying. He lists and thanks his 168 pre-publication subscribers, and the readers of his book will forever be enlightened as to the persons most interested in British antiquarian shotgunning books.
I got to thinking how interesting it would be if Peter Johnson dropped some Parker-player names circa 1961, and if Larry Baer had done the same in the 1970s. So my deal with Collector Books has this written into the contract. Thus there is a price of admission; in other words, one needs to actually subscribe for the Limited Edition by paying $99.95 plus $7.50 S&H ($107.45 check only) to Old Reliable Publishing Box 4 Davis IL 61019.
The money goes into a sequestered account pending shipment of books next summer. This is not a "Vanity Press" or subsidized publishing project like most other gun books, but I do need cash in hand to submit names of actual subscribers to my publisher. Collector Books has paid me a royalty advance to bind the deal, and will pay royalties on books sold; they do it all, including the marketing of the Trade Edition that will be universally available in the big box and Internet stores and from gun book dealers. I say again, the $$$ go in a special account only to be disbursed as books are mailed.
I own the entire Signed 500 Limited Edition that will be only available thru my Old Reliable Publishing. The "Patron" page is more than half full based on my small ad in the last Parker Pages, and I'm getting ready to do a 2,000 flyer mailing; my full page ad will be in the next Vintager and again in the next PGCA Parker Pages, of course. My first book, Parker Guns: The "Old Reliable" (Safari Press 1997, 2004) sold out the 500 Limited Edition coincidental with release in August 1997. Don't be left out if the Limited Edition appeals to you; or if not, the Trade Edition is expected to be priced at $49.95. Your Baker Paragon is pictured with my "hand model," Destry Hoffard, holding it against his rather large background. (Sorry, Destry, sometimes I just can't help myself. Wink! wink!)
EDM
