My Dear Friends

It is Friday morning; I have the afternoon off and my Magnum has just arrived here at work!

It is so beautiful!!!!!

Have a great weekend!

Regards
Johan-the-Magnum-owner.

Happy reading!

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Vive la Marque !!

Lucky guy Johan, bonne lecture

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Make your dream devour your life, so that life doesn't devour your dream.
[Antoine de Saint-Exupéry]

Hello Johan,



What a happy coincidence. I hope you enjoy the book and I am glad it arrived safely. It was the first time I have shipped a book outside Europe.

Regards,

Jeroen

Hey Johan,

Check this out:



I once was the proud owner of 2 (two) specimens of Bugatti Magnum...

one in Italian, though...

_________________
Vive la Marque !!

The arrival of the Magnum has made me fall in love with Conway all over again. I must admit I was prepared for a massive dissapointment, but the sheer comprehensiveness of the thing has nearly blown my mind. Perhaps that is due to this being the first book I own that deals with the whole history of Bugatti, from the beginning, right through to the very end.

Equally unexpected is the rational approach from Conway; that he admires Ettore is not in question, but neither is he totally blind to his failures. He does mention Borgesson's theory about Jean death being due to suicide, but, from what I can understand, Jean's driving was such, that it is a miracle the end was so long in comming. That boy had no concept of his own mortality.

As I was paging through my new toy, I thought briefly of the path I've walked to get my Bugatti Library to this point. Thanks to me joining this forum, I have met Jeroen Vossen, who has sold me Magnum; and saved me a fortune in postage. There has to be a reason why mail from Europe to South Africa is so much cheaper than from Britain; anyway, I digress: Happiness is a bookseller of integrity - Period. Now that I have concluded my first deal with the esteemed Mr Vossen, I am looking forward to the next one; I think, Jeroen, it will have to be Conway's Grand Prix Bugatti - Borgesson can wait.

Should you be thinking of adding some out-of-print titles to your own collection, allow me to recommend Jeroen Vossen (Octagonfox) as a man of impeccable character and integrity. He has proven to be more than just a dealer, he is also an advisor and friend, and I can recommend his services to anyone.

Another "Hero of the Book" is Martijn, whose advise, generosity and guidance is proving invaluable to me. His willingness to assist me in overcomming the limitations of being both broke and living in South Africa, has been beyond the call of friendship. At the moment he is organising a set of books for me, but I will only boast about that, once I've paid for it. Thank you Jeroen; thank you Martijn; thank you Herman.

I never thought I would say this: one meets the nicest people on the internet. Thank you Friends. The quality of my life has become deeply, intriguingly fulfilling.

Now I just need to become very, very rich. Can anyone advise me as how best to achieve this? The only condition is that it must be legal - South African prisons, as Mark Thatcher can testify, are not nice places!

With much Love and Grattitude
Johan Buchner

Getting rich quick:

There is a saying in The Netherlands (and in Dutch it rhymes):

The one that does not steal or inherit,
shall work untill he's dead.

----
Grand Prix Bugatti is a fairly easy book to get. Most motoring bookshops have it, so be prepared for fast delivery. (Jeroen, will you take care of that?)

_________________
Vive la Marque !!

Yes Herman, I fear you are right. By the sweat of one's brow, and all that...... Which brings me rather neatly to my next point; finding Conway's Grand Prix Bugatti is not a problem - about that you are quite correct.

Paying for the damn thing, on the other hand, will have to wait until the Klein, Saunier & Jansen T46 opus is fully paid up! The second volume of the Dutch Bugatti Register is also waiting in the wings, and Laugier's publisher informs me that a major new work, dealing with the period up to the introduction of the T28, is also to be released shortly.

I've said it before; I'll say it again : 2008 is going to be a good year for books.

You will have to excuse me now, I have to start earning the money to pay for these delights. Did you know that here in Africa they fire you if you spend too much time on the internet? I tell you, this whole continent is going straight to hell.

Till later
Johan

Hello Johan,

If someone tells you the secret of getting rich fast, please let me know. My personal book collection isn't complete yet.

I thank you for your kind words, but you think too highly of me. I've been collecting Bugatti books for over 20 years now, and what appealed to me is your enthusiasm. I recognised it, as it was the same as when I started collecting (and still I am happy when I receive a new addition).

As to postage, sending from Britain is very expensive, to whatever country as destination. So shipment from Europe (the mainland) is always cheaper.

Herman, I think Johan can read the saying you posted in English in Dutch also: Degene die niet steelt of erft, zal werken tot hij sterft.
Due to the Dutch influence in South Africa in the past he understands Dutch (which is remarkable in itself because Dutch seems to be a difficult language for foreigners).

Of course I could take care of delivery of Grand Prix Bugatti (the book, unfortunately not a real one), I have one in stock, but it is up to Johan. No obligations.

Best regards,

Jeroen