A new book about the begin period of the Bugatti history. Spoke to the writer (Norbert Steinhauser) during the Retromobile and saw some of the pictures to be published in the book. Rely promising….

Pictures are clickable...

Okay, this is a little freaky. A new release, but I am not jumping up and down screaming : "I must have this! Now!"

Gosh, I hope the author isn't offended.

I am so relieved.
Johan

Literally received the books -there are three - 10 minutes ago.

At a brief glance, they are totally, totally superb. Asked for the author to sign them and he put in a lovely note.

Lots of money, but if you can, buy them.

Pictures below:

As you can see, on the 20th of February I wrote the following :

"Okay, this is a little freaky. A new release, but I am not jumping up and down screaming : "I must have this! Now!"
Gosh, I hope the author isn't offended.
I am so relieved."

Kindly ignore - As you might have gathered, I've had a change of heart. Now everyone in the Northern Hemisphere has theirs (so it would seem), I have not received mine yet, the campus post office close on Friday and only reopens 05/01/2009.

I'm a little anxious.

Johan

PS. Thanks for the photos Stuart, they add to my torment. Thanks again, much appreciated.

Dear Johan,

Don’t worry… I am living in the Netherlands and have not received my copy yet either…. While two of my friends are have received their copies…

Best regards,

rivaaquarama

I have checked with the charming lady who manages the campus post office, if the book does nor arrive today or tomorrow, then it will be kept in a sealed container together with all other university mail until the 5th of January.

I suspect I will be one of the few people on the planet looking forward to getting back to work.

Sigh.
Johan

hello

have received the book some days ago. after a first look it was quite
fantastic, but a nearer look got some things that wooried me a little:
- no translation of the photo- texts
- many things, like f.e. appendix of the technical volume are missing
in the translation book.

something a eur. 3oo.-- book should not have.

best regards
mike

After my initial euphoria, I had the same thought re English translation.

However, his website http://www.bugattibook.com/qsPortal/Home.asp?C=33 clearly states that a separate English translation paperback will be provided within the quoted price.

I will e-mail him tomorrow asking where it is. By all accounts, he is an honourable man and I am sure this is just an oversight.

Will let you all know how I get on.....feel like I am 3 at the mo, as I am getting pleasure out of looking at pictures!

Received my copy of the Steinhauser book last Saturday. Together with the 3 volumes in the slipcase a paperback English translation was supplied. Unfortunately not fitting in the slipcase of the 3 French books.

More than a week ago I've received my Steinhauser and I'm still euphoric. About 750 pages on Bugatti's early history. He's not just repeating what the rest (L'Ébe, Bradley, Conway, Borgeson, Hucke, etc. etc) already wrote. Clearly Steinhauser did his own homework: (tens of) years of research. The book truly is a labour of love. We can see many, many historic photos, drawings and rare documents which haven't been published before. The books really are published beautyfully.
I think David Burgess Wise did a good job translating the Steinhauser. Yes, it's a pity the translation is softbound and doesn't fit in the slipcase. Yes, it's a pity these books are expensive.
Please remember that Pierre-Yves Laugier's book on the 57S has about the same amount of pages, is of comparable quality and had the same price when new about 4 years ago. Nowadays this one is accepted as the definitive book on the subject. Now it's almost impossible to find one and if you do, you'll have to pay double or three times the original price.
The english translation of the Laugier unfortunately doesn't fit in the slipcase and even has a completely different size. Here, the photo-texts are also not translated. Maybe this is an idea for the next publication from this editor.
Anyway: if you're interested in the early history of Bugatti, just order your copy of Steinhauser now.
No: I am not connected to Norbert Steinhauser or to Lionel Decrey's Editions Bugattibook.

Hi,

Just to say, I reported the omitted translation and got an e-mail apologising and stating one would be sent within minutes of the notification. The translation was sent promptly and arrived today.

Totally terrific service from Lionel Decrey, I could not have asked for more.

SB

As I am sitting here at work there is a 3-part book plus English translation right next to my computer. Written by a guy called Norbert Steinhauser - perhaps you have heard of him? Have I opened it yet? Nope. Will I start reading it the moment I get home? Nope.

Instead I shall use this afternoon to add it to my book list on the forum and when I get home I shall re-arrange my collection : Conway's to the right, books on individual Types to the left (in numerical order, of course) and the general histories in the middle. On the extreme left I have Laugier's T57S, on the extreme right I have Magnum, I think the Steinhauser work will look perfect right in the middle, Borgeson and Woods on either side. Yes, I think that might work

Only when my new baby looks perfectly at home, shall I make myself some tea, draw that ecstatic agony out just a little longer, and then, yes, only then shall I begin the delicious savouring of a masterpiece.

It would be an unforgivable oversight on my part not to mention the pleasure it was dealing with Mr. Lionel Decrey. A professional and a gentleman, he made the whole process a stress-free enjoyment. Just to give you an indication of the quality of the man, my copy was accidentally send to the wrong Post Office, so on the advise of the manager of our on-campus Post Office I e-mailed Mr Decrey yesterday to ask for the tracking number. Within hours I had a reply, the tracking number and a generous offer to replace the book should it be missing. This morning I sent the details through to the Post Office manager, and within an hour she had traced the package. 5 minutes later I was in my car to pick it up! Thank you Mr. Decrey, thank you very much indeed.

Life is just so damn glorious!

Kind Regards
Johan Buchner

OK, great news. A smile on your face now?

Do not mix tea and books! (says the man who eats fried shrimps while getting the Ard op de Weegh book signed...)

_________________
Vive la Marque !!

Glad you have got it.

Bit worried for a few days?!

SB

Worried? Me? Can't remember now, was I?