I split the post war replies from this topic. It was a bit fiddly, so if you miss something, please also visit this topic:

http://www.bugattibuilder.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1206

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Vive la Marque !!

Hello Johan,

I already own both books on T57S (the one by Kruta and the other by Laugier). And I also think that the book by Laugier is one of the best books ever published.

Laugier´s style is more of my interest than Steinhauser´s; I prefer "the metal", as you say.

"Great Marques: Bugatti" was my first book on Bugatti and that is why it will always be one of my favourite ones; although if I could keep only one book on the Marque, that would be "Bugatti" by Conway and Greilsamer.

According to what I have read until now, the book on T46 by Klein/Saulnier/Jansen will become one of my favourite books when I receive it. I must say that the most interesting Bugattis for me are the types 46, 57, 64 and 73 (yes, although the last two were only prototypes).

It would be great that it could appear a book on the Bugatti T57 with the same detail as the books on T46 and T57S. I thought that would be impossible because it is not the same to write a book on the 40 T57S built than about a production of 630 T57; but considering that 450 T46 were built and Klein, Saulnier and Jansen have been able to publish their book, maybe someone could face the titanic task of doing the same on the T57. Meanwhile, we will be able to enjoy those new books on T51 and T55 that you mention.

Regards,

Lanos

Yesterday I received part 2 of the Dutch/Belgian Bugatti register, by Jansen et al, very impressive again! A load of cars, many of them not seen before.

At the time, the register is available for members of the BCN only, available to others later.

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you bought all those within 1,5 year?
good to know that i'm not the only crazy one that spends to much on books & models & ...

there are some pretty expensive books in there

If I don't spend the money on books I'll only end up wasting it on such nonsense as food and rent. Keep in mind also that I am a recovering drug-addict ; it's not so much that I have been cured of my addiction, I've merely replaced the drugs with books.

It's all a matter of perspective you see? Books are better for my health, but the drugs were so much cheaper! Keep watching this space - as you will see within a matter of weeks, perhaps a month or two, I am now utterly out of control.

Strangely enough, I have no regrets.

Regards
Johan

ofcourse
the books give you more joy for years, not like the drugs that only gets you high once
so actually in the long run the drugs are MORE expensive then the books

You are quite right, I have nothing to show for what I refer to as my "wilderness years." I realise this is going off topic but kindly bear with me, I think I needed to hit rock bottom - hard. Because of that I can now appreciate just how lucky I am, not only am I gainfully employed, but I am truly happy in my job.

But you know, many things in life are pure luck, the only thing I credit myself for is recognising luck as the second chance I thought I'd never get. My lucky break came with a part-time job (week-ends only at first) at our local university library in 2005. I know full well that had I received this opportunity when I was younger I would have screwed it up, but I was already in my forties, jobless, I had no real marketable skills and I am white. Nothing wrong with being white of course, but we are a 10% minority who's spent the past 300 years exploiting the majority population of South Africa. Luckily there's no hard feelings, well not a great deal anyway. Yet I relished the odds stacked against me, and in June 2007 I became a full time librarian. Sure I worked my ass off, but it was still close to a miracle.

You know I've had a lot of crap in my life, but I had to take responsibility for all of it. It enabled me to take some credit for the many joys I am now experiencing. But you know what is most unexpected? Suddenly I am able to enjoy other people's achievements without envy, but neither, even bigger surprise, do I feel inferior to those in the fortunate position to own a great collection of cars. Instead I am able to applaud their willingness to share their good fortune with the rest of us. And to all, not only the collectors, I say this : It is an honour to share in your company.

I think my book collection serves as validation for a life resurrected from the ashes. A tangible token of how fortunate I really am. It will be even better once the damn Post Office find my T46 book! All my books arrived quickly and safely, but first they sent Steinhauser to the wrong Post Office, and now they can't find my T46. So no, perfect my life ain't. Closer than you might think though.

Strange how cathartic it can be baring one's soul to a bunch of people you've never met.

I bid you all a very pleasant evening.

Johan Buchner

Another 7 treasures has been added. Expect a long post about this epic tale as soon as I can tear myself away from the books!

Kind Regards
Johan Buchner

An Epic Adventure.

Now I will be the first to admit that 7 books arriving in one package is a little excessive, even by my standards, but I have a problem okay?

This entire palaver started last June with an innocent enough e-mail : "Hi Jeroen, got anything interesting in stock?" Same afternoon reply : "You haven't got Mein Leben and Bugatti, Dokumentation einer autombilmarke, both in German or David Sewell's British Bugatti Register in English yet, and by the way, I've finally found Evolution of a Style for you." I looked at the prices, took a deep breath and wrote back : "Mind if I pay in instalments? Don't send anything until you've received all the money." "No problem" replied my pusher, sorry, book dealer.

And then things got really interesting. After having paid roughly 400 Euros to Jeroen, news of the new updated Hucke/Kruta book came and I remembered that one of Jeroen's other clients had expressed interest in the original earmarked for me. "Does he still want it?" I wrote. "Yes he does" was the reply. "It's his, at least I will be able to read the new one."

Having already paid 400, I went completely nuts : "Books, I must have more books!" I panted, "How about Fantastique Bugatti and Divine Bugatti and ooh yes please, by all means throw in one of those adorable little T32 books." Jeroen replied : "Sure, it's your funeral." (such a nice man, Jeroen)

Month after month I kept sending money to Belgium, all the while keeping some aside for my upcoming overseas trip. By the end of November it became time to discuss postage : "I can't get enough insurance in Belgium, will try Germany soon." said the e-mail. Then Herman contacted me with the news that Ard and Arnoud op de Weegh's book had been released, and it was quite reasonable, so he bought me a copy and had it signed by Mr. Dovaz! "Thank you, send it to Jeroen, he is preparing a package for me." I replied, more than just a little stunned by such generosity.

Finally, on the 14th of January, after heavy snow, a bout of illness, and many, many e-mails from me asking why my damn books has not been posted yet, I received confirmation from Jeroen that my books were safely in German hands as of the 13th, and he included a scan of the documents. As I said, such a nice guy.

January 2009 started badly for me, firstly my Steinhauser book was sent to the wrong Post Office which did nothing for my blood pressure, and as I am writing this my T46 book is still "in the wind." So you can imagine my mood when on Friday afternoon I received a very polite e-mail saying that my package from Germany has arrived safely and as soon as I've paid the sum of R1712.37 (about 132 Euros) I can pick it up. I bit my knuckles so hard my ears vibrated and I fired off the following missive to Jeroen :

"Hallo Jeroen, my Dearest Friend

A tiny little problem. The amount that I will have to pay on Monday is R1712.37 which is roughly 132 Euros. I am looking forward to meeting you later this year - we shall embrace like brothers and then I shall drive a stake through your heart.

Hugs and kisses
Johan"

Within an hour Jeroen explained to me that there is a difference between postage and customs duty. I could almost hear him mutter to himself : "I never get this crap from heterosexuals." So this morning I duly raided the piggybank and paid the ransom, got my books, posted the titles on the forum, and then spent the rest of the day firing off e-mails to every-one in the South African Postal Services trying to find out why, for the first time, I received a customs charge. An hour ago the answer finally came, it was an insured parcel, so the value of the books was printed on the shipping documents. Lovely.

In 30 minutes I'm going home, I have not done a stitch of work today, my budget is utterly fu.... severely compromised, the Hucke/Kruta book still needs to be paid for, as well as a Dutch book by Apetz, my T46 book is still missing and another fabulous pair of books has just become available, but I am not allowed to say anything just yet, but you want to know the weirdest thing of all? I'm in a fabulously good mood! I have 7, I repeat, seven new books to play with, and it's just money, right?

Kind Regards
Johan Buchner

GGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

That's exactly what my wallet said.

Congratulations! I hope you will enjoy all these! I trust we will receive a full report on each book by our "Librarian".

I never saw my collection increase so rapidly, though I must say that I did not count the number of new books last year. And of course, not being a bachelor does imply some limitations as far as budget goes.

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Just to avoid misunderstandings (maybe people misread your sarcastical tone, Johan), I never "push" anyone.

Hope you are happy with the books. Although I still think the customs duties of € 132,- are enormous.

Regards, Jeroen

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Octagon Fox, specialist in new and rare Bugatti books
www.octagonfox.com
twitter: @octagonfox

Sarcastic? Moi? Well, yes I suppose I can be a bit, at times, but I'm such a creative writer don't you find?. No you didn't push, I'm the addict remember?

As for the customs duty - I agree 100% It's an outrage, and I am determined to find away around it. Still, your quotes for postage has always been very reasonable, and all your books arrived quickly, and safely, and this is the first time I've been charged by customs. So it's count one's blessings time, I suppose.

Anyway, thanks for your patience. I don't suppose you have many clients who keep you waiting 5 months for your money and then threaten to go vampire hunter on you.

Yes, and about that whole stake in the heart thing, I do assure you I was just being sarcastic, again. The chances of me actually carrying out such a threat is very, very slim indeed. Trust me.

Thanks for the books.
Johan

When I send something, I usually mark it as "present", of course the customs knows this trick, but sometimes it fools them.

Also, usually the customs need a certain minimum amount to come into action, probably everything of over 250 euro draws their attention. With this in mind, next time it will possibly be better to send 7 separate packages.

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