[tplan]

Thanks, Nick, for that & the book. So now the grenade goes in my Bulgarian WWII collection. I need to get off my duff and order that book.

John

 

[Big commander]

Permit me to say a word on the number of printed books. NO author or editor knows how many of the printed books will sell. I was in the business on an academical level. The most important question was always the same ... "How many copies do you think I could sell?". NOBODY KNOWS!
BUT, there is an interesting thing anybody should know. Once a book is "completed", the number of printing plates (offset of course) is known ... the question remains. How many?
Did I ever wrote a reloading guide in my mothertongue, because I had enough of waiting at the counter of several firearmsdealers while they were explaining for the Xth time how to use dies and balances (weighing scales)? Yes, I did, not to gain some money ... just to be rid of the guys who spoke only one language ... and there was nothing in writing in their language at that time ... they took my "precious" time and I was often p*ssed off.
I began with 500 copies ... two years later I was at 5,000. Not much at US standards ... at the moment I got worried about the tax collectors I swopped the rights for a nice SAFN 49. Even now I still get a rare telephone call "where they could get ahold of a copy". Imagine ... the booklet dates from 1981 ... this is more as 30 years ago!

 

[JPS]

Hello Gents,

You are spot on BC. This is why Collectors or Military Historians who write books of this type are strictly engaged in labors of love and dedication. Most projects like this are published at a loss or break even. Having provided written sections, captions and provided literally thousands of photos, I can guarantee you that even when compensation is involvement, it would break down somewhere around $ .05 per hour! My hat's off to those who take the time and make the effort.

On a separate note, it is my understanding that Nick has AN EXTRA COPY of this beautiful work that remains unsold. Since he acquired additional copies on behalf of our members, hopefully we can help him recover the cash he is out for having helped GB members.

Thanks again Nick! I've used this book to great effect while revamping and adding items to my WWI Bulgarian display.

Warmest regards,

John

 

[Nick]

Thanks for your kind words, John!

Did you see my reply to your question on the Bulgarian canteen?

 

[tplan]

Nick, the book came is Saturday's mail. I have only inferred one word of Bulgarian so far, what looks like KACKA is helmet, pronounced similar to casca, I presume. I envy people who can function in more than one language, I'm pretty well stuck in this one.

I do have a question. These large and presumably brightly colored chevrons on the sleeve; are they rank, or service hashes?


John

 

[Nick]

John,

Sorry for the late reply! I will try to translate that section today.

 

[Nick]

Nick, the book came is Saturday's mail. I have only inferred one word of Bulgarian so far, what looks like KACKA is helmet, pronounced similar to casca, I presume. I envy people who can function in more than one language, I'm pretty well stuck in this one.

I do have a question. These large and presumably brightly colored chevrons on the sleeve; are they rank, or service hashes?


John

John,

The picture is of a Feldwebel from 1st Infantry Regiment. The chevrons are for years in service. They were introduced in 1899 and are shown in color on page 107.

The Bulgarian word for helmet is indeed "каска" (kaska).

 

[tplan]

Thanks, Nick. Those are some bright chevrons. I'm sure old soldiers like this Feldwebel learned how to make them less visible when they were in the field. Interesting book!

 

[Gustaf B]

This is one of those rare books that one seldom has a chance to own. Nick has done us a great service to make copies available and Alexander Bchkov did an outstanding job putting it together for us.
Best
Gsu