Tillotson, Skelton, White

>
> Skelton Boundarys and Adjacent Properties
> By Ray Hamilton Skelton.
> Published by Bobbs-Merril Company, 1930, no ICBN no. No edition note whatever, first or otherwise.
> As new with the following exceptions. Little water drop stain on front cover, my surveyors seal in black ink on the inner leaf, and underlined text on the Preface page.
>
:good: :good: :good:
>
> Yes, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to this site.

I am scratching my head on this copy of Skelton. Not only is their no edition id, there is nothing that says "First printing, second printing, ect." I ordered this new from either Holman's or a local book store in the mid 70's. I cannot imagine that the only printing in 1930 supplied all demand until that time. Can anyone explain this??

I can't explain exactly, but I have been part of a conversation before about some differences. I think JB Stahl knew a little bit about the differences. There was only one edition until recently when a couple of guys made a newer edition and those sold out as I understand it.

There are a couple of different old books as I recall. One has a finish on a kind of stiff cardboard bookcover, and another is a kind of leather cover and more flexible. One has a picture on the first page (I forgot of what) and the other doesn't. I don't know which is the "first" printing, but no second edition just a change in binding to my knowledge.

> There are a couple of different old books as I recall. One has a finish on a kind of stiff cardboard bookcover, and another is a kind of leather cover and more flexible. One has a picture on the first page (I forgot of what) and the other doesn't. I don't know which is the "first" printing, but no second edition just a change in binding to my knowledge.

This is the somewhat flexible cover that looks very much like leather. I would say is it fine cloth embossed to look like leather, and yes the first page has a picture of a 17th century transit and Gunther's chain.

And after looking through it more carefully, indeed I find one page with a coupla sentences highlighted and 4 pages with some underlining. Wish I could edit the descriptions above.

Sure sounds like there was at least 2 printings. Seems very strange that a large publisher like Bobbs Merril would do that without a note as such on the publishers page.

There was a reprint(s) done sometime in the 70's or early 80's with no new date other than the original 1930 copyright.

> Yes, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to this site.

:good:

Sounds like early 70's reprint as I got it new late 74 early 75 to prepare for the exams.

Auction has ended. I got a total of ZERO bids.

Just scratching my head on this one.

These three and the rest of my library will be listed on eBay between Christmas and New Years, so if you want to see what is available just go to the link in my original posting.

It does seem odd that those titles produced no bids. It may be that the thread got buried off the first page for several days. This is the first time I've seen it.

I have all 3 titles, otherwise I would be interested. I suggest trying again right after the holidays, once the current big news stories have subsided and once people are back into their normal, non-holiday routines.

The 2nd prining of Skelton has a Preface to the 2nd Edition by the guys who underwrote its reprinting. I came across one a week or so ago. It does not have the leather (or leather-like) cover. I read only the preface of it and understand that it does have a few updates to reflect changes in the law between 1930 and 1972 (I think it was 72). So the copy you have is likely a 1st Edition. There does seem to be a lot of 1st edition copies around but prices for copies in very good condition or better typically are $100 to $200.

I had looked for a copy of Tillotson's book for several years. After I obtained one through CLSA's Scholarship Auction at the conference a couple years ago, I've since seen several copies. Right now, I know where I can put my hands on 4 or 5 from what was Roy Minnick's inventory (from when he ran Landmark Enterprises) that are still in the plastic wrap. I've seen this one go for about $40 for copies that have a little wear & tear, and much higher for those in very good to new condition.

White's book used to be fairly easy to come by, not so much anymore. I had my copy given to me when I was a student co-op with the BLM in the 80s. I recently bought another copy in very good condition. I think that was $75, but I've seen copies go for more recently.

Anyway, these 3 should be on the shelf of anyone who does a significant amount of boundary surveying in the PLSS. Skelton is applicable to non-PLSS regions as well.

> The 2nd prining of Skelton has a Preface to the 2nd Edition by the guys who underwrote its reprinting. I came across one a week or so ago. It does not have the leather (or leather-like) cover. I read only the preface of it and understand that it does have a few updates to reflect changes in the law between 1930 and 1972 (I think it was 72). So the copy you have is likely a 1st Edition. There does seem to be a lot of 1st edition copies around but prices for copies in very good condition or better typically are $100 to $200.

I have heard about the 2nd edition. I was referring to the 1930 edition when I described two different bindings (in my earlier post). I have a copy of each. The hard-cardboard-like cover does not have the picture of the survey chain in the first page and the softer leathery cover does have the picture. Neither refer to a date other than the 1930 date, and neither reference being a second printing.

I would be interested in the Tillotson book, but I don't think I could afford its value at this time. sorry you (TP) didn't get any bids. I am sure you will on ebay.