I recently purchased the Wattles Writing Legal Descriptions, based upon recommendations from my friends here. (Thanks to Larry Phipps for having a great selection of reference material)
While looking for older survey reference books, which has become a hobby of mine, I stumbled across the Wattles Survey Drafting book. It was at the Seattle Goodwill store, and was listed on Abe Books if I remember correctly. I think I paid less than $12 for it including shipping. I remember my boss having a workbook that had a similar title when I started my surveying career. I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when it arrived, and I discovered it was an actual textbook.
I have been watching ebay and other sources this past year and a half, and have picked up more than a few rare and hard to find reference books.
Wattles Legal Descriptions is one of my favorite books.:-D Description styles and examples are simple but yet complete. I used to have a boss in so cal that would say if it's in Wattles (Writing style or word format etc.) it can be in the descriptions I write for him to review. If it's not in wattles then it has no place being in the description.
It's great for newbies to read
I long ago lost a hound, a bay horse, and my copy of Wattles Writing Legal Descriptions, and am still on their trail. Many are the travelers I have spoken concerning them, describing their tracks and what calls they answered to. I have met one or two who have heard the hound, and the tramp of the horse, and even seen the yellow book disappear behind a cloud, and they seemed as anxious to recover them as if they had lost them themselves.
~ with apologies to Henry David Thoreau, Walden; or, Life in the Woods (1854).
The greatest thing about Writing Legal Descriptions is that there is no 2nd Edition, and no suggestion that there should ever be one.
Jimmy:
I have had both of those for about 40 years. I also have Wattle's other book, soft cover, "Land Survey Descriptions", 1974 edition.
One of these days I am going to compile a list of my library and post it.
I like collecting the older survey texts. I purchased several of the old, hardcover ICS books late last year. The auction had 7 titles listed. The box was damaged during shipment, and one of the books was lost in transit. I was disappointed.
Collecting the older texts is fun, and I have a huge appreciation of how things were done in the past. I plan on collecting them for a long time to come.
Am glad we could help Jimmy.
In addition to the new book(s) I hope everything else is well in your world.
Larry P
I hope you are doing well also.
Yes, the book is great. It has already answered the one question that I purchased it for, but I want to brush up on some stuff, and maybe improve my description writing.
You have several more that I will be adding to my collection in the future.
> One of these days I am going to compile a list of my library and post it.
>
> I like collecting the older survey texts. I purchased several of the old, hardcover ICS books late last year. The auction had 7 titles listed. The box was damaged during shipment, and one of the books was lost in transit. I was disappointed.
>
> Collecting the older texts is fun, and I have a huge appreciation of how things were done in the past. I plan on collecting them for a long time to come.
Jimmy:
Like you, one of these days I'm also going to list all the books I have in my library and then when I get so old and decrepit that they no longer serve my purpose, put them up for sale. I can't believe the prices that some of these are listed at now, some 40 years after I purchased mine for what was a very reasonable price. A lot of these are about 5 to 10 times more than what I paid for them.
"Writing Legal Descriptions" is a phenomenal book.
I would refer to it quite a bit earlier in my career. I now feel I know it forward and backward.
Other reference books I find myself using a lot are "Black's Law Dictionary", the appropriate BLM Manual of Survey Instructions, and my state's standard of practice manual.
Norman,
Sorry, but I think you are GROSSLY mistaken. THERE IS A NEED FOR A SECOND EDITION.
It would tell how to describe a course and distance to one of (don't know how to tell WHICH one, though) of the several monuments in the vicinity of the corner, or which dimple to use on the brass cap.
This would make it easier for our friendly "pin cushioners".
LOL
Geezer
Charles,
I am sure you have an extensive library. I would probably pass out if I could see some of the libraries that you guys have.
I am hoping to get to a point I can do some reading in the evenings instead of trying to play catch up from the day. I am not a very good time manager at times.
I am hoping to post my library, and get some suggestions on additional texts to add to my collection. If and when I get to build my dream house, my office will be moved into a small wing on the main house, and I am going to have my brother build me some nice, built in book cases. He is a very talented trim carpenter. He does alot of custom homes.
> I also have Wattle's other book, soft cover, "Land Survey Descriptions", 1974 edition.
Charles,
Check your copy of "Land Survey Descriptions." The author of "Writing Legal Descriptions" is Gurdon H. Wattles. I bet you'll find "Land Survey Descriptions" is written by Gurdon Wattles' father, William C. Wattles.
I got my Writing Legal Descriptions, by Gurdon Wattles many years ago and I was fortunate to attend one of his seminars at Southern Illinois University back in the late 70's. He was a very interesting guy. He was a prisoner of war in WWII and suffered greatly while in captivity. I was also lucky to have my copy signed by Mr. Wattles. He learned a lot from his father William C. Wattles, author of Land Survey Descriptions.
Another book that is being revised right now is Clark on Surveying and Boundaries by Walter G. Robillard. The 8th edition should be out this year some time.
Alabama Boundary Law
Thanks for the heads up on Mr. Robillards book. I am in the middle of 'Alabama Boundary Law' by Jeffrey Lucas. Might have heard of him;-) Anyway, If you have not read it I would highly recommend it. Very good read with LOTS of case law and Cooley quotes. I am thoroughly enjoying the book.
BTW, although there are some Alabama specific parts, the vast majority of the book through what I have read is for surveyors in genereal. Specifically defining what we ought to be doing and how we ought to be viewing ourselves, not only from Mr. Lucas' perspective but from the perspective of judges and the public. Very interesting read.
> > I also have Wattle's other book, soft cover, "Land Survey Descriptions", 1974 edition.
>
> Charles,
>
> Check your copy of "Land Survey Descriptions." The author of "Writing Legal Descriptions" is Gurdon H. Wattles. I bet you'll find "Land Survey Descriptions" is written by Gurdon Wattles' father, William C. Wattles.
Inside the front cover on the first page, it says: By the late William C. Wattles, Revised and Published by: Gurdon H. Wattles
Interesting.
My copy of "Land Survey Descriptions" is copyright 1956 by William C. Wattles.
My copy of "Writing Legal Descriptions" by Gurdon H. Wattles is copyright 1976.
Information I found on line indicates William C. Wattles passed away in 1967.
So it looks as if Gurdon H. Wattles updated his father's book in 1974 and then decided to write his own book in 1976.
> Interesting.
>
> My copy of "Land Survey Descriptions" is copyright 1956 by William C. Wattles.
>
> My copy of "Writing Legal Descriptions" by Gurdon H. Wattles is copyright 1976.
>
> Information I found on line indicates William C. Wattles passed away in 1967.
>
> So it looks as if Gurdon H. Wattles updated his father's book in 1974 and then decided to write his own book in 1976.
That is correct about the update. I have two Tan Paperback copies of Land Survey Descriptions published in 1974 by Gurdon.
The curious thing is one copy states its Printed in the USA by Parker Graphics
and it has a small 10th Edition notation. It also has a 10-6 printed on the spine.
The other copy states its Printed in the USA by Parker & Sons, Inc.
with no notation for an edition. It also was printed with thicker paper as its about 1/8th of an inch thicker than the other.
