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Fred Eager's Book Has Become...expensive!


JefferyS

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Well, I finally misplaced Fred Eager's book on italic handwriting. It's somewhere, probably between my bed and the wall. I thought well, I'll get another used copy on Amazon.com. Yikes, they are ranging in price from $50 to $125. Not a problem, as I eventually find mine.

 

But this made me wonder if it is permissible to scan the Eager book and post it as a PDF file for those who could benefit from it but don't want to drop $50+ dollars. This book is no longer in print, but is it still protected by copyright law?

Jeffery

In the Irish Channel of

New Orleans, LA

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I found several on Amazon for $21-$25 including shipping...but scanned and free is absolutely better (if legal!)

This post contains 100% recycled electrons

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I would think that, as long as I'm not selling the pdf file, Fred's relatives might not object. And if they did, well, they should scan the book and sell it! And if they don't do that, I should write a shameless copy of his book snd self publish it on Amazon.com.Another thought would be to send a copy of the book to a font making business, and have his italics made into a truetype font. Then, I coud buy an e-book of the King James Bible, print it out in Eager font, and then copy it like a monk might do, for practice.

Jeffery

In the Irish Channel of

New Orleans, LA

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The Lloyd Reynolds book Italic Calligraphy and Handwriting Exercises and Text is in some ways better, especially if you've already studied Italic and simply need a little rehab. It's right to the point, with few if any frills. Price: $6.95 New from Amazon.

 

I just noticed, I can't find my copy. Better throw one in with my next order.

The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state; but this consists in laying no previous restraints upon publications, and not in freedom from censure for criminal matter when published. Every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public; to forbid this, is to destroy the freedom of the press; but if he publishes what is improper, mischievous or illegal, he must take the consequence of his own temerity. (4 Bl. Com. 151, 152.) Blackstone's Commentaries

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  • 2 years later...

I think that, in the US, 70 years after the death of the author, a book goes into Public Domain, so you can then scan and post the scanned file.

 

Check with your local friendly lawyer, or look on Gutenberg website (click on icon below) .

fpn_1412827311__pg_d_104def64.gif




“Them as can do has to do for them as can’t.


And someone has to speak up for them as has no voices.”


Granny Aching

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US copyright law is . . . complicated. As far as I understand it (and, not being any kind of lawyer, much less a copyright lawyer, I won't swear that I understand it properly!), anything published before 1923 should be in the public domain. Published between '23 and '64 (I think), it depends on whether the copyright was renewed; many were, some weren't, and it can be tricky to figure out. Anything published later than that it likely still under copyright.

"To read without also writing is to sleep." - St. Jerome

 

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  • 5 weeks later...

Several of you here have sent me messages on Reddit, indicating your interest to download the book. I have responded to everyone individually, so far.

 

I wanted to let you know you are welcome to send me messages here, too, on FPN.

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  • 5 months later...

I have made the PDF available here: http://www.reddit.com/r/Handwriting/comments/2iyso7/the_italic_way_to_beautiful_handwriting_by_fred/

 

My username on that site is Goodhandwriting_y. If you want access to Eager's book in PDF form, let me know. I'll grant you access through Google Drive.

Can you please share the link here again? Or message me may be. I've been searching for a soft copy, but it's not available anywhere.

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Print copies of the book are easily available on both Alibri's and Amazon. About $5 plus for a "gently-used" copy. For studying italic, nothing beats your own copy of Eager's book, IMHO. Although there are many other sources to study italic.

 

Enjoy,

Yours,
Randal

From a person's actions, we may infer attitudes, beliefs, --- and values. We do not know these characteristics outright. The human dichotomies of trust and distrust, honor and duplicity, love and hate --- all depend on internal states we cannot directly experience. Isn't this what adds zest to our life?

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A reprint edition came out this past spring, too, so a new copy can now be purchased from your favourite bookseller very reasonably:

 

 

  • ISBN10 1626540381

ISBN13 9781626540385

 

Jenny

"To read without also writing is to sleep." - St. Jerome

 

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Jenny, thank you for notifying me about this new edition.

 

How wonderful! Readers can find the 2015 edition here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Italic-Way-Beautiful-Handwriting/dp/1626540381

 

With that news, I can no longer, in good conscience, distribute a PDF to others. Please do not contact me on this matter.

 

I urge you all to purchase this new edition from the publisher directly a bookstore, or used-book vendor.

Edited by SuperCUBE
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It's great to see this classic in print again.

Jeffery

In the Irish Channel of

New Orleans, LA

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Yes, it is. A new copy for $ 15.00, used in the original edition, starting as low as $5.60, on Amazon. And a fair number of copies offered.

 

Love Amazon. But I watch those prices carefully. Noticed copies of the book listed at $1.60. With $3.99 S & H added. At least the total price is easy to calculate and posted in one spot.

 

Each time I open Mr. Eager's book, I find something else to work on and something else worth knowing. It's a great way to work on my hand.

 

Enjoy,

Yours,
Randal

From a person's actions, we may infer attitudes, beliefs, --- and values. We do not know these characteristics outright. The human dichotomies of trust and distrust, honor and duplicity, love and hate --- all depend on internal states we cannot directly experience. Isn't this what adds zest to our life?

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I just received the new edition in the mail today. (Thank you, Amazon Prime.)

 

It is of significantly inferior quality to the older text.

 

First, regarding copyright, Fred Eager didn't authorize this publication. The edition notice (the page with copyright information) indicates that the book is "[p]ublished as an orphaned work by Girard & Stewart." So, Mr. Eager (or his estate) might or might not be profiting from the sales.

 

Second, each page is just a pixelated photocopy of the original text. (You can see the jagged lines from the pixels.) Plus, the contrast is much greater – the tracing-letters are all black, rather than the original transparent light-gray.

 

Everything else in the book is the same, it seems.

 

I hope this little review will help anyone make a decision on which edition to purchase. Newer isn't better, in this case ...

 

If anyone is interested in learning more about the problem of orphaned works, like Mr. Eager's, I recommend this report by the U.S. Copyright Office.

Edited by SuperCUBE
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The older prints as well as the current print are available via Abebooks - here

fpn_1412827311__pg_d_104def64.gif




“Them as can do has to do for them as can’t.


And someone has to speak up for them as has no voices.”


Granny Aching

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SuperCUBE, thanks for the review, that's very helpful information. And I hope to find time to at least skim that copyright report one of these days after I finish all the Christmas shopping.

 

Jenny

"To read without also writing is to sleep." - St. Jerome

 

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  • 3 months later...

Wow I will have to try and find an older version might be hard in the uk

Edited by HRoberts_08
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