Bickford Mandolin Method - something I didn't know

[trebleclef528]

One of the many interesting things that I am finding in my research of mandolin methods are the omissions in reprints and mistakes in originals and the amount of the same pictures that appear in a variety of copyrighted methods by different publishers (I don't think the enforcement of copyright could have been very good).

Error example: I have two "Washburn mandolin methods" and in the preface Mr. Shaeffer states: "In presenting this improved BANJO method" the other correctly says "In presenting this improved method to the public" (unfortunately in the early days publishers did not seem to show what print run it was).

Anyway... on to Bickford
I have about 7 paperback copies of Bickford book 1 and in each page 90 is missing.

Page 90 according to the contents (on page 4) is supposed to be the "Afterword" and Bickford refers to this in his Foreword when he says " A condensed synopsis of the three following books will be found at the end of this volume"........ Sorry Zarh ... not in my paper backs!

I think at the time this omission would not have been very pleasing as of course people who purchased volume 1 would want to read about what was in 2, 3 and 4

However I am fortunate enough to have what I believe to be original hardbacks of 1, 2 and 3


and in volume 1 page 90 is shown


Some other differences in the original hard back is a Photo of Bickford in which he is holding what looks to be a Gibson, and also on page 8 of the hardback is a photo of a Gibson (perhaps the one he holds in the picture) which is used to show the "parts of the mandolin", whereas in all the paperback copies I have it is a drawing of a bowlback thats used on page 8



A minor difference is that the front cover of the hardback uses the spelling Mandoline (Mandolin on the paperbacks).

And whats the point of all this?.... I don't know, i obviously have far to much time on my hands

[Coy Wylie]

I understand. I mandonitis. Uncurable I suppose.

[trebleclef528]

I understand. I mandonitis. Uncurable I suppose.

What a great word "Mandonitis". Yes I think your right, it's incurable like my mandolin acquisition syndrome (MAS) I now realize I'm also suffering from another side effect, MMAS (Mandolin Method acquisition syndrome).

I guess I just have to live with it (and my wife has to live with me.... but there again her mandolin music collection takes up 4 walls of our spare room!)

have a wonderful evening (well its evening here in Scotland)

[Jim Garber]

Anyway... on to Bickford
I have about 7 paperback copies of Bickford book 1 and in each page 90 is missing.

Page 90 according to the contents (on page 4) is supposed to be the "Afterword" and Bickford refers to this in his Foreword when he says " A condensed synopsis of the three following books will be found at the end of this volume"........ Sorry Zarh ... not in my paper backs!

Intersting... My 1920 paperback edition has the full afterword. SAre all yours published by Carl Fischer? AFAIK the first volume has been in print continously where as the upper volumes have not. Perhaps the afterword was left off after the other volumes when out of print.

BTW I believe that the publisher was contacted about these books and they are no interested in reprinting. Too bad... I think they are one of the best methods published in America.

[hooboy]

The internet archive's Bickford volume 1 includes the afterword. Now if only the other books would be digitized. Maybe the publisher, or whoever owns the rights, would consent to release them to the public domain. What were the dates of publication of the remaining volumes? I would think they will be falling out of copyright soon too, if not already.