Forgive me if I missed this: What is the format of the book?  Size? Hardcover or soft?

C W Burfle posted:

Forgive me if I missed this: What is the format of the book?  Size? Hardcover or soft?

Agreed on wanting to know this info, especially hard versus soft cover. 

Also any plans on a digital version for those of us who like to do reading via tablet?

Good questions! The book will be 8.5 by 11 inches. Hard cover with a dust jacket. Page count is still in the works but it looks like we're going to check in at 144 pages minimum and more than likely around 160. The final manuscript ended up being around 69,000 words. So there is plenty to read and see. 

I just placed my order and payment for the Hard Cover copy, with signatures. 

Good luck with the book.

Oh Yea, for those who wont to know whats available just follow the link to "Madison Poster Company" and it is all pretty  clear.

They have a number of items you may be interested in. 

gg1man posted:

I just placed my order and payment for the Hard Cover copy, with signatures. 

Good luck with the book.

Thanks Mario! This has been a labor of love, but I have learned so much in the process. I'm excited to share these stories with everyone!

Done, and done. "Mink" edition for me too. Now only 48 or less copies of that edition left. Thanks, Derek.

Just ordered mine too with signatures. Can't wait to see it !!!    Bob V.

Mill City posted:

Done, and done. "Mink" edition for me too. Now only 48 or less copies that edition left. Thanks, Derek.

Thanks Jon, only the best for you my friend! Your support over the last few years has been incredible. 

Thank you as well Bob! 

Derek: I also pre-ordered the hardcover signature edition and can't wait to get it and start reading,  "Thanks" for undertaking this tremendous project that will benefit all who read it.  Dennis M.

Another dual-signature edition ordered here.

Andy

I am confused. A number of posters have written that they are ordering the hard cover edition.

I thought that Notch 6 wrote that they all will be hard cover with a dust jacket.

C W Burfle posted:

I am confused. A number of posters have written that they are ordering the hard cover edition.

I thought that Notch 6 wrote that they all will be hard cover with a dust jacket.

Option 1) Hard cover edition with dust jacket.

     "      2) Same edition, signed by author.

    "      3)  Same edition, signed by both author and Richard Kughn.

Just to clear up. All copies will be hardcover with Angela's Painting and all other information on the dust jacket. The hard cover will just have the book title on the front. 

Sounds like a great book, interesting subject. Just placed my order for a copy and I am looking forward to reading it.

Thanks for putting it all together for us to enjoy, I'm sure it was a lot of work.

I just pre-ordered mine but had to go with the poor man's version.  Oh well, it looks like great reading nonetheless.

Another of the two signature copies is spoken for!!! Looking forward to a wonderful trip down memory lane.

Thanks again to all who have ordered today! The response has made me feel pretty good about where this book is heading. The dual signed copies are selling briskly and I'm confident we will be sold out before the book is delivered. We will have plenty of other copies to go around, and we have some special events planned for this Summer and Fall to support the book. 

Just got my two signature edition order in tonight.  Thanks for putting  this together Derek.  Should be a fantastic read.  BigRail 

Just pre ordered mine!  Thanks Derek.

Hi, is the book a hardcover or softcover?  

Dreyfuss Hudson posted:

Hi, is the book a hardcover or softcover?  

From what I have read above, it looks like they are all hardcover. I have already purchased mine.

Ordered the two signature edition last night.  Thanks for all do for us Derek!  Phila

Thank you all so much for the response in the last 24 hours! I am humbled by the support from the O gauge community and can not wait to show you all the finished product. I should mention at this point that if you're planning on going to the LCCA convention in Kansas City, that  I will be giving a presentation on Wednesday night about Madison Hardware. The plan is for it to be short and sweet, but hopefully I'll get to show off some of the materials that did not make the book. 

Keep the orders coming, there is plenty to go around! 

Hi Derek,

Just ordered my 2 signature edition, can't wait for it

Thanks, Alex

Just ordered my "no frills" edition.

Here is my personal experience Madison Hardware story -

Dad used to indulge me occasionally and take me to the Gilbert Hall and the Lionel Showroom.  One Saturday we made a side trip to Madison Hardware since all these locations were within easy walking distance of each other and Dad seemed to want to check it out.  I'm thinking it probably was 1952.  I was just a little kid, and of the American Flyer persuasion to boot.

I have two recollections of our brief visit which was on a busy Saturday.  One was that the place looked like an auto parts store (except it was trains) that had been organized by a demented mentally incoherent psychotic.  The other is that one of the staff was giving a customer a brutal tongue lashing.  I mean he was really letting the guy have it, almost foaming at the mouth.  I can vividly recall the verbal violence and the shouting, which was quite alarming, but no details.

We decided to leave and so did some other folks.  That was the only time I was in Madison Hardware so I don't guess I need the book, but thanks anyway.

Pete

Will the book be sold anywhere else or just through the madisonhardware.co 

Texas Pete posted:

Here is my personal experience Madison Hardware story -

I have two recollections of our brief visit which was on a busy Saturday.  One was that the place looked like an auto parts store (except it was trains) that had been organized by a demented mentally incoherent psychotic.  The other is that one of the staff was giving a customer a brutal tongue lashing.  I mean he was really letting the guy have it, almost foaming at the mouth.  I can vividly recall the verbal violence and the shouting, which was quite alarming, but no details.

Pete

Pete,

You're not alone.  Many have similar recollections.  You really should get the book.  I think you'll find it entertaining some of the stories told.  Definitely worth the $39.95.

Stu

All Star Electric Trains posted:

Will the book be sold anywhere else or just through the madisonhardware.co 

I'm going to let the dust settle on the preorders before we look at outside distribution. That being said, I have been approached by some hobby shops about carrying the book, which is a very likely scenario. If you're looking for this at Barnes and Nobel etc, I don't think it's going to happen.  So for now our website is it. Once the book arrives, that will more than likely expand. 

Glad to see this is working out so well. Just ordered w/2 signatures. Thanks Derek.

Bill Webb posted:

Glad to see this is working out so well. Just ordered w/2 signatures. Thanks Derek.

Thanks for the order Bill! 

Just a note that we are already past the halfway point to sold out on the dual signature books. I expect these to be gone very quickly if the pace keeps up. 

Hi Derek - Congrats on this new book - I placed my order today - Option 2, Author Edition.

I do recall going to Madison Hardware - Detroit. The famous sign was in the lobby on the first floor. They had a buzzer, and an elevator would take customers up to the 4th Floor. My boys were about 11 & 9 years old.  I have them on video being at the Madison Hardware store, but over a 150 hours of family stuff. Hard to find, still looking.

I do have CRS / Can't Remember Stuff / Do have have this information correct?  I went to Google Earth today and found the photos below.  The building looks about the same today, as it did back in the day. It looks like an OGR Ameri-Towne / Kitbashing Building. lol

Just ordered option 3.  Can't wait!

Derek:

Just ordered the dual signature edition as well. Looking forward to it!

Jon

Good Morning Gary, 

Your photos of the Fort Street building are correct. Today it has been converted into condos. A few notes on your dates. Yes Madison did move to Detroit in 1989, but it took almost two years until they actually were set up on the fourth floor and started offering service to the public. Also, Madison actually closed it's doors for the final time in the Fall of 2001. Hope this helps! You did a very nice job on your MH Youtube video. 

Derek,

Congrats on a successful project.  Judging by the replies, you selling them quick.

Just placed my order.   Can't wait to read it.   Went to Madison many times.  

Vinny26 posted:

Just placed my order.   Can't wait to read it.   Went to Madison many times.  

I'm looking forward to talking with folks after they read the book to see how some of the stories compare to their own memories. Madison Hardware was a mixed bag. Some folks had amazing experiences, some not so much.