Jane's Fighting Ships: 1916

[nivrip]

Hi all, I'm new here.

I am the lucky owner of a very good copy of Jane's Fighting Ships 1916 - it was passed to me from a great uncle. I have never found a Jane's anywhere near this age , the nearest being 1924 in a London bookshop.

Has anyone else got a copy of comparable age? I am wondering how rare this book is.

[kc]

Hi nivrip.

Congratulations on coming into possesion of a fine book. I personally concentrated on collecting some later editions. I have, I think, almost all from late 60s to early 90s. My earliest original is 1942 I think, plus a few from the 40s and 50s, not all of which are in perfect condition, but still useable for reference. I also have 1970s reproductions of the 1914 (or is it 1919?) and 1935 editions I think. However, at work (for research for this website) our collection includes I think all editions from the first, of 1898, right through to the 30s. All originals I'm pretty sure.

Jane's is not the be all and end all of the ships though. They are great for basic facts and a few photos of ships, but there are far more detailed (and rare) books out there. I personally find the early cruise books most intriguing, as they really give an insight into life on board the ships, as well as often including crew lists which always come in handy.

Anyway, enjoy your new book and look after it well! :)

[astraltrader]

I agree with all Kc has said about the book Nivrip. In good condition it certainly would be sought after. The 1970`s version of the WW1 Janes has one major drawback - the really poor black and grainy reproduction of the original photographs which render the book practically useless...

It is because of that the original Janes of the various WW1 years are still very much in demand.

[tonclass]

I have 14 editions of JFS, but the earliest I have is 1949/50 and the latest is 1991/92. (plus the 2 JFS of WW1 & 2)

Perhaps I should treat myself to an earlier edition. There are always a few ex library books available...... But at a price !!!

[astraltrader]

I have about 8 from a similar period as yours. Do you agree with what I said about the quality of the pictures in both the WW1 and the WW2 reprints??

[tonclass]

The reprints in the JFS of WW1 & 2 are very poor. I do not have any of the 1960's re-prints of the earlier 19 canteen set.

[kc]

Here are a few snaps of my collection of Janes books. You can see the state of some of the earlier ones! If I recall correctly my 1942 is pretty immaculate. The tatty one on the end of one of the pictures is 1953 I think. You are right, Terry, about the picture quality in any of the copy versions, although I don't have the 'WW1' or WW2' books myself. I imagine the 1970s copies are pretty similar in photo quality.

I was taking photos of something else for later when I noticed these books were nearby and remembered this thread, just in case you wondered.

[designeraccd]

Agree the photo quality in the reprints is indeed poor; about one step above not having anything. My oldest original is the 62-63 edition; my Christmas present that year...a whole budget breaking $35! The last new one I bought was the 97-98, purchased early at a bit of a discount. It DID break my budget tho at @ $400 or so...owch.

My oldest/first ship book was the 56 ed of the World's Fighting Ships, kind of a mini/poor man's JFS. My edition is rather worn from useage, but still reasonably intact...and treasured. I first saw it in a book shop window in lower Manhatten and Christmas Eve it showed up! DFO :)

[nivrip]

Just a follow up on this thread. I found original copies of the 1914 and 1919 versions in a bookshop in Stamford last week. I didn't buy them (£220 and £200 respectively) but now I know that they are around - and an idea of what mine is worth.

[Harley]

I got the Arco reprint of the 1914 edition in June for something like $15 (a tenner back then, oh those were the days). The pictures aren't that great but then again I didn't buy it for the pictures! If I need pictures this forum is pretty accomodating :p.

I could have bought the 1919 reprint edition at the same place but I already have the "Jane's Fighting Ships of World War I" hatchet job published a few years ago. My luggage weighed enough when I flew back to Britain anyway.

Simon

[designeraccd]

Even the qc is going down on Combat Fleets. I bought one years ago...very nice qualty and good pics. Just purchased a leftover new 06...must be same printers that did those poor JFS reprints. Even at the "bargain" price of $96....pretty marginal. :( DFO

[CGRET]

Another thought in looking for the Janes Fighting Ships. I have been doing some Antique shopping with the wife here in the US. I was surprised to Janes sitting on the book shelf for $20 US, it was of the WW1 era. We did return to the shop were i saw the book and wouldn't you know it, "gone"! Since then I do search antique shop's for those kinds of books. Not all shops in Oregon have book area's and those that do, they are looked at carefully. I would suspect most are not aware of the value of these classic's.

Regards
Charles

[peyk]

my this books great difficulty with buy. 2007 years 11 books web sales site
usa .69,71,77,78,80,81,83,84,86,95,05 jane's fighting ships yearbook
this yearbook turkey sale not available.:o
jane'sfighting ships book my Library
jpg.gif janes.jpg (64.8 KB)

[dennis a feary]

Hello, thought I had posted this before ?? Here goes again.
My local library has for sale at £10 each the following Janes F.S ;
1976-77
1977-78
1980-81
1982-83
If any one would like them I am prepared to get them & send them off to you.
Cost £10 per Vol + P&P at cost (£5 ??)

Sadsac

[Powers]

Re above. A very nice gesture, thank you for the offer.

With regard to the overall contents of this thread, I have found it very interesting to learn of the availability, values, etc. of previous Janes. Like many others I have a collection in various states of preservation, including an original 1939 edition which makes fascinating reading.

However, when it comes to ship identity research, my most 'valued' possesion is a copy of BR 642B (Summary of British Warships) presented to me many moons ago, which contains a complete pictorial record of ships of the Royal Navy, and associated vessels, in 1952. I have never attempted to count the number of photographs it contains, but there are at least 1500 together with brief descriptions of type, dimensions and armament.

Although a staunch supporter of modern methods of recording and retaining information, there is still something a bit special about a good book.

[astraltrader]

Powers - I sent you a PM [personal message] a while ago - just checking to see if you saw it!

[Powers]

AstralTrader - Sorry I hadn't noticed. I'll respond soonest. Regards.

[Don Boyer]

Gentlemen and Ladies:

I've found ABE Books to be a good on line source of prices on the older Jane's if they have any listed for sale. They don't come up often as one would imagine.

Here in Hawaii, I happened to make friends with and elderly gentleman who owned a bookstore that he was planning to close. He had a huge military shelf and he was in a dealing mood. I now own an original edition of the 1900 Brassey's Naval Annual, the 1912 Jane's (the oldest known edition out here in the Pacific where I live) an original 1919 edition, a 1931 edition and the 1943-44, 47-48 editions as well as a 1955-56 edition. I also found an original edition (1957) of Oscar Parkes' "British Battleships." All were in good condition and the package set me back about $500, which I consider to be a super-bargain for which one should be on ones' knees in church the next Sunday and several thereafter, particularly as the older editions were complete with endpapers and not too badly beaten up.

I built slipcases for all of the oldest ones out of high-end acid-free shipping cardboard used by art stores to protect and ship original art. I suggest the same for any of you out there with early editions.

I've seen the 1919 edition of Jane's listed at over $1700, but that had a dust-jacket, which must be beyond rare. My 1912 edition would not sell for less that $2000 in my estimation. (The one on my shelf that is, but it's not for sale! :) )

Reprints are available as well, but, as has been pointed out, some are poor. I own three reprints -- 1898 (Jane's 1st Edition -- I saw an original advertised for sale at $5000) 1905-06 and 1924, all by David and Charles (Holdings) Ltd. and printed by Redwood Press Ltd., Trowbridge. Leave it to the British to do an excellent reproduction -- the photo quality is as good as the original editions.

I also have at least one Jane's for every decade on into this century .. sometimes two, but those are common enough to find. I note the latest edition of Jane's sells for over $1000 now. I remember my Dad buying me the 1962-63 edition for about $75, (my very first Jane's and still on my shelf!) and that was an EXPENSIVE book then! The high price for a new Jane's has pushed up the price of the older editions of the 80s and 90s as well.

Now for you book experts, I have a question.

Does anyone out there know the story behind Oscar Parkes and Jane's Fighting Ships?? As I said above, I have Oscar Parkes' "British Battleships," in which he mentions Jane's exactly once, but Brassey's he lists as a major reference, yet he was the primary editor of Jane's for years after Fred's death. I hear there was some sort of falling out, but cannot find any historical details on the subject...it was alluded to in Richard Hough's 1964 "Dreadnought: A History of the Modern Battleship," but I can't find out anything else.

Anyone out there got the real scoop?

[astraltrader]

I didn`t know anything about the falling out Don - from what I know Parkes joined Janes as Deputy -Editor way back in I think 1919.

[jonti]

Although not 'Jane's Fighting Ships', I have been loaned an interesting book "Ships of the Royal Navies and the British Commonwealth of Nations" 1937 by Oscar Parkes OBE MB ChB Chev Ord Merite Maritime and sold originally by Gieves Ltd. 2 The Hard, Portsmouth for 3/6d. The attachments are the dustcover front and the Foreward. Is this a well-known book by Navy buffs? Rob T

[Don Boyer]

Oscar Parkes is well known as having been senior editor of "Jane's Fighting Ships" for many years after Fred Jane's death. He later went on to produce his best book "British Battleships" in around 1957. Parkes is also well known as a naval artist.

Apparently he had some sort of falling out with Jane's and afterward produced books under his own name like the one you have. That book is rare here in America, no doubt, and I have no idea where it fits in in the European market. One of our English or French members may have more on that.

Considering the age of the book, and the author, should you be offered the opportunity to acquire the book, I would do it simply based on the author's reputation as an expert in his field, depending on price.

[jonti]

Many thanks for your prompt response, Don. I can't believe how much information has been crammed into a small book (180x120mm, 7x4.7inches) and 220 pages. There are frequent referrals to the Battle of Jutland in WW1 and how it changed ship design. There are 3 critical pages on the "Repulse" and "Renown" which I will post on the thread of that subject. The attachment
is the "Summary of the Empire Navies" 1937 and highlights the decline in ship numbers since then. Rob T

[spruso]

Although not 'Jane's Fighting Ships', I have been loaned an interesting book "Ships of the Royal Navies and the British Commonwealth of Nations" 1937 by Oscar Parkes OBE MB ChB Chev Ord Merite Maritime and sold originally by Gieves Ltd. 2 The Hard, Portsmouth for 3/6d. The attachments are the dustcover front and the Foreward. Is this a well-known book by Navy buffs? Rob T

I had a small book when a young boy in 1957 called,I think, Janes Fighting Warships?

It looks very similar to the bokk you have posted. Unfortunately long gone.

I was lucky enough to pick up a 1936 JFS from San Francisco Maritime Library a few years ago for US$36. I had it rebound and they used the original covers on which the printing is embossed. In very good condition. Couldn't believe the price!

Cheers
Bruce

[CGRET]

To all who maybe interested:

As of this date if you were to go to ebay.com and in the search box type Janes Fighting Ships there you will find numerous editions at various prices for sale.

A note worthy look.

Regards
Charles