1842 replies to this topic

[George N]

Other than Annals -- the WB books I have always wanted but never gotten around to = "Night Sky Observer's Guide". Just found both Vol I & II on Amazon (used) for a good price. III and IV -- not available for a reasonable price.

[Napp]

Yeah, I had already gotten Night Sky Observer’s Guide Vol 1.  When I saw the first of these posts I started hunting for the other volumes. I found Vol 2 used at at a very reasonable price.  Unfortunately, not Vol 3 and 4.
 

I really hate to see this company go.  Great source of astronomy books.  I do hope they find a good buyer.

Edited by Napp, 27 October 2020 - 12:35 AM.

[catalogman]

Could someone post one of the hilarious comic panels that was in WB ads from

about 1980 to 1982? We could use the laughs.

 

-- catalogman

[Enkidu]

Respect and kudos to the best book publisher for amateur astronomers that ever existed. Hope they close the door with a smile.

[awitze]

I'm writing from the Annals team, which is my husband Jeff Kanipe and myself. On Sunday night Willmann-Bell informed us they had begun the process of closing down the business. 

 

We do not have any additional information right now about what this means for Annals. I wish we did. A print run of Volume 8 has been accomplished, as janame noted; we aren't sure how these books might be ordered and distributed, although we hope and suspect that Willmann-Bell will figure out some way to do so. It may take a little while to sort that out.

 

In the long run, we aren't sure whether another publisher might purchase the company's holdings. If not we will certainly be looking for other publishers to pick up future volumes of Annals (9 and beyond). We have not yet begun the process of figuring out what that might entail.

 

If you have any rich publishing friends, or additional questions, or whatever, you can reach us at annalsofthedeepsky@gmail.com or on the Annals Facebook page. I'll also keep monitoring this forum thread for a while.

 

We are grateful to Willmann-Bell for all they have done for the amateur astronomy community over the years. Thanks.

[cliff mygatt]

I ordered two overlay sets for Uranometria but only received one.  I guess I am out of luck and out the money for the second set they did not send.

[Big_Eight]

Wow just saw this. They have great material too bad.

[RogerLaureys]

So sorry to read this. Hopefully another publisher will take it over. I hate to see the end of the Annals...

[helpwanted]

I'm writing from the Annals team, which is my husband Jeff Kanipe and myself. On Sunday night Willmann-Bell informed us they had begun the process of closing down the business. 

 

<...snip...>

Is there a way to get our names on a list of those that want to purchase vol 8? maybe the mass quantity could help to reassure WB that at least the remaining stock of Annals will be sold. 

[sanbai]

Is there a way to get our names on a list of those that want to purchase vol 8? maybe the mass quantity could help to reassure WB that at least the remaining stock of Annals will be sold. 

My name would be there.

 

One option for the future would be crowdfunding. However, authors may focus on generating new content rather than on managing orders.  

[sanbai]

It would have been nice to have a notice period, where people could have placed an order knowing that it was now or never. That was more or less the case with SiriusAstroProducts when they retired.

 

There was a recent thread where people posted their bookshelf. Books from W-B were more than common. My bookshelf resembles those. They had some vintage books not appealing to me, but others were (are) must-have (Uranometria, The Night Sky Observer's Guide, Annals) and others very desirable (Messier marathon, star clusters). I'm glad I ordered them earlier this year.Last Sunday I was at one of two clicks of ordering Star Testing Astronomical Telescopes. I had no real interest, but for completion and future-proof my library I wanted to add also one of Albert High's books and the one of Kriege on dob telescope making. Those books will go now for outrageous prices in the after-market.

 

But I don't want to blame the owner of Willmann-Bell. He may have been hesitating for too long, then reached a no return point. Being 80 is definitely a good reason to retire. We have lot to thank to this publisher. Their packaging is famous, and their prices more than fair.

 

I hope he could still open time window where people can place orders that they may have postponed due to other priorities or because, like me, were waiting to the imminent launch of Annals #8.

Edited by sanbai, 27 October 2020 - 11:57 AM.

[spacenut59]

Being new to the hobby, I didn't even know Willmann-Bell existed yet.  I would break the bank to get copies of many of the books they have, including all of the Annals of the Deep Skies editions.

[BradFran]

It would be nice. But if the owner doesn't have logistical support and Covid is making things hard, it is possible he just can't deal with orders. I hope this is temporary and he can pass the operation along before enjoying a much deserved retirement. I have several WB books and there are more than a few I would like to have one day. Keeping them in print is such a boon to the community. It would be a shame to loose those wonderful telescope making titles, but it such a niche topic. Maybe SkyPub could pick up the observing guides now that they are owned by AAS.

 

At the very least, please offer existing stock to the Astronomical League rather than the dumpster. I'd think they could honor author agreements better than the remainder market.

[Star_Shooter]

So sad! It is the best amateur astronomy publisher, big loss for us.

[CounterWeight]

Glad the owner is able to retire and thanks to him and all at WB for great titles and service over the years!   

 

I think I have maybe a dozen titles I've ordered from them over the years both atlas/guides type and to me more importantly their books on telescope optics and the DIY / ATM titles.  It was a post in the ATM section here that brought me to this thread.

 

I hope somebody that is a small business and cares about the hobby can pick up and continue this important legacy for so many in the hobby. I am unaware of anywhere else the offerings and titles thoughtfully sorted and easily ordered, but then I have never felt a need to look.

[Starman1]

I just counted and I have 25 titles on the shelves from Willmann-Bell, and that doesn't count the ones I've given away over the years.

 

I have a similar number from Dover and from Springer-Verlag and a few others (Firefly, et.al.)

 

The only publisher I have more (a lot more) from is Cambridge (all the various books from S&T over the years).

 

I, too, hope Perry can find another publisher willing to take on the task of servicing the astronomy community as he has done for so long.

[Justin Fuller]

I'm writing from the Annals team, which is my husband Jeff Kanipe and myself. On Sunday night Willmann-Bell informed us they had begun the process of closing down the business.

<...snip...>

Thanks for providing some info for those not on Facebook. I'm really enjoying the Annals vol. 1-7 and I'm hoping we'll see more to come. Whatever the outcome, thanks for making such a quality series.

[BwanaBob]

Please put me down for Volume 8, Alexandra. 

 

What a shocker.  My wife had recently ordered Vol2 of Night Sky Observers Guide for my birthday.  Thankfully it was delivered last week (but not yet in my hands).  I really hope someone takes over so that the Annals has a home and that Vol 3 and 4 of NSOG can be purchased.

[Starman1]

Please put me down for Volume 8, Alexandra. 

 

What a shocker.  My wife had recently ordered Vol2 of Night Sky Observers Guide for my birthday.  Thankfully it was delivered last week (but not yet in my hands).  I really hope someone takes over so that the Annals has a home and that Vol 3 and 4 of NSOG can be purchased.

Before they disappear, you should look at Amazon, which has links to many resellers of the books, including excellent condition used ones.

[BwanaBob]

I figure that WB's stock-on-hand is not going into a dumpster, so whoever takes over will get around to selling out the stock before using their own imprint. 

 

I could probably live without Vol4 of NSOG but really want to get Vol3. 

 

This is what I get when I hesitate.  I bought Vol 1 in September and instead of just buying up 2-4 by myself, I decided to let my family buy the others as birthday/Christmas gifts because they always have trouble finding something I'd like.  At least Vol 2 was secured.

 

I also liked WB's publication announcement postcards for the Annals series.  I found them to be perfect bookmarks; they'll be missed.

Edited by BwanaBob, 27 October 2020 - 01:42 PM.

[BwanaBob]

Heck, Richmond is only a two hour drive from me; I'd gladly go there

and hand over cash for books if that were allowed. 

Edited by BwanaBob, 27 October 2020 - 01:45 PM.

[Crusty99]

The packing--yes, the packing--Wasn't it great! So sturdy--so strong--so absolutely perfect!

 

A big thank you to the staff for giving us the best book packing for our cherished amateur astronomy titles.

 

    

[Augustus]

They made some nice Ronchi screens too. Glad I have a set. 

[Crusty99]

Checking my shelves... Looks like I have 12 books from Willmann-Bell, Inc.... From their line of amateur astronomy atlases...

 

Keepers for sure... Maybe I will put them in my will and last instructions to my heirs... 

 

[Crusty99]

And the customer service... I do not remember her name--but the lady who took our orders in the days of telephone orders--was the best!