Fo Baird Book. Leather Secrets

[spud762]

Just bought a bunch of old Craftool USA tools, which included a chuck smith ol smoothie with ceramic tip and a huge lot of books.

I saw one of the books was FO Baird. The book is in almost new condition and want to know more about who this was. I am wondering how much it goes for. I love the designs so I'm not planning on selling just want to know about how much its worth.

If anyone has info on the book let me know. Thanks everyone.

[electrathon]

Depending on condition I see it priced from $100-$300.

[spud762]

Pages are not torn at all and looks in almost perfect condition. He also had old templates and saddle journal magazines. Needless to say I was really happy to have gotten the whole lot. He even had an al stohlman saddle making encyclopedia.

Thank you. For the reply!!

[Greystone]

I have one I got, new in original shipping box and packing,

I opened to ck its condition and it is just as it came from the printer,

I;m not sure if I want to use or sell??? good luck sounds like you made a nice find ,

db

[WyomingSlick]

The value of your copy of Leather Secrets depends on which edition it is. It is worth more if it is one of the early editions from the 50's, rather than the reprint that Tandy put out in the 70's and 80's. As I recall, the reprint sold for around 50 bucks then. You can still find copies for sale on Amazon and eBay. Those asking prices should give you a guideline to your books value.

As for the man himself, Baird was one of the first, if not the first, to pull leatherwork out of the saddleshops, and present it to the public as an enjoyable and worthwhile hobby, or past time. There is a longer biography than the short one in Leather Secrets in his book.

Trivia Fact - Baird is one of the few people to actually appear on the cover of "The Leather Crafsman" or "The Craftsman" magazine, which he did in 1963.

[FlHobbyist]

This may or may not be relevant to the discussion at hand;

Tandy is just sent a flyer saying they were doing a reprint of this. I don't remember Gold and Elite pricing, but they want $259 with no discounts. I'd have to want to know something pretty bad to pay that for a book. I understand paying the big bucks for a rare historical book, but charging that kind of money for a new reprint seems a little greedy to me.

[raysouth]

Great book and considered by many to be a treasure.

To a collector of leathercraft books, this is like finding gold but to someone not into that particular area of collecting it would not have the value most place on the book.

I have seen a number of copies on different sites and the prices asked, and in some cases paid, began in the $100.00 area and went through the roof in some cases. I suppose it's value is what the collector is willing to pay.

Tandy's launch of the new combined reproduction issue is, in my opinion, vastly overpriced.

In a nutshell, you have found a great book by a great leathercrafter and feel that you will enjoy having it around. Great material for the leather person to enjoy.

God Bless.

Ray

[WyomingSlick]

This may or may not be relevant to the discussion at hand;

Tandy is just sent a flyer saying they were doing a reprint of this. I don't remember Gold and Elite pricing, but they want $259 with no discounts. I'd have to want to know something pretty bad to pay that for a book. I understand paying the big bucks for a rare historical book, but charging that kind of money for a new reprint seems a little greedy to me.

LOL 259 bucks ?? That is just so they can get rid of them later on sale for half price.

[Studio-N]

Tandy's launch of the new combined reproduction issue is, in my opinion, vastly overpriced.

AGREED! They will also be combining the 3 Stolhman saddle books into one volume and discontinue the individual books. I'm sure it won't be cheap either and now they force you to buy all 3.

Greed reins supreme at the evil empire.