I have a set of P O Ackleys Handbook for shooters and reloaders They're both in excellent condition.

The volume 1 is a 5th printing done in 1962 and the volume 2 is a 2nd printing in 1970.
They're both black hard covers with gold embossed writing on the spines.

I'm curious if these are of any value I'm not interested in selling them as they belonged to the father of a good friend of mine who gave them to me.
If they do turn out to be of any value I will return them to him and tell him.

Thanks for any help you're able to offer.

I have wanted to post on this thread for awhile but I am having a few internet problems with regard to this board and posting. I have been on a notebook most of this week and things did not work well for me.
I have purchased several of the single volume hardback copies of the handbook for Shooters and Reloaders. In recent years the early printing single copies bring over $22.00 for a good copy without bumped corners and with no writing inside. The owners name in ink and/or a book plate is fine but no underlining or writing in the margins.
A two volume hardback set with no bumped corners, not shaken or repaired is worth a minimum of $60.00 - retail. I don’t e-bay or participate in any auctions so I cannot say what these sites will generate price wise.
I will say you must find a book collector to bring the best price and this may take awhile. The enormous quantity of paper back copies will keep the casual reader out of the bidding as the price climbs over $50.00

[EDIT] I should have pointed out the internet and a swarm of "Ackley experts" has wrongly tarnished the reputation of a fine man and a skilled craftsman.

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slim

I just paid $100 for a pair on Ebay.They are getting very spendy, but they are worth every penny.
Randy

Ackley's books (among others) are being reprinted by Cornell Publications at a little less than $20.00 each. Unknown what that does to the OP's question, but it does help those of us who don't yet have them.

http://www.cornellpubs.com/old-guns/item_desc.php?item_id=2947

is a link to one of them.

I was delighted to be able to replace my long-lost original Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook through them.

The Old Guy

I have the original volumes. Since the reprints the prices have really gone down.

The reprinting of these books by Cornell does not affect the value of the originals to book collectors. To the casual reader or those just interested in having a copy for reference the reprint is the way to go.
For the book collector only the originals will satisfy and the Cornell reprints are welcome as they reduce the competition for the originals.
I have the originals and the reprints will be good for everyday use and reduce the wear on the originals.
The soft cover first print of the Handbook for shooters and reloaders has information the subsequent – and larger volumes do not such as chamber dimension charts in the back. The number of cartridges covered is smaller – for instance this book is pre-30-30AI.
The little pocket reference is a good book and originals are difficult to come by.

The 1st edition of the Lyman Cast bullet book is a good reference.

I note that Cornell has reprinted the “Beginers Guide to Handloading from R. F. Wells. This is probably the VERY BEST beginners Guide to adjusting loading dies ever printed. Certainly it is the equal of the wonderful “Why Not Load Your Own” by Townsend Whelen. Whelen’s book has more information but the Wells booklet is one of the best for a basic description of how reloading dies work and how they are set up.

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slim

I went ahead and ordered the Ackley Handbook, Pocket book and the 1st Lyman cast bullet handbook from Cornell’s to protect my originals from further wear.
The three books with shipping were about $75.00 but the originals have significantly increased in value these last few years.
I received a nice e-mail confirming my order. I was informed Cornell’s prints to order and it will be a few days before the books are shipped which is no problem for me.
This reminds me of the fellow who ran the Reloading bench in Dallas/Grand Prairie. He ran a small printing company I believe mostly books for seminars and teachers. Nice fellow but the print business grew so much he shut down the Reloading Bench business - shame as he had a good stock of reloading equipment, bullets and powder.

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slim

Hello
I am a big Ackley fan.His statement that he is more concerned with his choice of bullet, then his choice of caliber, is as good as it gets.
I have a 2 book set with the extrior ballistic charts, that com in a sperate envelope. Volume 1 is a 23 rd printing; volume 2 is a 19 th printing. All are as new.
I also have "Handbook for shooters and reloaders" .No date, but the latest entry is Sept. 1955.A supplement is available in 1959.It is plastic spiral bound, and still in good shape.It does hav lots of underlines and highligh ts.
I have neve seen anything like it.Can you help me out?
Frank

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Frank

Frank..... good to see you on the board!

Sounds like you have some real neat books there.

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MikeG

Thanks; Mike, for the kind words.
The third book seems to be a compressed version of the set.
Do you hve any inforation about it? I havenever seen another one
Frank

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Frank

No I don't Frank. Good luck - I'm sure it's a good read. I hope some folks can weigh in.....

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MikeG