Won’t be there for obvious reasons. The Herb Lester(esque) “Guide to Ivy??  as you probably well know TRS has been in the offing since the Harry Stedman days. Your old mucka Phil had myself and your other old mucka Mr Marsh attached to it as a side-project but it never came to fruition beyond a phone call or two.
I look forward to acquiring a copy however, I like his illustrations and already have three of his books.

‘Herb Lester, that has got to be the Ivyest name ever.’

Or an artisan cheese that would only be available at Paxton & Whitfield.

What happens at a book launch? Are there speeches?

Kingston1an- ‘ What happens at a book launch? Are there speeches? ‘

The couple I’ve been to involved wandering around quaffing free drink with, I suppose, an unspoken expectation that you buy the book which the author could sign for you. Free drink is probably the best bit.

I see from the Herb Lester site that The Illustrated Ivy Guide is £12, which seems a lot for a piece of printed paper. I have bought a few of their city guide maps which are a more acceptable £4, what you are paying for is the insider knowledge about a place that may not be in a mainstream guide book,, this can make all the difference to a trip.

Last edited by FlatSixC (2022-08-31 05:36:44)

2RS - personally, if I’m going anywhere I always check to see if there is a Herb Lester guide available. The knowledge about unique places, often off the tourist trail, is well worth the expenditure, in fact I would pay more for the city guides. I need to revisit Rome and if I do I will no doubt be following in your footsteps.

I’m finding the same principle with the Perambulations maps I mentioned in the Moochers thread. They encourage you to visit places you would never go to in the normal way of things.

Last edited by FlatSixC (2022-08-31 08:16:46)

That’s Ben Olins, right?

I'm not a pub person, but Ben has good taste and I'd imagine his boozers will be the best.

Launch at JS on 22nd Sept, 6-8PM

Not sure I can make it yet, as I have to take a days leave.

If so I'll be "Billy No Mates".

FlatSixC : I’m planning to attend so you would be Billyonemate.

Ha ha, unfortunately I'm going to bail, work has piled up and I'm unable to take a days leave.

I went along to this last night and had a great evening drinking beer and chatting to cool cats, most notably our own 2RS who is always great to see in person. JS, the great man himself, was also in attendance and on excellent form.

Needless to say I succumbed and electrically handed over my £12 for a copy of the Ivy Illustrated ‘poster guide’. Is it worth it? It depends on your viewpoint of where value lies, I would say a resounding ‘Yes’. It’s a bit more than a sheet of paper. It’s presented in a nice little A5’ish size printed folder. The Kazuo Haozumi Ivy illustrations are beautifully reproduced and the whole layout and design of the piece is faultless, even down to the great paper it is printed on. Herb Lester at their best If you have an interest in the subject and you like to have nice things in your home to look at occasionally then it’s an essential buy.

I have a few of the City Guides. The Old New York one was useful to remind myself where certain things were.

I also used the Washington one.

I like them more for the design than the information though. They're beautifully crafted and as FSC points out it's pleasurable to own these things

My copy arrived in the post today. Superb.

I'm so sorry I missed last night. I hope it was massive success for all concerned.

It's Friday, the last weekend before the Jewish new year on Monday. I'm sitting here enjoying a fabulous Risotto, a glass of New Zealand Chard and reading the Herb Lester publication. Life cannot get much better.