First, we’re sorry for the mistakes. Second, we’re correcting them.
Readers have noticed that a handful of text pages are missing from our reprint of Joseph Moxon’s “Mechanick Exercises” (not 288-307 between “Bricklayers Work” and “Mechanick Dyalling” – those are missing from all extant period copies we can find). So, we’re recycling the copies at the warehouse, and reprinting the entire book. When the new copies are in – it will take about 10 weeks – we’ll contact those who’ve already bought it, and send the new one (no need to return the old ones).
And obviously, we’ve stopped selling the “bad” copies; we’ll put “Mechanick Exercises” back in the store when the new print run arrives.
– Fitz
Thank you!
Ouch. Being a conscientious publisher is expensive. Maybe you can sell a Mechanick Exercises poster to help make up for the losses? 😁
Sounds like this book’s curse is alive and running unabated.
Nooooooo! I want the collectable misprint!
Well, what are you looking to spend? What can I do to get you into a misprinted Moxon book today?
Thanks for going the extra mile to make it right. Your dedication to quality is admirable and appreciated!
Exactly which pages are missing?
It looked like 283-307 might not be there, but most of the page numbers otherwise seem to be there, with illustrated pages not being numbered and/or having blank backs.
169, 211, 284-287
Pages 169 and 211 are both next to plates in the text. The plates should be blank on the reverse side, being unnumbered pages; instead it looks like in both these cases the pages got dropped and their following pages (170 and 212) got printed on the back of plates, so the page numbers don’t show a break.
I believe the copy I have in my possession meets all of my needs. Please give me the opportunity to opt out of a new copy.
We’ll be in touch when the corrected books are available. Please let us know then!
Good job!! Appreciate that you are doing that! Thanks! ( in reference to fixing the missing pages thing!!)
No problem, this actually makes my copy more valuable, since it is now a rare misprinted version of “Mechanick Exercises”.
Thank you for making this right. LAP operates with integrity and always places customers first, which is why we will always support everything you do.
Not a problem. Actually, my copy is now more valuable, since it a rare, misprinted version of “Mechanick Exercises”.
Oh man. I’m sorry about this! This stuff sucks but you’re appreciated for handling it as well as everyone already knew you would.
Thanks so much for reacting so promptly and properly – it’s one of the reasons I like LAP so much!
Is there any way we can help offset the cost of reprinting? Maybe a bake sale?
Just box up one of your kidneys and send it to…..
Nah. We’re fine. This is the first time we’ve had to pulp a press run in 15 years (since we started LAP).
got mine last week and just pulled it out to read this morning. Damn. sorry you have to deal with this. thanks for fixing it.
There seems to be a 4th edition printed in 1703 (I think after Moxon died). It includes chapters 15, 16, and 17. Link here… https://books.google.com/books?id=t_IRCzjTf08C&pg=PA237#v=onepage&q&f=false
That version does not contain the pages between bricklaying and “dyalling” either
It’s a confusing book. Plates and blank pages didn’t have page numbers. I knew there were pages missing from all extant copies. Heck, Moxon sold them with missing pages. The only anomaly I caught was page 169. I count 406 “pages,” but the highest page number is 352.
I still assert that the Moxon/Schwarz Art of Joinery is far more valuable to us that the original Moxon. And Chris is giving that away, gratis.
When given the option, I don’t need to be sent the fixed version. And I’ve bout two with the flaws. If you could, I wouldn’t mind seeing pdfs of the missing pages.
First have to say, I love everything about LAP books. I’m a novice woodworker, but I’ve been in the printing business for 40 years. Sometimes things go wrong. When they do, how you react is an opportunity to impress the customer. I had a pretty good idea of how LAP would react to this problem. You’ve impressed this customer, and I’m certain others as well. I’ve kept misprinted items over the years because they are unique and help me keep things in proper perspective. I’m keeping this one as well!
Another good reason to support LAP. Your commitment to quality is to be commended. Keep up the good work!
A case of above and beyond – not typical of the usual behaviour of publishers and printers. That early printed edition of the Bible comes to mind. One of the Ten Commandments was inverted (omitting the ‘not’…). The typesetter was put to death, but the publisher kept on selling the good book. (Scribes may have been involved with them adding the word ‘not’ in situ.)
There have been multiple occasions of mistakes where as an afterthought an inserted slip of paper with the mistakes listed sufficed to ‘correct’ the issue. In one instance the list of mistakes may have exceeded the number of pages of the original work, but I can not quite remember the title …
How about the typo that said priests had to be celebate. There was supposed to be an r in that word.
A friend of mine owns a copy with the missing pages. It was published by Praeger Publishers in 1970. ISN 69-19363
Well gosh – I’ll have to get my hands on a copy then! Thank you.
Correction: On closer inspection my friends copy was also missing those pages. Sorry
No worries – hadn’t yet hit “buy” 🙂
Once again, we see that Lost Art Press is a class act.
Thank you Chris and company!
I’m just happy that the pages are in order. A copy I bought from another seller was pretty much a zerox copy of William Studd’s copy that he inscribed his signature in the back end page in March 27 1775, He also recorded the birth of “Hennery Studd – Son of (sp) Elzibeth Born February the 21 1784”. This was a poor copy as the pages were disordered in some sections so orderly pages are very much appreciated.
Thank you for that update and also for what you are doing. The level of integrity that you guys consistently show in your work and business practices is greatly appreciated.