OK, I'm finishing up my Sandow & Lewis' "Wrestling" and am starting a Shaw's "Teacher of Sparring." It has ~63 pages of actual content and then an additional 18 pages of period advertising. Now, in many of the books I've republished, I've included the period advertising but this represents over 20% of the manual in period advertising. I have left them in in the past for historical accuracy and interest but now I'm beginning to question if it is desired. And the Police Gazette boxing manuals I have are even worse in that the advertising is in the front of the book. So, just sort of an informal poll here, what's your preference, include the period advertisements (everything from firearms through "dog jewelry") or leave them out? Peace favor your sword, Kirk
What effect does it have on the overall price of the book? If it drastically reduces what a reader has to pay, it might be worth it. And if the ads are all segregated in one area (either the front or the back), instead of constantly interrupting the content, I can't say I mind.
As Mitlov commented, does it cost more and take more of your time to reproduce? Personally I would leave them in - adds character. Louie
I just realized I misunderstood what we were talking about. I thought someone had added modern advertisements for historical recreation stuff to the back of the manual, not that the manual had advertisements in it when new and that the recreation of the manual recreated the advertisements as well. If these are advertisements that were in the original manual, from 1900 or 1800 or whatever, I'd definitely leave 'em in unless it dramatically increased the cost of printing. Like Louie said, adds character.
Yeah I think it'd be keen to have them in. Hopefully it doesn't kill with cost for the printed versions. But would be nice. It does give the work some sort of historical context/time frame.