History of Matlock mines, caves - book progress update

[AR]

No, we're probably looking at next year for a release date as it'll be an extremely large double issue of Mining History. One thing we are intending to do beforehand is get indications of interest from non-members of PDMHS so we have a better idea of numbers for the print run, though we can do smaller print runs later if there's demand, we did that with the issue covering Longcliffe when it sold out and there were TSG members after copies.

 

[History Trog]

I have been waiting for several months for the editor to sort out and get clearance for various of the excellent photos taken by the late Paul Deakin. This unexpected delay proved advantageous because the editor indicated that it was OK for me in the meantime to revise and resubmit the diagrams that I had already sent in.
I can now manage to draw even the most complex maps entirely on Photoshop (I know it is not rocket science, just that I am not very good on computers). So I completely redid the maps for Heights of Abraham area (that single one took all my spare time for a month), Masson, Seven Rakes, and Matlock Town, using a better base map and adding more detail and correcting some errors and interpretations. The other maps have just been touched up. Also redid completely the survey of the Hopping system, though other surveys, sections, etc were OK. Effectively, the whole book has been through yet another unpublished edition. Am very pleased with the new maps - I was told to do definitive text for the book and that my field maps (used for many years) were also essential so it was worth making the extra effort.

I shall be able to hand in the revised diagrams in the near future but am having to wait for the editor to sort out the photos to use before I can submit the final photos. Much work then awaits for the editor and his team.

 

[Brains]

Thanks for the updates.
Will you be creating a "pre order" type of thing to get numbers?
Looking forward to it!

 

[AR]

Possibly just collecting expressions of interest rather than formal pre-ordering, though we haven't made a decision on that yet. We usually reckon on printing a small surplus of each edition of MH to cover new joiners during the membership year and some to sell in the Museum shop. As long as we don't get a lot of people saying they want a copy then failing to stump up the cash when it's published, having slightly more than originally intended in the Museum stock cupboards shouldn't be a big issue.

Of course, there is the option of joining PDMHS to ensure getting a copy...

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Not sure but some of my wife’s cakes will be!

To keep on then, I hope they're rock cakes

 

[Noveltybobble]

Hello, is there any progress with this? Really interested in getting a copy when available!

 

[History Trog]

Thank you for your interest. The text, 64 diagrams and their captions are all finalized and with the editor. About a month ago, the editor told me that John Barnatt had said that the Paul Deakin photos that Lynn Willies had kindly given me would be clear of copyright and OK to use. However, am still waiting for a few photos of Devonshire Cavern, which the editor said PDMHS members would supply.
I will be glad to see it in print - I cannot alter the text and it reminds me of having handed in one's paper in a very stiff exam and then agonizing over whether one could have done better. Have been trying to get it published ever since 1976. Dr Trev Ford of Leicester Uni Geol Dept then told me not to publish it but instead do it as a PhD thesis, which was the start of this marathon task.
Am waiting on the editor for developments - he has a marathon job as well.