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Colorful Memories of Reading's Shamokin Division by Gerard Bernet soft cover
Colorful Memories of Readings Shamokin Division by Gerard Bernet Featuring the photography of Bruce & Arch Kantner Soft Cover 48 pages
Introduction
The ink had not yet fully cured on Anthracite Country Color when that same phone, made famous in ACC's introduction, was ringing off the hook. "So when's Volume Two coming out?" was the repeated question. At first, this question was accepted as flattery but after the millionth time it was asked it was treated as contempt. Mike Bednar was the straw that broke the camel's back with his high praise. When it was explained that the cream of Bruce's slides was already presented in ACC, there was a pregnant pause. "Boy you people in Jersey really live a rich life, so when you take the cream off the top of the bottle do you throw away the rest of the milk?" He certainly had me there. No, life in NJ does not allow the milk to be discarded and after a few more minutes of discussion I promised myself to again look at the unused material from the first go around.
A few days later Bruce was called with news of very brisk sales of the book, which he was happy to hear. A simple question was asked of him to see if he was pleased with the result and to make sure everything was handled in a professional, business like manner. His praise was quick and enthusiastic and he was just as happy to hear the next question. Would you like to see a volume two, using other the slides from your collection? The answer to that is obviously sitting before your eyes.
Yes, even with the cream skimmed off the top it became obvious that two additional books could be produced. The first, which lay before your eyes touches on a topic near and dear to Bruce's heart, the Reading's Shamokin Division. While it does not cover the division end to end, it does provide a fond look back at that often overlooked region of the Reading. Next in the trilogy, it was decided to broaden the area of interest and not entirely remain within the strict anthracite region. Because of the varying degrees of coverage of the roads in review, it can easily be understood then, why this is not simply an ACC Volume 2 with a Volume 3 to follow. In addition, by allowing those topical boundaries to expand, more cream was allowed to rise to the surface!
One last item of commentary is needed. Since ACC first hit the streets, Bob Pennisi of Railroad Avenue Enterprises has been in contact with other photographers concerning the use of their slides. In some cases, work is already progressing on future titles but it would be wise to let you know a little of the background work that goes into producing one of these books.
Bruce opened his door and let us invade his slide collection, both Bob and I exhibited a trust which allowed us that luxury. When it came to picking the slides it was easy to see a theme and a variety within that theme. Seventy slides, all taken at the same location, does not make for a good book. Many slides were reviewed and many were discarded because of film deterioration or poor focus. That color slide you may have of NYC's 999 making its famous speed run (if a color slide could even exist) is not of much print value if it is blurry and discolored. So you must understand then that not all slides are worthy of print and that it takes a whole lot more then the slides you see here to be cultivated into a top notch production. The same thought holds true when it comes to the railroads covered. A reader did write to ask why his favorite road, the Lehigh & New England, was not covered since it was so close in proximity to the area. To be blunt, Bruce did not have any photos of the LNE except one, only a fair view. It was not good enough nor provided sufficient coverage to make its inclusion worthwhile. (We would be happy to hear from anyone who has a selection of LNE slides and is interested in seeing them in print.)
All pictures are of the actual item. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
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