EJ Hartung's Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Can someone clue me in, what is the fuss with this book?

Is it something special about the 2nd edition or are all versions of this book quite sort after?

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

Its because it is out of print and hard to find a copy. It is one of the few books that deals with the deep sky in the southern hemisphere. Back when it was printed it was about the only book around on the subject, but there are a few more options now.

[gary]

Edition 2 saw the introductory chapters re-written, approximately 100 new
objects added and some corrections made. Object positions were precessed
forward from the B1950 Epoch of the original edition to J2000.0.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Mt. Kuring-Gai

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

It's a fantastic source of information on all Southern objects; galaxies, double stars, clusters etc etc etc - ideal for the beginner and the visual observer.
Hartung prepared the notes from visual observations with his 12" reflector.
Highly recommended.

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

I understand the usefulness of the book, I have a first edition paper back from 1984.

But I cant understand the prices being asked for.

I picked mine up at the local church book sales for a song compared to what they are being sold for.

[taminga16 (Greg)]

The subject of bargain prices comes up time and again, one can only think that it is a bit of the thrill of the chase. There is a member on this forum who has a copy of every edition including the paper backed 'students' edition.
Greg.

[casstony]

Originally Posted by tlgerdes

I understand the usefulness of the book, I have a first edition paper back from 1984.

But I cant understand the prices being asked for.

I sold an LX90 for a song but I could sell my Hartung's for twice what I paid for it. Supply and demand dictates prices - as always, no point arguing with the market.

I note Unipol has a Hartung for sale at above new price, but he has also sold scopes here at bargain prices.

[thomqos (Russell)]

I have a much used copy I got in about 1990. Its pages are starting to look yellowed now, but the binding is fine.
Grey paperback cover with red on the front.
I love the book & will never sell it.

[taminga16 (Greg)]

Hartung was a grumpy old bugger (I worked from a lot of his material at RMIT/ Melb Uni), sadlly his observatory was lost in the bushfires of 1983 but his 30cm telescope is at Monash University and is still in use.
Greg.
I did but see him passing by.....with apologies.
I happened upon a 2nd edition copy at a local library sale for a princely sum of under $10.00, bloody bean counters.

[John W (John Wilkinson)]

Hi Everyone, I just checked my hardcopy of this book - its must be a first edition, 1968 printing with blue dust jacket in excellent condition. Wonder what its worth? I'm keeping it. Cheers, John W.

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

John,
Yeah, sounds like you have a first edition, of the first edition of Hartung...
(I have details of Hartung's own corrections if you're interested)

[Kunama]

My copy is the 1984 First Edition paperback previously belonging to James Dana Patchick, discoverer of Supernova 1987L in NGC2336.

[beren]

It's a great book shame it's not still in print. Worth a look if your local library has it, the 3 libraries in my area have two copies that I constantly loan and constantly receive overdue notices ......have even received two replacement bills of $15, very tempting but I believe in karma and would be cursed with cloudy nights everlasting if I took advantage

[raymo]

I suspect that the second edition might be worth more. The people
wanting the first edition would probably be book collectors, whereas
the buyers of the second edition would probably be more interested
in the updated and extra information it contains, not to mention the
pretty pictures. Of course, I could be completely wrong.
raymo

[Wavytone]

The send edition of Hartung's book was edited and significantly updated by Davids Malin and Frew.

The collectible ones are those in mint condition with dust jacket and signed in ink on the flyleaf by David Malin (I was one who stood in the queue to have it signed), arguably it is a collectible as there are people willing to pay quite a lot for one - sold mine on IIS for considerably more than I paid.

From a practical standpoint, the internet era has superseded books like this. Do not be a dummy and pony up megabucks for an unsigned second edition or the first edition, its nothing special.

[5ash (Philip)]

I bought a secondhand telescope a few years ago and it came with a pile of books including the second edition in mint condition. I saw one being sold on IIS at $200+ and wondered why it was worth so much. I asked a veteran amateur astronomer friend who said he'd phone up David Malin and ask him. David said that the reason of the high price was probably due to it being a limited print edition. I sold mine for $200 to an IIS member , probably could have asked for more at the time but I got it as a bargain anyway!
Philip