Willmann-Bell closed for business?

sutekh (M) · #1 27-10-2020, 09:05 AM

The homepage

https://www.willbell.com/

reads "We are closed for business. New orders are no longer accepted."

Temporarily, or permanently?

-- sutekh

OICURMT · #2 27-10-2020, 10:09 AM

They filed their annual report to the Virgina Secretary of State on Oct 8, 2020.

NOTE: Link below opens a PDF file.
https://cis.scc.virginia.gov/CommonH...7&sourceType=1

No update yet on Virginia Secretary of State regarding solvency.
https://cis.scc.virginia.gov/EntityS...sinessId=68973

Peter Ward · #3 27-10-2020, 02:12 PM

That would be a shame if they are no longer trading.
Willmann-Bell forms a good part of my treasured Astro-library ...and I fear their publishing demise is a sign of the times

Merlin66 (Ken) · #4 27-10-2020, 02:44 PM

A sad, sad day for astronomy.

OICURMT · #5 28-10-2020, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

That would be a shame if they are no longer trading.
Willmann-Bell forms a good part of my treasured Astro-library ...and I fear their publishing demise is a sign of the times

Agreed, some of their books were one of a kind and difficult to get.

If they have a clearance sale, I'll be all over it...

anthony.tony · #6 29-10-2020, 06:49 PM

I think this is all. The frieght to Aust. Was a killer for me.The Shame is I don’t think you can buy these books anywhere else. Tony

anthony.tony · #7 30-10-2020, 05:48 PM

Hello I had another dig found these . In Canowindra we have an independent book researcher and book seller. As well as being a lovely Lady . She was great at sourcing books. She got me a good few of these books.She has passed away a few years ago but her daughter carries on ...Tony

anthony.tony · #8 31-10-2020, 08:15 AM

The William Bell Catalog 44 .A listing of all books and Media .Tony. Serving Astronomers Worldwide Since 1973..

anthony.tony · #9 31-10-2020, 11:08 AM

Star Testing Astronomical Telescpes.The Bible to Tuning telescope Optics.I dig deeper and found this beauty..Tony

Max Vondel (Peter) · #10 31-10-2020, 11:12 AM

Sad to see. I guess too many using information on the internet instead of books. It's a sign of the times unfortunately

astroron (Ron) · #11 31-10-2020, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthony.tony

Hello I had another dig found these . In Canowindra we have an independent book researcher and book seller. As well as being a lovely Lady . She was great at sourcing books. She got me a good few of these books.She has passed away a few years ago but her daughter carries on ...Tony

I have the Arp Atlas and did have "The Dobsonian Telescope" but I lent it to some one quite a few years ago and it never found it's way back to me.
Can't remember who it was

Great books.

Cheers

anthony.tony · #12 31-10-2020, 02:45 PM

I’ll open my “The Dobsonian Telescope”and see if your name is on it.What you just said is A Truth . Lending Books to people can Prove Fatal..I’ve been there..Some Books run out of print near impossible to buy again..My Collection of William Bell Books go back over 12 years..Tony..

jamespierce (James) · #13 02-11-2020, 05:02 PM

Like many on this thread I have a great number of their books on the shelf. What does it mean for the Annals of the Deep Sky - My great fear with the series was it wouldn't get finished somehow. My guess is it's ~20 books... 7 of 20 ... oh dear.

A quick google says they have book 8 at the printers, unsure how to sell now. Book 9 is written.

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #14 02-11-2020, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamespierce

Like many on this thread I have a great number of their books on the shelf. What does it mean for the Annals of the Deep Sky - My great fear with the series was it wouldn't get finished somehow. My guess is it's ~20 books... 7 of 20 ... oh dear.

My understanding was that they planned 24 volumes... lets hope someone else takes up the challenge.

Malcolm

jamespierce (James) · #15 02-11-2020, 05:14 PM

Yup - A remarkable series. A level of quality and detail rarely seen now. But I know from friends in the game just how hard publishing is, let alone astronomy publishing.

astroron (Ron) · #16 02-11-2020, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthony.tony

I’ll open my “The Dobsonian Telescope”and see if your name is on it.What you just said is A Truth . Lending Books to people can Prove Fatal..I’ve been there..Some Books run out of print near impossible to buy again..My Collection of William Bell Books go back over 12 years..Tony..

Thanks Tony,but even if it was mine,you wouldn't know it as I am not one to put my name in any books I own.
I just hope the person who has it put it to good use.
Cheers

michaellxv (Michael) · #17 07-12-2020, 10:51 PM

For anyone who still uses AIP4win I just found out that it no longer requires online registration. https://www.willbell.com/aip4win/aip.htm

The link works today, get it while you can.

regards
Michael

astro744 · #18 10-12-2020, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaellxv

For anyone who still uses AIP4win I just found out that it no longer requires online registration. https://www.willbell.com/aip4win/aip.htm

The link works today, get it while you can.

regards
Michael

The software works best in tandem with the book which may be hard to get now if you haven’t already bought it. The new version install readme file hints at a new vendor for Willmann-Bell publications so perhaps business will continue again soon.

I have the book and older registered version of the software which I had to uninstall before I could install the newer non-registered and updated version of the software. If you are a beginner you will find it difficult without the book.