Archive for December 2006
December 26 2006
Another item found on eBay, with dustcover artwork by Jack - one I hadn't seen before.
I have been researching Jack's immediate post-war years, when he first became associated with many of the science fiction pioneers like Asimov, de Camp, Hubbard, Merill, del Rey, Pohl and others. There is some very interesting stories on the internet about the period starting in the late 30s which involved groups such as the Futurians and the Hydra Club. Jack was supposedly introduced to the Hydra Club by Fletcher Pratt, and I am following up some leads to get confirmation of the story and perhaps some more information.
December 21 2006
I found this interesting review by Dale E. Biever of the re-issue of Jack's book "Arms and Equipment of the Civil War" at http://www.civilwarnews.com/reviews/bookreviews.cfm?ID=704.
Arms and Equipment of the Civil War
by Jack Coggins.
Illustrated, bibliography, index, softcover, 160 pp., 2004 reprint. Dover Publications Inc., 31 East 2nd St., Mineola, NY, 11501, $12.95 plus shipping.
An old friend is back in print and I for one am glad to see its reappearance. In 1962 illustrator and historian Jack Coggins published a book that was not about generals or battles but about the things one should know before delving into those areas.
Coggins’s book is set up to help those who might be interested the Civil War but perhaps are confused by the scope of the conflict and not really sure how the war was actually fought. To remedy this, his book is comprised of 10 illustrated chapters that deal with the major service branches and what made them function.
The book is a look at the more general weapons and pieces of equipment used by both armies as well as examples of exactly how they were used. Diagrams show time and pace for attacking infantry and cavalry against artillery, and what types of projectiles would be used against the attackers. There is a two-page diagram showing how siege operations were conducted and a page illustrating the positions and duties of members of a field gun crew.
Infantry and dismounted cavalry battle formations are explained and illustrated. The effect of round and conical ammunition on the attacker is shown along with what the Civil War “kill zone” would be. There are a number of tables on ammunition and artillery as well as illustrations for these areas.
Other chapters cover the medical services, subsistence departments, railroads, balloons, military telegraphy, engineers and navies. There are illustrations on every page and the inside covers show federal corps and officer rank insignia, and Confederate officer rank insignia.
This is a book of basics. When you finish you will understand combat formations and the weapons used by and against them. You will have a general knowledge of uniforms, ordnance, soldier shelters, vehicles, use of pontoons, colors, codes and field music. Now you are ready to curl up with the latest book on your favorite battle or general.
The book is well written and illustrated. It is in softcover but the paper is high quality and well bound. The author has created a work for those who are just beginning their interest in the Civil War or those who need a refresher course. This would also be an excellent background book for those taking high school or college courses about the war. Jack Coggins gave us a welcome addition to any Civil War library.
Dale E. Biever
Dale E. Biever received his M.Ed. in American history from Kutztown University. He is past vice president for administration and former member of the Board of Governors of the Company of Military Historians. A retired educator, he was registrar at the Civil War Library and Museum in Philadelphia.
December 9 2006
I have been looking into the U.S. system of book numbering; Library of Congress Control Numbers (LCCN) - look here for more about LCCN. These numbers have been allocated to most books published in the U.S. since 1898 and the Library of Congress records can be searched here. The ISBN system of book numbering (look here) has been the international standard since 1970, however the LCCN system is still being used in the U.S. in addition to ISBN.
After researching the LCCN records I found that I have copies of all of the books written and/or illustrated by Jack, and all but five of the various editions. I have a couple of his books which were published in the US, but appear to have no LCCN listing, as well as several foreign editions which of course are not listed. I have added the LCCN to the book image pages of the website, so these listings are now more formally correct.
December 3 2006
I have acquired a copy of "Premiere Croisiere Sur La Lune" from a French eBayer, so I should have the full set of foreign space books soon.
Still no success in locating any of Jack's artwork in PM Newspapers. I made contact with the Paul Milkman, the author of a major work on PM, and he was unable to assist. I have bought a few more copies of the paper, but it would be a bit like winning a lottery to find one with Jack's work out of the thousands of papers.
I am also starting some research into Saturday Evening Post, to which Jack apparently contributed some work. I have been in contact with a group in the U.S. who may be able to assist.
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