1959 Owners-Operations Manual

[Gerald C.]

Can someone tell me what to look for between an original and a reproduction book?

Thanks

[Ian G.]

Re: 1959 Owners-Operations Manual

try this:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...=8370#poststop

[Gerald C.]

Re: 1959 Owners-Operations Manual

UPDATE: My manual is a second edition with # 3758068 in the contents page. It also has the owners kit card still attached.

It is in excellent condition.

Can anybody give me an idea as to its worth?

Thanks,

Jerry

[Gary C.]

Re: 1959 Owners-Operations Manual

Jerry, in original manuals pictures are very sharp. Carpet grain and brake/clutch pedal can be clearly and easily seen. Gary....

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1959 Owners-Operations Manual

Can someone tell me what to look for between an original and a reproduction book?

Thanks

Gerald;
I assume that you`re referring to the Owners Manual and not the Fuel Injection Booklet that came with every FI equipped Corvette.

[Gerald C.]

Re: 1959 Owners-Operations Manual

Chuck,

You are correct. I have the owners manual and not the FI book.

Thanks,

Jerry

[Dave S.]

Re: 1959 Owners-Operations Manual

Chuck,

You are correct. I have the owners manual and not the FI book.

Thanks,

Jerry

Gerald,
For some reason there is an abundance of reproduction Owners manuals. They all had Corvette news cards. They are easy to spot i.e. pages not properly seperated, printing is tilted, etc. As Gary mentioned the quality of the photography is poor on the reproductions but they do not say reproduction on them.

[Ian G.]

Re: 1959 Owners-Operations Manual

I just bought what is purported to be an original first edition 1959 owners manual on eBay. I asked the right questions... off white pages, no void on the back of the card, does it say reprint, it says first edition and has the part number, no 60's ads at the back, it has color photos, etc. But I didn't ask to see close ups of internal photography. For anyone that has seen a reproduction manual, do they tend to have white pages or off white like the originals? I haven't received my manual yet, so I'm a little nervous since the condition is pretty good. Has anyone heard of a reprinted first edition manual? I hate having to ask to return stuff but I paid a pretty penny for it

[Ian G.]

Re: 1959 Owners-Operations Manual

should the pictures be black and white on the inside of the manual on an original manual? I looked at the pics and they are very sharp. For instance, I was told the clutch and gas pedal should be very sharp on an original and they do on the one I just got, but are very dark on the reprint I have of the 2nd edition.

[Dave S.]

Re: 1959 Owners-Operations Manual

should the pictures be black and white on the inside of the manual on an original manual? I looked at the pics and they are very sharp. For instance, I was told the clutch and gas pedal should be very sharp on an original and they do on the one I just got, but are very dark on the reprint I have of the 2nd edition.

Ian,
All the printing and photos are black and white. In 1959 there was a poor reprint along with the Helm re-issue. The reprint had very poor quality printing and photos and the re-issue was somewhat clearer. Its hard for me to adsvise you due to the 3 possible manuals that exist. (reprint - re-issue - original). If your photos are relatively crisp and you have either a full or 1/2 Corvette News card then you most likely have an original. 59 was the first year for the CN card.

[Ian G.]

Re: 1959 Owners-Operations Manual

The one I have has off-white pages, says 1958 on the second page, says first print, etc. No Helm ads. The pictures are very crispm, and lighter compared to the second edition new reprint I have (where the printing is lopsided, nearly black in dark spots, etc as well). It also has a full card. I'm pretty confident I got an original, which is a relief.

[Dave S.]

Re: 1959 Owners-Operations Manual

The one I have has off-white pages, says 1958 on the second page, says first print, etc. No Helm ads. The pictures are very crispm, and lighter compared to the second edition new reprint I have (where the printing is lopsided, nearly black in dark spots, etc as well). It also has a full card. I'm pretty confident I got an original, which is a relief.

Ian,
Seems like you have many of the details that determines an original. Some "patina" on the white pages is good. Another test is to see if you get "paper smell" when you get your nose close. As you mentioned a sure way to determine a repro is the crooked printing on the various pages. 59 had a bunch of those for some reason.

[Ian G.]

Re: 1959 Owners-Operations Manual

I imagine the patina is the acid in the paper yellowing the page over time... You can see that in old books and comic books too. But they had less acid in paper back then (higher quality paper). The cover is in really good shape.