ThePortForum.com

An ambiguous message was been received from the fulfilment company, at about 4pm today = Fri 30^th Nov.

> Just to let you know, the job is ready for dispatch. I will have the bulks dispatched on Monday, so you should receive yours by Tuesday.

Given that fifty are being delivered to me, that might mean that the non-bulks have been shipped today. Have they? And how many books is “bulk”? I asked by email (no reply); I phoned (several times; phone not answered). Sigh. The ambiguity is not my fault, except in the sense that it came from my subcontractor. Sorry: I do understand that it irritating me does not help you.

So, when your book(s) arrive, if you are able to post in here on ThePortForum (or on FTLOP), please help the others by posting to say how many arrived, and when. Please also say approximately where you are in the world, and whether you are remotely rural or speedily urban.

Thank you.

Despite this, I’m confident you will be pleased. Reading it will take you several Imperials.

The author has confessed to finding an error in his copy of The Book. One error in 395,000 words.

I am deeply impressed and look forward enormously to receiving my copy. On Christmas Day I shall be ignoring the family and reading The Book.

Message received from the fulfilment company, at about noon today = Mon 3^rd Dec.

> The singles (1 copy) mailed on Friday and bulks (2 and above) are leaving from today. You will receive yours tomorrow. 10 boxes.

I know that a single ordered to London did not arrive today, but tomorrow, Tue 4th Dec, is surely quite likely.

As said before, please, when your book(s) arrive, if you are able to post here on ThePortForum (or on FTLOP), please help the others by posting to say how many arrived, and when. Please also say approximately where you are in the world, and whether you are remotely rural or speedily urban.

Thank you.

PS: the ‘advertising’ did say “Delivery expected before Christmas”; tomorrow is three weeks before that day.

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AHB wrote: ↑20:50 Sun 02 Dec 2018The author has confessed to finding an error in his copy of The Book. One error in 395,000 words.

On page 603: “There are pictures of other Wine Society labels: Warre 1934 on page 521; Cálem Quinta da Foz 1963 on page 19; Cálem Quinta da Foz 1966 on page 19; and Gould Campbell 1977 on page 193.”

Alas (feel my pain!) this omits a Cálem Quinta da Foz 1958 on p18. But page 18 is opposite p19, to which there is a pointer (twice — Cá63 and CáF66), so readers are no more than slightly disadvantaged.

jdaw1 wrote: ↑19:22 Mon 03 Dec 2018 Message received from the fulfilment company, at about noon today = Mon 3^rd Dec.

> The singles (1 copy) mailed on Friday and bulks (2 and above) are leaving from today. You will receive yours tomorrow. 10 boxes.

And have you?

Reports have been received of single books arriving in Cornwall, and in St Andrews. A bulk shipment of books arrived in South London. But a single that was ordered to be delivered to my office in central London did not come today (Tue 4^th Dec).

Make of that what you will.

Edit: also a single near Romford.

Two books arrived safely in Chesterfield this morning

My order for a single volume arrived this afternoon between 16.00 and 17.00 GMT.

It was delivered to me in Sanderstead, approx 10 miles south of Charing Cross in C London.
Some Sanderstead stats for those unfamiliar...

Population - 12,777 (2011 Ward)[1]
UK OS grid reference - TQ337613
London borough - Croydon
Ceremonial county - Greater London
Region - London
Country - England
Sovereign state - United Kingdom
Post town - SOUTH CROYDON
Postcode district - CR2

At first look it is just as impressive as I hoped and expected from the Author. I am very much looking forward to some quality quiet time to give it the attention it deserves.

I am, of course, more than happy to sign page 608 for anyone that wishes.

I had a UPS card for a missed delivery yesterday, so I anticipate picking up my delivery this afternoon.

My copy of The Book arrived here in speedily urban London today, and it looks very good indeed. I am most certainly not disappointed.

I picked up my copy this afternoon. I look forward to a long, long read.

Delicious review comment: “There is some truly useless information in there!”

Still no sign of my book

Julian, two books arrived today (Italy)...
Only a shame that the company packed the precious books in a very very simple cardboard box with no protection of the sides and corners...
(bit crushed)
For the rest it looks very good. Thank you.

Where did the review appear?

AHB wrote: ↑23:59 Thu 06 Dec 2018Where did the review appear?

In an email.

Caparica wrote: ↑23:09 Thu 06 Dec 2018Only a shame that the company packed the precious books in a very very simple cardboard box with no protection of the sides and corners...

The fulfilment company have acknowledged the problem, but tell me that it affects only a small number of packages.

I’m pleased the books survived despite the packing.

Mine (one copy) arrived yesterday morning via Royal Mail. In Kent, nowhere exotic.

jdaw1 wrote: ↑08:33 Fri 07 Dec 2018I’m pleased the books survived despite the packing.

Caparica wrote: ↑23:09 Thu 06 Dec 2018(bit crushed)

Are you both saying the same thing here?

I took mine home last night. You received another review this morning. Mrs B said "It looks really professional and the pictures are very pretty."

I have just joined the forum having just received a copy of the book. It is very interesting and like the Oxford Companion books (I am thinking of the wine one edited by Jancis Robinson and the food edition by Davidson) one is encouraged to browse and explore. Clearly this was a labour of love and it is amazing what an extremely dedicated amateur can accomplish over a decade. I think I shall try to find some average house prices and salaries from various points in time to see what would have been the best decade to have been a port drinker.

As i said the books arrived bit crushed on the side and corner...
The used cardboard box was too thin... and can't absorb even small shocks during the shipment.
A simple bubble wrap could prevent this very good and it is very cheap.
Maybe in the next edition they will take more care with the packaging.

Just received mine in Brighton. Seems to be a very thorough affair!

Caparica wrote: ↑14:19 Sat 08 Dec 2018As i said the books arrived bit crushed on the side and corner...
The used cardboard box was too thin... and can't absorb even small shocks during the shipment.
A simple bubble wrap could prevent this very good and it is very cheap.
Maybe in the next edition they will take more care with the packaging.

Some, but not all, were packed badly. About this I am both sorry and angry.

Were the books OK?

My copies were collected today having missed a courier on Wednesday. No chance to read yet!

Not received my 2 copies (2 separate orders) yet. Hopefully they will arrive next week.

gerwin.degraaf wrote: ↑17:50 Sat 08 Dec 2018Not received my 2 copies (2 separate orders) yet. Hopefully they will arrive next week.

This evening I will get your data (from a file to quick I don't have access at work) and have fulfillment company report.

jdaw1 wrote: ↑13:48 Mon 10 Dec 2018

gerwin.degraaf wrote: ↑17:50 Sat 08 Dec 2018Not received my 2 copies (2 separate orders) yet. Hopefully they will arrive next week.

This evening I will get your data (from a file to quick I don't have access at work) and have fulfillment company report.

Both books were delivered in good order yesterday afternoon (Dec. 11, Sprundel, Netherlands, rural area near Breda) . Looks very impressive !

Both books have arrived this morning in Los Angeles, Ca.

Received my 3 copies about 2 weeks ago; though received notification that they were on their way about 3 days ago...

Though I'm in Perth, only a hour's drive from Glasgow where I think you'd said they were being published and despatched from, so would have to be a pretty lousy courier to damage books in such a short time! All in perfect condition, and looking quite a significant piece of work.

I received a notification yesterday but nothing arrived today. Surprised that a delivery to California beat one crossing the Irish Sea!

The 6 copies for the Sammamish Port Club arrived today. (West coast, USA.) I received two shipping notices on December 12, but only one tracking number, so my hope is that my separate single-copy order will arrive tomorrow. The single was the first "test" order from outside the UK.

Justin K wrote: ↑21:26 Thu 13 Dec 2018 I received a notification yesterday but nothing arrived today. Surprised that a delivery to California beat one crossing the Irish Sea!

Our postal service is just warming itself up for post-Brexit service standards, Justin

Panic over, arrived this morning to W23 KX3P Co. Meath, Republic of Ireland. Bedtime reading for the next month, very impressive production Julian.

Justin K wrote: ↑23:22 Sat 15 Dec 2018Panic over, arrived this morning to W23 KX3P Co. Meath, Republic of Ireland. Bedtime reading for the next month, very impressive production Julian.

Excellent. Post-Brexit Britain will have an entry exam for dodgy foreigners: perhaps Port Vintages could be the textbook. Prepare for the exam!

Super anxious in New York waiting for my single copy of the book. Few bottles of VP from 60's and 70's standing in my cellar waiting to be drank while reading Port Vintages.

differentdave wrote: ↑14:17 Mon 17 Dec 2018Super anxious in New York waiting for my single copy of the book. Few bottles of VP from 60's and 70's standing in my cellar waiting to be drank while reading Port Vintages.

Post has been slow. You are, alas, not the only person waiting.

Should we start a thread on TPF to help the author with his second edition? We could create a list of Ports we encounter which are not mentioned in the book, along with photographic evidence to back up our findings.

AHB wrote: ↑13:47 Wed 19 Dec 2018 Should we start a thread on TPF to help the author with his second edition? We could create a list of Ports we encounter which are not mentioned in the book, along with photographic evidence to back up our findings.

Sounds like a plan! I would be more than happy to help

AHB wrote: ↑13:47 Wed 19 Dec 2018Should we start a thread on TPF to help the author with his second edition? We could create a list of Ports we encounter which are not mentioned in the book, along with photographic evidence to back up our findings.

The Book wrote:Errors surely remain. Those outside quotations are mine; those inside quotations might also be mine, but at least sometimes are of whoever is quoted.

It is intended to list errata and additions at www.PortVintages.com.

Such a document is already being drafted. Please do send contributions, with details: auction house, date, lot number, photographs; when and where drunk, for what occasion, where and how documented, tasting notes, and photographs again. Yes please.

Received the book on Tuesday evening. Box was opened on one side and book had been removed from package, placed back into box and box repaired with packing tape. Aside from bent covers and little spine damagd book looks super awesome (love the size of the pages, the font and font size, pictures and graphics look great, etc). I am very excited to start reading the book. Dow 63 and 77 are the first 2 bottles I plan on drinking while reading.
Congrats again Julian mazel tov!

differentdave wrote: ↑19:34 Thu 20 Dec 2018Received the book on Tuesday evening. Box was opened on one side and book had been removed from package, placed back into box and box repaired with packing tape. Aside from bent covers and little spine damagd book looks super awesome (love the size of the pages, the font and font size, pictures and graphics look great, etc). I am very excited to start reading the book. Dow 63 and 77 are the first 2 bottles I plan on drinking while reading.
Congrats again Julian mazel tov!

I’m sorry the fulfilment company has been incompetent.

And thank you to all, including you, who have accepted a ‘working copy’ in the slightly imperfect condition that it might have reached anyway. Even though only ‘might’.

The Book arrived in Telemark, Norway today.
Slightly damp cardboard, torn hole in one corner.
Book however, in perfect condition.
Thank You!

Book arrived here in NY, slight ding on the corners but otherwise vrey good condition

Book arrived in Gothenburg today. It’s in perfect condition, no shipping problems.

Marvellous to browse through. I already have one amendment for second edition...

Listed as “Maren” on p. 541, the photographed entry in fact reads “Waren” - that’s an 18th-century upper case roundhand W at the start (see, for instance, this handwriting primer for the two versions of W in use at this point.

I look forward to reading and finding further errors. Well done, JDAW.

djewesbury wrote: ↑17:25 Fri 28 Dec 2018Marvellous to browse through. I already have one amendment for second edition...

Even at a distance of 650 miles the smugness is palpable. Well done.

differentdave wrote: ↑19:34 Thu 20 Dec 2018Received the book on Tuesday [dec 18]evening.

g-man wrote: ↑22:58 Wed 26 Dec 2018Book arrived here in NY

Fingers crossed that mine's not far behind, but it hasn't arrived yet...

The book arrived in Illinois on Christmas Eve, and looks excellent.

AHB wrote: ↑13:47 Wed 19 Dec 2018 Should we start a thread on TPF to help the author with his second edition? We could create a list of Ports we encounter which are not mentioned in the book, along with photographic evidence to back up our findings.

A possible contribution:

The author expressed uncertainty whether Burmester produced a VP in 1934; it may well have done so, though if that is the case Burmester would appear to have used the term 'vintage' rather loosely. One refers to the inclusion of 'bottled November 1936' and 'decanted July 1945' on the label(s), the reference to decanting taking the form of a distinct sticker affixed below the main label. There is also a selo, which (if I understand correctly that selos appeared only well after the War) may point to Burmester releasing the bottles in, say, the 1960s. A late release as well as questions regarding whether the 1934 is a vintage port as opposed to a garrafeira (in the Nieport sense), may explain why the '34 does not appear on the vintage lists cited by the author which reference other Burmester VPs produced during the pre-War period.

I purchased two bottles privately in Portugal in 2016; one of them was consumed that year with the second remaining in my cellar. I have seen the occasional bottle on offer in Portugal since that time, not least being moved by handlers whom I have no reason to distrust. Of course, there is always the possibility of forgery, though I think that unlikely in this instance as the wine in the bottle which was consumed in 2016 was clearly older port. At that time - and indeed now - I did not have sufficient tasting experience to distinguish betwixt an older VP and a garrafeira. What was clear to me at the time was that the port had been aged in glass, rather than in wood.

Finally, I should like to join the cacophony of praise for this fine volume; it will be of great use, not least to those of us in the habit of purchasing older, single bottles in a market (i.e., Portugal) where establishing the provenance of such finds is generally very difficult.

With my apologies for being unable to figure out how to get the photo of the bottle upright on this forum:

Will W. wrote: ↑15:13 Tue 01 Jan 2019

AHB wrote: ↑13:47 Wed 19 Dec 2018Should we start a thread on TPF to help the author with his second edition? We could create a list of Ports we encounter which are not mentioned in the book, along with photographic evidence to back up our findings.

A possible contribution

The Introduction says “It is intended to list errata and additions at www.PortVintages.com.” It still is.

And I’ve started gathering data. Please would you email me (contact information) a really good picture of the bottle, for inclusion in the Errata, with credit to you? I’m hoping for face on (not at an angle), in good light, with good focus, at high resolution. That is, I’m hoping for the picture you would want in your reference book. Please sir?

Thank you.

jdaw1 wrote: ↑17:28 Tue 01 Jan 2019 Please would you email me (contact information) a really good picture of the bottle, for inclusion in the Errata, with credit to you? I’m hoping for face on (not at an angle), in good light, with good focus, at high resolution. That is, I’m hoping for the picture you would want in your reference book. Please sir?

It shall be done, with pleasure.