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Dear portlovers,

I am working on an accurate epub / ebook version of "Facts about Port and Madeira" by Henry Vizetelly. This publication is illustrated with more than 100 sketches. I do have them in digital format, unfortunately of poor quality (low resolution / black and white). I hope to find something more classier like the second example below. Any idea or suggestion?

Thanks, Eus

Eus,

I have a copy of the 1st edition and would be happy to photograph the illustrations for you.

I am away from home at the moment but please send me a PM to remind me on Friday.

Derek

Thanks Derek, you made my day!

Even better (to eliminate any lateral distortion when photographing without a copy stand) do you have a scanner Derek?

I do, but scanning an old book normally ends up with a broken spine.

I have a camera stand that I will use to ensure that the photographs are well focused and square.

Even better (to eliminate any lateral distortion when photographing without a copy stand) do you have a scanner Derek?

Do you have a scanner Derek? Rather than just a copy stand, good lighting, a camera attached to stand, and a grateful recipient of excellent photographs thereby taken?

There seems to be a delayed echo. Derek, do you have a scanner?

I have two scanners. I won't be using them for the reason stated above.

If you use a camera in order not to damage the spine, then you should also use a small glass plate which will help you to get a smooth surface (pages in old books are normally far from even/smooth). You could fix the glass plate properly with clothes pegs which will be small enough not to extent into the printed area of the page.

If you want to go pro, you could get a book scanner with a V-cradle :
http://www.imageaccess.com/bookeye4.shtml

Another way of getting a scan, which is good enough for a reproduction in a reprint, would be going to the nearest university library and having the book scanned there with the professional equipment mentioned above. This would not be too expensive, here in Germany I would guess 10 Euro for five to six scans.

Just to clarify; has Derek got a scanner?

LGTrotter wrote:Just to clarify; has Derek got a scanner?

No.

djewesbury wrote: do you have a scanner Derek?

djewesbury wrote: do you have a scanner Derek?

jdaw1 wrote:Do you have a scanner Derek?

Andy Velebil wrote:Derek, do you have a scanner?

LGTrotter wrote: has Derek got a scanner?

It's a pretty simple question. No need to get shirty.

Sometimes an unambiguous answer is helpful. Ask my life coach.

Eus,

I am having some problems with my camera as the operating system on my Mac no longer supports the remote shooting software. However, I did manage to get a couple of pictures of one of the illustrations and because of the poor quality of the original they will be no better than those posted in your first post.

The first edition that I have also has quite a bit more foxing on the pages than I had remembered so these blemishes would appear on the illustrations in your ebook, which would not look good.

I think your best option is to go with what you have. Where did you source the second image? Are the others available from the same source?

Derek

Derek,

I found the second image a long time ago on the internet, but didn't make a note about the source. I will try to retrace the beauty . Thanks for all your efforts. I'll keep you informed.

Eus