Gary and Bill are absolutely right, but here's a further idea:

Take them apart.
Copy them en toto, two copies (or more).
Reassemble the originals
Bind the copies however you want to.
Place the originals in a reputable 501(c)3 non-profit archive, accessible to
the public under proper archival supervision and care.
Sell the extra copies at auction to cover the costs incurred in this process
(and maybe make a little extra).
Take that tax deduction in April 04 8^)

SGL

Might consider digitizing them as pdf's and selling those, too . . .

Bill asked:
I am thinking about putting them in a loose leaf book to make each page
more accessible, but that that would compromise that originality of what I
think it are major surviving PRR artifacts. I am looking for a little
consensus on what to do.
I would have to punch holes in the side of both books for the loose leaf.



Bill,

If it were me, I'd CAREFULLY take the books apart, make copies to use as you
want, and put the originals back together as they were. This gives you a
copy to mark on or punch holes in as you see fit and not destroy the
original, and therefore its value.

gary roe

Hi All,

I have just received 2 books that I consider to be a MAJOR addition to my
collection. The first is a collection of PRR lists of tracings for MANY
freight cars. It is 1 1/2" thick. Additionally, it is somewhat the evolution
of the car, because it lists by year, the later drawings produced. This just
knocked me out when I saw it.

The second book is a collection of the lists of tracings for many (maybe
all) freight car trucks. These are all instrumental in getting copies of
drawings from the PA State archives that may not be in the database.

Finally, I have a question. Both of these books were assembled by the PRR
for use in a shop. One has "E W Fox" on the opening page. They have survived
very well because of a heavy canvas cover on both, which incidentally are
pretty crusty. They are also bolted together with 1/4-20 screws. The car
book has 2 bolts at the top, making it a flip over book. I am thinking about
putting them in a loose leaf book to make each page more accessible, but
that that would compromise that originality of what I think it are major
surviving PRR artifacts. I am looking for a little consensus on what to do.
I would have to punch holes in the side of both books for the loose leaf.

Thanks
Bill

I strongly agree.

Preserve the original, use the copy.

Chris Barkan