The Complete Masonic Library

[tomgndallas]

Brothers, Newly Initiated and those interested in the Craft,

I have finally compiled and categorized the last 4 years of my research into Masonic literature. The result is 419 electronic books, nearly 4 GB of information. The books are outside of copyright, almost all of them are from the 1800's and early 1900's. These are very rare and hard to find.

I am a 32nd Degree Scottish rite Mason, I used to visit my SR Library in San Diego a number of years ago to continue my Masonic education. I could check out books free, but always wanted a library for home. I started purchasing books on Ebay...that got really expensive fast.

I begin to discover that I could find many of these titles from universities, the library of congress, and other places. I was able to find most of these books as scans directly from the text, in other words, the Adobe pdf is the exact copy of the book, so it is like having the actual library on your computer...amazing. (and adobe reader is a free download if you don’t already have it)

I now have an auction that I just started on Ebay...I am asking $15 for the DVD, includes shipping and the cost of the DVD and jewel case, and the cost of using my computer and network...I am not getting rich here at all. I used to have an online file share, but people abused it and I shut it down a couple years ago...

Here is the link to the auction...

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260733672163&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123

[maximus]

This seems to be a solicitation of business.

[Tamrin]

Feb 12, 2011 6:18:12 GMT 10 @maximus said:

This seems to be a solicitation of business.

Fair point. I have therefore moved it to the Assistance Requested sub-category (I didn't delete the post as it does not not appear to be a case of undue profiteering).

A further concern is the claim that "There are no books that are currently under copyright, therefore this is completely legal own." Browsing through the linked list I saw a few titles which were doubtful in this regard and, in particular, Peter Proudfoot's, "The Secret Plan of Canberra," which was first published as recently as 1994 and would definitely still be under copyright.

Caveat emptor!

[maximus]

I also noticed the identical post on MFoL, verbatim.

[tomgndallas]

Thank you for bringing up this issue. I was not aware of additional copyright as the copy that I currently have is a much older version and not bound by copyright as a new release.

You are also correct when you see my posting on another forum, it is my attempt to spread the word on this offering.

I am not a profiteer or small business owner, I am simply covering my cost and distributing a list I worked hard to gain. Of course one can go online and search every title and most likely find the free source, but this is very time consuming and most people dont want to deal with it. If you would like to remove my post due to it being in violation, which I do not think it is...please do so. I will refrain from additonal posts. It is not my intention to cause harm or unrest.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Tom G

[tomgndallas]

WOW, insert foot in mouth... !!!

I will immediately remove Proudfoot's book. This one slipped through, thank you very much for bringing it up again. I thought I had cleansed my list well as my entire collection does contain modern texts.

[Solomon]

My guesstimate is that this project with disk, cover, research, selection, scanning, composing, editing, copying, postage & handling for $15 might not even recoup your legitimate costs and may border on being a service rather than a commercial endeavor.

I'm sorry if our reaction appears inhospitable: The internet masonic community is a bit jumpy lately due to the activities of a certain individual who has taught us to be doubly cautious. Because of him, I implemented a ban on ad hoc solicitations here. Provided your offer is as described, I consider it to be outside the scope of that ban and I am happy for it to stand as is.

[tomgndallas]

well that sounds like a poor experience. sorry to hear about that. was he a mason?? unfortunately some unscroupulous seem to still make it in without the black ball catching them. your assumpions are right, but it is an honest passion so i dont mind the extra work. thanks for the kind words.

[Tamrin]

Feb 12, 2011 23:51:02 GMT 10 tomgndallas said:

well that sounds like a poor experience. sorry to hear about that. was he a mason??

To external appearances he once was: He has long since revealed himself to be, "A willfully perjured individual, void of all moral worth..."

[gaijin94]

Just a word of helpful advice for your list of books. Most copyright laws in most English speaking countries are as follows. The copyright for a book extends for the life span of the author + 70 years after his death. I have actually looked into this as I am at the beginning of a process to translate and publish a book myself. Anyways, I just thought this information might help you managing your book list.

S&F,