Ben Horton - Motoring Books Column
Ben Horton has been involved with motoring books most of his life. In 1997 he founded Horton’s Books Limited with his late father, growing the business and its breadth of stock to what it is today.
Now at the forefront of the motoring book world, Ben can be found at many of the leading motoring events in Europe and the USA.
Now at the forefront of the motoring book world, Ben can be found at many of the leading motoring events in Europe and the USA.
Ben Horton has been involved with motoring books most of his life. In 1997 he founded Horton’s Books Limited with his late father, growing the business and its breadth of stock to what it is today. Now at the forefront of the motoring book world, Ben can be found at many of the leading motoring events in Europe and the USA.
HortonsBooks.co.uk [email protected] |
Ben is an adviser to some of the premier motoring libraries in the world and is also on the judging panel of the annual International Historic Motoring Awards and the Royal Automobile Club Motoring Book of the Year Award.
|
Some of Ben's Articles: Motoring Books Col
Investing in Motoring Books Issue #2 Nov/Dec 2018
The majority of our customers buy books for their content or pleasure. However, there are an increasing number who are also buying one or more copies as investments. Motoring books have always been a sound way of spending your money; not only do you have the enjoyment of reading the book, but once on your shelf many will steadily rise in value. Most motoring titles have low volume print runs, typically between 1000 and 3000 copies. When publishers decide to print fewer books on certain subjects they can sell out very quickly. The numbers fall further with the passage of time; some copies will be damaged, lost or discarded. |
Best Motoring Book Buys of 2018 Issue #3 Jan/Feb 2019
What a year it has been for motoring publications! Starting late last year/early this year, came the long awaited 3 volume set Phil Hill, Inside Track. Volumes 1 and 2 are his color photographic archive beautifully reproduced in over 950 pages, with commentary and captions by Doug Nye. Volume 3 The Racing Autobiography 1927-1967, tells the story of Phil’s racing career as written by Doug Nye, mixed in with some of the color shots taken from the first two volumes, but also with many black and white shots and ephemera not in the first two books. This set is a real labor of love, which Phil was heavily involved in during his life, and with which his family continued their involvement with after Phil had passed. An expensive but worthwhile addition to any library, that will grow in value over the next few years. During the month of February at Retromobile in Paris, Ronald Stern’s new book Ferrari - La Nascita - The Birth was launched. This limited edition of only 150 copies (25 in black leather, 125 in red leather) follows the life of Enzo Ferrari from birth, to his racing days, to his time as manager of La Scuderia Ferrari, and finally on to the formation of his own company. Most of the contents of this publication have never been seen before. For example… pictures of Enzo as a baby being held by his mother, and other such interesting items as adverts for companies Enzo started that did not make it, prior to Ferrari. The photographic reproduction is of the highest quality, and although it is an expensive purchase, it is easy to see where the money has gone. The book is supplied in a superb clam shell case which also houses Il Libro di Corse 1947, which is an exact replica of the Ferrari racing record for their first year of competition. This is a must for any Ferrari aficionado. Expect to pay around $1,600. for one of the 125 bound in red leather. |