🚀 go-pugleaf

A few weeks ago in sci.crypt, I wrote:

} I would like to purchase a copy of the first edition _The Codebreakers_
} by David Kahn.

} If anyone has one to sell, please get in contact and we'll arrange a deal.

Here's the summary of responses.

First, I had a metoo from janm@bern.docs.uu.se:

} If you get multiple offers, I wouldn't mind getting in touch with a seller.

I've mailed him an offer.

Then, royg@osf.org told me:

}   It is in print here in the states. I just saw a copy in the bookstore 
} across the way. Kinda steep at 60 dollars (u.s) but then again it is worth 
} it.  Good luck.

and

}   The bookstore is :
}
}       Quantum Books
}       4 Cambridge Center
}       Cambridge Mass ( u.s.a ) 02142
} 
}       phone number is 617-494-5042
}       fax no. 617-577-7282 
}       email ( wow! ) quanbook@world.std.com
} 
}    I have no association with them except for the fact that they are 
} across the street from where I work ( different building, different 
} company ) and I've purchased a couple of books from them in the last 
} few years. They seem reputable and when I was there I noticed two
} copies on the shelf. ( the big book with dust cover, new ) I didn't 
} check the price.  Good luck. 

Armed with this information, I got Blackwells in Oxford to order it,
despite their protestations that it wasn't in print.  Eventually, they
told me once again that it wasn't in print and cancelled my order.

jac54@cas.org told me:

} 	There are two good sources of the Codebreakers over here.
} 	One of them may even have a signed copy, perhaps even anointed
} 	with oil that has been through Kahn's Hagelin machine.
} 
} 	These two characters specialize in spook stuff, the first tries
} 	to specialize in crypto and the last time I spoke he had a couple
} 	of first editions on hand.
} 
} 	Elm Spy Books
} 	Box 9753
} 	Arnold, MD 21012.
} 
} 	Phone: 301-544-9014
} 
} 	The owner is called Emil (forget his surname), this is his
} 	night job but he has an answering machine.  To talk to him directly,
} 	call after 7:00 Eastern time.
} 
} 	Cloak and Dagger Books
} 	9 Eastman Ave
} 	Bedford, NH 03110
} 
} 	Phone: 603-668-1629
} 	Fax:   603-626-0626.
} 
} 	Owner is Dan Halpin, he loves to talk (watch the phone bill).
} 
} 	Going price for a 1st ed. is about $50.00, a signed copy is about
} 	$75.00.
} 
} 	If you contact them, let them know how you got the addresses(sp?).
} 	Mention my name too, it will neither help nor hurt and I'm not
} 	on commission.
} 	Alec Chambers.
} 

Finally, Ian W Moor <iwm@doc.imperial.ac.uk}, wrote:

} There is a second hand bookshop run by one of the physics lecturers here,
} not far from my office. There is a copy of the 1966 edition on the shelves
} priced at 28 pounds, the jacket is a bit worn, but otherwise in good condition.
} The shop is open lunchtimes during the week:
}      Blackett Secondhand books,
}       Blackett Building
}        Imperial College
}         South Kensington
}           London SW7
}       phone 071 589 5111 ext 6938
} 
} If you have problems contacting the proprietor, email me and I'll pass
} on a message.

The proprietor is Dr Bob Speer, who sounds a really nice bloke.

This was the copy I bought.

I hope this information proves useful to other searchers.

Paul
--
Paul Leyland <pcl@oxford.ac.uk>          | Hanging on in quiet desperation is
Oxford University Computing Service      |     the English way.
13 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6NN, UK     | The time is come, the song is over.
Tel: +44-865-273200  Fax: +44-865-273275 | Thought I'd something more to say.