As an offshoot to my previous thread, I thought I'd on occasion start a new thread devoted to a specific sub-classification. Today's topic, the International Correspondence Schools manuals/books.

What ones do you think are indispensible to the Preservationist?

Not to be one bit sarcastic about it, but it depends what the preservationist is doing or working on.

All of their books on mechanical, electrical, structural, materials, etc

For your enjoyment:
http://www.icsarchive.org/

Many of the blue books containing railroad info are in the 500 series, but look around, many are downloadable as PDF files for free.

Mike Tillger

You sarcastic? Never! The Oracle of Baltimore speaks again!

Thanks for constructive contribution to the subject Mr. Mitchell.

Mike, thanks for your contribution. Very useful.

Here is the running list of all that were published.

A few of these are very rare and very pricey when, or if, you can find them.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11995&p=121451&hilit=ICS#p121451

Please reply to the post with any others you find titles and numbers for.

Before anyone starts burning copies and selling them or giving them away, one should use proper protocol.

I asked for, and received, permission to reproduce certain titles. I'm not a hoarder of information (my precious) and my intent was, still is, to give reproductions to people I know who will have legitimate use for them.

International Correspondence Schools is a legal predecessor of Penn Foster, Inc. They ask that a specific 'courtesy line' be used to acknowledge the content's ownership. No, I won't tell you what that courtesy line reads. If I see copies without it, I will know whoever reproduced the material is either unaware or just a thief.

Leagal and above board is the same whether you're doing ultrasounds on fireboxes and boiler shells or distributing copyrighted material.

Penn Foster, Inc.
925 Oak Street
Scranton, PA 18515

Attn: Director, Product Development

Adam,
I believe there may be a discrepancy to your copyright info.

Please see:http://www.icsarchive.org/1-ics-lhc.htm

Copyright Information from the website taken from the bankruptcy proceedings:
ICS's assets were sold off in bankruptcy in 1996. The 'satellite' schools, and the Majere Estate took part. Today, four parties remain: Penn Foster (United States), International Correspondence Schools (Canada), The International Correspondence School (United Kingdom), and the Majere Estate (US and UK).

Per the agreements, any rights of all pre bankruptcy class and course materials are for the use of the Majere Estate, and may not be used in any form for future course work by any of the others.

Per the agreements, any pre-bankruptcy US (only) and joint (US and UK) registered materials are declared to be in the Public Domain with the Penn Foster being last rights holder of record.

You can make the legal decisions for yourself.

Mike Tillger

Mr. Tilleger,

Because it says so on a website it must be true, right?

One could be equally skeptical about the information in your post, if I may say so as someone without a proverbial dog in the fight.

It appears, from a cursory review of various websites about this specific issue, that the apparent/alleged "rightful owners" of the copyrights are not going to take issue with, for example, one museum's shop foreman copying or scanning a course or book for use by another specific shop, but that they will take issue with printing, publishing, or electronically offering copies en masse (posting on a website, selling at shows, selling on eBay, etc.).

Your mileage may vary. Caveat emptor. <insert random disclaimers>

I did my research and have the utmost faith in what is posted on the above mentioned website. The copies are watermarked and traceable back to the website, why would you leave a trail of bread crumbs back to your hiding place if you are committing a criminal act, oh and one last thing I read the actual bankruptcy proceeding many years ago, alast I am not a lawyer, so I can not give legal advice, but words don't lie and the legal document agrees with the website.

Mike Tillger
My favorite quote of all time is" It must be true, I read it on the Internet" by Abraham Lincoln

I've contacted Peen Foster, the present owners of all the ICS materials, and am awaiting a reply as to the legitimacy of the ICSarchive.org site.

It appears to not be legitimate and is in no way connected with Penn Foster, the only company that has a claim on the copyrights for the ICS and other related company materials. Most of the materials were reapplied for copyright protection in the late 1940's and still could have claim to some copyright protections.

Please, until you hear further, do not purchase anything from that site, and do not send that site any of your materials.

I will respond with a quote from Penn Foster about the site in question ASAP.