GREETINGS FROM ROUTE 66 GHOST TOWNS, AN ENCYCLOPEDIA

by jimhinckleysamerica | Sep 22, 2010 | ROUTE 66

The muddled title for this post is an apt descriptor for the past couple of days. It also provides an excuse for the lack of regular posts.
Last Friday, I received the first draft of Ghost Towns of Route 66 attached with a request to complete the final edit by Friday, the 24th of September. Meanwhile, as per contract, the first section of the Route 66 Encyclopedia and Atlas needs to be submitted for review by September 30th.
My primary concern with the encyclopedia is in regards to illustrations. This is the first time I will be supplying all illustrations as well as text and as a result will also need to submit an array of photos to ensure they meet editorial requirements.
The historic images are not an issue. Russell Olsen, author of Route 66 Lost and Found, and Laurel Kane of Afton Station have graciously offered assistance and use of their collections. Additionally, Joe Sondermanhttp://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=1968adventurer&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0738560308&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr has offered full access to his stunning collection and I have a few choice pieces of my own.
Joe has an excellent website, see the above link, and has used his wonderful collection to create a series of books for Arcadia Press. Anyone with the faintest interest in Route 66 history or the history of America’s societal evolution as seen through the development of roadside culture would do themselves a favor in acquiring his books.
His books are available through Amazon or his website. However, as the author profits best from direct orders …
As if the pressure of these impending deadlines were not enough, the day job that pays the bills and that supports the writing habit has taken a turn that necessitates a temporary return to a six day work schedule and my mothers recent injury has resulted in additional demands that consume an hour or two every day. Then there are the promotional efforts and public appearances that go hand in glove with writing.
First, the series on ghost towns taped for KNAU began airing this week. If your curious as to what a Jim Hinckley sounds like you can listen here. There will also be a one hour call in show on Thursday evening at 6:00 that I will participate in via telephone link.
On Monday, I will again be a guest on AM Arizona filmed live in Prescott. How to pull this off as we are short handed at the office remains a mystery but one thing is certain, our long anticipated trip to Crown King is again canceled.
Yesterday an arrangement was concluded with the owner of the Lile Gallery at Sunset Galleries in Amarillo that makes them the sole retailer for our photographic prints, the limited edition series as well as basic prints. This lays the foundation for a new series of limited edition prints, Ghost Towns of Route 66, that will accompany the release of the book at the festival next year in Amarillo.

The Hill Top in Kingman with a rare dusting of snow.

There are only a few copies of the limited edition Gilcee prints in the Icons of Route 66 and Ghost Towns of the Southwest series still available. Initially the idea was to limit the number of prints to 100 but on the advice of a gallery consultant, and as a result of the cost involved with their production, we decided to produce only twelve of each.
In the Route 66 series two prints remain. The Ghost Towns of the Southwest series has only three left.
The most popular for international collectors has been this scene of the Hilltop Motel dusted in snow. The matted and signed print is free of the copyright note that appears here. The cost is $125.00 plus shipping and handling.

Chloride cabin

In the Ghost Towns of the Southwest series the subject was Chloride, Arizona. The last print available is this view of an old cabin counted among the last surviving remnants from better times in this once thriving mining town. 
This is also a Gilcee process print. It is matted, numbered, and signed. 
As we are deep into the self promotion, this might be a good time to mention we are also now offering stock photos for limited use in publications including calendars, magazines, or books. Site specific requests are also being accepted.
Our regular prints will retail for $25.00 plus shipping and handling. This are quality prints suitable for framing. They are signed but not matted.
To order prints contact the Lile Gallery through the above link. You may also send the request directly to me and I will forward it to the gallery.

Print 1001 – Route 66 looking toward the Hualapai Mountains

There will be two topics in the $25.00 series, the American southwest and Route 66. These will be in an 11 x 14 size. Here is an example.
In a more perfect world I would have the entire portfolio of available prints on the website, Route 66 Info Center. As I have the cart before the horse that will most likely have to wait for a day or two.
As a final note of the morning I would to share a bit of inspiration in regards to breathing life into a communities historic center. For more than a half century urban sprawl and suburbia have been front and center leaving the vital hearts of communities to wither on the vine.
In recent years there is a growing trend toward reversal with a wide array of benefits. As many communities, including Kingman, are currently grappling with these issues I found this article about Henderson, Nevada, the forgotten and often overlooked neighbor of Las vegas, interesting.