Re: Baird's Manual question...
 

William Raimond Baird, a Phi Delta Theta, published the
first "Baird's Manual' many, many, many years ago. It was
a comprehensive directory of all Greek organizations, the
histories, chapter lists, old defunct outfits, etc. There were
several editions over the years. The erudite John Robson,
Sig Ep, took it over in the 50s, as editor. By the 70s it was set
for an update by Robson and a newcomer...me.
John died suddenly and the edition was never completed I had
changed careers, completed my PhD, and was too busy to take
on the new task. The project languished for years.
The NIC did attempt to issue a rather expensive one in the
80s, and while I have never seen it, your HQ will know for sure.
Check your college library or any large one for "Baird's Manual"
or even in a rare book site...It is a jewel, no matter which one
you find. It'll cost likely $75 or more...But there are a lot of copies
around and every chapter with a library oughta own one.

Re: Re: Baird's Manual question...
 

Actually Baird was a brother of Beta Theta Pi, the first edition was published in 1879, and up until 1940, Beta actually held the copyright to the Manual. However in the interest of interfraternity cooperation Beta sold the rights to the Banta Publishing Co.

That is correct my Beta friend. George Banta was the Phi Delta Theta, Baird was originally an Alpha Sigma Chi, but when he chose Beta over all the other fraternities, he and all their alumni/brothers were initiated into Beta Theta Pi - 1879 I beleive.

:p

Re: Re: Re: Baird's Manual question...
 

Geoff, you are correct...Banta was a Beta; sorry, right Triad, tho!
The George Banta Company of Menasha, WI published Banta's Greek Exchange, a greek mag devoted to goings on in the collegiate world. It was challenged by "Fraternity Month" done by
Leland Publishers, Pete Leland, TKE, of Minneapolis. Banta's
mag was bland but had a lot of old-line fraternity support. Neither of them made it out of the sixties, but they were fun to read, and full of fraternal trivia. Thank you for correcting me.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Baird's Manual question...
 

Mr. Conrad, please PM me, or check yours. I sent you something. I am interested in talking "Fraternity" with you outside of GC.

Thanks!

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Baird's Manual question...
 

I tried and tried to retrieve your message and despite my heroic
efforts, including playing the song, I could not get it. Why not
e-mail me, EConard1@aol.com Note surname not CONRAD...

Baird's Manual question...
Where can you buy this?

------------------
Brian Sejas
The Miami Chapter of Delta Upsilon, Est. May 13, 1868.



Looks like they have some here too.

www.vintagefraternitypins.com/baird.htm

You can buy it here:
 

It retails at $59.95 from the NIC (NorthAmerican Interfraternity Conference). Baird’s Manual of American College Fraternities (20th Edition). The 20th edition is the 1991 edition incidentally. Link to relevant NIC page.

edited to add: earlier in this thread this link was posted: http://www.greekpages.com/resources/bairds.html
The page described the book and told where you could get it - from the "Bairds Manual Foundation" and gives their address. That address is the address of the NIC.

Here's the information emailed to me by NIC:
Greetings from the NIC. Thank you for your recent e-mail with regard to ordering a copy of Baird's manual. You may order a copy of this manual by sending your request via e-mail, mail, or giving us a call at (317) 872-1112. We will need the name, and address to where you would like the manual sent along with a telephone number (in case there is a problem with shipping). The purchase price of this manual is $59.95 which includes shipping and handling. We will need you to secure your order with a check made payable to Baird's Manual Foundation or credit card, VISA/MASTERCARD-ONLY, ( information needed: name, number & expiration date on card) in the amount of $59.95. If you would like to mail your order to us, please send to North-American Interfraternity Conference, 3901 West 86th Street, Suite 390, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.

BAIRDS
 

Check: VintageFraternity Pins got one from from Hunter, 1991. Think this is the latest edition. Also listed on Ebay for 89.95 If i remember right!

Vast store of knowledge in them!

I have 4, 1930 - 1991!

Can be from 1 in. to 4-5 in. thick!!!

It really is a must to have for a Greek Nut!:cool:

Uncle Eric while sometimes a little off on some things, He is right on Most!

He is a walking or riding Encylopedia of information on Greek Information as he has live and worked it!!! A TKE Brother, He led Me to LXA. That Is A Greek Through and Through!

I try to pattern My Self after Him, and with Respect!

He is the only Older Fart on Site than me!:)

Of course, he can be a crusty old Fart! E, hope you check this site and hope we can meet Sun!!!!!

The people at this site want Bairds to help feed their badge collecting habits...gives them all sorts of info about badges they try to buy off ebay etc....:rolleyes:

Agreed Tom, that's the latest edition apparently (20th edition). I wouldn't bother with Ebay though since it looks as if people can get them new from the NIC for same price! I emailed NIC to ask if a new edition was planned/in the pipeline etc - I'll let everyone know via this thread if they reply & what's said.

NIC replied:
 

Richard:

At this time, there are no plans to print any other edition of the Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities. The (20th) Edition is the latest edition and the most current edition available.

<respondent's name removed by me for GC>
Administrative Assistant

To purchase a copy of Baird's Manual of College Fraternities, you can contact the NIC (http://www.nicindy.org) and they can send one to your chapter and subsiquently bill your chapter. You can also try http://stores.ebay.com/FraternalBooks/ .

And just FYI, William Baird was a member of Beta Theta Pi, and recieved the inspiration to write his Manual during his college days. Baird was a member of Alpha Sigma Chi, which was absorbed into Beta Theta Pi in 1879. Baird was instramental in several other absortions by Beta Theta Pi, including the Mystical Seven Society in 1889.