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Lady Vivamus
https://heinleinsociety.org/thsnexus/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=961		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  darkumbra [ Tue Feb 01, 2011 12:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Lady Vivamus
Don't know if this has been posted on the site ... so apologies in advance.

If you have a few bucks to spare - you might want to pick up this.
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/alb ... ivamus.htm

Can't help but drool.
Author:  DanHenderson [ Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
Oooh! Want! I joined the fencing team at Rice when I was an undergraduate there, exclusively because of Glory Road. I was never much good, and I *hated* the "froggy jumps across the gym" exercise our fencing master had us do (where is Sonny Mercado now?), but I loved learning enough to understand all the fencing descriptions in the book ("He used prime and octave as easily as sixte and quatre.").
Author:  JackKelly [ Wed Feb 02, 2011 1:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
Author:  darkumbra [ Wed Feb 02, 2011 2:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
Hi Jack, I doubt this will inspire you, but the reason I've enjoyed reading, and rereading GR are the math references. Lots of good beer and pretzel discussions from the book relating to math, and the issues of cultural norms have been good to chew on.
Author:  NickDoten [ Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
Glory Road certainly was a departure of sorts for RAH- one with magic/sorcery ! so if the fantasy genre is not your schtick i can seeing being put off by the initial chaptors. RAH explains "magic" as what a caveman thinks when he sees advanced science (heavily paraphrased)

OK need a reason to pick it up and retry it ? Maybe seeing this book as a statement of it's times- the seeds of dissent of the late 50's and early 60's became the fruit of the cultural revolution of the later 60's- by 63-64 many americans had grown disillusioned with the status quo of society- they began to question and critique not only the government but also society's social mores- There was no escape from the pressures of conforming and "fitting in". Sameness, faceless little cogs in the social machine- to lead safe bland uneventful lives- to be stifled

Glory Road offered a way out of this world by playing the "what if game"- what if you discovered an ad searching for a "hero" what would you do ? would you show up ? would you measure up (we all kinda think we would), to not only survive but "be" a hero of epic proportion ? what if............. ? the tale goes from there-Scar slips the bounds of a morally fraudulent world with it's war, smog, and phony social constraints for something more noble- the Glory Road - A place where civilization can only be rescued by someone special-a hero

If i can offer one small aid to enjoying this story, i would ask you to picture Rufo, erstwhile valet/manservant, as Danny Devito- to me Devito is a perfect fit as the know it all, wise cracking, story telling sidekick- a colorful charactor

Grab this book Jack, wade through it- you'll see, like all of RAH's writings, it will be an interesting read- LOL trust Heinlein- has he failed you yet ?

Enjoy !

Nick
Author:  ChuckA [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
Heinlein never wrote a crappy novel, however all after Time Enough For Love were much less enjoyable than those written before 1970.

Chuck
Author:  Blackhawk [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 1:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
I have read on other forums that the Albion Lady Vivamus is no longer available. It was intended as a limited edition. That is, unless you win the Heinlein Prize. An Albion Lady Vivamus is included in the award.

It is, rarely, available from collectors, sometimes at prices considerably less than that listed at the Albion site but I have not see it offered for less than $1,500. That is still too expensive for me so I have explored other options for adding a Lady Vivamus to my collection.

My first attempt is described here:

I finished that version except for the engraving. Engraving is expensive so I have postponed that until I see the outcome of my second alternative.

I contacted Windlass Steelcrafts, one of the largest sword manufacturers in the world. They make military dress swords for many nations, including the US. They make modern Navy dress swords, similar but not identical to the one Heinlein stated was his model for Lady Vivamus. I suggested that they should make a Lady Vivamus reproduction and offered information about the literary source for the sword. Since they also make licensed swords from movies, video games and even books (they make the Heron mark sword from the Wheel of Time series) it seemed a logical thing for them to do. I got a reply from Mr. Windlass himself who said he agreed it was a good idea. He handed the project off to his director of licensing. That was at the beginning of January. I haven't heard back from them and haven't contacted them yet. I didn't want to seem like a fan boy nag, but I do plan to ask how the process of getting a license is going, soon.

I planned to post this here in the near future but I was waiting till I'd contacted Windlass, again. Since a thread about Lady Vivamus has been started I figured I'd go ahead and add this. I'll post more as soon as I have news.
Author:  Blackhawk [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
I emailed the licensing director at Windlass and asked how the Lady Vivamus project was coming along. I got a prompt reply that said that they had been busy with military contracts and had not yet pursued licensing for the Lady Vivamus, but they were still interested in doing it. Late summer was suggested as the earliest to expect it.

I was wondering if anyone here knows who handles licensing for the Heinlein estate for something like this? Perhaps if I could provide a point of contact to Windlass, or the name and email address of the Windlass contact to the Heinlein licensor, it would speed the process.
Author:  JackKelly [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 5:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
Author:  Blackhawk [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
Author:  Blackhawk [ Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
Thought I'd post an update on my Lady Vivamus project.

First, I had posted earlier that I thought the Albion Swords version was no longer in production. That is incorrect. I contacted Albion Swords and they are very willing to make a sword if you have the $3,000 to pay for it. They have only sold a hundred or so of the 1,000 that their license permits.

Second, Windlass Swords is busy with military contracts and with their acquisition of Marto Swords (a Spanish company known for making high quality wall hangers). They are still interested in producing a Lady Vivamus replica but they are concerned that the existing Albion license might be a complication in their getting a license. As far as I can tell, they haven't actually contacted the Heinlein Prize Trust, yet, so it's just a concern at this point. To help them along, I researched their catalog and picked the sword that best matches Heinlein's descriptions of Lady Vivamus and outlined what modifications would be needed to turn it into a Lady Vivamus replica.

So, the project is not dead but it's not moving, either. In the case that Windlass can not get a license, I asked if they would sell me a sword without engraving so that I could make my own Lady Vivamus. If that happens, I'll pass on the details so that anyone else who wants to can make their own, too.
Author:  Blackhawk [ Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
If anyone's interested, the Windlass sword I think best matches the known facts about Lady Vivamus is their Confederate Staff & Field Officer's Sword. I retouched some photos of that sword to show what it would look like as Lady Vivamus. My intend was to make as few changes as possible so that making the sword would be economically feasible for Windlass but having a sword that accurately depicts what we know about Lady Vivamus.

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File comment: I also considered just covering the "CS" with a cabochon.
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File comment: Lady Vivamus
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Author:  Blackhawk [ Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
An update on my Lady Vivamus project. Although the folks at Windlass have not stated categorically that they will not produce a Lady Vivamus replica, it is pretty clear that they have lost interest in the project. The market for the sword is too small and the hassle with the existing Albion license is too big a hurdle. They did sell me a saber with a non-etched blade so I can make my own Lady Vivamus. I'm looking for an engraver, now.
Author:  Blackhawk [ Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
I have finished my replica of Lady Vivamus. The completed sword can be seen at my website:
Author:  JamesGifford [ Wed Jul 04, 2012 7:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
Dan, I don't impress easily in this realm; I've seen a lot of nice hobby work of every type and done quite a bit myself. So I have fair judgment about how easy it can be to turn out some such stuff. However, in a past era I was seriously into swordmaking (weapons, not collectibles), so I have a sharper (ha...) understanding of what goes into crafting a long-blade.

I am *very* impressed. And jealous. My wife looked into buying me one of the LV replicas a few years back and decided it was too expensive for the time and place. I guess I'll just have to win the second Heinlein Award, when and if they ever think to give one... :)

Nice work.
Author:  Blackhawk [ Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
Jim, you could make your own Lady Vivamus like I did. I haven't actually seen the Foot Officer's sword from Legendary Arms, so don't know if it is as good a match to Heinlein's descriptions as was the Windlass sword, but with your experience, you could fine tune the blade shape if needed and touch up the guard. The cash outlay ought to be under $200, figuring the engraving will cost more than the sword. I wish Windlass was making the Lady Vivamus replica like we planned so that any Heinlein fan who wanted one could simply buy it, but that didn't work out. Showing how anyone can make their own is the next best thing.

And thanks. It's good to hear that someone like you appreciates it.
Author:  RobertPearson [ Thu Jul 05, 2012 1:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
Sir Richard Francis Burton said, "Do what thy manhood bids thee do, from none but self expect applause," but I think he would have applauded this.

So do I. Wonderful!
Author:  Blackhawk [ Thu Jul 05, 2012 1:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
Thanks, Robert. It is nice to hear that people appreciate the work, but my main purpose in posting here was to show other Heinlein fans that it's not that hard to make a Lady Vivamus sword, if they'd like to have one.
Author:  BillMullins [ Fri Jul 06, 2012 12:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
What happened to Heinlein's original sword? It seems like I've read about its disposition, but can't remember where. One of his nephews? Amy Baxter?
Author:  JamesGifford [ Sat Jul 07, 2012 7:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Lady Vivamus
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