Library Reference Series
Library Reference Series
Hard to Find Books
Many of the most important books relating to Kenpo/Kempo and the Martial arts in general are no longer in print! Some, if they are not too rare and in great demand can be found using Amazon. Some can be found in "used book" store!
Many of the books we want are "hardcover" and only the largest of used book stores stock old "hardcover" books! Every large town usually has an "Old" large, book store that stocks lots of old "hardcover book"! If your City has one - it might be worth spend in a full day just looking through what they have!
Many of the "hardcover" went out of print and the book companies destroyed the original plates and photographs.
Therefore many re-prints had to be made by taking photos of the original pages - less quality - but at least you have a usable book!
Many martial arts books - were self published and in very small quantities!
As an example just last week I spend a "delightful" day with on of the "old timers"! He had studied with both James Lee and Bruce Lee. James Lee had produced the original Bruce Lee book. My friend now has all the plates and original photographs! They are of no value, because the "Bruce Lee" estate has more money to fight him in court then it would be worth!
As a general rule the older the book - the harder it will be to find! Most of these are not "rare" and valuable books worth a great deal of money! Most have ended up in a trash heap or burned!
To be continued
©1999 Al Tracy all rights reserved