Wrist Locks Old and New

Can you believe it — the first edition (out of print) of Wrist Locks is selling for more than $200!!!

I just don’t understand. The old edition only had line drawings; the new soft cover has 423 new photos. The first edition of Wrist Locks didn’t have as many joint locks as the revised and updated book. In the new book, there are even two bonus chapters, featuring an original Bruce-Lee and Ed-Parker student.

Jerry’s Nugget Cards and Wrist Locks, First Edition

This is a fascinating story …

In the world of magic, there is a collector’s deck of cards; they are from a now-defunct casino.

Their claim to fame is that they have been featured in a couple of very influential books on card magic. In other words, the photos were shot with these, Jerry’s Nuggets cards.

Are the cards that great?

No. In fact, they are harder to work with. (Take my word for it.)

What does this have to do with the first edition of Wrist Locks?

I’m getting to the connection, soon….

I remember less than a decade ago, my buddy, Lee Asher, couldn’t sell these cards for $5 a deck. Seriously. In the world of magic, most were asking Lee, “Why should I pay $5 for a casino deck worth fifty cents?”

Why, indeed?

Well, collectors’ demand and internet accessibility have driven the price up to over $250 a deck (sometimes, over $350).

I was fascinated by this price hike that seems to be holding. I guess collector’s items are like that.

I really was intrigued.

So, I decided to go hunting for a parallel occurrence in the world of martial arts.

I researched Bruce Lee autographs, ancient Asian parchments, samurai swords, movie props used in martial-arts flicks … and the list went on.

I also researched books — rare martial-arts books.

My jaw dropped when I saw that a book that had gained so much value was my very own Wrist Locks: From Protecting Yourself to Becoming an Expert.

In the last six months, I have checked back 10-12 times on Amazon;  people were selling copies of the first edition for outrageous prices. One time, the price asked was over $250. No kidding.

And all the other times, the top price has been over $200.

Can you believe it? (I couldn’t.)

I know that it sounds strange to have the author criticize his own book, book I just really don’t

understand “all aspects” of the collector mentality. (Yes, I do have a few items collected, but

they aren’t worth anything, since I don’t ever plan on selling them.)

The New Wrist Locks Book is Better

Sometimes, you really have to use your brain, which means that on occasion, the more expensive isn’t necessarily the best.

For example, the first edition of Wrist Locks is such a case, because:

• rough line drawings were used

• sequences weren’t complete

• it was my first book (I have improved as a writer over the years)

• there were no bonus chapters

• the email addresses and URLs were obsolete

Wrist Locks (Revised and Updated)

The new Wrist Locks is a much more complete book. Instead of line drawings, there are 423 photos — many in complete sequences.

Also, the bonus chapters feature my mentor, Steve Golden, an original Bruce-Lee and Ed-Parker student.

New locks have been added. One or two have been retired.

And the writing is much cleaner than before.

First Edition, Wrist Locks

If you are craving a collector’s edition of Wrist Locks, I have some stored a way ( a very limited quantity, obviously).

I am not trying to sell them; I really would prefer to keep these “first attempts” off the market. But if you have

to have a copy, for your collection — send me $500 (you read that correctly). And I’ll send you an autographed copy of the first edition (to you or just signed), an autographed copy of the new book … and an extra copy of the new book.

Why the extra copy?

Because, I am willing to bet that you store away the two autographed copies, and I want to make sure that you actually learn all of the joint locks, counters, reversals, patterns, flowing, and so on, contained in the book.

That won’t happen if it sits on your shelf.

Expensive?  Yes, but remember; I am not trying to sell these copies.

Let me know if you are interested.

Keith

PS No, I don’t own a deck of Jerry’s Nugget cards. “I” wouldn’t pay that

kind of money; I guess I am not a true collector. (How’d you like

that for an “unsales pitch”?

Tags: autographed, collectors items, complete wrist locks, deluxe wrist locks, first edition, jerry's nugget cards, joint locks, signed, wrist locks