Some information for you-
There were actually two companies competing for the market in the beginning. Eventually, the none silk covered version won out as the production costs from 1969 to 1980 just broke the bank!
The entire collection is from 1969 to 2003. I'm very interested in seeing what they will produce for 2004?
The new issue comes out around April so it should be available now?
An interesting point- the first show as held in Dec of 1969 but from then on all shows for this event were held in January. So technically there was no 1970 show as that show was held a month earlier in the calander year of 1969! Tripped waddy up with that one!
The old books are easy to get from the publisher but pretty limited in selection as time goes by. A lot of the auction houses in Niagata have them in large numbers tucked away here and there. The price is about $200 a copy. But Bob Brudd and I found a place in Chiba and he were able to by them for $50 a copy! I already had them all so boy was I dissappointed! Probably should have bought some but carrying things all over Japan is a problem!
The hardest ones to get are numbers one and two and for some reason, 1981. This is the year the second big book went bust so that may have something to do with it? I was offered $1000 for my number one copy and turned it down. That would have made it up there in collectors value with the most coveted book of all- The 100 koi book worth over $1200 now. There is only one copy in the USA as far as I know - and its NOT MINE! But I'm looking! The other very valuable book is the original Book of Great Nishikigoi two volumes silk bound and boxed- estimated value $ 700 for each copy. I have both of those.
JR
I have an extra copy of 1979 if your interested.