Mike,
As always thanks for posting about the show tonight.
Leon's first book Helmets of the deep has been sold out for many years. I was fortunate to have obtained copy number 500 of 1000 copies printed which Leon lavishly inscribed to me. The book was further enhanced by numerous other inscriptions . I was at a social gathering a short time after I received my copy in which all the living American helmet manufactures were present (Kirby, Morgan, and Ratliff (RatHat) which they also inscribed the book as well as many of the members of the first Historical Diving Society (HDS) and all of the founding Board of directors of HDS ( I was the first and only Director of Sport Diving for HDS)
There were 1000 hard cover books printed which were priced at $300.00 each (plus $15.00 Shipping) which were immediately grabbed by collectors world wide. The deluxe leather bound edition sold for $500 and I suspect it is also sold out. I have a friend who is really into the helmets who owns or owned a copy of the deluxe edition
Since it's publication it has become a very expensive collector's prized tool. At one time it was selling for $4000.00 plus dollars. I have a synopsis some where. perhaps posted on this board of the buying/selling frenzy of this book. If it is still floating around in cyber space I will post.
Leon sent me a CD of his museum...What a world class collection! I assume you also have a copy perhaps you could post it?
As you know I have one, if not the largest private diving libraries in the world. As with the late Nic Icorn, Leon often calls on me to identify a particular piece of equipment....some items I can recall from my youth or by a bit of research, others? Well? As is often stated when a patient presents strange symptoms ...GOK? (God Only Knows)
All divers should be thankful that the diving world has Leon and his book and his museum...I certainly am thankful and appreciate his efforts
SDM
