Collection of photographs of California Amazon women wrestlers

1974. 211 black and white and color photos; 16 pp. 5 x 3 1/2 inches. Generally very good condition, some wrinkling to the pages, but the images are well-preserved. 211 black and white and color photos; 16 pp. 5 x 3 1/2 inches. A collection of action photos from California Amazon, a company founded by the wrestler Judell du Long in 1973, the first video production company focused on female submission wrestling. Between 1974 and 1985, California Amazon released more than three hundred matches on Super 8, VHS and Betamax. This collection comprises action shots from three matches, with a written description of each match.

Judell du Long vs. Linda Schultz, August 9, 1974: 59 numbered black and white prints in the series, plus an extra photograph, annotated by Du Long. Includes 4 pp. photocopy of typescript by Du Long, describing the circumstances of the match and annotating each photo.

Nancy Lee Skarvan vs. Susan Skarvan, February 17, 1978: 80 numbered color prints in the series. Includes 6 pp. photocopy of typescript by Du Long, describing the circumstances of the match and annotating each photo.

Liz Meles vs. Susan Skarvan, May 2, 1980: 80 numbered color prints in the series. Includes 6 pp. photocopy of typescript by Du Long, describing the circumstances of the match and annotating each photo, plus an extra photograph, stamped by Du Long with prices for the photos ($35) and the Super 8 film (also $35).

The descriptions contain vital stats of each wrestler, a pre-fight history, and a frame by frame commentary, often quite vernacular and colorful: "These two women seemed to sense that they had to fight and to a finish. If the 'Most Beautiful Amazon' contest were repeated today it is clear that Liz Meles and Cindy Brooks would dominate the voting. [...] It might not be an old west dusty street but it is the west and only one would get off the mat as the victor and best and each would 'lay it on the line' (Inventory #: 367282)