We did not have the internet back then, and long distance phone calls were expensive, so most hobby business was conducted through the mail. Some people began formalizing things (like Kathy Maestas' book) and Barry Mayse (not sure on the spelling of her last name) put together a reference on Japan chinas with help from fellow hobbyists. People sent her photos of their Japans with as much documentation as they had on them, and she compiled them into a reference book. The idea was to update it periodically, but I do not know if that happened.
