Very rare unsigned handwritten Jeet Kune Do training program developed by Bruce Lee for one of his students, actor James Coburn! Listed on two heavy stock grained 8.5 x 11 sheets are 25 specific exercises, with “SECRET” printed at the top of each page. The cover page has “Jeet Kune Do” (in Chinese) and “James Coburn” both in Lee’s hand. For the instr uctions, Lee writes: First page: "Training Program (A) General stretching. 1). three ways forward bend 2). bending leg groin stretch 3). straight and side leg stretch on stool 4). step and slide bending stretch (B) stomach-waist 1). sit up ----- 4 sets of 4 2). leg raise ----- 4 sets of 4 3). twisting ----- 3 sets of 60 each (C) Kicking exercise note: to be done first with force direction then with speed and snap 1). side kick 2). hook kick 3). spin kick." Second page: "(d) The kicking set 1). from natural stance move to ready stance 2). rock back to right front snap kick 4). right side kick 5). left side kick 6). right back heel ['back' crossed out] kick 7). Left back heel kick 8). left hook groin kick (retreat) 9). right hook groin kick 10). advance to left spin kick 11). right spin kick. (e) Punching: warm up shoulder and elbow 1). The right cross from left stance 2). " [The] left " " [cross from] right " [stance] 3). The right back fist 4). " [The] left " " [back fist] (E) The lightning right finger lead a). economy at the start b). hand first then feet.” In fine condition, with some mild handling wear and creasing, staple to top left corner, as well as a few scattered light spots.
Accompanied by a notarized letter of provenance signed by James H. Coburn IV, son of actor James Coburn, one page, 8.5 x 11. In full, "I, James H. Coburn IV, state that this TOP SECRET PROGRAM was made for my father the late and great film star, James Coburn, by his close friend and teacher within the martial arts, Bruce Lee. My father James Coburn and Bruce Lee were close friends. Bruce Lee taught my father the art of Jeet Kune Do. Bruce Lee made this workout program for my father to follow so that he would become proficient in Bruce Lee's martial arts training. This program was in the hands of my father James Coburn and handed down to me by him years later. This program shows two international stars in their own right, coming together to benefit my father James Coburn in instruction with Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do. This program is historic in nature and a must for any serious James Coburn/Bruce Lee collector, or both. I, James H. Coburn IV, state the above to be true."
Prior to his acting career, Lee was revered as a martial arts instructor, teaching Jeet Kune Do to Hollywood's elite in a private sessions costing $25 an hour. That included Coburn, who often acted as Lee’s sparring partner as the actor studied various Eastern-oriented spiritual expressions. In 1969, Lee, Coburn, and writer Stirling Silliphant began working on a script based on an original story, ‘The Magic Flute,’ meant to spotlight the martial arts. An article in the October 1970 issue of Black Belt Magazine described the project as ‘an unusual combination of forces for an unusual undertaking...it is the coalition and endeavors of three stellar personalities...the driving force behind this move to capture the heart and soul of the martial arts on film...Stirling and Jim are doing martial arts the greatest credit ever.’ The film was eventually reworked and released in 1978 as Circle of Iron starring David Carradine. Truly a one-of-a-kind program marrying the worlds of acting, philosophy, and martial arts. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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