Regarding the hopeless comment: if the author is still alive the easiest way to get a copy is, well, by emailing the author. Unless the author is a hotshot, th

Regarding the hopeless comment: if the author is still alive the easiest way to get a copy is, well, by emailing the author. Unless the author is a hotshot, they should be able to procure an electronic copy, even if it's was done in pre-word processing times. Most authors would be flattered, not inconvenienced.