With the assistance of Maestro Jeannette Acosta-Martínez and Anthony De Longis, Maestro Ramon Martínez teaches these skills in short, sequential lessons, which include simple drills that illustrate the techniques of La Scherma Italiana. Because these volumes contain instruction in true combative historical fencing, it is highly advised that you invest in the appropriate protective gear before beginning your training - including fencing mask, chest protector, jacket and gloves.

La Scherma Italiana, Volumes One and Two are available for US$34.95/each in DVD format or $64.95 for the set. Include $5/disk for shipping and handling for orders to the U.S. (by Priority Mail), Canada and Mexico (by Air Mail), and $10/disk for overseas orders. Foreign orders are accepted, payment made by U.S. funds money order. Allow 2-5 weeks delivery in North America; 4-8 weeks overseas.

Send checks, payable to:

Palpable Hit Productions
P.O. Box 2445
Canyon Country, CA 91386-2445
U.S.A.

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The crew: Front row (L to R): Dave B., Patt, Mary, Dave C., Rob. Back row (L to R): Anthony, Ed, Jeannette, Ramon, Mark.

Master At Arms: Maestro Ramon Martinez Teaching Assistant: Maestro Jeannette Acosta-Martinez Teaching Assistant: Anthony De Longis Director: Ed Douglas Editor/1st camera: Mark Petrigac 1st camera: Rob Mason 2nd camera: Dave Baker Camera Assistant: David Calhoun Production Assistant: Patt Paczynski Art Director: Mary De Longis Music: Christopher Lowery

Maestro Ramón Martínez is a teacher of classical and historical fencing and the director of Martínez Academy of Arms. He received the rank of fencing master from Maître Frederick Rohdes in the traditional manner, through years of apprenticeship. He was trained in the traditional French and Italian schools of foil, épée, saber, French rapier & dagger, and small sword.

His expertise extends to both the Italian and Spanish schools of rapier fence. Many of the most prominent masters of the past centuries left elaborate, highly detailed treatises of the systems and styles which they taught. Maestro Martínez has spent years researching these treatises in an effort to accurately reconstruct these varied systems. He has developed his own didactical method for teaching both the Italian and Spanish Schools.

In all, Maestro Martínez has devoted over 32 years to the study and teaching of classical and historical fencing. His goal is to teach, promote, and preserve this rare martial art. Toward that end he has taught seminars and given lectures and presentations throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Today he is recognized as the world's foremost authority on the Spanish School of rapier fence.

He is one of the founders and current president of the Association for Historical Fencing, founded to promote, preserve and revive classical and historical fencing. Maestro Martínez is a founding member of the International Masters at Arms Federation, the author of numerous monographs on the Spanish school and one of the translators of the first published English translation of Capo Ferro's 1610 text. He is a member of the council of Advisors of Swordplay Symposium International (SSI), associated with the Federazione Italiana Scherma Antica e Storica, and an advisor to the Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts (AEMMA).

Jeannette Acosta-Martínez is a professional restorer of antique furniture who specializes in works of the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1982 she began her fencing studies under the tutelage of Maître d'Armes Frederick Rohdes, and after his death in 1984, continued with his protégé Ramón Martínez. In all, Maestro Acosta-Martínez has spent a total of 22 years studying traditional fencing, both classical and historical.

In January 1999, she was instrumental in orchestrating a historical exposition of fencing at St. Peter's College, New Jersey, which had international participation and featured demonstrations not seen in public for more than 100 years. In May of 2000, she received her Master's certification from the International Masters at Arms Federation and a second certification from the Martínez Academy of Arms the following November, thus becoming the only other Master certified to teach the Rohdes system of classical fencing and the Martínez system of Spanish Rapier fence.

Maestro Acosta-Martínez is a founding member of the International Masters at Arms Federation and the current business manager for Martínez Academy of Arms. She is one of the founders and Vice President of the Association for Historical Fencing. She is also one of the translators of Italian Rapier Combat the first English translation of Capo Ferro's 1610 work ever to be published.

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