I know for the old stories WC jameson early copies are where to look. What about for symbols is there a be all know all or older series of books?
I would start by purchaseing books by Charles Kenworthy and reading them front to back several times
Czachary,
Short Stacks advise is correct. Read each book more than once. If you get serious--you need Kenworthys book on traps before you stick a shovel in the ground.
I will add that OLD DOG is coming out with some books--and I will certainly buy every one as soon as they are available.
I will repeat Shortstacks advise--read everyone of those 6 books--several times. Often repetition is the mother of skill or learning. There is also a book by Pickett if I recall correctly--at Treasure Hunters University-- Then after you know it all--get a professionals advise before you ever try to enter a stone door!! There used to be a person---LOCO GATOS -- who's description of two of his encounters --with what many posters say do not exist--the Spanish Traps--would leave you shaking in your boots! In less than 60 seconds from the moment he breached the front door--the situation was completely out of control--as a fast moving 5 ton surface slider followed by ten tons of rock boulders came racing down on him at 35 MPH--and the race began with him in the bottom of a six foot deep hole!!!
Barton