I can also claim to be one of the few who are aware of Vess L. Ossman as I have somewhere an LP compiled from original cylinder recordings.
I also had some form of instruction book for Banjo written by Harry Reser. I expect I still have it, but unfortunately neither the LP or the book are not at my current address, so I cannot check out what they contain.
If I manage to call in on the 'folks' I'll see if I can locate them and might be able to provide additional information.
Quack, GtD.