Daily stock market timing for maximum profits (gains?) copyright about 1962 by Joseph E. Granville (out of print and good luck finding it) is the most awesome book I ever read about technical analysis. He invented OBV, On Balance Volume.
I lent my copy to a "friend" several years ago never to see it again. Bummer.
He (Granville) turned into a wacko in the 80's, but his work before that was exceptional. Anything he wrote in the 60's is VERY good imho.
Good luck and let me know if you find any of his older work/books from the 1960's/1970's.
You've got some good ideas for studying TA, about plotting old charts. Heres an old post of mine on a board that was created just for helping people learn more about the market.