Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4047 in Books
• Published on: 2004-12-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 225 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780757000904
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Tompkins Square Park, in New York City's East Village, has produced coin recoveries dating back to the 1830s. A construction site in Philadelphia recently yielded ceramic perfume containers and embossed pipe bowls from the 1860s. "Urban treasure hunter" Chaplan explains how to find, unearth and identify valuable artifacts like these in this how-to manual. He provides information on dealing with curious onlookers and fitting into a neighborhood (in "upscale" areas, dress like a jogger; in "tough areas," wear camouflage items and worn jeans), covers legal issues, provides a surprisingly scholarly and in-depth lesson in archeology and details how and where to search for and clean old coins, bottles and historical and prehistoric artifacts (he also gives tips on how to cash in on this hobby). Chaplan peppers his text with quotations from fictional and real adventurers, from Sherlock Holmes to Rudyard Kipling, and includes do-it-yourself instructions for building a sifter and even setting up an electrolysis device for cleaning unearthed metal objects. Chaplan's enthusiasm enlivens the extensive, solid factual information, and although his comparison of urban treasure hunters to history's swashbuckling explorers is a bit exaggerated, stories of his own hunting experiences in the greater New York area, as well as tales of discoveries of booty in unexpected places, prove his point that adventures and buried treasure are closer to home than most would expect.
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Customer Reviews

Thinking of treasure hunting??? Read this book first....
In this practical how-to guide author and long-time treasure hunter Michael Chaplan really delivers the goods. Everything from choosing a metal detector, researching a site, hunting tips and blending into various city environments are covered. One major point that is emphasized over and over again is the fact that "treasure" can take many forms and be found in many places from the attic to your local park etc. The book advises the reader to be creative when approaching a site both in your research and out in the field. For example, maybe a vacant lot was once a fairgrounds with heavy traffic and presumably lots of lost coins. It also clears up many misconceptions people have of treasure hunting and it's enthusiasts. Drawing on some of his own many adventures, the author draws the reader closer into this fascinating hobby. The text is laced with stories/examples that are entertaining and motivating as well as very practical.

A Must Read for New Treasure Hunters
I read this book from cover to cover and highly recommend it to anyone new to the hobby of treasure hunting and metal detecting. Chaplan knows his subject well and covers everything from how to get started to what to look out for while hunting and what to do with the objects that one finds.

The author leave no stone (or dirt!) unturned in the process. An excellent, all-around resource on the topic.

Best book for new treasure hunters
I am just beginning my hobby with a metal detector. I purchased several books on treasure hunting and this is by far the best. It has a broad range of extremely useful information. By all means start with this book if you too are a beginner. Most of the other books I bought had a lot of fluff. This book has a ton of useful information and guidance.