The Urban Treasure Hunter: A Practical Handbook for Beginners [Paperback]

Michael Chaplan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 20, 2004

Every city possesses countless hidden treasures waiting to be discovered—ancient artifacts, valuable jewelry, and vintage coins, as well as hundreds of other highly sought-after collectibles. Michael Chaplan, treasure hunter extraordinaire, has written a complete and practical guide to locating, unearthing, and identifying all of those treasures. The book begins with the basics, and then presents a working knowledge of digs. An up-to-date resource section provides useful lists of specialized catalog companies and helpful websites, organizations, magazines, and books.

Whether you are an avid collector of artifacts, a weekend explorer in search of adventure, or simply a creative person in need of something fun to do, you will find that The Urban Treasure Hunter provides the perfect rewarding hobby.

Editorial Reviews

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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Review

"From research to recovery, to conservations and cashing in...it's all here...Well written, profusely illustrated, eye-opening and encouraging, The Urban Treasure Hunter is both a reliable guide and a great read." (Western & Eastern Treasures )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Square One Publishers; 2nd edition (December 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0757000908
• ISBN-13: 978-0757000904
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Americana

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thinking of treasure hunting??? Read this book first...., September 22, 2005

By 

M. Bell (Tampa, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Urban Treasure Hunter: A Practical Handbook for Beginners (Paperback)

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.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book for new treasure hunters, July 21, 2007

By 

Gerald A. Dameroiw "Jerry" (Little Rock) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Urban Treasure Hunter: A Practical Handbook for Beginners (Paperback)

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.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for New Treasure Hunters, October 14, 2005

By 

C. Barrer (Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Urban Treasure Hunter: A Practical Handbook for Beginners (Paperback)

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.