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V11 2008 INDEX
E-SYLUM ARCHIVE
NEW BOOK: A GUIDE BOOK OF THE GUIDE BOOK
We've discussed this upcoming book before, but since it's of special interest to bibliophiles, here's some more information from the publisher, also from the December 2008 Whitman Review. -Editor
Whitman Publishing entered the field of numismatic publishing in 1934. In 2009 we celebrate our 75th year by rolling out a book about the hobby’s leading annual reference—the Guide Book of United States Coins, popularly known as the “Red Book.”The Red Book is popular as a collectible in its own right. Why create a guide book about the Guide Book?
The Red Book, which has been a cornerstone of the hobby since it debuted in late 1946, has become a collectible itself. Many coin collectors save a copy each year, while striving to hunt down the elusive early editions and rare errors and varieties.
To aid other collectors, researcher and longtime hobbyist Frank J. Colletti has written the definitive guide to the scarlet tome: the Guide Book of the Official RED BOOK of United States Coins.
You don’t need to be a confirmed “Numismatic Bibliophile” to love this book—just a fan of the world’s greatest pastime! It’s unlikely that any coin collector active today has not heard of the hobby’s beloved “Red Book.” Readers have bought more than 21 million copies since 1946, making it one of the best-selling nonfiction books in the history of American publishing.
The Guide Book of the Official RED BOOK of United States Coins offers a history of coin price guides, leading up to the best-selling numismatic reference of all time. Colletti explores the foundation laid by hobby legend R.S. Yeoman, and then studies each Red Book issued since 1946. Regular editions, special editions, authorized overprint editions, and amazing errors are all examined in detail, with market values given for various grades. Colletti looks in-depth at the “Blue Book,” too (the Handbook of United States Coins). He tells what to look for and how to build and care for your collection of Red Books. He also discusses Red Book–related medals and other collectibles.
The Guide Book of the Official Red Book of United States Coins is chock-full of behind-the-scenes photographs from Whitman Publishing archives. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a wealth of old advertisements, vintage photographs of the personalities involved in the book, and historical hobby memorabilia. Kenneth Bressett, Q. David Bowers, and other famous hobbyists offer their personal recollections. In pictures and words, it’s like sitting down with friends and learning all the behind-the-scenes stories, the legends, and the lore of more than 60 years of American numismatics.
Author Frank Colletti explores these collectibles in addition to the Red Book itself. If you collect or deal in rare coins, numismatic literature, or collectible books—if you love learning about the hobby’s famous dealers, collectors, and researchers—if you want to add to your own collection of Red Books, or find out how much they’re worth—you’ll be delighted with the Guide Book of the Official RED BOOK of United States Coins.
By Frank J. Colletti.
Foreword by Q. David Bowers.
Introduction by Kenneth Bressett.
304 pages; full color; 6 x 9; softcover. Retail $18.95.
Wayne Homren, Editor
The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.
To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com
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