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NEW BOOK: BOOM! AMERICA'S FIREWORKS INDUSTRYBusiness is BOOMing at Whitman Publishing. Dennis Tucker submitted this press release for their latest non-numismatic title, into which they found room to incorporate a few tidbits
of interesting numismatic content. -Editor
New Book Includes Numismatics in a Behind-the-Scenes Look at American Pyrotechnics
Whitman Publishing is best known for its books on numismatics (the study of coins, paper money, medals, and similar items), and some “heavy hitters” in the collectibles field opened their archives for the richly illustrated BOOM!. Q. David Bowers, known as the “Dean of Numismatics” and the most prolific hobby author of all time, contributed photographs of Civil War tokens struck for George Parsons of New York City, a fancy-goods and toy merchant who also was the New York agent for J.W. Hadfield's “First Premium Fireworks” in the 1860s. Stack's Bowers Galleries shared photographs of coins from 1906—a Barber half dollar, a Barber quarter, and a Liberty Head nickel—to accompany other artifacts from the 1906 San Antonio International Fair. The Fair included a “thrilling, realistic, spectacular” show of “The Fall of Port Arthur” (the longest and most violent land battle of the recently ended Russo-Japanese War), “terminating with a grand display of Manhattan Beach Fire Works nightly.”And Heritage Auctions, the world's largest collectibles auctioneer and a major presence in the rare-coin market, contributed photographs of colorful historical memorabilia including old posters, magazine covers, postcards, autographed portraits, comic strips, and other collectibles relating to fireworks.   “We're constantly looking for opportunities to include numismatics in mainstream books,” said Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker. “BOOM! will be read by thousands of American history buffs. Our hope is that some of them might be drawn to the hobby by this exposure.” Author John Conkling's experience in the field of pyrotechnics goes back to the 1970s. In 1971 he was an assistant professor of chemistry teaching at Washington College in Maryland. In 1972, he stepped partway out of academia into a whole new world of fascinating people and technology—the world of fireworks. In BOOM! Conkling takes his readers behind the scenes and shares more than 45 years of hands- on experience in the American fireworks industry. With a natural storyteller's warmth and humor—and with unique insight from serving the American Pyrotechnics Association as its executive director and technical advisor—Conkling gives an engaging history of fireworks in the United States since World War II. He shares stories of the industry's most famous personalities; his adventures traveling in China; the growth of federal regulations and the challenges they bring; and the innovations of American technology. He tells about the fireworks of yesterday, today, and tomorrow—and even gives advice on how to succeed in this booming entertainment field that brings joy to millions of Americans. “I have had the unique opportunity to follow a fascinating industry through its transition into the 21st century,” writes Dr. Conkling. “I have met many interesting and unique people over the years, traveling extensively throughout this country as well as taking more than 40 trips to China on fireworks-related issues, and I have had a lifetime of fascinating pyrotechnic experiences. Here is my view of the journey.” More information on the APA's Annual Meeting and Convention can be found at www.AmericanPyro.com or by contacting Executive Director Julie Heckman at jheckman@americanpyro.com. BOOM! America's Ever-Evolving Fireworks Industry True story: when I was a kid, my friends and I pooled our cash to buy a box of M-80s from the local ne'er-do-wells. We went out in the woods and played hand genades. Great fun.
The book sounds fun, too, and more my speed today. -Editor
For more information, or to order, see: THE BOOK BAZARREWayne 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 To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
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