Eric P. Newman Biography Goes to Print

keyman64 · December 9, 2015 5:44AM

Posted with permission from ATS.

Special! December 8, 2015

Jim Halperin, Co-Chairman of Heritage Auctions, announced that he finished the final edit of the biography of numismatist Eric P. Newman. Titled Truth Seeker: The Life of Eric P. Newman, researched and written by Roger W. Burdette, Leonard D. Augsburger and Joel Orosz, is being printed in a hardcover edition by Ivy Press, Inc. The book will be available early in 2016.

During nearly a year and a half of research and preparation of the manuscript, the authors were given unrestricted access to Mr. Newman’s huge archive of correspondence and research notes involving many of the most prominent names and events in numismatics. They also conducted a series of in-depth interviews with Mr. & Mrs. Newman, family members and others.

Roger Burdette stated: "Eric Newman's collection was for the purpose of gaining knowledge and disseminating it. Right down to the present, Mr. Newman continues to research, explore and share his knowledge with others. I predict Truth Seeker: The Life of Eric P. Newman, will become a cornerstone publication for every collector of American coinage."

Coinosaurus · December 9, 2015 7:15AM

We sat with Mr. Newman for over 12 hours of interviews, with Mrs. Newman present for several of the sessions. It was beyond fascinating. Much more could be said, but it is best to let the book come out and comment from there.

RichieURich · December 9, 2015 7:27AM

Awesome news! Looking forward to getting an autographed copy!

keyman64 · December 9, 2015 7:28AM

Sounds like a very rewarding experience.

Mark · December 9, 2015 7:43AM

This book sails to the top of my list. I can hardly wait until it's published.

Thanks for the info!

Lakesammman · December 9, 2015 1:30PM

Wow - can't wait to read it - thanks for the news!

Zoins · December 9, 2015 1:39PM

Originally posted by: Coinosaurus

We sat with Mr. Newman for over 12 hours of interviews, with Mrs. Newman present for several of the sessions. It was beyond fascinating. Much more could be said, but it is best to let the book come out and comment from there

Sounds like an amazing conversation!

Treashunt · December 9, 2015 8:33PM

Thanks for the note, I can't wait to read it.

johnny9434 · December 10, 2015 5:27AM

congrats. will look forwards to it

Athena · December 10, 2015 6:11AM

Great news about the book. What about the follow-on movie?

dbldie55 · December 10, 2015 7:20AM

This looks to be the next "must have" book. Look forward to getting a copy.

golden · December 11, 2015 8:59AM

Wow. A book to get in 2016 for sure!

Gazes · February 8, 2016 1:08AM

Got my book in the mail today. Looks like a beautifully put together book. Can't wait to get into it

dbldie55 · February 8, 2016 1:46AM

I ordered, paid, had the order cancelled (for no apparent reason), then had two separate orders show up, then called and it was reduced to one order, then paid (again) and now I wait. Looks like it may be getting closer.

Ablinky · February 8, 2016 1:52AM

Originally posted by: dbldie55

I ordered, paid, had the order cancelled (for no apparent reason), then had two separate orders show up, then called and it was reduced to one order, then paid (again) and now I wait. Looks like it may be getting closer.

I had basically the same thing happen too.

Gazes · February 8, 2016 2:11AM

I don't remember exactly what happened but remember my online ordering experience was not smooth. The book looks like it is well worth the hassle

ziggy29 · February 8, 2016 3:48AM

Received mine today (#109 of 250). I'm puzzled, though -- I paid a total $25.87 for it ($24 plus tax) but they sent it via USPS Express Mail which, even with corporate discount, had to cost almost $20 to ship. Hard to make money (or break even for that matter) with that business model.

RB1026 · February 8, 2016 5:25AM

Just ordered a copy and it went "smooth as silk". I guess I haven't been paying attention because I wasn't aware of this book until this afternoon (THANK YOU Forum!!). I'm anxious to read it!

shorecoll · February 8, 2016 5:27AM

Thank you guys, I had forgotten to order...now on the way!

Kyle · February 8, 2016 5:32AM

Just tried to order it, but I'm not sure how to process a Credit Card payment. I am only getting an option to send a check.

dbldie55 · February 8, 2016 7:09AM

Mine showed up today as well. #89 of 250, autographed by Mr. Newman. I thought they were soft bound. Wonder if the first 250 get the numbered hard bound books.

If so, going to order another to read so I keep this one in good shape.

EXOJUNKIE · February 8, 2016 8:49AM

Ordered a copy too! Thanks for the reminder.

EagleEye · February 8, 2016 11:05AM

Just got my copy (93/250). Looks good.

Sonorandesertrat · February 9, 2016 6:58AM

FedEx just delivered my copy today. Considering the modest price and its appearance, it looks like a great value in addition to extremely interesting reading. My congratulations to the authors for their efforts. This is a seminal book as far as 20th-century U.S. numismatics is concerned. I am surprised that the print run was only 250 copies.

Tetromibi · February 9, 2016 7:05AM

I just got mine as well. 96/250 here. It was surprising seeing the signature and "limited library edition" on the first page. Was that advertised?

Nysoto · February 9, 2016 2:21PM

I received #102/250 today. Very interesting, includes some fascinating information on his interaction with the leading numismatists of the 20th century. I was privileged to exchange some emails with Eric, who was 99 years old at the time, on research of Robert Scot.

Sonorandesertrat · February 11, 2016 3:28AM

I have just finished reading this book, and strongly recommend it to anyone interested in 20th-century U. S. numismatics. It is chock full of fascinating information, some of which I already knew, some not (especially tidbits contained in excerpts from private letters). It's all there numismatically: Burdette Johnson, the 1913 Liberty nickels, Col. E.H.R. Green's coins, Wayte Raymond and other interesting characters, run-ins with John J. Ford, the location of large cents that Dr. Sheldon swiped from the American Numismatic Society collection and moves to get coins back from Ted Naftzger, research on colonial counterfeiting, etc. I would have been interested to see comments regarding some other contemporaries (Abe Kosoff and Max Mehl come to mind) on the dealer side of the hobby, but this is a minor quibble. BUY THIS BOOK!

jerseycat101 · February 11, 2016 3:44AM

Ordered yesterday. Hopefully, I ordered in time to get one of the 250 signed and numbered copies.

oih82w8 · February 11, 2016 4:14AM

This article is probably old news, but this is the first that I have seen the medal.

Eric P. Newman 100 Year Medal

http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v19n01a04.html

oih82w8 · February 11, 2016 8:03PM

Here is another article;

http://urc.universityrarecoins..._EricPNewman-Story.pdf

...blocked at work for some reason.

WebFilter Category: none

brg5658 · February 12, 2016 2:10AM

My copy (#111/250) came earlier this week. Just a few quick photos for those who may be interested.

Pictured are the binding (hard back, black, gold lettering), the signed and numbered book plate in the front cover, and the full color title page.

Kyle · February 16, 2016 7:07AM

I received my soft bound copy today.

When I asked Heritage customer service about the hard bound version, they advised me that they were not yet available.

Either way, I look forward to reading the book.

dbldie55 · February 16, 2016 8:02AM

Got my soft bound copy today. This will be my "working" edition. Looking forward to reading it.

Exbrit · February 16, 2016 9:50AM

Originally posted by: dbldie55
I ordered, paid, had the order cancelled (for no apparent reason), then had two separate orders show up, then called and it was reduced to one order, then paid (again) and now I wait. Looks like it may be getting closer.

I can beat that - I ordered one and had two separate orders each containing two books. I called and asked them to only charge and send one. It was supposed to be delivered today - no such luck. We'll see if I receive one, two or four and what I am charged. Maybe I'll receive none. And I bet it will be a soft bound issue.

Exbrit · February 18, 2016 12:05PM

Well Heritage straighten out the problem and I received my book today - even though I had four different emails stating the the book shipped with two different invoice numbers. And as my luck runs - I waited and called a couple of times to see if I could receive the hard bound version - no such luck. Good book, but sure would of liked a hardback. Should of followed my instincts and ordered right away. Another blunder!

jerseycat101 · February 18, 2016 10:57PM

Got my book yesterday... soft bound. Looking forward to reading it. Maybe i'll find a hard-bound copy on ebay.

Gazes · March 1, 2016 6:32AM

I am about halfway through this book and I highly recommend it. In fact it is the best numismatic book I have read. Some quick points:

1) if you wonder how a great collection is assembled this book takes you behind the scenes

2) it is clear to me that the way that Newman had access to obtain his collection can be traced to his numismatic scholarship and research. He met so many individuals and later obtained coins Because he was first and foremost a scholar

3) love the quality of the book (I have a hard cover copy)

4) love the detail and stories about other collectors and dealers

Those are just some quick thoughts. I can't imagine anyone who enjoys this forum not loving this book

shorecoll · March 1, 2016 6:48AM

I love this book!!! I am about two-thirds through it and hate putting it down.

Nic · March 1, 2016 9:20AM

Great read. I was #88. Got another hard copy 2 days after I finished?

shorecoll · March 1, 2016 9:56AM

I'm looking for a hardbound if anyone finds an extra. I'm not sure they actually made 250, it seemed to jump from 120 to out, so there may have been a production problem or they let someone buy 100.

Eric P. Newman Biography Goes to Print

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