How many of you would be interested in a book on verdigris?

Thad, of course , I would want to see such a book also. After reading the selection, you provided, I wonder if you should include a section on ancient coins, especially the mineralized compounds you mention that seem to be their bane, although they can certainly have the same problems as lincolns. Not on removal, just as part of the chemical formation and preservation. I have seen a few coins recently here that come very close to mineralization and normal conservation techiniques just won't work as you say. Nicely written by the way !

Jim

 

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Thanks Jim!

No worries, ancient coins are mentioned here and there. No need for a separate section. I also have a section on bronze disease. Once you see all the pieces of the "puzzle" you'll understand. :smile

 

Considering my present verdigris situation, of course I'd like to see you publish a book or pamphlet or some ebook type thing. As it is, I appreciate all your, and others input on my coin predicament.

Bruce

 

I would like one also for my library. Congratulations on what you have so far and I'm looking forward to final product.

 

Same here. Also, as with music, stories, movies, etc. today as fast as anyone makes one, it is blasted all over the internet. To many people say why buy this when it's right here and free. The idea is good for many, many collectors of coins but who would buy them is vague. An example is the two books by coppercoins on Lincoln Cents. Right after those and his web site, one after another books and simiar web sites poped up. Great books but now lost in overwheaming copying.
I suggest looking into the cost of this adventure.

 

One additional suggestion. Note that the greatest majority of people do not have chemical backgrounds of any type at all. Many do not understand the chemical names for substances either, thier chemical symbols nor where they are explained. I'm afraid to much in that area would not help in the sales of such a book, pamphlet, etc. If you could explain things for the average person without excessive chemical technological expressions, that could possilby make such a book more purchasable by the general public. Remember that a great amount of coin collectors are young, still in school, possilbly just learning about coins.
Another consideration would be to think Pamphlets. A series with more and more detailed info per issue. Or follow ups for those more interested.

 

Publishing doesn't cost a cent, if you know what you're doing. Try Lulu.com. Professional books printed on demand at no cost to you. Plus they advertise and sell your books on Amazon for no additional fees. I speak on this from experience.
Guy~

 

Well, when I was marketing it when I was doing my comic strip I sold just over 100 in about six months. But shortly thereafter I retired the strip and so stopped marketing my stuff. Now I'm lucky to sell a dozen a year, and thats thanks just to Amazon because I no longer promote anything. I will say, the book writing is the easy part. Like Doug said, it's the selling thats the real challenge. I had to work my butt of for what few sales I had.
Guy~

 

I'll stick with a suggestion of pamphlets. The reason is based on something in my past. A long time ago a friend and fellow martial arts individual, considered himself quite the expert. This was just as Kunk FU, Karate, Judo, etc was coming of age. So he at first was going to write a book on that. Then he too realized for the average person it would be soon shelved as to complicasted so he switched to pamphlets of possilby 40 to 50 pages each. Just as the present books on xxx for dummies, his first ones were really basic and they did sell, sell, sell. Of course he made additional ones of more and more complicated and eventually they did also sort of fade but the original ones sold for many years. He eventually opened several Martial Art schools and had a greater place to sell them. Now well retired and welthy.

 

Not dumbing it down is fine , but there also is a fine line where you can still get the information out for the expert , and also have it understood by the comman non chemistry major . JMO
rzage

 

Mark me as a yes. It's just right for me with the chemistry and mineralogy both.

 

I'd really be intrested, copper isnt a strong suit of mine so any knowledge is helpful

 

I would not read a book on coin conservation even if it were given to me for free.

I would pay good money for a "How To" video or DVD.

If you recorded the various methods of conservation in high definition and broke down the chemistry lingo to a level that someone watching Sesame Street could understand , I would be a customer.

Think about cooking shows or info-mercials or distance learning classes provided by universities. You could provide the information in volumes of DVD's if your goal is to be thorough.

 

I'd buy a copy, no matter what form it takes. I do prefer a printed book however, because the electronic media stuff (discs) always seem to crap out on me after a while.

 

I would definately be interested in reading about it. I love chemistry and would like to really understand what is going on especially with the copper coins

I just noticed this was originally posted over a year ago.
I still would like a copy of this book if it is complete now

 

Interested, yes
Read it, yes
Buy it, maybe

 

Yes, definitely. One book in a reference library can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in the long run. Regardless the country or denomination of the coin involved, or the alloy used(except gold or plat), it is going to get vertigris sometime. Bring it on!

 

An old thread bumped I see! LOL

I'm still working on the book, the draft is 99% complete. I have one of the smartest guys on the planet doing the editing for me now. One thing I discovered....it takes a long time to write a book, especially one with science involved.

 

That does not prevent you from expanding on an original article that you have published. Prior to publication, I would get an agreement from the publisher that you have derivative rights (lawyers, am I using the correct term?) to use (and expand on) your original work in subsequent articles/books/movie rights :kewl:/etc.

My personal opinion is that I would be very interested in your efforts. My guess is that you will end up with a moderate page count monograph. Depending on how ambitious you are, it could be the first chapter in what is really needed: a complete book on coin preservation and conservation.

Weimar White's Coin Chemistry is a good start, but (in my opinion) barely adequate when dealing with problem coins. I know that many CTers consider cleaning coins to be the work of Satan, but there are some coins that really need it. NCS does a very nice job, but only on certain coins and for not insignificant amounts of money. One example that is missing from Coin Chemistry is how to remove solder from a gold coin. I'm sure that other CTers can suggest other preservation/conservation topics.