This is a post script to the post FUN Show update that I reported on January 16, 2013. The following group of pictures were taken at the FUN Show between January 10 – 13, 2013.
Wide angle view of the 1715 Fleet Society table at the January 2013 FUN Show. Notice the displays as well as the 42″ monitor which was used to provide enlarged images of 1715 Fleet related material.
Joe Bonura of St. Augustine, Florida, signs in.
1715 Fleet Society Director Ernie Richards (left) and Dave Crooks (Sunken Treasure Books). To the far right is Ray Blakeney.
Close up view of display case depicting museum quality replicas of gold coins, gold disc and chain.
Close up view of display case depicting gold bars, jewelry, pistol, musket balls, coins and pottery. Except for the musket balls and pottery all of the other items are replicas. Additional close up images of this display below.
Astrolabe
Gold bars (replicas), musket balls, pottery and crucifix (replica).
Crucifix with informational note.
Silver cobs with informational note.
The Sunken Treasure Book Club met on Friday January 11th, 2013. As usual the meeting was well attended. A new publication was introduced and well received. A picture of the book cover and information on its contents is listed below. It is extremely well written and should be in the library of everyone who is interested in treasure and the preservation of historic artifacts.
Master conservator Douglas R. Armstrong imparts his many years of first-hand, practical experience in the field of marine artifact conservation within the pages of “Practical Conservation of Archaeological Objects”. This newly updated version for 2012 includes his methods of cleaning coins recovered from a number of shipwrecks, in particular the inventory of the Chanduy Reef Capitana, and the Consolacion in Ecuador. This is a manual of proven methods that all collectors, be they archaeologists or treasure hunters, at land or at sea, will find indispensable when restoring and conserving a wide range of objects, ranging from buttons, cannon, sword handles, glassware, or pieces of eight. The author was the first craftsman to handle many objects hereto untouched by conservators of the day, not the least of which are delicate pistols, one of the first wrought iron guns, the original Tumbaga bars of the Bahamas, and a bronze saker made for King Henry VIII. The book is richly illustrated with before and after photos of these projects and is fully indexed. The technology and tools used are described in great detail. Truly, this is a manual that every conservator needs at hand.
On a personal note, following the FUN Show my wife and I traveled along the Treasure Coast from Sebastian to Fort Pierce. We stopped and stayed a few days at some key places such as Vero Beach and Sebastian. While in Sebastian we stopped at the McClarty Treasure Museum and visited with Ed Perry and some of the staff. As is our custom we went through the museum and took some pictures which are posted below. The McClarty Treasure Museum has one of the finest displays of 1715 Fleet Treasure in the state. The museum is attractive and has an exceptional presentation. A visit to the museum is not only educational but fun. The staff is always friendly and helpful. The gift shop has many books and souvenir items for sale.
Display of large copper ingots and small silver wedges along with other artifacts.
Close up of silver wedge with coin attached.
Large grouping of Mexico silver eight reales.
Display featuring coins, religious artifacts, ring and other items.
Onion bottle, wine or spirits bottle (left) pieces of porcelain, firebrick and pottery.
Another view of the previous picture from a different angle showing part of a porcelain cup and a large fragment of an olive jar.
Following our trip to the museum, my wife and I decided to do some exploring and drove a few miles south, stopping for lunch and a walk on the beach. After finding an assortment of seashells, rusty pieces of modern equipment and other assorted miscellaneous objects, I managed to come across an item that looked a bit out of place to me. I picked it up and put it in my shoulder bag. Later that day, this unusual item was confirmed as a piece of pottery shard from a 1715 Fleet olive jar. The shard is displayed by my wife (see picture below).
Finding this piece of “treasure” was the highlight of my trip. Although it is not a coin or jewelry or some other item of extreme value, it is nevertheless an important item to me as it represents my personal connection to the 1715 Treasure Fleet”.
