Texas Treasure Show 2010, Day Two
Texas Treasure Show 2010, Day Two
from guest blogger Laurie Jameson
Due to Daylight Savings Time we arrive a bit late at the Maude Cobb Convention Center. The early morning metal detector hunts are over and a thin stream of people wait to enter the events area, along with others who have come to attend the adjoining Gun Show. A lazy-day aura hovers around the booths. As WC chats with an occasional visitor I spend time researching the two ocean-going treasure hunters in attendance this year: Captain Carl Fismer and Scott Mitchen. I had met both while passing by their tables, but did not have a chance to hear either of them speak. Their websites, of course, provide a wealth of information, from which I extracted the following.
Captain Carl Fismer, affectionately known as "Captain Fizz," learned the treasure hunting business from the father of modern treasure salvage, Art McKee. Fismer is currently the president of Spanish Main Treasure Company (founded in 1980) which has salvaged artifacts and sunken treasure from shipwrecks around the world. SMTC has a large inventory of treasure, coins, artifacts and documentaries for perusal or sale to museums, collectors and history enthusiasts.
During his forty years as a professional treasure hunter Carl Fismer has recovered over ten million dollars in sunken treasure. In addition to being the curator of several maritime museums, he has also been featured on the covers of treasure magazines and appeared on TV in the popular Treasure Divers series.
Scott Mitchen, in contrast, started exploring the lakes and rivers of Wisconsin when he was thirteen years old. The treasure he found fanned the flames of imagination and led Scott from the waters of Wisconsin into the seas and oceans of the world. Through International Explorations, he and his company continue the quest for historic treasure, including the location and recovery of pristine sunken lumber from the Great Lakes, the exploration of wreck sites off the coast of Venezuela, the location and recovery of 9th Century religious artifacts in France and most recently a buried city reputed to be one of the greatest archeological discoveries of North America.
Mitchen has also expanded his range of interest into becoming an author. His first book, Will of the Pirates, is a YA novel based on the history of the 17th century pirate ship, La Trompeuse, which Mitchen and one of his partners rediscovered. Here is a description of the hardcover book: "Living in poverty the first twelve years of his life, an honest boy named Will finds himself on the adventure of a lifetime--sailing the world on a merchant ship in 1683. Through events not of his control Will finds himself on the pirate ship the La Trompeuse!"
Late afternoon looms, the last announcements are made and the final drawing winners are called. Within fifteen minutes, WC and I have boxed up the unsold books, taken down the signage and packed the truck. We say many goodbyes and promises to see friends next year for Texas Treasure Show 2011 (location to be announced). We choose Little Mexico for our supper spot where we relish cheese enchiladas (with one of the best red chile sauces ever) and spinach quesedillas with guacamole. One more night in our cozy motel room and then we head home to Casita de Luz.
from guest blogger Laurie Jameson
Due to Daylight Savings Time we arrive a bit late at the Maude Cobb Convention Center. The early morning metal detector hunts are over and a thin stream of people wait to enter the events area, along with others who have come to attend the adjoining Gun Show. A lazy-day aura hovers around the booths. As WC chats with an occasional visitor I spend time researching the two ocean-going treasure hunters in attendance this year: Captain Carl Fismer and Scott Mitchen. I had met both while passing by their tables, but did not have a chance to hear either of them speak. Their websites, of course, provide a wealth of information, from which I extracted the following.
Captain Carl Fismer, affectionately known as "Captain Fizz," learned the treasure hunting business from the father of modern treasure salvage, Art McKee. Fismer is currently the president of Spanish Main Treasure Company (founded in 1980) which has salvaged artifacts and sunken treasure from shipwrecks around the world. SMTC has a large inventory of treasure, coins, artifacts and documentaries for perusal or sale to museums, collectors and history enthusiasts.
During his forty years as a professional treasure hunter Carl Fismer has recovered over ten million dollars in sunken treasure. In addition to being the curator of several maritime museums, he has also been featured on the covers of treasure magazines and appeared on TV in the popular Treasure Divers series.
Scott Mitchen, in contrast, started exploring the lakes and rivers of Wisconsin when he was thirteen years old. The treasure he found fanned the flames of imagination and led Scott from the waters of Wisconsin into the seas and oceans of the world. Through International Explorations, he and his company continue the quest for historic treasure, including the location and recovery of pristine sunken lumber from the Great Lakes, the exploration of wreck sites off the coast of Venezuela, the location and recovery of 9th Century religious artifacts in France and most recently a buried city reputed to be one of the greatest archeological discoveries of North America.
Mitchen has also expanded his range of interest into becoming an author. His first book, Will of the Pirates, is a YA novel based on the history of the 17th century pirate ship, La Trompeuse, which Mitchen and one of his partners rediscovered. Here is a description of the hardcover book: "Living in poverty the first twelve years of his life, an honest boy named Will finds himself on the adventure of a lifetime--sailing the world on a merchant ship in 1683. Through events not of his control Will finds himself on the pirate ship the La Trompeuse!"
Late afternoon looms, the last announcements are made and the final drawing winners are called. Within fifteen minutes, WC and I have boxed up the unsold books, taken down the signage and packed the truck. We say many goodbyes and promises to see friends next year for Texas Treasure Show 2011 (location to be announced). We choose Little Mexico for our supper spot where we relish cheese enchiladas (with one of the best red chile sauces ever) and spinach quesedillas with guacamole. One more night in our cozy motel room and then we head home to Casita de Luz.
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Include $10.00 for book and $2.50 for shipping and handling for the first book.
$1.50 for each additional book
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