Karl Von Mueller [Charles Dean Miller]
The Treasure Hunter’s Manual 7[SUP]th[/SUP] Edition (Alamo, CA: 1966; Hardcover & Wraps) -
This is the “Gold Bug” First Edition.
This is one of the best-selling treasure hunting books of all time.
After the runaway success of his
Treasure Hunter’s Manual #6, “The Old Man” (although he wasn’t quite so old in the mid-1960’s!), Karl sat down and wrote a completely different book – THM #7.
This was KvonMr’s most productive treasure hunting writing period. He literally “wrote the book” when he produced these essential volumes for professional th’ers (he coined that term) and those who aspire to join that select fraternity.
Without a doubt this is the most complete handbook to successful treasure
finding ever written. Well over 90% of what it covers is just as applicable today as it was written over four decades ago – and that is quite an achievement.
The famous “LUE Treasure Map” is here for the first time. Almost anything you read about this “natural Fort Knox” (which could be read at least two different ways) came from this book. Any copy of this map – on the Internet or otherwise – is reprinted from this book and probably without the permission of the copyright holder.
Karl beings at the beginning: “What is Treasure?” Other Chapters comprehensively explain, in detail, “When,” “Why,” “Who,” “Where,” and “How.”
Karl was the first treasure hunting author to offer accurate advice on “The Law” and “The Tax Problem.” Of course, he was the first th’ing (he coined that, by the way) author to discuss a lot of things!
You can’t read Chapter IX “Publicity and Secrecy” too many times. In successful treasure hunting – and in life – it pays to shut up and fly low.
There is, of course, much more – “Treasure Leads and Research,” “History,” “Legends and Myths,” “Disposition of Treasure” – if will do you more good if you convert it to cash after you find it, on and on.
As a kid Chapter XIX “Buried vs. Sunken Treasure” was eye-opening. I’d read countless stories of huge, unfound lost treasure ships. The fact is these are out of reach of almost everyone. And, as those who salvaged the SS
John Barry discovered, finding it and recovering it may not be everything. However, Karl’s version of buried treasure finding is within reach of anyone with the willingness to try.
And a copy of this book couldn’t hurt a bit!
This is the first printing of the first edition.
THM #7 was reprinted by RAM several times. Karl’s very useful Bibliography was replaced with books published by RAM. Some of the numerous B&W photos were changed, as well. And – no surprise here! – Appendix D “Building Your Own Treasure Detector” was removed. Charles Garrett saw no point in teaching treasure hunters how to build their own metal detector!
This is an essential book for every treasure finder.
Good luck to all,
The Old Bookaroo
