NEW BOOK: REFERENCING COLUMBIANA, 3RD EDITION

New "Preview Deluxe" reference for World's Columbian Expo collectors

Steve Starlust introduced "Referencing Columbiana - World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago" at the ANA Money show at the Cobb County Convention Center in Atlanta, Georgia last February. He never expected it to be so well received. Nominated by Scott Travers, editor of COINage magazine, it wound up winning Best Reference Book of 2025 (Tokens & Medals) by the Numismatic Literary Guild.

He traveled to Oklahoma City to receive his award from Jerry Jordan, president of the NLG. Todd Imhof, co-owner of Heritage Auctions bought every remaining copy of the second edition "Preview Plus" he had left, to give to preferred clients. Heritage will be auctioning Steve's 1,500 pc. collection, which contains some of the nicest and rarest medals, badges, and souvenirs from the Exposition later this year.

 

The new "Preview Deluxe" version is now available. It has twenty new pages totaling 325 pages with 80 updated pages. This is a spectacular new edition - completely compiled, designed and presented by Steve A. Starlust. This new book replaces the Nathan Eglit book "Columbiana", printed over 60 years ago. It contains over 1,200 full color images and 500 "new discoveries" never referenced before. All images are to size, enhanced to portray, whenever possible, how the medal would have looked if you acquired it at the fair. Also included is information about the designers, a brief history, country of origin, packaging, and so much more. Grades shown are from accredited grading services. In some cases, the type may be enhanced or recreated and may not be exact, but the integrity of the designs will be as struck. Medals are shown in different metals.

Contents include - Section one medals / coins / key fobs / tickets / Eglit & HK references, Section two "new discoveries", Section three badges & ribbons, and Section four souvenirs & more. New highlights include stories on medals given to the gondola workers who rescued ten people from the 19 foot canal near the Electrical building, rare items, a Tiffany & Co. antiqued bronze medal presented to Expo president Harlow Higinbotham, and the spectacular 36" Columbian Shields designed by Wilhelm Mayer of Stuttgart, Germany. Plus many more.

 

The book was inspired by Tom Hoffman, one of the premier collectors of our time. Many renowned Columbian Expo experts have lent their expertise and contributed images from their personal collections. Jeff Shevlin, so-called $ guy has praised it. This reference book has been well received as long overdue. All collectors, auction houses and grading services agree, it's time for a new reference book that has as many pictures of medals in as many metals as possible. Well, this is it.

Steve hopes his book will create a renewed interest in this historic 1893 spectacle that attracted 29 million visitors from the United States and around the world to Chicago, and possibly a coffee table book for non-collectors, jam-packed with exquisite designs from talented, world renowned artists.

 

Lately, Mr. Starlust has been making himself available for presentations to coin clubs remotely.

For more information, or to order the new "Preview Deluxe" edition, contact him at stevestarlust@gmail.com or call him at 631-374-4483. Steve adds: "I will give E-Sylum readers discounted rates. The book has a list price of $75. They can order one book for $65, or $60 each for two, or $55 each for three or more." Prices include delivery in the U.S. Steve accepts PayPal, Zelle, or ­­a check.

 

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW BOOK: REFERENCING COLUMBIANA (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n10a04.html)

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