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Author Topic: New book about Roman Sestertii, by Jasper Burns  (Read 1023 times)

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Offline Jasper B

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New book about Roman Sestertii, by Jasper Burns
« on: November 23, 2021, 05:08:07 pm »
Greetings all!

This is to announce the publication of my new book about Roman coins entitled The Roman Sestertius: A Collector's Guide.  It is available on Amazon in color (paperback and hardcopy) and in black and white (paperback and hardcopy). The color versions are necessarily pricey, but the range in prices for the different versions is wide: $18.00-$75.00.

This is my homage to a denomination that has fascinated me ever since I met my first sestertius in 1954 at the age of two. The book is 306 pages and illustrated by enlargements (~x2) of 360+ sestertii as well as a scattering of other Aes coins and 11 of my portraits of imperial women.

There are chapters on the history of the denomination, features of surviving specimens, alterations to watch out for, tips for buying sestertii, and a brief chapter about sestertii in the movies.  Topics such as patina, average weights and diameters over time, surface textures, and many others are discussed. There are also biographical sketches and lists of common reverse types for all imperial personalities represented. 

A link to a pair of sample pages is given below and links to the four versions of the book on Amazon US are below that. Paperback is available in most markets and hardback in the US and UK. Thanks to all for having a look!

https://www.jasperburns.com/sample.jpg

Hardcopy color: https://www.amazon.com/Roman-Sestertius-Collectors-Guide-Color/dp/B09M54VGX5/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1637688818&sr=1-1

Paper color: https://www.amazon.com/Roman-Sestertius-Collectors-Guide-Color/dp/B09M5B6HTR/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+roman+sestertius&qid=1637688818&s=books&sr=1-1

Hardcopy B&W: https://www.amazon.com/Roman-Sestertius-Collectors-Guide-Black/dp/B09M53NWL9/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=the+roman+sestertius&qid=1637688818&s=books&sr=1-4

Paper B&W: https://www.amazon.com/Roman-Sestertius-Collectors-Guide-Black/dp/B09M544D2D/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=the+roman+sestertius&qid=1637688818&s=books&sr=1-2

Offline Jasper B

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Re: New book about Roman Sestertii, by Jasper Burns
« Reply #1 on: November 23, 2021, 05:11:36 pm »
P. S. Don't know why the link to the pictures won't load, but the sample pages are at bottom.  JB

Offline Molinari

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Re: New book about Roman Sestertii, by Jasper Burns
« Reply #2 on: November 23, 2021, 05:28:51 pm »
Congratulations!  That is an impressive accomplishment.

I may be able to arrange for a formal review if you’re willing to send them a copy.  PM if interested.


Offline Jasper B

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Re: New book about Roman Sestertii, by Jasper Burns
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2021, 09:43:23 am »
Thanks very  much, Molinari!  I can send a copy for review - to whom?  Just give me the mailing address, though it will take about three weeks before I receive my author copies.

Jasper

Offline Molinari

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Re: New book about Roman Sestertii, by Jasper Burns
« Reply #4 on: November 25, 2021, 06:41:33 am »
I’ll have to find a specialist interested in writing it—I will ask around the editorial advisory board but if any readers here can competently review the work please PM me. Book reviews are an excellent way to get your feet wet in numismatic publishing.

Offline helvetica

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Re: New book about Roman Sestertii, by Jasper Burns
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2021, 06:51:46 pm »
Perhaps it would be easier and quicker for Jasper and the reviewer if he provided a pdf of the book instead of a hard copy.

Offline Jasper B

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Re: New book about Roman Sestertii, by Jasper Burns
« Reply #6 on: December 04, 2021, 10:25:29 am »
Thanks, Helvetica.  I would be glad to do that. 

By the way, there seems to be a delay in the availability of the hardback versions (color & B&W) of the book on Amazon.  They're listed as "In Stock Soon". They're telling me to expect them by December 14, but they haven't been shipped yet.  I have a color paperback copy and am VERY pleased with how it came out.  The images are sharp and detailed.

Offline Virgil H

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Re: New book about Roman Sestertii, by Jasper Burns
« Reply #7 on: December 04, 2021, 06:40:09 pm »
There are massive problems with Amazon lately with newly printed books to the point I will no longer order from them. I have seen multiple instances in recent weeks of deceptive "publication date changes" and what appears to be fake availability information that gives one the impression they have it in stock or may soon have it in stock, but in reality, I don't think they have a clue. I am sure it could be blamed on the supply chain issues, but I wish they would be honest about the problems. There are better places to buy books.

Virgil

Offline helvetica

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Re: New book about Roman Sestertii, by Jasper Burns
« Reply #8 on: December 04, 2021, 07:49:50 pm »
>There are better places to buy books.

hear hear. There are places that, unlike Amazon, do not try to steal from the credit card of a recently deceased relative. The reason I demanded they close my account immediately, as well as that of my late sister-in-law, otherwise I would have the law on them.

Offline Jasper B

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Re: New book about Roman Sestertii, by Jasper Burns
« Reply #9 on: December 05, 2021, 02:01:32 pm »
I do understand that many people have problems with Amazon. For me, their print on demand services have allowed me to self-publish 50-some titles, including several books about coins, without having to invest thousands in print runs and storage facilities. 

I've been very pleased with the results, but this is my first experience with their new hardback option. I've never had any delays with their paperbacks - including with this book - but they have posted misleading information about the hardbacks. They promise delivery to me by Dec. 15, and that's for author copies, which are very low priority for them, but we'll see.

I have tried using Ingram/Lightning Source for wider distribution, but their sales are only a fraction of Amazon's expanded distribution, so I'm sticking with Amazon for now.

If you are interested in sestertii, I humbly submit that you won't want to let Amazon make you miss this one.

Offline Virgil H

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Re: New book about Roman Sestertii, by Jasper Burns
« Reply #10 on: December 05, 2021, 03:22:31 pm »
I fully understand the advantages of Amazon for selling many things, including self-published books. I have done two books for others via Lightning Source and, at that time, they showed up on Amazon and everywhere else. Maybe things have changed. That was 15-20 years ago. I am sure things have changed and one of the books I did had a print run done in the US. The other was 100% print-on-demand. I would be surprised if Amazon is printing in the US, but who knows. I am curious, are Amazon print-on-demand books available anywhere outside of Amazon? The thing I liked about Ingram back then was the book showed up in Books in Print, in their catalog, and had an ISBN if you wanted one.

Thanks,
Virgil

Offline Jasper B

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Re: New book about Roman Sestertii, by Jasper Burns
« Reply #11 on: December 05, 2021, 06:04:11 pm »
Hi Virgil,

I don't know where the books are physically printed, but Amazon is usually pretty quick to deliver print-on-demand paperbacks in the States.  I can't speak about elsewhere. After I published the sestertius book, I ordered a color paperback copy as a regular customer on November 19 and received it on the 21st. Can't complain about that.

Amazon does expanded distribution through bookstores, etc. for a reduced royalty. However, I had heard that Lightning Source was a better way to go because booksellers don't like ordering from Amazon, so I shifted the expanded distribution to them for most of my books.  The results have been disappointing; I sold more books through non-Amazon venues using the Amazon expanded distribution system. So I think I'll leave things as they are for the sestertius book.  Any outlet that can stomach Amazon can get copies.

Best, Jasper

Offline Virgil H

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Re: New book about Roman Sestertii, by Jasper Burns
« Reply #12 on: December 05, 2021, 08:23:54 pm »
Hi Jasper,
Thanks for your response. I still order stuff from Amazon although I now look elsewhere first, mainly due to their now often higher prices and lowering quality (like I will never order computer components from them again even if they have the best price). They do what all the Internet monopolies are doing, so they are not unique. I was an early affiliate in the mid-90s when they still sent affiliates a Christmas present. LOL. And I will order your book because it looks quite interesting. As much as I want to, I still haven't pulled the plug on my Prime membership (although the price keeps going up unannounced and they haven't honored their big 2-day delivery promise in many years (you used to actually get it for free if you didn't get it in two days).

Cheers,
Virgil

 

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