American Digger (magazine)
American Digger is a magazine about the hobby of recovering historical artifacts and is published bi-monthly in the United States. It was founded in 2005 by Butch Holcombe.[1] [2]
History
American Digger includes articles covering finds made by metal detecting, surface hunting, diving, and sifting. It also contains photo stories on old coins, Civil War and Revolutionary War relics, stone artifacts, fossils, and bottles.
It was founded in response to reader requests for more material related to amateur archeology. Holcombe has said he wants to help bridge the gap between professional archeologists and amateur historians and has said he promotes only the responsible excavation and documentation of artifacts.[3]
Founder Butch Holcombe is a humorist from Atlanta, Georgia. He was born in 1955, and now manages to freelance and self-publish the magazine.[4]
[5][6][7]
[8]
Circulation
"The first issue of American Digger was 52 pages of black and white, with a circulation of only 500. This has now grown to 74 pages, much of which is in color, with a current circulation of over 2000 in all 50 states, Canada, Jordan and Australia", quoted by Publisher Butch Holcombe ".[9]" "Subscriptions are also sent free to US aircraft carriers on tour."
Featured Articles
- Just Dug, which is a collection of photos of recently recovered items submitted by readers.
- Can You ID written by noted Civil War artifact author Charles Harris and a network of experts attempt to identify items of significance recovered by both hobbyists and professionals.[10][11][12]
- Stumpt contains photos of items which noted Civil War artifact author Charles Harris can not identify. This has resulted in several unknown or previously misidentified relics being positively identified by readers.
- News-n-Views by Mark Schuessler documents changes in laws and legal matters connected with artifacts and their recovery.
- The Savage Facts, a column written by collector and former pro wrestler Ric Savage, devoted to exposing fraudulent or questionable items.
Publisher
The magazine is published by Greybird Publishing, Acworth, GA
References
- ^ Butch Holcombe Creative Artists
- ^ 2009 Treasure Expo and Trade Show Vendor at Myrtle Beach SC
- ^ 18Q The 18 Questions Butch Holcombe
- ^ Creative Artist Community
- ^ Civil War artifacts to be discussed by expert at Historical Society meeting January 31, 2006 The Cedartown Standard
- ^ Digging it: Relic lovers unearth a new career Relic lovers unearth a new career September 20, 2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- ^ Never Mace a Skunk by Butch Holcombe (2003) ISBN 978-1-4033-7421-9
- ^ ISBN.net price, details and reviews of 'Never Mace a Skunk written by Butch Holcombe'
- ^ American Digger ISSN# 1551-5737 (comparative issues of the magazine growth are Vol 1, Issue 1, 2005 and Vol 5 Issue 4, 2009), Butch Holcombe Publisher, PO Box 126, Acworth, GA 30101
- ^ Civil War Relics Of The Western Campaigns 1861-1865 (1987) author: Charles S. Harris
- ^ Never Mace A Skunk II: The Legends Continue (2004) authors: Butch Holcombe and Charles S Harris
- ^ Civil War Relics of the Western Campaign author: Charles Harris
External links