Little Known Brooklyn Residents: Treasure Hunter, Jay Erlichman

Tara

While researching in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle morgue, I came across this curious image of a young Brooklyn resident digging in rubble.


Brooklyn Treasure Hunter Jay Erlichman hard at work hunting treasure.

On January 16, 1950, a small article ran in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, with this image titled "Youthful Treasure Hunter". By the time it went to print, nine-year old Jay Erlichman had been digging for treasure with his broken shovel for "about four years". Up until this date, his efforts had dug up a total of $1.27 and "an enormous collection of rusty bottle caps, tin cans, broken glass and old shoes".

While his parents supported his explorations, his thirteen year-old brother thought he was "slightly crazy". However, Jay's perseverance paid off when he dug up a cigar box containing $200 in savings bonds, and about $100 of costume jewelry on one of his digs. He was off to buy a new shovel with his treasure, and hoped to be a professional treasure hunter when he grew up.

 

 

This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.

 

anon

Jay Erlichman has been a professional numismatist since 1964. He has authored many articles and contributed to numismatic guidebooks, as well as assembled and managed investment portfolios of U.S. Coins. Mr. Erlichman has worked with collectors and government agencies in obtaining consignments for auction, written auction catalogues, and been employed by the Federal Trade Commission as an expert witness on consumer fraud. Professional affiliations include membership in the American Numismatic Association, New York Numismatic Club, Professional Coin Grading Service and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. He has spoken before business organizations on the subject of rare coin collecting and investing.
Sun, Oct 10 2010 2:55 am Permalink

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