The following photographs are from the personal collection of the late Lou Ullian, one of the original members of the Real 8 Company. These images depict artifacts, coins and other treasures found by the Real 8 Company in the 1960’s. Regrettably, the photographic quality is somewhat poor. However, this is often the case when dealing […]
Lou Ullian Personal Collection of Treasure Photographs Read More »
These photographs were recently acquired from a private collection. Some of the photographs are being presented publicly for the first time. Due to age and storage several are distressed and had to be digitally enhanced. Each photograph has a hand written narrative on the back. That narrative is set forth under each picture presented below.
Historic Photos of 1715 Fleet Salvage Operations Read More »
The modern day hunt for the 1715 Treasure Fleet began in the 1950’s, when a retired Florida contractor wondered why gold and silver kept washing up on a Florida beach near his home. Kip Wagner used to go beach-combing along the Florida coast looking for decorative pieces of driftwood. What he found, instead, was treasure.
Real Eight Company Collection of Gold Cobs Read More »
No history of the 1715 Fleet would be complete without mentioning the Real Eight Company and the men that formed this group. The Real Eight contribution to the discovery and recovery of the valuable historical coins and artifacts that made up the Treasure Fleet cannot be understated. Much of what we have learned about the
History of the Real Eight Company Through Documents and Letters Read More »
STEPHEN SHOUPPÉ 1 June 1948—5 November 2001 Captain Stephen Shouppé is probably best remembered by 1715 Fleet collectors for the wonderful artifacts and coins he salvaged from the Cannon Pile Wreck. His first major find was serendipitously on Fleet Day, July 31st, twenty years ago (1992). Steve died in November of 2001. What follows is
In Memoriam – Stephen Shouppé Read More »
DEMOSTENES “MO”MOLINAR 15 June 1932—23 April 2011 Shipwreck Treasure Legend The shipwreck salvage community was devastated by the news on April 24th that our Dear Friend and Idol, Mo, had died suddenly, at home, the day before. It is almost inexpressible — the sinking hollowness that this jingling on the e-mail grapevine brought to us.
In Memoriam – Demostenes Molinar Read More »
DELPHINE “DEL” LONG d. 4 May 2011 at age 87 Del Long was one of those whom I call the “Gentlemen Divers”—the Real Eight Corporation. He was born in South Carolina but came to Florida as an infant, growing up in Grant, which is just north of Sebastian. He moved to Melbourne in 1980. But,
In Memoriam – Delphine “Del” Long Read More »
Karl H. Goodpaster was a conservator for the Real Eight Company. In the 1960’s he developed a presentation that included a slide show. What follows is that presentation including his slides which have been digitally enhanced and reformatted for greater clarity. Along with the photographs is the actual written presentation that Mr. Goodpaster wrote. The
Karl H. Goodpaster Slide Presentation Read More »
What follows is an interview of Lou Ullian, original Real Eight member, conducted by Dan Sedwick on July 27, 2007. It is indeed fortunate that Dan had the opportunity (and foresight) to interview Lou when he did. Lou passed away on May 16th 2010 leaving many saddened friends. The treasure community has lost many significant
Lou Ullian Interview Read More »
On January 5th 2012 the Florida United Numismatists will kick off it’s 57th Annual Convention at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando Florida. The 1715 Fleet Society has arranged for an informational booth to be located at the show. Information will be available concerning our efforts and our plans for commemorating the anniversary of the
DATELINE: Orlando, Florida Read More »
We are pleased to announce that the 1715 Fleet Society has partnered with Viva Florida 500. Viva Florida 500 is dedicated to Florida’s rich and diverse cultural history and the celebration of that history taking place throughout 2013. In 2013 Florida will be celebrating it’s 500th anniversary. Interestingly enough in addition to the 300th anniversary of the
November’s Treasure of the Month is a three-coin trio of 1715 eight reales, which graced the cover of the 100th Issue Milestone Edition of the PLVS VLTRA Newsletter. These coins are all nicely dated 1715 specimens. Note that each coin has a nearly full OMJ, with much of the obverse shield showing. Fully dated 1715
November 2011 Treasure of the Month Read More »
