Quarterama Rediscovers America for 140 Million State Quarter Collectors

Feb. 8, 2011 - PRLog -- Los Angeles, CA—The designer whose coin idea became California’s State Quarter has published an entertaining tour across America’s favorite pocket change. The book’s launch celebrates both Presidents Day on February 21st and George Washington’s birthday on February 22nd.  

Quarterama: Ideas & Designs of America’s State Quarters (Hardbound ISBN 978-0-9845624-0-4; $50.00; Softbound ISBN 978-0-9845624-1-1; $34.95; Newtona, February 2011) is a lavishly designed 160-page gift book that examines America’s popular State Quarters.  Beyond the who, what, where and when of each design is the essential why inside each coin’s idea. Author Garrett Burke says “I knew very little about Caesar Rodney on horseback until seeing Delaware’s quarter. Enduring an all-night ride in a thunderstorm, Rodney cast the tie-breaking vote to adopt the Declaration of Independence. ‘Make Your Vote Count’ is the powerful idea inside each Delaware coin. Nebraska’s pioneer wagon represents a ‘Leap of Faith’ moment, encouraging us to trust our instincts when faced with risks. These 50 coins form a panorama of national identity.”  

Garrett’s coin idea honoring naturalist John Muir in Yosemite Valley was selected by Gov. Schwarzenegger from over 8,300 entries. Its timeless message: “Enjoy yet respect nature.” A noted graphic designer for the entertainment industry, Garrett was overwhelmed by the honor of seeing his name attached to half a billion American keepsakes. He recalls, “Numerous schools and civic groups invited me to speak. Over time I created a breezy, yet educational presentation.  Students and teachers enjoyed my unconventional look at U.S. history and Quarterama was born.”  

The book’s super-sized, enhanced art reveals meaningful details collectors seldom notice in their small coins. Special foldouts follow the California State Quarter’s creation from sketchbook to minting and the Braille dot code seen on Alabama’s quarter is deciphered in actual Braille printing.  Also covered are the District of Columbia and five U.S. Territories coins, a preview of the new National Parks Quarters, a brief history of the commemorative coin series, and the often misunderstood mottoes Liberty, In God We Trust, and E Pluribus Unum. Casual collectors will learn how to spot if their Wisconsin quarter contains a mysterious error worth hundreds of dollars. The deluxe hardbound edition doubles as a 1999-2009 coin album with unique inside-the-covers slots.

Also released is a trifold coin album for collecting the U.S. Mint’s new 2010-2021 coin series celebrating places of natural beauty and cultural distinction.  Quarterama: America’s Treasured National Parks Quarters (ISBN 978-0- 9845624-2-8; $19.95; Newtona, February 2011) extends the learning for another generation of collectors. All 56 coins can be stored in a notched, color coded system.  The “Hello, I’m a Coin” section puts quarter-dollars in the spotlight and a special tribute to Theodore Roosevelt honors this legendary champion of both the wilderness and coin artistry.

“Quarter-dollars connect everybody, not just for feeding parking meters but as tiny sculptures containing powerful messages. People waiting in the checkout line can flip through their state quarters and find extra value in recognizing small moments of enlightenment” smiles Garrett.

Before his coin idea became the California State Quarter, author Garrett Burke crafted art, logos, and packaging for pop culture brands including Star Wars, James Bond, and Nickelodeon. His design concepts have been recognized by The Library of Congress, Graphis, The Hollywood Reporter Key Art Awards, American Corporate Identity, and in numerous books. Next to the California State Quarter, his favorite use of design energy was in creating the American Humane Association’s Film and TV Unit logo seen at the end of movies and TV shows proclaiming “No animals were harmed in the making of this...” Raised in Philadelphia, Garrett is an honors graduate of New York’s Pratt Institute School of Art & Design.

Garrett is an experienced public speaker for TV, radio, and telephone interviews. Beautiful high resolution book art and coin images are easily emailed to accent any story. Contact Kara Murphy 619-258-4905 ext. 108.

Quarterama is Available from all Major Wholesalers, Chain and Independent Bookstores, and Directly from Sunbelt Publications. Visit http://www.quarterama.com for more information.