1 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia of Children's Dishes: An Illustrated Value Guide.

1. LOTS OF GOOD INFO IN THIS BOOK. I DID LIKE THE AKRO AGATE SECTION, BUT WAS DISAPPOINTED IN THE SMALL SECTION ABT TIN LITHO TEA SETS. THAT WAS MY MAIN REASON FOR ORDERING THIS BOOK.

3 comments about Revlon Dolls and Their Look-Alikes.

1. Revlon Tv adds can be bad enough, Now they are selling Dolls? Right, and Sears has a good auto repair service.



2. This book was like a trip back in time. I saw pictures of dolls that I played with and dreamed of owning. Recently I have been purchasing some of the dolls of my childhood to collect and display. The book is essential to help verify the authenticity of what I am buying. Is a dress truly a Revlon outfit or a copy? I enjoy referring to the book on many occasions. Kathy did an excellent job in documenting the history of Revlon dolls for doll collectors.



3. As a collector of 1950s fashion dolls, I can't buy a doll lately without checking this book -- for authenticity of outfits, identification of obscure companies, or comparing original dolls with "knock-offs." The Revlon information is the most complete available anywhere, in print or on the web. The additional info on similar dolls produced by competing companies is just as valuable. (No Madame Alexander info, but there are volumes of Alexander books already on the market.) And, like browsing a 1950s Sears catalog, it is just a hoot to see authentic '50s fashions in idealized miniature versions. Good for nostalgia, fashion research, and to prepare for browsing Ebay!

No comments about Cissette: A Collectors Guide to the Vintage Alexander Dolls.

1 comments about Arranbee Dolls: Identification & Value Guide.

1. I have many doll reference books and this one is great. Although it is not really a price guide. It does have great color pictures and has a great history of the Arranbee dolls. A beaufiful book. It is worth having in your collection.

5 comments about Antique Trader's Doll Makers and Marks: A Guide to Identification.

1. I use this book most often. It is a comprehensive book on doll manufactures with lists of doll name, mold numbers and sizes. It has pictures of most of doll mold numbers. It is a handy book to have around when you are an antique doll collector. For harder to identify mold numbers some smaller books, like Main Street Dictionary of Doll Marks is best. All in all this is one of my most used books and I do recommend it.



2. A must have..buy dolls or has a collection and needs to find marks, #s, makers, and not just for bisque, but compo and other materials, old dolls to more resent dolls. So full of information
   those marks that you thought you'd never find you just might here. You won't go wrong.. and what a price.. Couldn't live without it. Wonderful book.



3. This was the doll book I bought when I accidently ended up with two antique dolls. Although there is a wealth of information in this book, my two weren't identified. I now own four antique dolls from England, Belgium, and Germany, and the only one identified in this book is the Armand Marseilles. I'm still looking for a way to identify my other three.



4. This book has hundreds of doll marks and identifications. It has been a superb help in identifying dolls of all kinds. If you buy this one you will use it often.



5. This book has more information in one volume than any other doll ID guide that I've seen. I especially appreciate the doll size charts--helps to determine what size head goes on which body for many makes of antique dolls. Newer dolls are covered, too. It's my most-used book!

4 comments about Kid Stuff: Great Toys from Our Childhood.

1. One way in which the thinking processes of successful inventors and entrepreneurs differs from the average person is that they often see a potential masker that others fail to see. Many demonstrations of this ability may be found when reading this delightful little book, Kid Stuff. David Hoffman has assembled the histories of the most familiar toys of our childhood. From the Ant Farm to the Whiffle Ball, he details how they were conceived, perfected, and promoted.
   
   Consider the Slinky. If Richard James, in 1945, had not been intrigued by how a spring he accidentally dropped "walked" across the floor, the story could have ended right there. But be did see a potential. He perfected it, named it, and packaged it. It then died on the vine at the local retail outlet. Again, the story could have ended right there. However, he realized this was a new item and that it had to be demonstrated. When he demonstrated it at Gimbels, he sold 400 in minutes. In the 50 years since, 250 million have been sold!
   
   Three basics in the Slinky story form a common thread that runs through many of these classic toy histories. First, someone sees a potential market; secondly, a dynamite trade name is created; thirdly, clever marketing is utilized.
   
   Often the opportunity is in plain sight and, in fact, may have been for some time. Hoffman points out that it is said that the Yo-Yo is actually the second-oldest known toy (after dolls). Yet it remained for Donald Duncan, in 1927, to see the possibilities. Further confirmation that some people do look at the world differently may be had by noting that Duncan also invented the parking meter and introduced the Good Humor "ice cream on a stick."
   
   An example of a mental process utilizing analogical thinking may be seen in the history of the Erector Set. Back in 1911, A. C. Gilbert observed girders being assembled for an electric system along the railroad line he frequently traveled. Realizing kids love to assemble things (wood blocks, etc.), he put together a toy kit consisting of girders, gears, pulleys, etc.
   
   This power of observing the obvious and seeing the not so obvious is again shown in the history of Mr. Potato Head. George Lerner noticed how children love to play with their food. Who has not? He utilized the observation to create Mr. Potato Head. Incidentally, "Mr. Potato Head was the first toy to ever be advertised on television." The story recites how the toy has been adapted to the times. His pipe was eliminated and the last pipe given to the Surgeon General at the Great American Smokeout. Responding to safety regulation they increased the size of its pasts and made them less sharp. As Hoffman notes, the current Mr. Potato Head may surprise nostalgic parents, but he is still loved by the kids.
   
   Another example of how a toy was adapted to the times is Antonio Pasin's original wagon, "Liberty Coaster," of 1923. It was made of wood and it was followed by the classic little red wagon, "Radio Flyer," made of steel. It was called "Flyer" to emphasize motion and "Radio" to honor the Italian inventor of radio.
   
   If for no other reason, read this book to satisfy your curiosity as to how the classic toys came to be. How Paul Guillow created the balsa wood airplane industry. How a toy store owner and a marketing consultant created Silly Putty---it floundered until a mention in the New Yorker magazine resulted in orders for a quarter-million and it's sales has since reached the 200-million mark!
   
   This book is jammed packed with toy trivia. Largest-selling football in the world? Nerf football. Barbie Doll's last name? Roberts.
   
   Viktor Budnik's photographs for this book are terrific. They make this little book look good enough for your coffee table. But best of all, even your kids will enjoy this book and, perhaps, pick up on the idea that behind each toy there was a real person who took an idea from the dream world and brought it into the real world.



2. From the infamous ant farm to Wooly Willy, this book covers all the hokey and cool toys you probably had if you grew up in the 60s, 70s or even later. The author does a nice job of providing an interesting synopsis of each toy, including its invention, popularity, and success (or lack thereof). There are dozens of obscure facts and stories behind the creation and evolution of these toys, and this book culls them all for us, making it a fun and enjoyable read.
   
   The great thing about this book is that the toys featured include those that most of us had as kids (or at least had a friend who had them): Magic 8 Ball, Slinky (my personal favorite), Mr. Potato Head, Tinkertoys....and the list goes on. This book is great for the kid who never grew up.



3. These guys have put together a tremendous walk down memory lane. If you want to know the secrets behind your favorite childhood toys (as well as be reminded about how much fun they were)...buy this book. Set it out on a coffee table at your next party, and you are guaranteed an evening of fun reminiscing.

   This book is more than fun reading...it is childhood joy recaptured.




4. This book brings back wonderful memories. As a child it was wonderful playing and experiencing these wonderful toys. As an adult it is wonderful to find out why and how these classic toys came to be. This book is sure to bring a smile to all who read it.

5 comments about Beckett Racing Collectibles Price Guide (Beckett Racing Collectibles and Die-Cast Price Guide).

1. First of all, I was expecting the one with both Dale Sr. and Dale Jr. on the cover, not just Jr. Big disappointment. And second, I don't recall racing collectibles just being limited to die cast and cards. It was very misleading because the title states "Beckett Racing Collectibles Price Guide 2008 (Beckett Racing Collectibles and Die-Cast Price Guide)", not just Beckett Card and Car Book.



2. Great information! Should split cards from die-casts and make 2 books. Print is extremely small. Too much info for 1 book.



3. Received the issue with only Dale Jr. on the cover in his new team's colors. Pleased with it, very detailed and inclusive. H ave only found one piece I have not listed. Easy to follow. Invest in a magnifying glass if you are older than 21. Diecast listing by driver in the last section is very helpful. Who needs monthly updates in this hobby. Very much worth the price, but I really wanted the one with Dale Earnhardt on the cover.



4. Very pleased with purchase. Arrived in a timely fashion and in excellent condition. Just what we were looking for.



5. First of all, I HATE the BIG UGLY picture of American Car Racer...do not know his name, on the cover of the book. Second, I hate NASCAR and Cheap political HOT WHEEL junk I do not even care for looking at. The book should focus on HIGH QUALITY COLLECTIBLE BRANDS ONLY. What a waste of paper~!!!

5 comments about Collectors Guide to Ideal Dolls Identification and Values: Identification & Values (Collectors Guide to Ideal Dolls Identification and Values).

1. The Collector's Guide to Ideal Dolls ID & Values 2nd ED by Judith Izen is another great book by this author. I have been looking for information on a Miss Revlon doll for years and I opened the box and right on the cover is the information I have been looking for. I am thrilled! Any doll collector or lover would love this book. Thanks Judy for another great job! Very fast shipping and a signed copy, it doesn't get any better than this!



2. Enjoyed this book and also the prompt manner in which it was delivered to me by userbro128. It was a used book and let me tell you it did not look used at all. Highly recommend the seller and the book to any one intrested.



3. The majority of the pages in this 350-page book are loaded with color photos and information on the Ideal dolls manufactured from 1907 up through the 1980s. Most dolls are pictured in their original outfits and some photos are packages of the original outfits. Also included are photos of ads for specific dolls. The book starts with a short history of the Ideal Toy Co., while the back of the book gives more information on issue dates, characteristics, and current prices.

   This book is a must have for those doll collectors that want to restore a doll to original condition.




4. Fabulous color pictures of all the dolls in the book- tons of dolls you will recognize and some you won't. Also features the manufacture marks you will find on dolls to identify them. Most of the dolls are shown in original outfits- some with original packaging and a small percentage are shown redressed. Complete with price guide.



5. I truly recommend this book, not merely for finding out your Ideal doll's monetary value, but more as a walk down memory lane. Being 56 years old, I remember growing up with many of Ideal's dolls. I especially enjoyed the brief mention of the Snuggles' doll and rocking horse(which many books on dolls leave out). So, if you are tired of reading dribble..., then snuggle up with this pictorial walk down memory lane.

1 comments about Kachina Dolls: The Art of Hopi Carvers.

1. Cecil Calnimptewa, Ronald Honyouti, Loren Phillips, Dennis Tewa and Wilmer Kaye ... they're all in this book, plus 22 other top Hopi carvers. Need I say more! Author/photographer Teiwes begins by tracing the life, history and religion of the Hopi and brings the reader to the doorstep of 1991 (the publication date). 24 color photos serve as the central focus of the book, but the final 63 pages which profile the 27 carvers is what really "makes" it. My copy is in paperback. I assume the hardback foremat is the same. Pick up a copy; you'll thoroughly enjoy it!!!

5 comments about Collector's Guide to Dolls of the 1960s and 1970s: Identification & Values, Vol. 1.

1. I saw this book sticking out on a shelf in the library. Though I don't have a doll interest I decided to check it out. I've checked it out at least five times since then.
   The book is so colorful and beautifully laid out. The woman has a sense of humor about the bizarre items of the past, some of which would never pass today like the doll Flatsy. Another item of this book was Growing Hair Cher where a person could make Cher's hair go up and down with a key.
   I've shown this to other people and it always manages to get a couple of laughs.



2. This book is great. I am very pleased with it. It has lots of dolls to look at/look up. The dolls are catagorized by manufactorer but if you can't find your doll that way the index is extremely easy to use. It has helped me a lot in my doll collecting and it has also helped add some dolls to my want list. All in all wonderful book, worth buying.



3. Cindy Sabulis' Dolls Of The 1960s And 1970s (162-5, pairs pages packed with color photos of the dolls and most often their boxes with identification tips and values ranges. This will prove an invaluable guide for any avid doll collector needing a complete reference to makers and dolls of these eras.



4. Cindy has done it again - This is a FABULOUS guide to all those dolls we played with back then! Cindy has indexed this book by all of the popular (and not-so-popular) doll manufacturers in order by year of release. Everything is full color, with approximate secondary market values! Vinyl dolls from the 60's and 70's are rapidly growing in value on the collector's market and buyers have the BEST opportunity now to scour, ID and sell - this is one book you do not want to be without at doll shows! I enjoyed reacquainting myself with most all of the dolls displayed. Thanks, Cindy!



5. This is a terrific book with tons of bright and detailed photos. Contains a lot of the popular dolls from this period- along with some that are not so popular (which is nice for identifying). Contains dolls such as Liddle Kiddles, Dolly Darling, Crissy, Flatsy, Playpal, Thumbelina, Barbie, Darcy, Tammy, and so many more. It is a pleasure to read so you will find yourself coming back to look at it even when you don't have a doll to identify.