3 comments about The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United State Coins 2009 (Guide Book of United States Coins) (Guide Book of United States Coins) (Guide Book of United States Coins).

1. This book has all the information that I need in finding what to look for in the grade of a coin and the price of that grade. I always go to this book before I buy a cion, to see if the cost is in the area listed.



2. #1 Best Selling Price Guide is a MUST:
   
   The official RED BOOK a guide book to United States Coins R.S.Yeoman ed. Kenneth Bressett, 61th edition, Whitman, 2009.
   
   Best in organization, easy of use, pictures, illustrations, & data, also the most popular. Whitman's RED BOOK is an essential guide, indispensable requisite and required handbook with up-to-date numismatic information.
   
   Best of the best in the area of numismatics have contributed to this volume, the most notable, respected, knowledgeable and distinguished numismatist were consulted for the 61th edition.
   
   165 plus prominent coin collectors auctioneers, and museums contributed directly to the 2009 Red Book Guide, Bressett, Jeff Garrett, Tom Hallenbeck, Steve Contursi, Ira & Larry Goldberg, Bill Fivaz, David Akers, Silvano DiGenova, the Smithsonian Institution, Heritage Galleries, the ANA money museum, Stack's Rare Coins, Superior Galleries, the United States Mint, and several dozens more.
   
   The guide has some problems, notable some errors occurred and as I mentioned earlier "All" prices guides without exception are outdated by the time is printed, mainly due to market conditions, collector interest, commodities volatility, speculators, currency value, supply & demand, among others.
   
   Numismatics is a hobby as any other do not expect a handsome return on your investment, at least not a monetary one. Have fun. Good luck.



3. This is a must be coin book for U.S. coin collectors. Very informative and much improved edition compare to the previous issues. I would highly recommend this to everyone collecting U.S. coins and its territories!

5 comments about The Official U.S. Mint 50 State Quarters: Complete 100 Hole Collector's Folder, Complete Collection 1999-2008.

1. I recently purchased the Official U.S Mint 50 State Quarters folder for my grandson who has been collecting
   the quarters. The folder was exactly what he was looking for. It was certainly the right price and because it
   was "official" made it even more exciting for him to have.



2. I had a large coin book, but wanted the 100 hole for the 2 mints. This worked perfectly. It would have been nice to have them (D & P) side by side, but it folds up nicely, better than my last one. Yes, the quarters can be hard to place in the book, but for me, they stay put. I do not like the thin backing under the holes. I worry that if I push too hard, I might tear right through. I am still pleased with it, and have ordered several. It has made the quarter collecting more fun.



3. this is an excellent book to keep your state quarters in , a very nice folder showing both p asnd d mints- well made.



4. It is not a hard cover like it said it is. Philidelpia mints are on one side and Denver on another. I would have like to have seen the two mints together. Otherwise, coins fit in slots great and has interesting facts to read on the interior cover.



5. Wow, great fun as a little project with my daughter to teach them about saving and collecting.

5 comments about Your Guide to Cemetery Research.

1. I love this book. Helpful for the geneaologist as well as the cemetery lover. Great tips on preserving tombstones, care of them, and researching those interred. Very helpful.



2. This book on tombstone research isn't perfect.Yet,it is one of the most popular and facilitative ones around.The design styles and marking patterns reveal much about when the stone was cut and their popularity for their day.In the old days,cemeteries were places were the family gathered for Sunday picnics and honored the lives of their forefathers.Inscriptions were witticisms and caveats to living,reminders for the mourners.God's acre ,the final resting place for the deceased.This book offers the reader great insight into what the novice researcher should look for.The meanings behind the symbols.Among stonecutters of yesteryear,their was an understood secretive code for the intombed and interred. For example,a 'lamb' indicated the passing of a child and with a 'half-moon' indicated it was a second-bourne child.Another example,upside-down torches connoted a ceasation of a family line,with no further namesake to carry the surname.Hour-glasses and skull headstones were popular during the seventeenth century,and has a renaissance of popularity among some of today's taphaphiles.Many of the headstones of twentith century became rather mundane.With the linear belief of modern monotheistic mankind,an after-life or the idea of rebirth, was seen as nonsense.Elaborate tombstones and sepulchral sarcophaguses are still the best way to honor the lives of the parted and praise for the good.These cenotaphs for the missing perished ones,bone-chambers of the deceased and grave-plaques of the buried; are earthly reminders of "who" our ancestors were before us.This book is one of the best to help the living ,respectfully chart and navigate around the addresses of the hallowed necropolis.



3. This is the book I recommend to everyone who takes my Cemetery Art classes. There is information on how to use cemeteries as research, how to research cemeteries, how to perform gravestone rubbings properly, how to even make a cast of a gravestone, gravestone symbolism and so much more. It's the best book on cemetery research I've come across. Sharon's writing is friendly and inviting. This is a MUST!



4. Your Guide to Cemetery Research is clearly written and comprehensive. It is an important tool for the geneologist or historian and includes many resource materials. It will be valuable to me in writing a series of articles on an important historical cemetery. Clear and cogent writing.



5. Very complete and informative. Good list of sources to look for information.

5 comments about 500 Tiles: An Inspiring Collection of International Work (500 Series).

1. Great book - great price. Gave me lots of ideas for my own projects. I was able to create original works using similar ideas to those others had made.



2. EXCELLENT review of many techniques, styles and approaches to clay tiles. Well presented with very good reproduction. A great addition to any potter or artists library. Expanded technical data would make this edition even better, but I still rate it a "9"...



3. This book is a bounty of styles and artistic ideas for what tiles could and may become, with an open mind and some creative techniques. As a beginning ceramicist, this is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for; as I wanted to break out of the traditional 4x4 square and make something wholly unconventional. I wasn't sure if my ideas would work, but after seeing what others have done I am inspired to make my dreams a reality. Thanks to books like these, I can let my imagination run wild and my only limit will be time and creativity.



4. Among the very best of the Lark Books "500" series. Brilliant color and design, not limited to traditional tiles and encouraging to the artist craftsman.



5. I must agree with the previous reviewers, the work in this volume certainly merits "Inspiring" being in the title.
   
   As the juror states in the book's introduction, so much of the fun of this book is seeing the widely varied approaches the artists have taken with this format: figurative, abstract, painterly, sculptural, small-scale, architectural.
   
   Full disclosure: my work is also included (p 409), and I am honored to have been selected and published next to so many visionary artists.
   
   What a pleasure it has been to explore the works contained here, some by artists I know personally, or by reputation, and still others I am encountering for the first time. Highly recommended!

5 comments about The Complete Peanuts 1950-1954 Box Set.

1. I started reading the Peanuts when I was in elementary school, and followed the strip until its end. When it ended I hoped that Schultz's work would be compiled into a collection, and it was. When I hear Fantagraphics was going to publish all of the Peanuts strips I didn't give the collection much thought, with regard to the design, packaging, etc. I was just happy that there was going to be a collection!
   
   When I recieve my order from Amazon, and first lifted the box that The Complete Peanuts 1950-1954 came in I was pleased to discover that the box was quite heavy. Why? The publisher didn't just throw the strips together in a cheap package. Fantagraphics gave the Peanuts the packaging and presentation it deserves. Two hard cover books...with wonderfully designed cover jackets...slips into a very sturdy box; I have the other 3 box sets and each box's design features a character and related artwork...its simply amazing and I couldn't ask for more. These books are going to last a long time, not to mention look great on a book shelf. I highly recommend this product and the other box sets as well. You can't beat the price Amazon is asking either. I was at Borders a while ago and they were asking $35 just for ONE book...not for the box set. Another thing to keep in mind...this endeavor by Fantagraphics is likely to be a one time deal, because it is so expensive to publish all of the strips.
   
   Not too long ago, retailers sold out of the 1950-1954 box set, and it looked like they were not going to get anymore in. Fortunatley they did, but during this shortage the box set was selling for $250+ on eBay. So, buy it while you can...you won't regret it if you are a fan of the Peanuts...or a casual reader!



2. I am in my mid-forties and am enjoying this wonderful journey back into my childhood. Although I caught Peanuts and Schultz in the 1960s, I still grew to have this huge spot in my heart for the world of Peanuts. As an adult (I think) now, I can also enjoy the strip for its sometimes unexpected, intimate peek into the life of Charles Schultz.
   
   It is, therefore, with great joy that I started at the beginning, pre-Peanuts, when Schultz's comic strip was named "Lil Folks." It is fascinating to see how early he had developed some characters' features (Lucy and Charlie Brown). It is also possible to see how far Snoopy comes along as a character with a ripe, expansive internal life, when he was still "just a dog" in the 1950s.
   
   I won't bore you with the details; if you're a Peanuts fan, you already know who's who and all that. Suffice to say that, for Peanuts fans or those wanting an overview of the Great Charles Schutlz's work, this is a fine place to start the journey.
   
   I loved this set so much that I would rate it more than 5 stars if I could!



3. The box set is awsome.
   Hard cover, high quality paper and tons of Peanuts.
   Must have item!



4. I am now on the second volume of this set, and I will be sticking with them through the entire series, buying every box set released! These volumes are great! Even the simple, clean, uninterrupted way the comics are shown is great. Before I know it, an hour has passed, and I'm excited to see that I still have 100 pages' worth of reading -- and then more excited to know that a lot more volumes are coming. This is a fascinating way to see how the comics evolved, and to see how Schulz had created something special, from the very beginning. I recommend these!!!



5. My wife has always been a fan of Peanuts, and I found these to be perfect. She's so happy each time she opens a new one.

5 comments about Old-Fashioned Halloween Cards: 24 Cards.

1. I ordered this booklet of postcards for my boyfriend because he loves vinatge halloween postcards and other collectibles. I was surprised when I received this booklet because it has 6 pages with 4 postcards on each and they are perforated for easy removal and are very glossy. My only complaint is that I would want the postcards to be heavier stock i fear of them tearing or crumpling in the mail. I would recommend getting two of these books, one to tear out the cards and mail them to friends and family and the other to keep as a coffee table book. It will surely bring back memories of Halloween and keep your friends talking about old memories. I was very impressed with this buy as was my boyfriend. :-)I definetly recommend it!



2. These old-fashioned Halloween cards are spooktacular enough to make any recipient smile. A great way to say Happy Halloween in style!



3. If you like old fashioned Halloween graphics this book is for you. The format is made to allow you to tear out the cards. If you can bear to part with these gorgeous cards they can be send US mail. Or if you love Halloween as I do you will want to keep these to use as inspiration in costumes and perhaps decorating. Very pretty graphics.



4. I was thrilled when these arrived.
   They are so lovely I almost wish I had ordered another set to cut out and use while saving the other.
   The cards are a nice quality stock and have a shiny finish to them.
   The colors are bright and cheerful.
   I am beyond pleased.



5. 4 postcards per page, printed in beautiful rich color on heavy stock. perforations between cards - you will probably want to use a paper trimmer to get a nicer edge before using them. A nice variety of wonderful vintage halloween designs featuring children. great for postcards, or as decor!

4 comments about 2009 Standard Catalog Of World Coins 1901-2000 (Standard Catalog of World Coins).

1. For an amateur this is quite adequate as it contains most of the major coinages of the world. Due to the extensive coinage systems of the world's many countries, these "manuals" are now separated into blocks of years. It is worth the price.



2. 
   Excellent book. Best review of currant coins. In fact, it is the only in depth series I am aware of.



3. If you collect world coins, you need to purchase the Standard Catalog series from Krause Publications. The 20th Century book that I purchased came with a DVD. I kinda look at this as a "2 for 1" deal as the DVD has the same contents as the book. I noticed that the prices on some coins went up while others went down. With the DVD, I can look up countries almost as fast as the book (there will be some of you who will experience either fast finds or slow ones depending on your computer processing speed). Overall, I only hope that Krause will include DVD's in future editions.



4. This is a book a coin collector simply cannot live without. Over 2000 pages packed with information on coins. Obviously, there are better catalogues for specific periods or territories but none so comprehensive. At some point your collection will reach the level when other catalogues are necessary but when you decide to go beyond your local coinage there is no better start. If you really concentrate on some period or country, you will soon outgrow it. If you begin to broaden your numismatic horizons, this is your guide and you may need no other.
   This is a book like an old friend. You know his shortcomings (not all were corrected from previous editions, some chapters were made even worse - if you collect Belgian coins don't buy this issue - some coins are missing!), you know he is not really up-to-date (whatever he may claim), you know that he gets more and more forgetful every year, you know he can be terribly obstinate and stick to his mistakes for years. But you reach for him in need because, well, you haven't got a better friend.

1 comments about Knives 2009 (Knives).

1. Knives 2009 has even more art knife photos than Knives 2008 but there isn't much to read. The articles just keep going down hill in quality. Please bring back Ken Warner as editor!

5 comments about The Encyclopedia of Furniture: Third Edition - Completely Revised.

1. If some one like antique furnitures, you got to have this book. it is very completely and tells you most the styles in the history.



2. This is a great visual encyclopedia for learning what parts of furniture and styles from different periods look like. When reading about a reproduction Greek klismos chair with sabre legs or a Louis XV commode with Sevres plaque and riband trim, there is nothing like a visual reference to understand what those words actually mean. Not a light read, but this is an important addition to the bookshelf of anyone really serious about being educated in elements of interior design.



3. The condition of the book was very good.
   The book itself was not very useful, it had a lot of information and enless you knew exactly what you were looking for it was hard to find



4. This is an encyclopedia of furniture. The information on each subject is limited. It makes a good quick reference, but didn't help me too much..



5. THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FURNITURE is more like a dictionary of design terms with pictures of specific furniture pieces. It gives a brief history of the furniture periods, but it will not aide you in learning about the characteristics of the pieces in each style. It is a good choice if you are looking for a quick reference guide with pictures and definitions.

5 comments about Bead Romantique: Elegant Beadweaving Designs.

1. The book had nice designs, but a lot of variations of the same thing. Not what I expected from this author.



2. I am a beginner in jewelry making, and at this point unsure which part of it to specialize on (I am leaning towards wireworking, but this book looked too beautiful to pass up). This book has so many gorgeous pieces that you can easily customize as you get better. It is definitely a bit of a challenge for a beginner, but with a bit of patience and research, I think you will be proud of what you can accomplish with this book.



3. I would recommend this book to all beaders, if only for the eye candy. The jewelry is amazing and the photography is fantastic. I haven't made anything from the patterns as yet, but they look to be very well written and sensible.



4. I am as addicted to books as I am to beading! Two of my favorite books are by Carol Wilcox Wells and though I have purchased many books since hers have been published, this is the first I would rank as highly as I rank hers. It is filled with inspiring, beautiful, and most importantly, ORIGINAL designs. It is a book that is a wonderful addition to an intermediate to advanced beader's library. The projects are fun to create and the directions are clear and easy to follow. I liked this book so much I bought 3 more to "gift" my beading friends with!!



5. The theme of the book is romantic, almost Victorian looking pieces. Most of the supplies called for are really easy to find in local bead stores, and the rest can be found searching online.
   The beginning of the book has some basic information about the supplies used, including what the author likes and dislikes about some threads and needles, and what the best application is for them.
   Then you get into the rest of the book, the projects. They are stunning. They range from very easy and elegant chain and wirework projects, simple beadwoven projects with some lovely surface embellishment, and then some incredibly dramatic looking bead woven pieces. The color photographs are inspiring and the instructions and diagrams are very well written. Many of the projects are meant for the intermediate beader.
   Don't be daunted though, the back of the book has stitch diagrams, and the text of each project is well written step by step.
   My favorite thing about the projects is that a few of them combine techniques. Chain as an accent on a beadwoven necklace for example. Some of her designs are completely unexpected pairings of techniques and beads that turn out looking amazing.
   Like I said, most supplies can be found easily at a good local bead store, and some projects are entirely made of easily found supplies, which is always nice in a book like this. The V Scallop necklace for example, you may have all the supplies you need on hand, or be inspired by it to make something similar with the supplies you do have on hand.
   My personal favorite project in the whole book is the intricate motif constructed Victorian Diamond Cuff. It looks difficult, but it's actually made of diamond shaped motifs that look easy enough one at a time.
   If you're an intermediate beader looking for inspiration and ideas, or a beginning beader looking for a challenge, I recommend this book.