5 comments about Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values.

1. I have an old Flayderman's from the 1980s that has been a great source of information over the years on antique firearms. The sheer amount of information gathered in it is incredible and the latest edition is, believe it or not, even better! More information on many of the firearms and more entries makes this edition the best yet. Flayderman's in an invaluable resource for those interested in antique firearms and I highly recommend it!



2. Ever since the first edition, Norm's book has been the standard reference for antique American firearms. No other reference comes close to the breadth of content. Unless someone takes over, this is likely to be the last edition as Norm is getting up there in years.
   
   The index is still difficult to use as it has been since the first edition. It can be frustrating to locate information on a specific, less common, firearm. The prices listed for most items tend to be several years out of date.



3. I have ll the previous books, I have been waiting for this to come out. A must have for anyone who collects antique gun's.



4. As always, Flayderman presents the best in his guides. Well written and explanations are very accurate. A must for gun collectors and dealers.



5. I have bought 5 prior editions of this book. It is the best antique firearms valuation tool out there and full of interesting information.

5 comments about Making Marks: Discovering the Ceramic Surface.

1. I purchased this book as a gift and it was absolutely perfect for an up and coming potter who has the building techniques down but would like to move to the next stage of creative pottery design.



2. Hi,
   I am the author of this book. The first review in the list of five gives a glowing report and yet rates only one star! I feel that this is a mistake. All the other reviews give the book five stars. This might be detrimentally affecting sales. I feel sure that the reviewer did not intend the single star rating with the review that he or she has given.
   
   Perhaps you can check this out. Thanks



3. Making Marks is an excellent reference book that both beginners and advanced potters can benefit from. It delves into all aspects of potting, and not only illustrates the results that can be achieved, it provides the "how to" for many of the processes. Any potter who has this book in their library will never run out of ideas for creating unique pieces.



4. This is an exciting book, it is not just about painting marks on surfaces. The list of options is quite comprehensive from liquid slips, clay colour modifications, carving, underglazes, slip-trailing, lustre-ware and of course impressions and incisions made by tools. Robin Hopper is a master of clay due to the years he has be absorbed by it. He has used good quality work by various potters to display the different forms of decoration.
   
   Surface decoration is always something you need to think in advance about before making the piece. You need to be clear what you want to see in the end, these choices will affect how smooth you want the surface to be and of course the decoration needs to be a custom-fit aesthetically for each piece. Discourse about these matters is found throughout the book.
   
   Glaze technology is discussed in this book, though not to the depth a total beginner would like - total knowledge could be gained in a technical course.
   
   This is one of those books that you can keep using as your understanding grows depending on where you are. Always interesting and inspiring to read about other surace decoration forms gaining knowledge all the way.
   
   This book would also be good as a guide in a set course, chapter by chapter you could do projects eg Chapt 1: Drawing, Chapt 2: Sign & Symbol, Chapt 3: Pattern & Space, Chapt 6: Marks of Slash, Scratch, Carve & Cut etc.
   
   All in all, a wonderful storehouse of so many ideas to have at hand !



5. While I'm relatively new to the art and craft of pottery, I beginning to find my own voice in my work. This book is helping me to think about differnet ways to express myself in my work. While I will probably never go out and buy a sand blaster or work with lusters, I know I have the inital reference source I need should I decide to go that way.
   
   Possibly one of the most valuable (but not necessarily exciting sections) is his intial discussion of drawing and line. I come from a background of hard science (chemistry) and know little of formal art or the principles of "line." He explains why this is important and how to start thinking about it.
   
   Finally, the book is a visual orgy. My husband (non potter) and I frequently sit and flip through the book to look at the examples of the various works. It becomes intoxicating. We can sit and discuss what makes one peice have that "come hither" look while another, while technically excellent, has little or no appeal to us. It has become a spring board for me in terms of astectics.
   
   While this book will not teach you how to sand blast or give you important clues about the proper layering of airbrushed glazes, it will help you think about all of the different types of marks you can make on clay and choose the ones that call to you.

5 comments about Ribbonwork The Complete Guide: Technique Guide for Making Ribbon Flowers and Trimmings.

1. highly recommended. beautiful photos - clear instructions - gorgeous designs. As a vintage ribbon work lover, this book has it all.



2. when you want to make a gift special this book will have your flowers very creative and lets you pick those special colors with out a lot of mess. great book



3. Excellent. Very easy instructions and easy projects. I was immediately able to make beautiful flowers out of ribbon. Highly recommended.



4. This book is all you need to know - materials, techniques, inspiration for projects. If you'd like to learn ribbonwork, this is the only book you need.



5. This is the 3rd book I've bought on making ribbon flowers and it is certainly the one to make it easier for you. Her flower directons make your ribbon flowers look like the ones you buy.

3 comments about Brooches: Timeless Adornment.

1. For a Rizzoli book the photography of the brooches is terrible. The pieces chosen for the book are interesting and beautiful. When I opened the book, the binding broke. It is printed in China so I suppose that explains the overall poor quality. I returned this book.



2. Page 56 begins in the middle of the sentence. It might be that this book was printed in China.
   Great photos for people interested in this type of jewelry. Some nice information.



3. A concise, informative, well-researched book on brooches with wonderful photographs by David Behl. Ms. Gross has certainly authored a book which gives a broad historical overview of brooches. The book includes many fabulous, meaningful, and accurately categorized pieces as illustrations. Obviously, Ms. Gross spent much time in selecting the appropriate pieces to be illustrated and much research in preparing the corresponding information with the pieces. The book covers the history of brooches to the care of brooches, and is one of the best overviews of this very important jewelry form that has been published. Also, I might add, that the Rizzoli Publishing Company, as always, did a masterful job in publishing the book.

5 comments about PYREX: The Unauthorized Collector's Guide.

1. Very nice book on Pyrex ware. It is a nice guidebook to have for collectors.



2. First, I want to point out that except for one other of the 7 reviews before mine, all were written previous to 2008--the copyright date of this book. So those reviews DO NOT pertain to this edition; they pertain to earlier editions. I have been using the previous (2002) edition of this book, so I was delighted when I discovered that a 2008 edition was coming out. It has a nice, new updated cover--very appealing. But it looks like that's about all that's changed. From what I can tell, the inside of the book is exactly the same--same pictured items, with no changes that I can see. I assume the prices are updated, although I can't really tell because I can't compare them with the old edition (which was from the library). Even though I got the book on sale, it was a big disappointment and not worth my money--I can go back to the library and get the same old thing!



3. With every book on collectibles people will say or write they couldn't find what they were looking for. This is true with antique and collectibles books but we need to determine if a book of this type is relevant to our needs.
   
   As a seller of antiques and glass collectibles I find the Pyrex "Unauthorized Collector's Guide" has a wealth of information, if you will, a cornucopia of Pyrex history, excellent pictures, descriptions and range of valuation, which should serve the most discerning individual.
   
   I would prefer a hardcover book and that is my only complaint but that's being too snobbish. The glossy pages fill your eyes with cookware, flameware, ovenware, Pyrex colors, glassware and even takes on some unknown patterns. I discovered so much more about Pyrex than I ever expected.
   
   Identification of merchandise is of utmost importance for my online store and the customer should expect that. I am a stickler for accuracy and in a very short time this book has help me merchandise my Pyrex inventory for sale and has encouraged me to look for much more and not be afraid to make future Pyrex investments for my store.
   
   This book will now accompany me on my antiquing journeys and will come in handy when it's time to identify, value, and purchase. It should serve you well in your library for collecting your favorite Pyrex. Indeed!



4. Big fat glossy softcovered waste of my money. Way too many pages on boring items like glass pie plates etc. Soooooo glad I didn't buy book on ebay though--that seller wanted 27 + shipping. The corning ware & vision cookware book is much better then this Pyrex book.



5. The book I ordered arrived in excellent condition and was delivered in a timely fashion.

3 comments about Lincoln Cents Folder Starting 1975 (Official Whitman Coin Folder).

1. As a child, my Grandfather collected pennies for each of his Grandchildren. As an adult, I am still collecting. The Whitman folders were good enough then, and they are certainly good enough now. Easy to insert coins, yet tight enough to hold them for many years.



2. I was given this book by my dad when I was little...it got me interested in coin collecting and is inexpensive! I would recommend it as a gift for kids or adults...it makes a fun hobby!



3. This folder is an excellent starting point for any new coin collector. The folder has a nice lock-in feature preventing the coins from falling out. The recent dates ensure that the folder can be filled without too much difficulty from simply rooting through pocket change regularly. Highly recommended for young people who wish to start a coin collection.

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!

2 comments about Clock Repairing as a Hobby: An Illustrated How-To Guide for the Beginner.

1. This was a Christmas gift for my husband whom is interested in the repair of watches and clocks. He just needed additional information on repairing clocks, and he said this was the perfect book! He was very pleased.



2. Clock Repairing is a fun, delightful, relaxing hobby that more people should take part in, and this book is a great introduction into the world of clock repair. It helps you get passed all the elaborate gears and levers, and into the fun of it. The diagrams in here are great and really helpful. Pick this up if you are new to the clock world.

5 comments about Greenberg's Guides Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 2008 (Greenberg's Pocket Price Guide Lionel Trains).

1. An excellent publication. I've used this book over the years and always get the latest update for the information it contains.



2. Very happy with the quick delivery, I paid for that! But disappointed in the binding of the guide. The first 57 pages were cut that you could not read the entire page. Prices were cut or model numbers.



3. The item was a gift and the receiver found it very useful for his train collection.



4. When it comes to concise and easy to use price guides to Lionel Trains I have always found Greenberg's Guides to be invaluable. It breaks the catalogue numbers down into eras or distinct ranges of years of production and lists price ranges based on condition in a very orderly fashion. If you sell or buy on eBay this is a valuable tool. Greenberg's Lionel Trains Guides and publications are all first rate and come highly recommended.



5. Greenberg's Guides Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 2008 (Greenberg's Pocket Price Guide Lionel Trains)
   
   This is the ultimate guide for pricing Lionel trains.

5 comments about Numismatic Photography.

1. Mark Goodman has created a wonderful book on coin photography. Concise and easy enough for an amateur like myself to learn from.
   
   If you sell coins on the internet, or just want amazing pics of your prized coins and medals, it is a no-brainer to buy this book!



2. I'm very new to numismatic photography, but I'm very interested in creating the best quality images of my collection possible.
   
   This book presents a good overview of the tools (camera, copystand, lights, post-editing software) and techniques for doing this.
   
   It is a short and easy read for the novice, and more advanced photographers should appreciate the extra sections written to go a level deeper into each topic.
   
   Imaging coins of various compositions (copper, proof silver, gold, etc) are discussed in detail. Raw and slabbed coins are also addressed throughout, and the many sample photos thoughtfully include the camera, aperture, and shutter settings.
   
   Thanks to the advice presented here, you don't need to spend a fortune on creating good images. But with some small tool upgrates and some hints and tricks as presented by Mark Goodman, virtually anyone can make great photos!



3. The author, Mark Goodman, has put together a nice systematic presentation of the material. For example, Mark has broken down high, medium and low contrast coins into chapters. In each of the chapters, Mark selected representative examples of coins that fall into the relevant contrast category. Photos of each coin are presented with changes in lighting. The photos are compared and contrasted.
   
   I have bought multiple copies of this book (as gifts) and have recommended this book to collectors of material other than numismatics as the principles in this book are universal.
   
   Excellent book. Quick read. Immediate results. Nice reference material.



4. I've known Mark Goodman for a couple of years through an online forum for coins. His tips along the years have made my coin photography much better. He graciously provided PDF documents that were quite helpful along the way. I am counting on this book to really put me over the top and into a different class of coin imaging.
   
   The book is well laid out and covers everything you need to become a top-notch coin photographer. It has beginner sections right along advanced sections, so this book is for anyone who owns a camera and wants to image coins.
   
   I have yet to make it through the whole book... There is a lot of information to absorb. But my images are already improving and my skills were adequate before. Soon, they will be much more than adequate due to Mr. Goodman's instruction.
   
   Thanks, Mark!



5. OUTSTANDING. Beyond doubt, this book is an indespensible addition to numismatic literature. In the Internet Age, coin photography is more important than ever. The body of work, hobby wide, will improve dramatically as hobbyists improve their skills - thanks to this book.