5 comments about Vintage Bar Ware: Identification & Value Guide.

1. This is book is considered a staple to the barware collector. The book reads into his enthusiam for collecting barware as well as his extensive knowledge and research on the subject. No other book can compare. There are just as many georgeous pictures as interesting text. After reading this book cover to cover you will use it frequently as a reference guide so keep this one within easy reach.



2. Stephen Visakay is the most knowledgeable bar ware expert on the planet. He has distilled his knowledge, shaken it, and served it up in this delightful volume for our imbibing pleasure. He offers an overview of the golden age of cocktail shakers and other classic bar accoutrements. There is something here for everyone, from the novice to the advanced collector. The only thing missing is the olive... cheers!



3. This book is my constant companion, it is a joy to read, I have read this book several times and everytime I open it up, I still learn something new. This book contains very important facts for identifing and dating a variety of bar ware. Beautifully written and illustrated. Stephen Visakay has really brought great recognition and a wonderful insight to cocktail shakers and collectors of bar ware. He is a true pioneer in the field. What better source to get your information from? Our favorite book!Still haven't figured out how he managed to get so much information and so many items all in one book! Wonderful!



4. from Antiques & Collectibles Trader:"With out a doubt, this book is the bible in the field. Carefully researched, beautifully written, nicely designed, well photographed. original patent drawings and information, as well as many photographs of original advertisments and catalogue material. PLAYBOY MAGAZINE..JAN 1998 "You don't have to be James Bond to enjoy Vintage Bar Ware...loaded with historical tidbits" THE WINE ENTHUSIAST..."Indispensable guide for the collector, fun & engaginb book that everyone will enjoy"



5. Mr. Visakay's book combines characterics unfound in other pricing and information guides: it provides insight into the author in a charming way while providing highly accurate information. Although I am a knowledable collector, I read the book cover to cover. Stephen Visakay is clearly the definitive source. I am an international collector buying in the US, London and Paris. Without a doubt this book has saved me a fortunue. Given that so few cocktail shakers were ever marked, a visual guide as presented in the book is critical. Understanding the rarity a item is the key to successful collecting. Thank you Stephen!

1 comments about Kitchen Collectibles: The Essential Buyer's Guide.

1. I almost returned this book because it wasn't a price guide - I'm very glad I kept it. It was a good read - factual, historical, witty - hated to finish reading it. As a price guide it's no great shakes - the listing at the back of the book is just ok. However, there are lots of price guides, but there aren't many books as well written and fun to read as this one. Especially good are the listings of resources - from newletters and books to museums and clubs for all the kitchen stuff one could ever hope to collect. The black and white photos are good but the light hearted tone is what makes this book well worth its price. I learned a lot from Ms. Stoneback. Highly recommended.

No comments about American Stoneware (Wallace-Homestead Price Guide).

No comments about 18th Century English Drinking Glasses, 2nd Edition: An Illustrated Guide.

1 comments about Paktong: The Chinese Alloy in Europe 1680 - 1820.

1. Keith Pinn, author of Paktong: The Chinese Alloy in Europe 1680-1820, inherited a collection of Paktong from his father to which he has added pieces and done extensive research resulting in this book. Paktong, a rare Chinese alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel, was imported during the 18th century and used by European craftsman to make wares in imitation of silver. It was not until around 1820 that sucessful attempts to copy Paktong resulted in what is now known as German silver. This book analyzes the Pinn Collection to identify and understand objects made from Paktong and how these differ and can be recognized from those made of German silver.

5 comments about The Complete Cookie Jar Book.

1. I was very pleased with this book. It was just what I had expected and what I wanted. It was in excellent condition and arrived in good time.



2. I have a Cookie jar which isnt listed in the book.
   Any way I can find out more about it?



3. As of July 2007 cookie jar values have plummeted on Ebay. I would estimate people are willing to pay 50 % or less than in 1999 or 2000. The cookie jar collecting bubble burst. Examples-- A Hull Barefoot Boy did go for 200 easily. One recently started at 79 dollars and received no bids. A Shawnee Smily or Winnie dressed up in Shamrock or Chysanthemums (sic) etc was about 200-225 in 2000. I got each for about 100 DOLLARS this summer.
   If you like cookie jars-- the time to buy is now. For folks that bought jars in the late 90s, your collection is worth 50-60% less.
   Point-- this book's values are way out of date and using them will result in your paying way too much. Better to go on Ebay and watch for awhile or look at what jars you want went for recently via Searching History.
   The pics are great-- but as i said in late 1999, the coverage is not comprehensive of all makers-- focusing mainly on McCoy and American Bisque



4. This book helps price cookie jars before you buy, plus it gives you ideas on what you would like in your collection. Well worth the price of the book.



5. Now in its fourth edition, The Complete Cookie Jar Book by Mike Schneider is a 312-page catalogue and price guide of collectible and antique cookie jars. Filled from cover-to-cover with full color photographs illustrating each of the more than 2000 cookie jars featured, The Complete Cookie Jar Book is a superbly organized, expertly informative, and inherently fascinating resource for collectors and curiosity seekers with an interest in this traditional piece of kitchenware.

5 comments about Fiesta, Harlequin, & Kitchen Kraft Dinnerwares: The Homer Laughlin China Collectors Association Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This is the definitive text on Fiestaware®, Harlequin® and Kitchen Kraft. It was written for collectors by collectors (the combined efforts of the Homer Laughlin China Collectors Association.)

   The book has insightful, smart and readable text that was reviewed by experts for accuracy. Each piece is illustrated with gorgeous, professional full-color photos, scale line drawings and details on its manufacture.

   Homer Laughlin gave the authors unprecedented access to the original journals of Franklin Rhead, the original designer behind Fiestaware® and Harlequin®, and it shows.

   This is more of a textbook than a guide. I find myself using it constantly. For Fiesta and Harlequin® collectors there is no equal.




2. This book, by far and away, is THE BEST for the collector of Homer Laughlin colourware. It has an amazing amount of detail and answers almost every question a person could ask about the dishes named in the title. Measured line drawings are an invaluable help for both the novice and seasoned collector. And it is quite a treat to see photos of nearly every piece in all glaze colours. I found the price guide to be a major improvement over most, as each piece is priced individually by colour.

   Readers are treated to a wonderfully accurate history of the dishes. Several rumours that have circulated among the collecting community over the years are laid to rest. The fact that the authors had access to both Frederick Rhead's journals and the HLC modeling logs resulted in a book that is sure to become "The Fiesta Bible".

   It is quite refreshing to be able to consult a reference for information, and know that it is factual and free of some author's prejudice and innuendo. This particular book sets a new standard for what collectors' books should be. A MUST BUY!!!




3. This is a fine quality coffee table type book, with heavy paper and nice color reproduction. If you are an advanced collector who owns every book about Fiesta as well as every piece of Fiesta, you will want this book.

   If you are a new collector who has absolutely no idea what any thing is, have no assortment of Fiesta to look at as you read and have no spatial visualization skills, you will want this book because it very pedantically gives every measurement every which way so that you can figure out that your plate that measures 9 5/8 inches is ... surprise commonly called the 9" luncheon plate, and not some "rare, unknown, experimental" due to that extra 5/8". In fact, if you are given to such flights of imagination, especially when pricing your items for sale, please buy this book.

   If you are the average collector who falls in the middle, who has seen a set or two of Fiesta, or owns some already, who knows the difference between a bowl and a cup, the tried and true Huxford book, also out at this time in a new edition at about ... and in stock at ..., is the more standardly used alternative, and the one that all but the most novice collector would probably find the better value.




4. Given all the hype that has been sounded off about this book, I guess my expectations were far too high. I expected something that would make me throw away my Snyder book for the pictures, stop constantly using my Huxford for the information and become enraptured with this one... sorry folks. I found the "one item to a page" thing a little too overdone and self important. Really, MORE information on LESS pages at a LOWER cost would have been much preferred. At 39.95, it is unlikely that I will buy the next (inevitible) edition...- I mean, just how many photos of a single item, followed by a line drawing of the same item, do you need to see?... Huxfords have always kept prices at around $20 per each edition update.... at $40 I would rather buy a piece of Fiesta than (a second edition of) this book. If you can, buy it used or borrow it.



5. If you are a beginning collector of Fiesta, Harlequin or Kitchen Kraft, this book will be an excellent source of information, particularly with regard to colors, dimensions and marks, the most commomly asked questions. If you are a more advaned collector, there is still a wealth of information to be found in this reference. The inclusion of dimensions for each piece is a subtantial improvement over most collectors guides to dinnerware. An absolute must own for the Fiesta or Harlequin collector!

No comments about Kitchen Antiques.

No comments about Miller's: Bottles & Pot Lids: A Collector's Guide (Miller's Collector's Guides).

No comments about An Unauthorized Guide to Pillsbury Doughboy Collectibles.