3 comments about The Collector's Encyclopedia of Brush-McCoy Pottery: Updated Values.

1. I will agree right away that this book has some nice photography and it is not likely that the average collector will ever see some of the pottery listed in this book. Also I want to tear my hair out at times distinguishing between Nelson McCoy pottery and Bush McCoy pottery. Some of the pieces listed were apparently either made by both or they were borrowing heavily from each other. For instance I have always thought that the Princess Line from the mid-60's was a Nelson McCoy line (Page 144). So it would definitely suggest that a novice might also want to pick up Sanfords'Guide to McCoy Pottery. Just to note, the use of the name Brush Mccoy ended in the late 20's so anything made after that should be either Brush or Mccoy, not the combined name.
   
   (I also have to admit that I have a distinct fondness for the Princess Line. It is still reasonable and fits nicely with both a mid century modern decor or a more traditional decor. Plus, it is still reasonably priced.)
   
   The price guide is a separate leaflet, but as was noted elsewhere it is very outdated. The price of the older items have soared, and even the more common planters are attracting interest because of the increased interest in mid 20th century design.
   
   Finally, I have a complaint about the presentation of information in the book. One of the main reasons to buy a guide such as this is the identification of unmarked pieces. A great deal of the early Brush pottery was unmarked. A good way to identify unmarked pottery is by looking at the bottom of the pot. The way the pottery is finished can give good hints about maker and age. Good photographs of the bottom of some of these pieces would be very helpful in identification.



2. This is a well organized reference to Bush-McCoy. It contains a history of Bush-McCoy; this added knowledge adds to the fun of collecting and allow you to sound more like you know what you are doing. Then there are pages on the different "marks" of the pottery. There is a dated value guide. But I find it easer to do my own comparing. The big plus is the color pictures that show what is available. For those discriminate people that do not just buy anything that says Bush-McCoy there is an index. It is also fun to see you Bush-McCoy pieces in the book.



3. This book is a must for collectors of Brush-McCoy pottery. The pictures are beautiful and the information offered is just great. A large number of different pieces of Brush-McCoy pottery are shown but this book does not show every piece of pottery made by Brush-McCoy. I was very pleased with this book.

1 comments about Collector's Guide to Yellow Ware: An Identification & Value Guide (Collector's Guide to Yellow Ware).

1. I found this very helpful since this is a new area of collecting for me.

3 comments about Warmans Kitschy Kitchen Collectibles Field Guide (Warman's Field Guides).

1. Nice book but it is just too small. It would be much better if it was larger in size. But all in all it is ok



2. This guide covers items such as 1960's tin decorator kits and other garage-sale items. They are overpriced as well. Don't waste your money.



3. Just a warning to anyone buying books on kitchen collectibles--this field guide is made up of the exact same pictures and information as the book Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles, also by Brian S. Alexander. I didn't realize they would have exactly the same content and ordered them both, much to my chagrin. Thank goodness for returns! Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles iseasier to look at due to its larger format but if you want a smaller version to read on the go while thrifting or yard saling, the Warmans Field Guide will do.

2 comments about Warman's Fiesta Ware: Identification & Price Guide.

1. I love all things Fiesta, but this book is terrible. My main complaint is the "quality" of the photographs. They are so grainy-- sort of clear but fuzzy at the same time. And the color is way off. I mistook several pictures of gray Fiestaware for lilac at first glance! So forget about his "comparison" of the greens because it will not help you. What gets me is that any crap digital camera would have done a better job but from the reflections in the dishes it looks like he had a professional shoot the pictures. By the way, I also completely ignored the text (even though it is in LARGE print), since the Huxfords' book and the HLCCA's book cover everything. The bottom line: don't waste your time or money.



2. First off Fiesta is beautiful, but the photographs in this book are terrible!!! Not one photograph shows an accurate depiction of the subject. Many photographs seem blurred or fuzzy.
   Pass this by and get "Fiesta, Harlequin, and Kitchen Kraft Dinnerwares" by The Homer Laughlin China Collectors Association. You will not ne disappointed....unless you purchase Warman's book.

5 comments about Anchor Hocking's Fire-King & More.

1. Author/Photographer Gene Florence has produced a fan-tastic book for the Fire-King novice or afficianado. Just a warning, though: This is a 1998 book. The gain in collectibilia and accessibilty wrought by the Internet, along with standard inflation, has rendered the pricing rather dicey to rely on.

   If you are a Boomer, this is most likely the stuff of fond memories of your Momma's kitchen. Just looking at the picture of the Jane Ray Jade-ite platter (who knew that that was our hamburger cook-out platter's formal name?) makes my mouth water! On page 7, there is a reproduction of an old Anchor-Hocking ad: "Not a single item on this page costs more than 69 cents." Those were the days! It's come a long way! Reviewed by TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer.




2. This book has more than paid for itself in helping me recognize fire king and genuine old glass.

   Until I purchased Gene Florence's book, I used black & white reference books. Those are useless to me.

   This wonderful book has helped me determine if shaker lid and fireking flour piece went together (did not-flour shaker originally had a flat shaker lid the color of the writing on side not silver aluminum); if the "yellow" plate in a fire king design was old (was not (did not come in yellow) - but that yellow piece was made from fire king mold - one step up from out and out reproduction); and whether or not my 10 pieces of bakeware (some with lids) and marked Fire King were rare or reproductions. On the 10 piece baking set, I ended up e-mailing Gene Florence, and he responded that my piece was not rare - or did it even appear anywhere. The pieces are selling Very slowly - so they must not be very special.

   The book is difficult to understand how to match pricing & pictures at first, but well worth the effort. I am comfortable with the process now.
   
   If you collect or sell fire king - you need this book!




3. For the most part this book is an excellent resource for identifing Fire-King glassware and I would recommend it highly along with all of the author's other books. I own them all! As a specialist collector of the Anchor Hocking Early American Prescut pattern (10000pcs), I must say that I feel that some of the Prescut items listed are somewhat rarer than the book would suggest. There are also quite a few more items available in this particular pattern than are listed. I view the book's section on Prescut as another of this well known author's courageous attempts to chart previously uncharted waters and I'm sure that subsequent editions of this book will include course corrections.



4. Another winner for Gene Florence. Wouldn't be without his books. Beautiful, color pictures on nearly every page. I have read this book and all of his others over and over again.



5. This is my first purchase of reference material for my new hobby of depression-glass collecting. I found the pictures to be exellent, and the price guides informative, although a bit awkward to use at times. His comparisons of similar items are helpful, and the book is worth purchase for the pictures alone. Hope to compare it with the Kilgo book someday.

No comments about America's Salt & Pepper Shakers.

No comments about Florence's Glass Kitchen Shakers 1930-1950s: Identification & Value Guide.

1 comments about Collectible Drinking Glasses: Identification & Values.

1. This 136 page volume, with prices updated for 1999 features THOUSANDS of glasses, in full color photos. A nice overview and brief history of the hobby is included. Some major topics cover from: Artists and Producers, Characters and Personalities, Fast-Food Restaurants and Food Containers, to Americana, Space Related, Superheros and Sports. Each group of glasses includes photos, a description of the glasses along with a value range. Its completely indexed for ease of use. A must have for collectors of this topic. It carries a list price of $ 17.95.

3 comments about The Jewel Tea Company, Its History and Products: Its History and Products (A Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. Being a collector of the Jewel Tea Autumn Leaf Collection I found this book to be most awesome. The history of the company as well as the great photographs were well documented. I highly recommend this high quality book to collectors!



2. Loved the book. Very helpful in cateloging my collection and finding new pieces to search for. Anyone who has Jewel Tea would benefit from owning this book.



3. A must read book for any Jewel Tea Collector. A very easy AND informative book. The author is extremly knowledgeable about Jewel Tea. I highly recommend this book!

No comments about The Artful Teapot.