2 comments about 500 Plates & Chargers: Innovative Expressions of Function & Style (500 Series).

1. I am slowly purchasing every book in this series. I am a working artist and use photos to stimulate creativity for myself and my students. All of these books have been wonderful.



2. WONDERFUL selection of diverse styles of plates and chargers. A wonderful reference. Reproduction terrific and interesting representation of varied techniques. A MUST for all functional and sculptural potter/ceramicists.

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

1. 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"...



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. 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. At the risk of being self serving (my work is featured on page 411) I have to say as a clay artist in general and more particularly as a tilemaker this collection is inspiring. The depth of styles and techniques used here is incredible; as someone who has to date been primarily using glazes and underglazes, the examples in this book have immediately sent me back to my local clay supplier in search of new ways to express myself in clay. A must have for anyone who aspires to create art through the medium of tile.

5 comments about No. 1 Price Guide to M.I.Hummel Figurines, Plates, Miniatures, & More (Mi Hummel Figurines, Plates, Miniatures & More 10th Ed. (Mi Hummel Figurines, Plates, Miniatures & More Price Guide).

1. Once I realized that the number on the index was the "Hummel number" and not "page number", I easily accessed all the information needed to accurately identify my Hummels. Very handy to have the 8 different sets of Hummel marks on the inside cover - no need to thumb through the book. Interesting to learn about Hummel designs which were never approved and some styles which I would never dream were actually considered Hummels.



2. Book is well done with high quality full color pictures of each piece. Recommend this book to others as a go-to Hummel reference guide.
   
   Unfortunately, prices have collapsed. Hummel pieces are selling on EBay for less than half of the values shown in the book. The book can tell you which piece is worth more than another - but the values shown are 3 or 4 times what you can buy the item for on EBay.
   
   Hummels make for a beautiful collection - but do not appear to be a great investment.



3. Less expensive than buying at the store and the added convenience of coming to my home. Thank you. The book arrived in excellent condition.



4. It is the most up to date and complete guide that I have found for Hummel values. It has enabled me to place the proper amount of insurance on my Hummel collection and know what my collection is worth.



5. If you're a collector of hummels, you must have this book. The history on each hummel piece is outstanding. The details are just fascinating. Love the book!

5 comments about Kovels' New Dictionary of Marks: Pottery and Porcelain, 1850 to the Present.

1. If you collect this type of pottery, you will have to get this book sooner or later as it provides an outstanding reference to marks found on these items and so permits you to assess the age of the item. But the lack of any real advice, wisdom, guidance, explanations, etc. about the subject of collecting these pieces, knowing when marks are real or fake, and assessing the quality of the pieces is essentially nil. So you will have to learn pretty much everything you need to know from other sources. A real disappointment given that the authors are almost certainly know a lot more about the subject matter than they put into these books. M Pezim



2. This is a good resource book. It has it's limitations, but I use it almost daily. I look up alot of ceramics marks, and I find the large majority of them in this Kovels book. It is great if you are looking for a specific makers mark, or decoratoras mark. The limitation is that there is no way to comprehensively view all marks from one particular maker. If you have a few treasures that you want to accurately identify, then it is very good. Don't get me wrong, I haven't found every mark I look for. But I haven't found a Marks reference that I do. This book provides a good clean and easy format to locate the mark I need, and quickly.
   
   Also, if you are looking for back ground info on the company, this isn't the book for you. While the Kovel's do an excellent job of showing literal thousands of easy to find marks, thats all they show. All in all a highly recommended resource. Any serious ceramics collector, dealer, or dedicated flea market/yard saler should have a copy.



3. Bought this as a gift for my daughter and she has really enjoyed it's contents. Now she can see if the "Junk and/or Antiques" she has purchased has any real value!!



4. I haven't been happy with this book since I purchased it. Haven't found one mark from any of the pottery or china I have from this book. Only one or maybe two examples of the companies which made the pottery but not the marks. For example I can't even find the simple "Anchor" from Anchor Hawking Co.(There are plenty of other anchors). I have a very nice Blue "Old Fashion"/juice glass fron A.H. but I have never seen one in blue. Looked it up and could not find MARK in this book. I was very surprised. I've been thinking about purchasing the Second Edition of Kovels' book, but been holding back... Can anyone tell me if it is better or if it's just me, I hope..Mary, techmom@usamedia.tv (No Solicitors Please! Only those wanting to talk about this book please reply. NO SPAMMERS!!)



5. Marks on pottery have always been of interest to me. Some are obvious and well-known and others obscure. Couldn't find all the marks I was looking for. Still a good book to have.

5 comments about Fifth Chinese Daughter.

1. I first read The Fifth Chinese Daughter in about 1963 when I was 13 and living 30 miles south of San Francisco. Visiting Chinatown was my first exposure to a foreign culture. It was mysterious and exotic, and I wondered what went on behind the building fronts lining the narrow bustling streets. This book gave me my first glimpse into this other world; very heady stuff for a 13 year old girl. Fast forward 45 years, and I'm looking for a book to recommend to my book club. I had never forgotten The Fifth Chinese Daughter but assumed it was out of print. Imagine my surprise when I found two copies on the shelf of our local bookstore. I snapped up both copies and jumped in. The Fifth Chinese Daughter was just as captivating and poignant to me at age 57. I can now appreciate it from a new perspective, viewing this work as a precursor to the wonderful Chinese American literature that followed. I could go on....but suffice to say, read this book.



2. I became interested in buying this book after reading the author's fascinating story in the L.A. Times last year. Since reading Fifth Chinese Daughter a few months ago, I have given it as a gift to three friends who also found this young woman's story as heartwarming and courageous as I did. Side benefit: I learned a great deal about Chinese-American culture and about American history, circa 1930s - 1950s.
   
   It's also a great book for teen girls. Reading about Jade Snow's sometimes difficult youth and teen years and how she met her goals will be very inspirational to that age group.



3. I usually don't write negative reviews, but I really was surprised by all the glowing reviews here. I truly think this is a terrible book and here is why.

   1). The characters are only skin deep. We never really get to know them beyond their attitudes toward Jade Snow. And Jade Snow herself is very opaque as well, we don't get to know more of her except that she is filial, hard-working and eager to please people. The insides of these characters are not alive and they resemble dull automatons carrying out the actions of a pre-determined script.

   2). The prose is very flat, so the end result reads like a very long summary of the plot rather than the book itself. The author crammed in many minutae of her life into the writing, with a emphasis on the details of food preparation. but most of the details are not evocative and fails to enrich the world she is trying to portray.

   3). A streak of very patronizing attitude to Asians Americans run through out the book. It culminate with a cringe-inducing climax of self-hate at the very end of the last chapter, in a scene meant to be the big emotional pay-off for the whole book. Jade Snow's father tearfully confess that he had done wrong by raising her under the backward Chinese culture, and that he should have raised her in the superior, freedom-loving Christian way.




4. "You must have confidence that I shall remain true to the spirit of your teachings. I shall bring back to you the knowledge of whatever I learn." Fifth Chinese Daughter is an inspiring autobiography that traces the life of Jade Snow Wong from childhood to adulthood in San Francisco's Chinatown. In her book, Jade Snow describes the numerous hardships and rewards that shaped her life. Through her vivid descriptions, the reader is immersed in the Asian culture of early twentieth-century America. Looking through Jade Snow's eyes, the reader is able to experience the conflicting cultural experiences of the middle daughter of a large family of Chinese immigrants.
   Conforming to Chinese tradition, Jade Snow felt that her worth as an individual was dictated by her family. Although Jade Snow's father took pride in educating his daughters in both Chinese and American customs, he valued the future potential of his sons over that of his daughters. Jade Snow's childhood is tainted by unjust punishment and suppressed emotion. Such experiences led her to pursue independence and acknowledgment in a country that offered numerous opportunities for well-educated young woman. However, from her difficult childhood, Jade Snow learned discipline and respect, qualities that allowed her to succeed and gain respect from her family. It is fascinating to witness her transformation from a submissive child to a woman of integrity and perseverance.
   As Jade Snow tirelessly worked her way through college, she came to understand the injustices of Chinese tradition. Ironically, at this time, she also developed a greater appreciation for her Chinese heritage and through it discovered her life's passions. Despite the heavy skepticism and criticism of her family, Jade Snow pursued her dreams with optimistic determination, suffering many hardships along the way. In each of her life's stories she proves to us that great rewards come from hard work and unfailing belief in one's self. If you ever feel hopeless or just want to be inspired, Jade Snow's story will lift you out of your darkness.



5. In the book Fifth Chinese Daughter by Jade Snow Wong, the author tells readers about her childhood as a Chinese girl living in San Francisco. Ms. Wong gives readers a chance to see what life was like growing up during the early 1900ýs as a Chinese girl. Throughout the book, you learn many things Chinese-Americans do which are different from American customs. Readers are given an idea of how Chinese-Americanýs raised their families during that time. The author shows in vivid detail what happened to her and what she had to work for in her childhood.
   Jade Snow was brought up in a household that made sure their children knew their native culture as well as the culture around them. Since an early age, Jade was given Chinese lessons by her father until she was old enough to attend Chinese school everyday after her American classes were over. The book chronicles Jadeýs life from her early childhood to when she becomes a young woman living on her own. Throughout the book, you see Jade learn to do the shopping for the family, cope with problems in school like discrimination, get into college on her own, and find jobs for herself.
   There were many things I liked about this book. Even though, this book isnýt like the books I normally read, it was very hard to put down. The author writes her story in
   graphic details, which pulled me into the book. I loved how she talked about her father in many ways, how some days he believed in her and others, he had no confidence in her. Also, I believe that Jade was a strong girl throughout her childhood. This is because she had to live with such strict rules in her household like respecting her elders, and how if she or her siblings did anything wrong, they would get punished by getting whipped.
   If I were to compare this novel with others I have read, I would have to say that this novel is in my top 50 books I have ever read. I found that every page I turned in this book, I was wondering what would happen next. This novel was very fun to read because I liked learning about what life was like for a young Chinese-American Women growing up during the early 1900ýs.
   I would most likely recommend this novel to another, unless the person did not like autobiographies. I would recommend this book to people who like reading about people of different cultures. Jade Snowýs book is geared more to people who like to read about peopleýs cultures, but I think many would find this book very interesting.

5 comments about Thrown Pottery Techniques Revealed: The Secrets of Perfect Throwing Shown in Unique Cutaway Photography.

1. this replaces the same book that i mysteriously lost. it's a great book for a beginner, which is what i am. easy to understand with good photography and projects. it's the book i use the most when hand building.



2. This is an excellent book to have, if you enjoy and want to learn more about hand-building with clay. It has projects connected with all three approaches to handbuilding: coiling, pinching and slabbing. It also teaches how to make plaster molds, including 2-part molds. This is a great skill to learn if you want to be able to make reproductions of your own clay pieces. I've been working with clay for about 2 years and I found lot of tips and tricks that I didn't know. Definitely a worthwhile book to own.



3. it doesn't contain glaze recipes of the finished pieces that are pictured in the book. that's the only complaint i have. it was given to me when i first started throwing and i've found myself going back to it even as i advance.



4. If I could only have one book on throwing pottery this would be it, hands down! I've gone through alot of books and found this one to be far and above the best for addressing all of the steps to easier learning and is presented in the most effective way. It is much more detailed than most of the other books. These details of advice and the cutaway photography make all the difference. Having this book as a supplement to my pottery teacher's instruction has been so beneficial. The book covered details that my teacher didn't think to give me and the cutaway photography gave me the visual tools that can't be demonstrated as easily in a live class. Having this book to refer back to often during the learning process continues to be of great value.



5. I am trying to complain about delaying of this book, but I cannot make anyone to answer my question.

5 comments about Pictorial Guide to Pottery & Porcelain Marks.

1. This is a very good reference book. The pictures are very clear and precise. A good addition to your reference library.



2. This book is a must, for all those interested in Pottery, and the manufacturers marks, obviously they cannot put every mark in the Word in it, but it has a fantastic range, and is interesting both to read, and study the photographs supplied, a great investment that I will use over, and over again.



3. I like this book very much. e.g. Photo of mark, dates used, and a typical item it would be marked on. It has the most popular companies, and if the company used many marks; they are here. I have yet to be disappointed in this book.



4. It's true, there are numerous marks, but I was truly disappointed that they were pictures taken on the object and the problem is they are not readable. The reason for having reference is to help identify a mark and year and I would have preferred an actually factory mark so it was legible and then how it might appear on product. Not all that helpful.



5. Excellent resource book for china & pottery marks, quality photographs of many marks, well organized. Highly recommend.

3 comments about Warman's McCoy Pottery: Identification and Price Guide (Warmans).

1. Everything was fine. I was very pleased with the price and how soon the books were sent to me. Thank you!



2. ...is a great source of many of McCoy pieces. Good photos with year made, brief description and appraised value as of I believe 2004 (which still seems to be the going prices in 2007.) Book is divided into specific chapters: Cookie Jars, Crocks, Dinnerware, Experiments, Flower Pots, Jardinieres and Pedestals, Jars, Kitchenware, Lamps, Loy-Nel-Art, Misc. Pet Feeders, Planters, Signs, Vases and Flower Holders, Wall Pockets and Catalog covers.



3. this book is a great book to have it tells you every little thing you need to know

5 comments about The Official Precious Moments Collector's Guide to Figurines.

1. The 2007 Bomm Precious Moments guide is truly precious since it incorporates retail and secondary values into the same book. The cross-indexing by figurine title and model number is also wonderful. The photos are great quality, too. The guide is a must-have for all collectors!



2. Took a while to receive due to release issues, but once received, Book is great!



3. I think this book is a great way to keep track of my Precious Moments and give me a current value of each one. However, because values change from year to year, it could be a lot of work transferring them to a new book each year. I think every couple of years would be fine to keep track of what you have unless you purchase numerous figurines every year.



4. This guide is an essential reference for any serious collector or anyone buying or selling Precious Moments figurines. The lack of serious competition will make sure this sells. However, there is little improvement in this 3rd edition over the 2006 second edition. The addition of the newer figurines and an update in pricing, which seems to average about 16% increase, are the main differences. There is also a size difference. The second edition was a handy 8.5" x 5.5" but the third ed is 11' x 8.5", which I believe is too large for a soft cover book. There is no new information about each piece that is not in the earlier version. It would have been nice to include the size of each item. There is an annoying change in the index that consolidates several previous entires into entries by series. For example, instead of separately listing the sugar town skating pond there is one listing for the series 'sugar town' with 18 page numbers.
   
   Overall, I was disappointed in this guide and would recommend that anyone not needing information on the last 2 years figurines stays with the 2nd edition and awaits the 4th.



5. Just received this book in today's mail, and frankly, other than the pictures of the pieces, it is, in my opinion, not worth the paper it is printed on. There is NO secondary market except internet auctions for Precious Moments any more. This guide lists "Free Puppies," for example, as a value of $2,100 - they sell regularly on auction for $300 - $450, depending on whether or not they have a box. Last week, one with an original brown cardboard box (extremely unusual), went for just under $600 in mint condition - a beautiful piece. The rest of the "Original 21" are priced through the roof - some of them 10 times and higher prices than what reality is. There is a disclaimer in the book claiming that the prices vary from spot to spot, and they got this information from dealers and collectors around the country. I wish they would give credit to these so-called knowledgable people, and it would be nice to know who paid $2100 for "Puppies" and how many years ago that happened.
   
   For the pictures, the guide is fine, but beyond that, DO NOT rely on it for accurate price information - even many of the suggested retail prices in the book are incorrect.
   
   I give this one a thumbs-down. There is no secondary market to amount to anything in collectibles any more, in my opinion, and this book's prices just encourage disillusionment among collectors so they keep buying (or investing?) in pieces, hoping to make good money when they sell. It ain't gonna happen - there is a ton more merchandise out there than anyone ever guessed back 30 years ago at the beginning of this.
   
   Buy what you like, like what you buy, and don't expect to put your kid through college when it's time to sell - you might not get back enough money to even pay the bookstore bill!
   
   For what it's worth - my opinion!

5 comments about Lehner's Encyclopedia of U.S. Marks on Pottery, Porcelain and Clay.

1. The book arrived on time and the condition was as described (new). The secondary packaging could use improvement as the box had broken and opened at the bottom. The primary packaging was excellent and prevented the book from damage when the box broke.



2. This book is a definite 'must have' for anyone dealing in or buying collectible ceramics. I have just started selling glasswares and have come across a lot of different pottery marks. Without a reference book, you cannot determine an items' real worth.
   This book has thousands of different marks and artists' marks! This book is by my side when trying to determine the ceramic items' origin and age.



3. This book is about U.S. marks.
   
   .... So, if you need a piece of U.S.A pottery identified, then this book probably has the mark. (Please note that this book is not about finding markings of European pieces. As stated on the cover, this book is strictly about U.S. marks).
   
   P.S.: This book also includes all the U.S. RESTAURANT-WARE markings. Very helpful if you collect "RESTAURANT-WARE", along with other American pottery and china.



4. This book is prodigious in scope: the pottery marks (with huge varieties within each company) and historical information are both invaluable and interesting. However, the indexing is weak, which leads one to thumbing through pages trying to find an elusive mark. This is such a well-researched, vast collection of marks, however, that laborious searches are rewarded.



5. This book is jam packed with pottery marks, a great value for the price. I had no idea that there were so many. It is extremely informative, giving a brief history, manufacture dates and much more information for each company listed. I would definately recommend this to anyone with an interest in collecting or selling pottery.