5 comments about The Collector's Encyclopedia of Van Briggle Art Pottery : An Indentification & Value Guide.

1. I really thought I was getting more of a descriptive guidebook, rather than a photo book. Lots of pics but nothing to say about them.



2. A liitle hard to use and slightly out of date. But a very good resource to start valueing your Van Briggle.



3. This book is fabulous. I can't begin to say how many times I have read it and flipped through the pages for information. It is clearly written and the information is presented in such a way that even the novice collector can easily find details from glaze color and dating to prices. Price guide being located in the back is rather annoying (rather than the value being listed directly with the photo) but this a small price to pay for such a fabulous resource. For the more advanced collector, I recommend Scott Nelson's "A Collector's Guide to Van Briggle Pottery".



4. This is a great book. It contains just about everything a collector of van Briggle might need to know, with the exception of a truly accurate price guide. Online auctions have rendered price guides in most reference books of this type obsolete, so this isn't really a flaw. It gives one a jumping-off point, but be aware current values online are often less than those listed here.

   That being said, this book is very effective at providing information about this wonderful art pottery. The authors provide us a history of the potter and his work, with a number of historical photos. There is an extremely useful section showing various marks (backstamps) used, allowing one to identify and date pieces. There are hundreds of well shot photos of pieces, giving examples of techniques and glazes used. All in all an excellent value and sure to please.




5. This reference provides a history of the Van Briggle Pottery, with a focus on the early history. The tips for dating pieces by glaze color, clay texture/color, and bottom condition are invaluable for new collectors. This is a must-read for anyone interest in Van Briggle, especially since it's really the only reference book on the market!

No comments about 1004 Salt & Pepper Shakers: Nursery Rhymes Literary Characters (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

No comments about Wade Price Trends 1997.

2 comments about Franciscan, Catalina, and Other Gladding, McBean Wares: Ceramic Table and Art Wares: 1873-1942.

1. I have owened Franciscan dinnerware for about 30 years, but am just now discovering the world of collecting it. The books by James Elliot-Bishop are invaluable resources for collectors who want to understand the intricate history of this lengthy line of earthenware



2. This is THE most extensive book on G/Mcb I have ever read !!
   It has good, interesting and informative text and the pictures are fantastic. I found myself going through it twice!! Once for the terrific photos and the second time for the wealth of information. BRAVO!

1 comments about The Encyclopedia of American Art Tiles: Region 3 Midwestern States.

1. This is a typical Schiffer-published book: beautiful large clear photos, quality paper and printing. The information provided for each company is informative and complete. This is a must-have for collectors, appraisers and historians of fine art (all me). This is one of a series of tile books, each from a different geographic area and I'll be buying the rest of them when I've saved my pennies. They are pricey but well worth the cost.

No comments about The Wonderful World of Nippon Porcelain, 1891-1921.

No comments about The Encyclopedia of American Art Tiles: Region 1 New England States; Region 2 Mid-atlantic States (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

5 comments about Comprehensively Clarice Cliff.

1. One of the most definitive pictorial and historical records packaged in a very handsome, large volume.



2. This is an extraordinary achievement, leaving for dead most of the previous publications on Clarice Cliff. The research is the culmination of years of research through the Wilkinson archives, the pictures are sumptuous, and there is clear and logical indexing and referencing, which is often a downfall of books on collectibles. The flow-chart on page 19 is an invaluable tool for identification.



3. I find this book to be an incredibly valuable and easy to use reference to Clarice Cliff and Wilkinson pottery. It is 'comprehensive' and so far I haven't been stumped by a pattern that I couldn't find an example of in the book. The background information is comprehensive as well and I can now put shapes and styles into an overall perspective easily without having to browse through 20 difference catalogues and books. In the last 12 years I have purchased every book on Clarice Cliff that I could and they pale into insignificance in comparison with this. The information is not a repeat of other guides available and, in my opinion, the indexing and browsing references are so good that this book should win an award. I eagerly await any further publications by this author. I also think that the price for this book was very reasonable and about half what other references of the same calibre cost.



4. I am a US collector of Clarice Cliff and was very much looking forward to this book. The positive: you can find almost any pattern and the dates they were designed and fired. If you need to find a pattern or shape, it should be in this book
   The negative: Difficult to discerne the valuable from the run-of-the mill. The color photos are excellent and the application of paint comes alive on many of the objects. There is some controversy whether all the designs listed are really Clarice's. But after reading so many books about her and since she was so reticent about giving information, it is more difficult to argue who designed what and when.
   I use the book as a reference, not as a guide for what is the collectible. Since I believe CC's work is very hard to find in the states, it does serve as large enough range if I should ever come across a piece I must have!



5. Publishers have a habbit of regurgitating these guides
   I should know!

2 comments about Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey.

1. First saw this magnificent volume at a collector's home, and had to acquire a copy for my library as inspiration for my own artistic endeavors with majolica.



2. People all over the world treat this as the "Bible" of Victorian Majolica. It is the best.

4 comments about Price Guide to Holt-Howard Collectibles: And Related Ceramicwares of the '50s & '60s.

1. I ordered the book and generally liked it, but was disappointed it does NOT include all the Christmas items HH made and that this is a small section of the book.. :0



2. if you are looking for information on Holt Howard collectibles, this is the book for you. I has lots of color pictures and descriptions with specifics.



3. This is one of the best books on Figural Kitchenware of the 50's and 60's that I have seen so far. Not only great pictures, but the best information about Holt Howard Collectibles as well as nock offs. I have used my copy more than any other reference book I own on Kitchenware. Walter Dworkin can't put out another soon enough. Can't wait!



4. Highly recommend this book not only for the detailed description but also for the great color photos. Most price guides have alot of descriptions but not many photos, not this one! I enjoyed reading the description and seeing a photo. A must have for any collector