No comments about Warman's Vintage Jewelry: Identification and Price Guide (Warmans).

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 Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This book is an invaluable resource for any business or collector dealing in silver (coin, silverplate, or sterling). This was a gift I purchased for a collector's library and the third reprint I've purchased over the years. A must-have book for the silver research library.



2. I got this book through inter-library loan on the advice of an online silver seller and hobbyist? expert? We are restoring an 1800s farmhouse in New York state, and have found various bits of silver and pottery and other things. Everything is quite worn and dirty from being underground for decades. I did a number of online searches but it was this book which enabled me to identify, just in the course of one afternoon, two pieces of cutlery -- one old silver, one less old silverplate, and be fairly secure in the ID because this book tells a bit about some of the marks, such as their locale.
   
   No resource is infinite. This book shows many, many marks, and the text tells of the history and relationships among many of the manufacturers. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone else doing research. Don't forget your loupe or other strong magnifier!



3. This is a good book for American Hallmarks BUT, it is extremely out-of-date. Also, many entries do not have a picture of the mark, making identification difficult. There must be a better book out there somewhere!



4. This is a "must have" for anyone who collects, sells or loves sterling silver.



5. this is the book to have if you are an antique silver collector. Wonderful addition to my silver library

4 comments about The Master Jewelers.

1. "Delicious", sumptuous... full of beauty! This book is for anyone who loves to look at jewelry at its best!!



2. The book offers insight into the most important jewelry designs and the artistic talents of their creators. It gives an overview and biographies of the most important jewelry artists of the recent history and how their businesses got started: Cartier, Tiffany, Van Cleef and Arpels, Lalique, Verdura, Bulgari, Boucheron etc. The photos are wonderful; I only wish there were more of them. A great book for anyone wanting to learn more about the most important jewelry creators and jewelry pieces. It is also a great way to start your own favorite jeweler/jewelry book collection and get more specific books.



3. I really enjoyed my first scan of this book and look forward to many more in-depth visits. The jewelry is absolutely breathtaking. The color photos are extremely well done.



4. It may seem an era long gone by but the art work is as vital and enthralling today. The photos are numerous and magnificent and it is a valuable addition to anyones library.

No comments about Collecting and Investing Strategies for Walking Liberty Half Dollars (Strategy Guide Series).

1 comments about One Hundred Years of Collectible Jewelry: 1850-1950.

1. Lillian Baker's "100 Years of Collectible Jewelry" might help you to find your way, but only barely. The small opening section, with a brief history of jewelry, may be helpful to the novice...but is by no means complete or even truly interesting to the seasoned collector. It will give you an overview of jewelry styles and some of the historic events that prompted them, but will leave you wanting more. (Much more.) The photographs in the book are clear, but very small; not wildly exciting nor representative of all periods and jewelry styles. However Ms. Baker does go into areas not generally covered...hair combs, hat pins and beaded purse are investigated although in a flash in the pan sort of way. Possibly the major advantage of the book is the Glossary of Terms. If you are brand spanking new to collecting jewelry, this may be the most helpful and informative portion of the book. Overall I would recommend the book for it's reasonable price and easy to chew small bites of information, but if you are interested in a compelling, in-depth view of the history of jewelry, this book is not for you.

5 comments about Silverplated Flatware.

1. Please see my review of "Sterling Flatware Identification & Value Guide". This is a good companion guide, but for silverplated flatware. It's just a little more complicated to navigate, as there are so many silverplated patterns, and so many manufacturers. However, once you become familiar with the way it is set up, and with a lot of patience, you can ID silverplated flatware very nicely. I keep both right at hand..can't do without them.



2. This is a great book for collectors of silverplate flatware!! I have worn out one and found another one here on Amazon. Highly reccommend the book and Amazon. Claudia Cope



3. This book helped in the identification and listing the ages of different flatware I have found at yard sales, flea markets and thrift stores. I have shared it with several friends.
   Thank you
   Tom



4. I found many of the patterns I collect covered in Hagan's book. The drawings are large and easy to use to identify your pieces. I also bought Hagan's Sterling Flatware which is set up in a similar manner. You can also use both books to note which patterns you want to search for. The dates given in the books allowed me to note which patterns were contemporary with the china I collect.
   I've looked at other silver identification books and I liked these best.



5. I have owned this book for at least 3 years, it is the most used book I own. If you are interested in identifying many pieces of silver plate, this is the book for you. Very easy to use. I was just on Amazon to see if there was an updated version yet, or I am trying to decide if I should buy a new one. Mine looks ragged, I have used it so much.

5 comments about Sterling Flatware Identification & Value Guide.

1. This has become my bible for identifying sterling flatware. Of course, it has the most popular patterns, and obscure patterns may not be found; but generally, it is a great resource for collectors or those who sell flatware on auction sites. I keep it right by the computer, and use it almost on a daily basis. I have recommended it several times to those who don't know how to ID what they have. I don't know what I would do without it.



2. I WAS HOPING TO GET SOME HELP IN MY SEARCH FOR STERLING HALLMARKS, BUT THIS BOOK IS REMARKABLE. EASY TO READ AND VERY NICELY ORGANIZED WITH CLEAR ILLUSTRATIONS, ALPHABETIZED LISTS OF PATTERNS, CURRENT APPROXIMATE PRICES OF THE NEWER SILVER AND OF COURSE A FEW PAGES OF HALLMARKS.



3. Silverplated Flatware by Tere Hagen is an ID and Value guide for mostly silverplated utensils or flatware. The book I received had a publisher's mistake on pgs. 369-370 in that the top part was not cut so I had to cut the pages to get to the information. There were a few pages that were pulled from the binding. But, I did not buy it for cosmetic reasons. I wanted the information. The illustrations are fantastic. It made identifying products much easier than going all over the web looking for them. So it is a timesaver. It would have been nice to have more history about the various pieces. There was a lot of information about the companies themselves but not how the were named, or why such names were chosen or for what occasions. It would have been easier to research if the pieces were in alphabetical order under each company.The book illustrated here is not the one I am reviewing.The silverplate book has a blue cover. The Sterling book was similar without the flaws.



4. very nice and informative book, a great haelp to any silver lover!



5. I bought this book because it was the only book out there that included Unger Brothers patterns. But, then I found myself looking up other patterns too. The book also has a brief price guide in the front of the book and a letter code rating system which corresponds to a price range. Every pattern in the book has a letter code which lets you know how valuable and sought after the pattern is. I have gotten a lot of use out of this book and I would recommend it to any serious collector or dealer.

1 comments about English Silver Hall-Marks: Including the Marks of Origin on Scottish & Irish Silver Plate, Gold, Platinum & Sheffield Plate: With 500 of the More Important ... from 169 (Dealer Guides) (Dealer Guides).

1. There are two books on English silver hallmarks available on Amazon, the other being Pocket Ed. Jackson's Hallmarks, and of the two books, this is my favourite. Both books are almost identical in content: both provide illustrations of English, Irish and Scottish silver, gold and platinum hallmarks, and illustrations of the more important makers marks, which allow for the dating of silver, gold and platinum items. However, this book is the easier to use of the two, with the information presented in a way that makes it easier to find what you are looking for. This book also includes a section on Sheffield plate marks and an index of the makers marks, which are not included in "Jackson's Hallmarks".
   
   The periods of time covered by these two books are slightly different. This book gives hallmarks for the period from 1554 to 2004, whereas "Jackson's Hallmarks" covers the period from 1300 to 1991. However, as I have never had any need to date items made prior to 1554, and most of the items that I have dated have been more recent items, I find the period of time covered by this book to be the most appropriate for my needs.
   
   Although both books are very useful and both are likely to satisfy the requirements of the average silver collector, if you are only going to buy one of these books, then this is the one to buy.

3 comments about Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing.

1. This is the same 1998 book with a different cover. No new information since the 1998 edition.



2. Back in print is Hopi Silver: The History And Hallmarks Of Hopi Silversmithing, a revised classic covering the history and hallmarks of Hopi silversmithing. This classic appeared over twenty years ago and was updated in 1998 to include 80 new artisans: it not only reveals the history of past and contemporary Hopi silversmithers, but it provides an important reference of unique hallmarks used by other 300 Hopi silversmiths, including designs, silversmith name and clan, and years he or she began their work. Add color photos and you have a memorable coverage.



3. For anyone who admires or collects Hopi jewelry, this guide will only serve to deepen your appreciation of this beautiful artwork. After setting the stage geographically, Wright starts at the beginning with a history of Hopi crafts and culture, and early silversmiths. Of particular interest was the role played by Mary-Russell Colter of the Museum of Northern Arizona in encouraging the Hopi artists to create a design style that was uniquely Hopi, distinguishable from other Native American jewelry, and therefore profitable. The color plates of traditional and modern Hopi jewelry designs are stunning. The book closes with an index of the hallmarks of more than 300 Hopi silversmiths-- arranged chronologically and by type of symbol, with brief information about each artist. An invaluable reference for serious or casual collectors!