2 comments about The Bulfinch Anatomy of Antique China and Silver: An Illustrated Guide to Tableware, Identifying Period, Detail and Design.

1. This book is organized well, easy to understand and nicely illustrated. Provides a picture time line of the evolution of tableware and eating customs. Very interesting and helpful to the novice in developing an understanding of manufacture, style and utilization of table ware Readers shoul have an increased ability to identify pieces as to their origin, era and use. Only short coming was the book did not provide illustrations of the manufacturers marks. The author talked about them but should have shown them as they can help with the identification of the piece.



2. The reader is taken on a tour through the ages from the 16th century to the Retro period. Each general period, representing changes in design, style and use, begins with a table setting demonstrating functionality. Feature articles focus on important changes or developments in each period. A new perspective and understanding is, indeed, imparted.

No comments about Missouri's Silver Age: Silversmiths of the 1800s.

2 comments about Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint: 1838-1861, Second Edition.

1. Doug Winter's updated reference on Dahlonega gold is a superb work and a vast improvement over the previous edition. The information on strike, color, surfaces, luster, and eye appeal are complemented by interesting "personal observations" and updated information on die varieties. Of course, the condition census is a moving target but believed to be current at the time of publication.
   
   There has been some criticism of the photography. Actually, Mary Winter is a superb gold coin photographer, and I have seen color photographs of these same coins taken by her (they are available on the Heritage Auctions coin website if you search the auction archives for Green Pond Collection, FUN 2004). I believe that the publisher bungled the presentation of the images (too small and not enoguh contrast). This will undoubtedly be corrected in future editions.
   
   Overall, anyone with an interest in Dahlonega gold coins will find this to be a valuable and important reference.



2. There is much to like in this book. It is scholarly in its approach to population data condition, census data, and rarity estimates. It discusses well various die varities, and the history surrounding the mint, although brief, is informative. It is in the area of photography that this book falls dismally flat. It is, after all, a book on gold coins, and one of the major appeals of gold has historically been its color. Yet there is not one single color photograph in the book. They are all black and white, almost thumbnail in size, grainy and lacking in detail. When photos are enlarged to show some detail, a D/D for example, they fail to adequately illustrate the variety they are meant to. Compare this to some other similar books, David Lange's "Complete Guide" series for example, and you will see what a disservice these photographs do to the rest of the book. The photographer is listed as Mary Winter, who I presume is related to the author, probably his wife. While it's a noble goal to offer employment to a family member, maybe some other task should have been offered her rather than make her the photographer on what otherwise would have been a fine book. Having said that, I am still glad I have it for the information it provides, ergo the three stars, that, with better photographs, would have been five.

No comments about English Silver in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Vol. 2: Silver From 1697.

No comments about Art & Craft of Metalwork (Arts and Crafts).

No comments about Jensen Silver: The American Designs.

No comments about Magnificent Tiffany Silver.

1 comments about Kremlin Gold: 1000 Years of Russian Gems and Jewels.

1. The book deals nicely with pieces that are mostly Russian enamels, silver, or icons. Very little jewelry is in the Kremlin collection. A couple Faberge imperial eggs that are seldom discussed elsewhere, but, they are not the most superb eggs (in my opinion).

1 comments about Antique Hunter's Guide to American Silver & Pewter.

1. Fantastic reference book with over 300 high quality, full color pictures with descriptions and what to look for. Nice range of silver and silver-plate items listed. The last 50 entries are pewter items (yuck). Handy size too.

1 comments about American Art Deco: An Illustrated Survey.

1. This book is an unabridged re-publication of a Depression era book titled, "Annual of American Design 1931 by the American Union of Decorative Artists and Craftsmen".
   
   Right off the bat, the most negative thing about this book is that it is a Dover Publication Reprint. This means the quality of the publication is mediocre. Both the paper and binding are cheap. The photo quality is decent. This is no museum quality monograph on American Modernism. If you have the money and interest, try to find the original publication. I am sure that it is highly collectible.
   
   The book is divided into nine chapters dealing with such fundamental decorative building blocks as, "The Shop", "Halls, Walls and Fittings" and "Graphic Arts in Advertising". The text for these chapters were written by some great American Modernists of the 1930's. There are short manifestos by such important artists as Kem Weber, Paul Frankl, Frank Lloyd Wright and Edward Steichen. These short texts give the reader great insights into the American modernist mind of the 1930's.
   
   The second strength of this book is the large number of black and white photos that illustrate the text. The creations of such modernists as Von Nessen, Deskey, Rhode, Bel Geddes and Karasz are lovingly photographed.
   
   This is a valuable book for anybody trying to gain a deeper understanding of American modernist thought in the 1920-30's. This is a great second tier book for people who have read most of the contemporary books on the American take on Modernism such as "Depression Modern" and "American Modernism". If you are not sure, at $14 a copy, you cannot go wrong by purchasing this book.