5 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia Of Fiesta: Other Colored Dinnerware, Post86 Fiesta, Laughlin Art China (Collector's Encyclopedia of Fiesta).

1. I am brand new at collecting Fiesta Ware. I really enjoyed this book. Great pics. It has been a wealth of info for someone new like me.



2. This is the third book in this series I have purchased by these authors. I like the book a lot.



3. One of worst of the newer "collector" books out there. There isn't even a color chart with the names, you need to deduce them by flipping through all the pages and guessing at collections of variuos colors and doing a process of elimination. Fakes are mentioned, and the author says "you'll know them when you see them". Thanks alot! All the marks aren't even listed. What about newer peices versus old?
   
   Some Encyclopedia, more like ramblings of a collector. The medium green issue is already covered by others, the book mentions it everywhere but gives very little evidence of it (maybe the author has medium green envy?).
   
   Not worth the bargain price spent on it. Certainly not a reference book.
   
   p.s. I give other collector books 5 stars, so I'm not just a grump.



4. I just received the 10th edition copy of Collector's Encyclopedia of Fiesta, and other related items. The new layout and design are exactly what this edition needed to set it out above the previous ones. It seems the forward is a bit lengthy. Each page is framed in the turquoise color. The new pictures are numerous!! And for those who collect New Fiesta (produced since 1986, the pages for this are expanded to include up thru Scarlet and quite a few of the pieces produced thus far in color pictures. I rate this book at 4 stars for one reason. I feel the prices are inflated and out of line. Yes, there will always be some "rare" items at high prices. There are a fair share of pictures that are the same as previous books as well.



5. The title of this book "Fiesta" can be a little misleading to the novice or seasoned collector. Beyond actual Fiesta and Fiestaware by Homer Laughlin the author's detail company history by delving into Harhequin, Riviera, Mexican lines, Kitchen Kraft, even promotional items and advertising.
   
   For Fiesta identification pieces the pictures and Plate descriptions are very good. Pictures, specifically are very clear and concise while the page quality is excellent. In particular, this book will provide a very wide range of history and the wide variety of products offered by Homer Laughlin Co. over many years. Although the title suggests a book on Fiesta, this portion is limited.
   
   If your looking for price comparisons or rule of thumb the book is weak in this department, it does not effectively handle all colors preferring to provide information strictly on the "hot" collector pieces such as 'medium green.' Of course, prices quoted in books are strictly "guides" as the internet, antique malls and live auctions mix up values on a weekly basis. Current research and personal perspective will be the true guides for market value at any given time.
   
   Fiesta is covered in the first 73 pages of this book (pre/post 1986) and then moves on other topics or products produced. This book would be a fine starter for the novice but additional resources will need to be added for a complete library on Fiesta and Fiestaware.

5 comments about Beckett Basketball Price Guide #15 (Beckett Basketball Card Price Guide).

1. We have been buying this price guide since it's inception but the quality and content has been dropping the last few years. I suppose they are trying to keep the price down, but they are omitting and reducing too much. I would say though, until someone comes up with something more complete, it's the one to buy.



2. Great book, came in awesome condition and I love using it! Highly recomended for all NBA card collectors!



3. Look, we all know that monthly price guides cannot possibly keep up with the explosion of basketball cards produced by all the companies putting out cards today. All they can do is focus on the name cards on the stars. But if you are trying to put together a set of 1957-58 Topps, 1986-87 Fleer or 1992-93 Hoops, then you need to know ALL the cards so you are prepared for dealers whether they organize their cards by number or team or player's name. With the "Beckett Basketball Card Price Guide" you have your best chance to find out exactly what is out there. True, in practical terms the prices quoted have a chance of being obsolete by the time you track down the cards you want, but the key thing about all of these Price Guides is that they list all the cards, including all the extras, bonsues, special sets and the like. Whether you are looking for a card of this year's MVP, Allen Iverson or Ernie Calverley (he was on the first basketball card put out by Bowman in 1948), this is the book you want to use to put together your want lists when I head out to the card shows.



4. This is a great source for the basketball collector. It is the most recent of the annual beckett price guides and provides listings for card sets that can't be found such as classic, scoreboard, chivas de guadalajara, and 5-sport sets. no card is left out has been left out. This updated book now gives you updated values for some of Kobe Bryant's rarest cards like the Scoreboard Die-Cut and the Chivas de Guadalajara team set Kobe RC edition. This book is recommended to all collectors.



5. This book is so cool.I suggest you get it.It tells you just about everything you want to know about your cards and how much they are worth.Worth your money to buy it.It is the best thing that I have and it can be yours

4 comments about Collectibles Price Guide 2008 (Collectibles Price Guide).

1. the book was very generic and boring. some of the things in it were very common items that are only a few years old. Not much for the serious collector



2. I found this book very informative of quite a selection of item. I really enjoyed looking at all the different items included in the book.



3. Mostly pictures with litte information, but what I really disliked was it was difficult to hold open and therefore no fun to even look at the pictures!



4. I received this book yesterday. For a newbie to collecting like me, it is just what I've been looking for. The pictures are amazing. The information in it is incredible. The categories make things easy to find. It is just the right size to fit in my purse while I shop. I'm going to enjoy using this book very much!

2 comments about Beckett Football Price Guide #24 (Beckett Football Card Price Guide).

1. Having reviewed earlier editions, I can only reiterate my claims of there being no better source for football sports card collectors. A must! EH



2. Very fast service on shipping, order arrived in excellent shape, and was complete. Pricing was reasonable, and I will shop this vendor again.

5 comments about 2008 Standard Catalog of World Coins 2001 to Date (Standard Catalog of World Coins 2001-Date).

1. This animal is good for pointing out many coins that may be missed in the smaller magazines and at trade shows. However it is a catalog, about the size of a phone book and with so few advertisers that they are negligible.
   
   There are no fancy color pictures just coins and lots of them divided into countries; so many coins that it can make your head spin if you are not searching for a particular theme. The shallow part of the book is the depth of time.
   
   This version came out before the Euro however I am collecting Notgeld and trade dollars.
   
   When I write reviews I look for a stumper or two. Well this book passed. I looked up the "Wailbligen 100". Sure as shoot'n there it was with an explanation and references to Porcelain coins.



2. Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901-2000 (Standard Catalog of World Coins)This is a generic catalog. The price was competitive and the shipping reasonable.



3. So here we go again... The second edition of a largely unnecessary book (if Krause could drop the "patterns, pieforts etc." sections in the 20th century volume, the two volumes would fit perfectly in one) which seems quite dated the very moment it is published - only in case of some countries you get issues up to 2005. The policy of dating the catalogue "for the coming year" makes the gap even more painfully visible.
   At the same time the second edition does not fill blank spaces left in the first one. Let me give you just one example - Belarus, a country which issues only commemorative coins in moderate mintages but an impressive number. Let's look up the most popular denomination - copper-nickel 1 rouble. 2001 - 2 out of 4 are missing, 2002 - 4 out of 5, 2003 - listing complete, 2004 - 5 out of 10 missing, 2005 - 1 out of 10, and that is the end. Nothing from 2006 and 2007. You don't believe me? Don't take my word for it, check the website of the National Bank of Belarus. It is in English. The editors apparently did not.
   That's the catch - most of the information this catalog is missing is readily available on the Internet. Updating the catalogue would take a week at most and that would include looking up current coin prices on eBay. Because the prices are just as dated as the rest, they don't take into consideration the rise of silver and gold and the fall of the dollar in relation to other currencies.
   However, so far no one has done it better and that is the saddest part. So if you don't have the week to browse the Internet, and want information on recently issued coins in a reasonably handy volume, go ahead and buy it. Just remember that the editors did not have the week as well, and you, at some point, will have to do their research anyway.



4. If there is a coin started from 1980 until 2006 (this book will not mention that this coin has minted from 1980, it will show this coin's mint from 2001) so from my point view this is confusing - at least should give a note for this.
   so if I don't have books for previous years, 100% I will not know that a particular coin have previous mints.
   
   regards



5. I got two books and shipment was very good. Books arrived in good condition. Thanks.
   Cem Barlok

5 comments about Star Wars Super Collector's Wish Book: Identification & Values (Star Wars Super Collector's Wish Book).

1. I bought this book awhile ago and also bought "Tomart's Price Guide to Worldwide Star Wars Collectibles" by Steve Sansweet. I found the super collectors wish book to be the better of the two. Far better. This book is easy to read, up to date and has sections that are in colour. The Sansweet book is none of that. This is the better of the two books to spend your hard earned republic credits on. I hope this reveiw was helpful.



2. I own the other wish books by G. Carlton. I find them to be really helpful, informative and I love the pictures he has for reference too. Great job! Anyone collecting Star Wars should own a copy of this book.



3. Values for both common Star Wars items and rare collectibles are presented under one cover in the weighty 4th updated edition of Star Wars Super Collector's Wish Book, a reference packed with some 900 categories of merchandise from around the world. From guitar straps and gum holders to pins and memorabilia, over 16,000 color photos - many small, but big enough to easily help in identification - pack this reference. Any library catering to Star Wars fans in particular will find it a popular pick.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



4. This publication just goes from strength to strength.
   A true must for any collector, serious or beginner alike.
   
   Filled with great pictures & loads of information as a resource book you just can't fault this item. Doesn't matter if you collect action figures, cloth badges, books, posters...whatever...this book has the lot.
   
   If you are only going to do yourself one favour this year, make sure you buy yourself a copy of this book.
   
   OUTSTANDING STUFF.



5. This book had a lot of information I was looking for but not all.

5 comments about Standard Catalog of Lionel Train Sets: 1945-1969 (Standard Catalog of Lionel Train Sets 1945-1969).

1. This book is great, fantastic reading about all Lionel train sets and lots of great pictures. This book covers all Lionel O, O27 and Super O made between 1945 and 1969 sets. It also covers in sites to changes from year to year, and also what to look for to alert you to forgeries in many cases. P.S. NO HO



2. The Standard Catalog of Lionel Trains - Cataloged sets, by David Doyle is a very nice book on Lionel Trains. The photos of the Lionel sets are excellent. Do not miss this book if you love Lionel Trains. Richard Archer



3. Anyone interested in Lionel Toy Trains would find this book very interesting. Listings presented with many pictures and a excellent description. There are many pictures showing the original boxes the train sets were in and giving various dates on production. This book is not just numbers and prices. A very good source of information for the collector and train buff.



4. I found my old HO gauge train set in the attic and wanted to learn more about it. Reading the info about this book you would think it covered all Lionel train sets. The truth is there is info about all sizes except HO. If HO is your interest look elsewhere.



5. Excellent book, well written for even the most experienced Lionel Collector. I've put together a nice collection of books on Lionel Electric Trains over the years, and this nice work fits right and....and fills a void or two in the other works.
   
   You will enjoy looking through it, and find answers to your questions.

3 comments about Miller's Antiques Price Guide 2008 (Miller's Antiques Price Guide).

1. For years as an Professional Apprasier. I turn to guides to look up pricing for stuff I am apraisaing. It all in one place and with not having my laptop with me to look online antique databases. I take a couple books along with me and they in the car. I have every copy of this series. It has great color pictures. But the only minus lack of information on some of the pieces listed. The range pricing is too broad. But some of the information were actual sales at auction. Why not list the sale. As with any Antique guide. It a guide and not the true price at which an item may be worth. What the guide does is give you a start point to give what possible the item you are looking at is worth. It an excellant reference book and a muct have to those who do daily appraisal work.



2. The best book on antiques by far - 8000 COLOR photographs, prices on each item, many different subjects, tips on what to look for and excellent index. If you are tired of price guides without knowing what is being referred to, then this guide is for you. Warning - this is primarily a book on mid-range to high-end antiques, and only a few categories on collectibles.



3. Another excellent release from Miller's. Great photos and a good variation of items are reviewed and detailed. My only personal regret is that is not more information on Oriental antiques; however the Miller's Chinese & Oriental antiques release covers this area rather well but an additional purchase is required.
   
   4.5 out of 5. Well worth investing in.

No comments about 2009 Collector Car Price Guide.

5 comments about American Character Dolls: Identification & Value Guide.

1. This is a great detailed book featuring many of the beloved American Character dolls! It has helped me tremendously with my doll collection.



2. Very nice book & lots of information i have been looking for these past few years.



3. You can order an autographed copy directly from Judith by going to: www.americancharacterdolls.com
   
   You cannot buy an autographed copy through Amazon.



4. A most comprehensive and well-researched book! Having contributed to the Tressy section of the book (look for pics from my collection!), I must say that this guide is a must have for Tressy collectors as well as for those who collect other American character dolls.



5. Judith Izen has written another wonderful book! For collectors of American Character dolls, it's a book that needs to be on your bookshelf. It's well written and researched with great photographs. We can only hope that Ms. Izen will continue to share her love and knowledge of dolls with more books.