2 comments about Antique Tools ... Our American Heritage.

1. This is an excellent reference book and guide on antique hand tools. Lots of great color pictures with information on each tool along with a value of each tool pictured. Also, good for anyone interested in learning something about our early 20th century American Heritage. One of my favorites.



2. I think the breadth of the information in this book is what causes the problems. It attempts to cover a wide range of antique tools according to the profession of the user. On this basis, it is a rather remarkable collection of widely varying information on lots of old tools and their uses. The problem is that most of the information appears to have come from helpful dealers and passers-by, not necessarily experts. This is alluded to in the forward, so there is no deliberate attempt to claim otherwise. These helpful people were not necessarily knowledgable as shown by incorrect naming and descriptions on some items. The included price guides also varied all over the map from too cheap to too expensive. In no cases were maker names mentioned along with the pricing which makes them pretty much useless. I was particularly interested in this book for the woodworking section which is only barely touched upon given the wide subject material and limited space. I did learn the names of lots of esoteric stuff that I did not know about before.

5 comments about Warman's Depression Glass: A Value And Identification Guide.

1. The book has a good indication of the value of today's worth.
   Good for the beginner of Depression Glass investigating.



2. This publication is very useful to me because I am a beginner collector and it contains the information needed to identify true depression glass pieces.



3. This is the second book I have purchased on depression glass. The first was the book by Gene Florence. This book is much easier to see the designs. It has a shape guide that is very helpful as well as a box on each pattern with a black and white illustration of the pattern of the plate. If you just buy one book on depression glass, this should be it.



4. HERE IS A BOOK THA TPLACES ANYTHING GENE FLORENCE HAS PUT OUT TO SHAME. EASY TO USE. MANY PATTERNS THAT FLORENCE NEVER "BOTHERS" WITH. IF YOU ARE NEW OR A SEASONED PRO WITH DEPRESSION GLASS. HERE IS A BOOK THAT WILL HELP!!!!!!



5. This brand new, 256 page soft bound volume contains over 150 black and white photos and more than 400 full color, large, sharp photos. It covers more than 150 of the most popular Depression glass patterns and offers more than 10,000 up-to-date values !! The book's layout is nice, with very large colorful headings in each section. There's a good introduction to the collectible, and interesting and useful company time-lines, color time-lines, resources, references, color identification guide, shape guide and thumbnail guide. These tools will help you locate the things you seek. Patterns and items range from Adam, American Fostoria, Cloverleaf, Dewdrop and Fire King, to Petalware, Pineapple, Queen Mary, Radiance, Waterford and Windsor. The book is designed to be useful for the novice as well as the expert. Ellen Schroy is truly an expert when it comes to antique glassware. This updated book has a lot to offer depression glass enthusiasts. Add it to your collectibles library. You'll find it easy-to-use and fascinating.

5 comments about Encyclopedia of Bisque Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls: 1936-1947, Identification & Values.

1. Anybody interested in collecting Nancy Ann dolls must have this book which chronicles the history of these beautiful dolls and is chock full of photos and helpful information.



2. This is a wonderful book, especially for the beginning collector. It is mainly a catalog of color photographs of dolls by style number, sometimes showing as many as ten variations of one doll in different costumes. There also is historical information on the evolution of the dolls and ways to identify the various body molds.
   
   This is a true ''encyclopedia'' of every Nancy Ann doll know to exist. I found it an excellent source for identifying dolls from the 1940s which I had found in the attic.
   
   I purchased another Nancy Ann book which is far inferior and which I never use. If you want to buy just one Nancy Ann book, this is it. If you have others, this would be a fine addition to your library and probably the only one you'll ever need for reference.



3. It is easy to tell that a lot went into this beautifully illustrated book. I didn't realize until I went through this book how many dolls of this type there were. I was disappointed that I was only able to identify one of my storybook dolls. Still recommend this book for the avid Nancy Ann Storybook doll collector.



4. Excellent book to inform you and to identify what you are looking at.



5. Ever since the early fifties I have had Nancy Ann Storybook dolls and this book is a must own for anyone interested in these dolls, if for no other reason than it boggles the mind to see how many of these dolls were made, and for all ethnic groups which is interesting when one considers black and Asian dolls were almost unheard of in the pre-60's days. Today I must have about twenty five of the dolls including a Nun doll but haven't been able to find the black doll that had the blue and white plaid dress which I had as a child. My dolls are heirlooms that will be passed down to family members who appreciate the workmanship. The book has so much information on the start of the company and how even during WW2 they were big sellers. And the photos are awesome.

2 comments about The Nethercutt Collection: The Cars of San Sylmar.

1. My father and I just got back from visiting The Nethercutt Museum. The book does a great job of bringing the museum home with you. If you can get to the museum you can pick up a copy of the book at the reception desk for [money]-a bargain.



2. For the first time, all of the automobiles in the Jack Nethercutt Collection are pictured in one book! This book exhibits all the characteristics a book on automobiles should have. Using it's horizontal format to great advantage, photographer Dennis Adler displays all of the cars in all their glory. Mr. Adler understands his subjects and each photograph shows exactly what the viewer would wish to see. The text is short, concise, and highly accurate. Due to space limitations, there is little technical data. This is not missed. Also touched upon, are the Nethercutts' collection of mechanical musical instruments-- pianos and automotive mascots. This book has my highest recommendation and exhibits better photography and more taste than some books costing many times over.

No comments about The Crystal Palace Exhibition Illustrated Catalogue (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

3 comments about Flea Market Makeovers: 25 Projects for Fabulous Home Furnishings.

1. This book provides a variety of step-by-step instructions, ideas and tips for refinishing bargain items you might find at a flea market, yard sale, Goodwill or even in your own garage. There are 25 projects in all, ranging from lampshades to shelves.
   
   While some of the projects are a bit eclectic and might not be for everyone, you can still adapt the concept and steps to create something unique that suits your own taste. For example, you could follow the directions for rewiring an old lamp using the base of your choice, not necessary the pressed glass that the author uses.
   
   The book includes excellent color photos and simple directions for each project. There are chapters on lamps/shades, chairs, tables and beds, storing/organizing (bookcase, Mission-style coat rack, metal storage bin) and odds & ends (picture frame, folding screen room divider, etc.), so there's something for the curious as well as the more ambitious.
   
   If you enjoy watching home decorating shows (like Trading Spaces) or are just a DIY kind of person of beginning to intermediate skills, this book provides some great ideas and how-to advice. If you're a more advanced DIY person, this might be a bit too basic for you.



2. I suppose I should start by specifying that I am not a flea market junkie, though I have been known to haunt garage sales and search for bargains that I could transform into something fun and wonderful for my home. This book does have a wide variety of projects in it, and the directions and materials needed for each project are laid out neatly and expertly. If you can follow directions, you should be able to accomplish most or all of the projects in this book.

   That said, I was not attracted to the majority of the projects in here. You can, of course, customize each project to fit your home, and yes there are some decent tips in here as far as doing general fixer-upper jobs on old flea market finds...but in general the projects in this book appeared flashy, trendy, and too frilly for my tastes. I can flip through this book and my mind writes it off as 'just another fru-fru craft book', which I have an inordinately large pile of. :)

   If you LIKE fru-fru craft books this would be a good one to get, because not only do you get a wide variety of projects, you also get handy tips on repair and maintenance, as well as a guide to tools and materials needed for this type of restoration work.

   So go to it and good luck with those flea market bargains of yours!




3. Flea-market junkies-- here's help with fixing up the stuff you just HAD to have and now wonder how on earth you're going to do it. The 25 projects outlined in this wonderful how-to book are just the beginning. Use them as "jumping off" lessons in repairing and refurbishing the worn, but good stuff you have sitting in your garage waiting for your loving attention. Large, clear photos and step-by-step instructions make for easy understanding of each project. I've used it and I treasure it, it's a jewel!

No comments about Depression Glass: Warman's Companion (Warman's Companion: Depression Glass).

3 comments about Collectibles Price Guide 2007 (Collectibles Price Guide).

1. This book is fantastic! It has many, many pictures and has become a wonderful asset to me. I highly recommend it!



2. Outstanding from page one! This book is expertly researched, photographed, designed and provides the reader with the most current vaulations of some of today's most sought after collectibles. Judith Miller and her entire team have taken the "art" of antiques and collectibles quite seriously and it shows with each and every book.



3. it had most of the info i like . I am getting a lot of enjoyment out of it I found all her books give plenty of scope to want to find out more

5 comments about Early 20th (Twentieth)Century Stanley Tools - A Price Guide With 1909 & 1926 Catalog.

1. I do recommend this book to anyone who wishes to learn something about the early 20th century's use of hand tools. This is my area of interest, one of my hobbies. This book helps me to identify some of these tools and gives some information about their use along with their approximate value for those who collect the tools. The book is easy to use, informative and fun to read.



2. If your are a collector of old woodworking tools, this is an ideal book to carry with you during that weekend flea market or antique shop search. The illustrations are also very useful when trying recliam old tools with missing parts. Some of the tool pricing seems to be a bit too high.
   
   If you are a Stanley collector, this is a must have.



3. This book was just a representative sample of the tools that Stanley made. I was looking for a more comprehensive list and descriptive book. The information in the book could have been found on the internet.



4. For a book that claims to be a price guide, it is a rather dissapointing publication. The book consists entirely of reprinted Stanley catalogs from 1909 and 1926. The "price guide" to current values merely consists of a loose page inserted into the book. The loose, 2002-2003 current price guide page that I received was not even cut square! The prices quoted are questionable at best (a stanley #212 in "good" condition for $700!??. I'll take half a dozen, thanks.), with no genuine attempt to clarify price variation as a function of tool type or condition. In the introdcuction the editor so rightly points out that "We do not claim to be experts in the tool collecting field (and the) seperate price guide is only the opinion of the editor."



5. Tool collectors will enjoy this interesting and useful book of nearly 300 pages which is a reprint of the complete original 1909 and 1926 Stanley Tools Catalogs. The softbound, handy-sized book contains more than 1,200 black and white pictures and details of the tools. It is complete with the original indexes, making tool location easy. A special insert contains year 2001 pricing. Everyone interested in these historical tools will enjoy using this great reference work. Take it with you when you antique for old tools. Add it to your reference library.

2 comments about V for Victory Collectibles.

1. This book is remarkably full of errors. Multiple prices for the same item are listed in different locations. Items are completely mislabelled with regard to what they are made of or what they are. When comparing prices in this guide with his other homefront guide the prices for many items are completely different reflecting this authors failure to be consistent and to proofread his work. Were it not for the pics sent by the collectors, this book would have zero utility. The pics are good thanks to his contributors but the rest of the guide for accuracy and integrity is sorely lacking. Give it a one star because of the pics. I'd pass on this sloppy work...



2. This is a brand new 2001 volume featuring a wide array of collectibles with the "V" for victory from the 1940's. Many photos are large, sharp, and in full color. Most are super black and white photos. There's a nice introduction. Major topics range from Pearl Harbor, Banks, Music, V-Mail, Postcards to Linens, Stamps, Bonds, Banners, and Victory Gardens,Toys, Ads, posters, and much more. Adequate text is provided. This is a very timely book, with patriotism at an all time high. It's of interest to every American, no matter their year of birth. Add it to your library.