1 comments about Cartoon Toys & Collectibles Identification and Value Guide: Identification and Value Guide.

1. This beautiful 224 page book features over 800 full color, large, sharp photos and estimated values. Major categories include: Disney, Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera, Cartoon Character Hall of Fame and resources. There is a complete history of each major category where you'll find interesting and useful information. A welcome addition to your library.

5 comments about So Crazy Japanese Toys!.

1. A beautiful book filled with beautiful pictures of beautiful (and bizzare) Japanese toys. What more could one ask for? Well, how about a book that stays in one piece for more than 30 minutes. After less than half an hour of gentle reading the wraparound cover became unglued from the rest of the book. I'll glue the cover back on and cross my fingers nothing more comes loose, but this is a hassle, and not the first time such a thing has happened with a Chronicle Book: my copy of Eric Kohler's "In the Groove" found itself In the Trash soon after both cover and pages came loose from the el-cheapo glue binding. Message to Chronicle Books: it's the 21st Century, and high time books be bound to last more than a day. Either have your current printer improve his binding, or get a new printer. And yes, I'd be willing to pay a little more for better binding. My rating: content = 5 stars, presentation = 1 star.



2. I, too, am disappointed by the negative reviews of this book. Collectors (which, sadly, I am not) will recognize that this book is not intended to be a catalog, but a showcase of some of the strange and beautiful Japanese toys.
   I loved the photography, and the serious time and effort that must have went into each shot. There is at least one (and probably more) fanatic behind this book, that's for sure.
   I found this book in a thrift store (who would give such a treasure away?), and knew that I must own it. The characters are so bizarre, yet sometimes, strangely, familiar. Only later did I discover that this is the work of Jimbo Matison, whose "Space Is Dum" webtoon was already deeply imbedded in my psyche (check it out, if you can find it).
   This book also spawned a great game in my house. My wife opens the book to a random page, and we both make up a name for the character depicted (as I said, I am not a collector, and know few of their names). We are, sadly, never close, but we try.
   I look forward to more twisted stuff from Jimbo in the future.



3. Beautiful photos and nice book on vinyl japanese toys.
   I apprecciated



4. I can't believe the 2 kill-joys on this page. These are the guys I try to block from my ebay auctions when I can : picky, shrill & NO HUMOR (or soul for that matter).

   I've bought sold & collected tons of robots & space toys over the past 20 years or so, yet many of these characters I haven't seen at all except in the tiny little fliers accompanying some of the boxes. This is a MAGNIFICENT SELECTION! Posed, composed & shot with loving perfection! Every turn of the page is a delightful surprise.

   The only drawback is that it makes me want to start all over & fill my shelves with these guys. Argggh...oh no, not again. Gasp - all that dusting....




5. This book is a must have for Japanese vinyl doll collectors or for those who appreciate awesome pictures. The book could have featured more vinyls, but I'm not complaining.

5 comments about Encyclopedia of Cabbage Patch Kids: The 1980s (Schiffer Design Book).

1. Although I did enjoy reading the facts about the kids, their orgin, rarities, head mold facts.....and so on.....This book ONLY focused on MIB kids. Even though there are great photos (hundreds of them), several are duplicates and the author consentrated mostly on the beloved #4 head mold. ALOT of the kids talked about were mentioned as *hard to find* and *extreamly hard to find* MIB. I do not believe all head molds and eye/hair color combonations were pictured. I also believe that what one collector views as mint another may not agree upon. For instance, some kids are redressed and out of the box...is that still considered mint in the box?
   
   The first 14 pages are very brief paragraphs of the different headmolds, clothing, eyes and hair colors, boxes and so on. No price guide on any clothing with the exception of animal sleepers, terry sleepers and rompers.
   
   I feel as though in my opinion only, that a Collectors guide for Cabbage Patch kids has alot of potential if more information was given and less of identical photos. This book just didn't give ME the info. that I was so hoping it had.
   
   With that said, this book is a definate read for any collector, but quite pricey.



2. My second wife (a shrew of a woman if ever there were one) blessed me with three little kippers--and each bore a strong resemblence to a cabbage patch kid (Note: the woman had the largest cranium I've seen prior to Shreck). This encyclopedia was invaluable during the difficult child-naming process and has been a nostalgic reference these passing years since the harlot took the kids (and the pudgy judge-awarded palimony) to Kansas in order to follow some religious kook and raise the bigheads in an "upright" environment. I miss them occasionally, and when I do, I shed my tears with this fine book by my side. Thank you Schiffer Design Books.



3. This book gives the complete picture of cabbage patch kid collecting. I haven't seen a more overall picture of the dolls anywhere. It is a fantastic guide not only for the new collector, but also for the expert. Thank you.



4. The cabage patch kids are one of the best books i have read!!. It is easy to read and is full of drame and really keeps you on the endge of your seat the whole time while you are reading it. I cant wait to read it again!!



5. This was an awesome book! As an avid collector of Cabbage Patch Kids, it is nice to know that there is some value to my collection. Further, this provided many of my friends and acquaintances with eager cries of "Mine looked like this one!" The research that when into this book is obvious. As one skims over the glossy pages of pictures, they find themselves stopping to read the stories behind the value of "kids." I enjoyed this book thoroughly and often stay up late rereading it.

No comments about Authoritative Guide to Lionel's Postwar Operating Cars (Lionel Postwar Encyclopedia Series) (The Lionel Postwar Encyclopedia) (The Lionel Postwar Encyclopedia).

1 comments about Furnished Dollhouses: 1880s - 1980s (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. Another terrific Schiffer book. Enough different dollhouses from previous books to make it interesting and educational. Wonderful photos.

5 comments about Marx Toys Sampler: A History & Price Guide.

1. What a wonderful trip down Memory Lane! I had a couple of uncles that worked for Marx when I was a little kid and had many of the toys featured in Michelle's book. I can only wonder what happened to my Mark toys. I guess they found their way to cousins or younger friends, but I sure would like to have them back now! Good job Michelle - I truly enjoyed paging through your book - it appears to have been a labor of love as opposed to a for profit project. Thanks for the memories!



2. I enjoyed this book because of it's detailed accounts of Marx toys that I grew up with. The price guide is also handy when I'm out looking for Marx items for my sisters' collections. History of a manufacturer is always interesting and the photographs help define the pieces I'm searching for. I appreciate a good book that shows great effort extended in presenting the information. I would recommend this book to the serious toy buyer and to new seekers of antique Marx toys. Kudos to the author!



3. I found this to be an ideal route to fond memories of my childhood. Many of the toys in this book were basis of several Christmas dreams. As a baby boomer, I have been collecting the dollhouses and furniture with the hope that my granddaughter will appreciate them, too! This is a good reference guide to have!



4. This book would be a great companion book. Most Marx toys collectors would benefit from information on part numbers, years of production and viewing the wonderful selection of photographs featured in the book. The book covers about 30 years worth of knowledge on toys produced at the Glen Dale plant site. There is even a partial price listing on items that Ms. Smith and Mr. Whipkey were familiar with. All in all. A good book.



5. This brand new (year 2000)192 page book gives you an inside look at one of America's favorite toy makers. It takes you behind the scenes at Marx to help you see and understand the company and its people. There is a beautiful 32 page full color section, in addition to more than 150 black and white photos. Many of the photos have not before been published. More than 1,200 individual items are listed, including many values. Major topics range from Play Sets, Doll Houses, Lithographed Items, to Johnny West, and Sandy Dolls. A Marx time line from 1896 to 1999 is provided along with a handy index. Toy collectors will be delighted with this new reference.

4 comments about David Levinthal: Small Wonders (American Scene (Washington, D.C.), 4,).

1. If you're reading this, you likely know Levinthal's formidable talent. It's on display here, of course, but the book's design, assembly instructions superimposed next to, behind and even over the photos, distracts from his work. Self-consciously clever, the design so irritated me it was a genuinely unpleasant experience to look through this book--hardly the reaction one expects from Levinthal. Look for another introduction to his work. I am.



2. The only flaw with Small Wonder is that the text is about toys, which gives toy collectors the idea that Levinthal is an illustrator of books on toys. If you bought this book just to compliment your toy collection, you need to go through the book again, ignoring the text, and really look at the photographs.

   I would have given Small Wonder 5 stars, were it not for David Corey's text. However, the book only grants around 25 pages to Corey's text, out of the 160 total, and it is still well worth buying. I've had the book for a few months, and I still pick it up to see a certain few photos over and over.




3. This book was intended to be a critical, artistic examination of the traditional American society of the 50's and 60's as viewed from children's playsets of that period. Ironically, it has become immensely popular among toyset collectors who either ignore, or disagree with, the critical introduction.
   It is the marvelously posed and photographed Marx playsets that steal the show (Roman, western, Civil War, circus, jungle, WW2, space, etc.) The social comentary has been totally eclipsed by the pure nostalgia value. I know that is why I bought it....



4. If you recall with fondness the great old Louis Marx & Co. playsets of the 1950's & '60s then this book is a must. David Levinthal's color photographs are superb, bringing life to these little plastic people and animals at their eye-level, much as we saw and remember them when we were kids.

   The color photographic layouts of various playsets are divided into three chapters. "Our World" contains great shots of the Marx Dollhouse, Skyscraper, Schoolhouse, Boyscouts, Jetport, Service Station, and "The Untouchables" playsets. The "World of War" chapter highlights the various Marx WWII, Civil War, Revolutionary War, Alamo, Frontier and Western playsets. "Other Worlds" concludes the book with images from the "Ben-Hur," Robin Hood, Jungle and Circus playsets. This is one of the most imaginative coffee-table photography books I've seen in ages.

   Now comes my only negative comment which robbed this otherwise superb book of one star. David Corey's introduction leaves a lot to be desired. While it provides some historical information on Louis Marx and his company there really isn't enough info to satisfy the knowledge-seeking reader. The overblow and pretentious text contrasts sharply with Levinthal's photos injecting cynasism and misplaced intellectualism with photographs of a child's world where that kind of drivel has no place.

   Corey's self-serving intro is a bit bizarre to say the least. He writes, "The service-station attendant in my playset was in some ways as tragic as Oedipus, as confined by time, place and action to his inescapable destiny, while I, like the Athenian spectator - or better still, the demiurge - could contemplate the conditions of..." What the heck is he talking about? This book celebrates children's playsets for crying out loud! Buy the book for the pictures and enjoy the great memories it brings back.

4 comments about Hot Wheels The Ultimate Redline Guide Companion: Identification and Values 1968 - 1977 (Hot Wheels the Ultimate Redline Guide).

1. I am an avid redline hot wheel collector. I am very disappointed with this book. It does not cover redline hot wheels. This is not the book for true redline collectors. It covers farbs, gran toros, hotlines, hot shots, mean machines, rumblers, sizzlers, small shots, and zowees. Not even close to a redline guide, like the title describes. The second edition, written in May 2005 is still the most current guide out on the market. This guide stinks. It is useless for the true redline collector who wishes to see the latest updated information on redline hot wheels.



2. It's an amazing book of the Hot Wheels early years !! I'm discovering several unknow toys each page ! I Recomend a lot !



3. Don't let the title fool you, Hot Wheels the Ultimate Redline Guide Companion covers much more than just Redlines. It does adhere to the period of 1968 - 1977, but it covers a whole host of Hot Wheels products produced during that period including Chopcycles, Hot Birds, Hot Shots, RRRumblers, SmallShots, Zowees, and a new chapter in this second edition on Gran Toros. As with all every title from Collector Books the production is first rate with very colorful and sharp photography all in a heavy duty hard cover book. The usual matter on things like grading and pricing leads things off before we get into the first of over a dozen different chapters on various Hot Wheels lines and accessories.
   
   Each chapter opens with a bit of history and reference information about that particular line of Hot Wheels such as the year the line was introduced, how many vehicles were in each series, etc...The Gran Toros section is particularly interesting as this joint venture between Mattel and Mebetoys of Italy is largely unknown to all but the most avid Hot Wheels collectors and is a welcome addition to the guide. This is a truly beautiful line featuring vehicles such as the Lamborghini Miura, Mustang Boss 302, Porsche Carrera 10, and the Ferrari P4.
   
   The Sizzlers section shows an overview of the cars and then shows each car on its own page with a large close-up view, and then with several smaller pictures displaying some of the various color variations for each car along with a price grade table for mint loose cars and MIP cars. Each car again features background into on the model, noting specific features about each such if it came with decals or not. It's interesting to note that often there isn't a great deal of difference between the price on a loose mint car and one in the package. It certainly differs by the model and the disparity is greater on the cars which are more rare, of course.
   
   One thing I loved about the Sizzlers section was all the photos of the great accessories such as the various track sets. These show a picture of the packaging along with a checklist of all of the components in the set which is very useful. This book is a great reference title for any level of Hot Wheels collector and the photography is second to none.
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson



4. Jack Clark and Robert P. Wicker's HOT WHEELS: THE ULTIMATE REDLINE GUIDE COMPANION pairs fine color photos of hot wheels issues with identification and values keys for the toy collector's cars from 1968-77. From limited spin-offs to model series designs, this HOT WHEELS guide is a fine history and values pairing and is a top pick for any collector's library.

5 comments about Daisy Air Rifles & BB Guns The First 100 Years.

1. Very enjoyable. It brought back a lot of memories. I shared it with a
   friend my age, and it gave us a lot to reminisce about.



2. Nice informative paperback. No prices for us collectors/dealers. Does anyone publish a price guide for BB guns?



3. - A terrific book with outstanding photography and commentary on Daisy BB guns, toys, and advertising over a 100 year period.
   Gary Garber



4. The book 100 years of Daisy BB guns is excellent, great pix, very informataive and a must have for the Daisy BB gun fan, collector or shooter. I would have liked more written text but book is great and helpful as it is. I have a few Daisy bb guns but dont concentrate on them. Try it youll like it.



5. An entertaining and informative compendium of the products of the Daisy Company.

4 comments about Barbie: Four Decades of Fashion, Fantasy, and Fun.

1. my sister is 9 or 10 or something. its hers. i hope she liked it



2. This book is very good,really... I learned how to recognize Barbie head molds by period,learnd about the world's fashion history in the ultimate forty years and became much more a Barbie lover than before I knew this book...



3. THE BOOK HAD SOLID INFORMATION, WAS SUPPORTED. IT HAD GREAT PICTURES. I ALSO WANTED TO SAY THAT THE BOOK HELP ME LEARN MORE ABOUT BARBIE!



4. Since an Italian writer, he revolves a little more around the Italian part of Barbie (i.e., the fasions, models from Italy, excerts from Italian magazines, etc.) but he does go through a lot of the very famous styles that made Barbie "Barbie" like Enchanted evening, Solo in the Spotlight, Busygal, etc. There is also a 4 page visual on the steps in making a Barbie which I thought was pretty neat. He also shows about 16 of the around the world barbies. And lots of special edition ones too. A very good book; anyone who wants to know about the "special" barbies should get this book