5 comments about Talking Toys of the 20th Century: Collector's Identification & Value Guide.

1. Kathy and Don Lewis' Talking Toys Of The 20th Century provide an outstanding collector's identification and value guide, using small color photos to provide clear pictures of not only the toys, but the boxes which house them. An organization by toy publisher makes them quick to locate.



2. When one looks for a collectors guide they are looking for an informed source. A truly good "guide" will show an item in it's mint, original state. This way one can tell if the item they own is in Mint, Good, or Poor condition. It is unfortunate that Ms. Eisenstein and others make excuses for the untidy and ragged condition of some of the dolls and toys in this book, and for the sorry state of the photography. It tells me that the authors did not feel that it was their job to find really great examples of things that are not that hard to find... It takes hard work and imagination for this, and I'm afraid these things are lacking.



3. Another wonderful, informative book from Kathy and Don Lewis, the authors of "Chatty Cathy Dolls." It's wonderful to see a real guide, using photos from collectors which depict items in played with to mint condition, which is realistic for older dolls and toys. How often are we lucky enough to find mint condition collectible playthings? Highly recommend!



4. I have spent hours reading Talking Toys of the 20th Century. It is an outstanding book and Kathy and Don Lewis did a remarkable job in their research to make this book possible. Thank you Kathy and Don.



5. "Talking Toys of The 20th Century" is the only book of its kind in the world...It is an outstanding, comprehensive photo and value guide, not simply a resource for the "serious" collector, but instead it's an easy to read, fun to look at pictorial of some of the most important and obscure talking toys ever made. Once you see the wonderful photos and read the product descriptions of these magical icons from the past, you'll want to get a second or third job to satisfy your ever growing hunger to collect these treasures. Also check out the Lewis' first book on Chatty Cathy and Family Dolls...A must have for Chatty collectors!

2 comments about American Dimestore Toy Soldiers and Figures (Schiffer Book for Collectors.).

1. This is one of the best books written on the subject in years! It is very detailed and full of color photos of these great old toy soldiers. If you have this book and Richard O'Briens...thats all you need as a resource on the subject!



2. This is one of the best books written on the subject in years! It is very detailed and full of color photos of these great old toy soldiers. If you have this book and Richard O'Briens...thats all you need as a resource on the subject!

4 comments about Baby Boomer Dolls Plastic Playthings of the 50's & 60's, Second Edition.

1. Great book filled with products and information that is helpful in identifying "old" items. fun to look at and has beautiful pictures.



2. a great book for those researching dolls of the fifties and early sixties. i could almost smell the new doll scent as i was carried back to those christmases many years ago. quite a little trip for so little money!



3. I found a wealth of information in this book about dolls from the smaller companies and on Mattel's budding doll line. I even found a few I had as a child but have not seen in other books and had not been able to ID until now. A lot of doll accessories are included for specific dolls that are not usually seen unless you have an old ad or catalog /booklet for that doll. This is a good addition to any collector's library and nicely showcases the dolls and girl toys of the era many of us think was the best of American dolls .



4. This book is good but VERY lacking in pictures of some of the more desirable dolls like Tiny Betsy McCall - not one picture!
   Ditto with many other dolls. Teri Lee gets about 6 pages, most other dolls and manufacturers get 2 pages and sometimes NO pictures. Way out of proportion! I was disappointed at the unbalanced coverage, even though the book was very nice.

1 comments about Collecting Monster Toys (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. John Marshall is THE toy guru, and his opinion is highly respected. This book is no exception. Informative, entertaining, and nostalgia all in one package. Really, not to be missed.

No comments about Alice Faye Paper Dolls.

No comments about MADELMAN: The History of the Famous Spanish Articulated Figure.

5 comments about Pokemon Collector's Value Guide: Secondary Market Price Guide and Collector Handbook (Collector's Value Guides).

1. Just like the title for this review. No more, no less.



2. I am pleased to say that this excellent guide has brought much information about the incredibly popular Pokémon trading card game, and much knowledge about the Pokémon merchandise. Checkerbee Publishing has made a incredible value guide, considering that they included transalations for the Japanese poket monster trading card game, pictures of the cards, and such information is included in American Pokémon card game which is also featured in this book. Though this book has it's pros, it also has cons. No estimated prices are given about the American Fossil Cards, and few people are sure that the Japanese transalations are 100% accurate. Though, that should not stop you from buying this stupendous guide. I am very sure this will satisfy thous who are in need of Pokémon information.



3. i bought this book because it looked cool. but i read some of it there was alot of misprints!



4. This book is a really good source if you want to know how much your pokemon cards are worth. This book has the values of rares, commons, and uncommons. And it even has the values of japanese cards. If you want to get a pokemon price guide, i suggest you buy this one.



5. IF you can't under stand you japanies cards fear no more. This book tells you what it says.

5 comments about The She-Ra Collector's Inventory: An Unofficial Illustrated Guide to All Princess of Power Toys and Accessories (Includes Price Guide).

1. I've noticed that a few people have said the book is worth reading but the price is steep. In my comparison shopping, I found the publisher on Ebay selling the book for $16.99 (plus shipping). Just thought I'd mention that here...I don't quit 'til I've found the best price and it's not always at Amazon.



2. This 57 page paperback edition of She-ra toys is well worth the pricey tag that comes along with it-- at first i was disappointed with the amount of pages for a $30dollar book- BUT almost every single page is colored-and there are excellent pictures of every She-ra MOTU character including crystal castle and the extra outfits and comic books.
   
   Each of the characters has a page dedicated to them- in color- and a SMALL description of each; including what makes them more valuable and variations between year releases. Then there is a box to the right of the picture with a average price for a NIP (new in package), complete (with accessories etc), and loose (the figurine without all clothes/swords/etc). At the end of the book is one page dedicated to the Horde characters (minus Cat-ra & Entrapta who each had their own page). There are not prices for the Horde characters.
   
   Some of the action figures are missing their accesories in the pictures but overall they are complete- a couple of them shown are NIP as well.
   
   DePino also provides a concise introduction worthy of a standing ovation. I loved this guide and read it from front to back. I would recommened the book to She-ra collectors as well as Children/Teens of the 80s who had anything to do with these characters- a nice item to have and read.



3. What an awesome book! Hillary DePiano has compiled an unbelievably thorough inventory of all the Princess of Power toys and related accessories that were released in conjunction with the She-Ra cartoon. "The She-Ra Collector's Inventory" features an introduction that summarizes the creation of the He-Man and She-Ra toy lines and cartoons. There is a page devoted to every She-Ra action figure that was ever released. In addition to photos of each action figure, DePiano also gives a brief description of each character and the special features of each toy (mobility, accessories, collector's pricing guide, etc.). There are also photos and descriptions of She-Ra playsets, books, fashion accessories, and other Princess of Power merchandise.
   
   This is an amazing book for anyone who is a serious She-Ra fan. I was a huge fan of the She-Ra cartoon when I was a child and I owned many of the different action figures and toys that are featured in this book. Sadly, most of those toys were lost or thrown out a long time ago, but now I can pick up this book and fondly remember all the fun my sister and I had playing with our She-Ra and Glimmer action figures and the Crystal Castle and Crystal Falls playsets. Those are some of the best memories of my childhood, and now they're all available in this fabulous little book!
   
   Some people have complained that this book is too pricey. I think die-hard She-Ra fans will gladly shell out the money for a book as awesome as this! The only disappointment I had is that the book is almost more like a pamphlet because the cover is so flimsy. Maybe DePiano will consider releasing a hardcover edition that includes info on all the She-Ra DVDs that are in the process of being released.
   
   If you loved She-Ra as a child, you really need to buy this book. It's the next best thing to owning every single She-Ra action figure that ever existed...and how many people actually have all that stuff?! NONE! Buy this book...you'll be so glad you did!



4. This is the ideal book for collecting or selling She-Ra action figures. It is very complete and full of very interesting informations. Hilary made a great work with this book. The price guide is very close to reality. You won't find best book on this topic. So you will not regret buying it.
   Enjoy !



5. I have been looking for a guide such as this for some time now as She-Ra is my favourite toy from my childhood. Just browsing through the book brought all the memories flooding back. The pictures are fantastic and the listing of all the action figures, accessories and playsets would be very helpful to the collector. There is also a fab introduction and notes on other dolls such as Golden Girl and He-Man. The seller delivered really quickly for an international sale too, and was very friendly in all communication. Well worth the money!

No comments about The Desktop Aquarium: Just Add Water! (Mega Mini Kits).

5 comments about Unofficial Guide: Transformers (A Schiffer Book for Collectors with Price Guide).

1. I have to say, I do love this book. Alverez does a great job in a lot of respects, and it's obvious he knows his stuff.
   
   On the other hand, there are pages and pages of prices that were out-of-date before the book was even published. The pictures, while plentiful, are also a problem. He would have been better off leaving Beast Wars out of the book and spent more time on Generation 2 or some of the Micromasters, Pretenders, and Action Masters that he skipped. Some of the Transformers are hideously mistransformed (Hook, Onslaught, and Bruticus stand out, and that's just the first 50 pages). He also makes no effort to point out when some of the Transformers in the photos are broken (Mirage), or when the figures are lacking accessories (too many to list).
   
   The problem with this book is largely that it's just too informal. He tries to talk to the reader like he's a buddy showing off his collection, and we end up getting unnecessary things like birthday party photos (page 140) instead of the go-to guidebook that this should be.
   
   Again, for all my complaints, I do love this book. It was the first of it's kind that I ever found, and helped me a lot in my collecting. However, with the internet sites and other guidebooks that are infinitely more detailed, the age and lack of professional effort are really starting to show. It's still a FUN book, but it's simply not a GREAT book.



2. I managed to get this book but was not really impressed with it. It sounds more like the author is re-living his childhood through the book. I must admit the history of each toy line is pretty good for those who 'missed' the toy period. The price guide can be thrown out the window cos may be irrelevant now. Some pictures show the figures in their boxes, some in robot mode, some in car/plane/etc mode. What's missing is pictures of the individual figures full set, like guns/accessories. The images could have been done in a more professional way. The pictures do not do justice to one of the greatest toy lines in history. After owning this book, I'm now eager to get better quality books out there regarding Transformers. It's a good book to read by your bed side but not for serious collectors.



3. The Unofficial Guide to Transformers 1980s to 1990s is a great book! This book maily talks about the early Transformers toys from the 1980s and 1990s. J. E. Alverz talks through the history of the Transformers when they were early Japanese Mircoman and Diaclone toys. The book has many pictures of the toys, comics, videos, and other old Transformers memorabilia. J. E. Alverz is a good writer. He tells you everthing you need to now about Transformers toys in America. He also writes about Beast Wars: Transformers toys and The Japanese Transformers figures! Buy it! Highy Recommended! J. E. Alverz writes a great Transformes coffee table book! A+



4. This book has it's ups and downs, the ups include,it identifys a wide range of the toys, I didn't know some of the toys existed(I'm was new to collecting when I bought the book), there's little bits of background info dotted here and there, it runs through most of G1, G2, Beast Wars and Machine Wars, The main down is it doesn't show all the toys. E.G Runabout, Runamuck,the Throttlebots and a few others are missing but not that many. If your starting a collection this is the book to get!



5. This book is flooded with amatuerish writing, corny jokes and lots of pointless prices. I'm not looking forward to story reviews, etc. but at this price, the writer should at least include pictures of all weapons, accessories, instructions and tech specs. I'm very disappointed with the effort. I won't call it a waste of money, but I do feel shortchangedby the poor quality. Seriously, if I've his collection, I could have done something similar, if not better.

   If you don't mind not reading the words, I suggest you get Transformations: Generations. The pics are superb and they showed all weapons, too. No box, tech specs or instructions, but the presentation is much more professional, and the pictures are definitely of a higher standard.

   Buy this book only if you're a hardcore TF fan, flipped through it once and then forget about it.