5 comments about Sneakers: The Complete Collectors' Guide.

1. this book is awesome is very informative, and if you know anything about the hip hop era then this book should be added to a persons collections.



2. This book is great to look at even if you're not into sneakers. Beautifully presented design and layout, and great history details. A good oversight of all the significant brands and their best creations.



3. A great look at most of the shoes in each of the major companies respective ranges. While the descriptions and info on the shoes are pretty scant, the pictures more than make up for that. The best part of running through this book is getting hit with the nostalgia that comes with seeing so many products from the not-so-distant past. A nice modern coffee table (or ottoman, I suppose) book. Air Max 1s are the best shoes ever.



4. This is a great compilation of the shoes that make up the ever expanding sneaker culture. But it is by no means the COMPLETE guide. Lots of great shoes that didn't make it into the book and some that should have been left out. All in all, it should definitley be in your collection.



5. Bought this for my boyfriend (who is a sneakerhead) and he loves it. High quality print, bright pages, covers many of the classic brands and at an excellent price - best price I've seen for this book and I've looked for it elsewhere. Definetly recommended.

5 comments about Rolex Wristwatches: An Unauthorized History (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This is a great book, its full of detail and has more detail than any other watch book produced ever. This has to be the bible of all Rolex books.
   It has hundreds of case ref's and movement details, you will not find a book as good. The pictures are great and all in color.
   I wish I bought it years ago. Saying that, this is the only downfall, its a few years old now, about 11, so it does not have the latest models.
   If you want to know every detail on Rolex movements and case numbers this is the book for you.



2. This has been called the Rolex bible. I dont agree with the phrase but it merits the award.
   It is fantastic. No other wordfor it. Excellant pictures. Great facts and well put together.



3. The best Rolex book available. Known among collectors as the Rolex bible it is easy to see why.
   The quality of pictures nearly all color is beyond any other watch book published. The history sections flow from page to page and makes light reading.
   As a guide and reference book on Rolex watches. It is simply the best.
   I don't know much about the authors but they show their love for the watches in section after section. The price is fair; this is a very large well put together book.
   I would like to give it 10 stars. The work involved producing it certainly merits it.



4. This is a fantastic Rolex reference which is rich is history, background information, and abundant full-color photos. This is a must-have reference for the serious Rolex collector.



5. Similar to Rolex watches on which this book focuses, it's heavy, quite large, and overpriced. Again similar to Rolex watches, it does the job fairly well. Generally good to excellent photography traces the evolution of Wilsdorf's watches from "unknown," to a famous name. Furthermore, Wilsdorf understood the value of publc relations and advertising campaigns to boost his product to what's probably the most recognized brand of Swiss mechanical watches. While the book is lavish in its photographic presentations, there are too few words. Especially with watches, I want to know original and current selling prices, too. I yearned for a newer edition. Of course there can't be one every year, but this volume is better suited to the collector of older watches. I'd love one highlighting post-2005 Rolexes. But, you sure can't slight the research accomplished. Tops in that regard, few cover older Rolexes as completely. As a photographer who owns six Rolex watches, I appreciate the photography, and respect the teeth-pulling exercises the authors no doubt went through to locate the pictures. I prefer smaller books that are more conveniently sized for reading and storage. My library leans like the famous tower due to myriad so-called "table- or coffeetable-top" books that are oversized. Sometimes, as is this publication, that's the only way I find the material I seek: books about cars and watches. A slick, perhaps thicker, paperback edition possible to read lying down beats hell out of these large, cloth bound, impractical volumes. This book, at its price, is a product only a "watch buff" or a Rolex fan will likely cough up $125.00 to own. I'm both, plus I got it for $75: a "bargain," I suppose, maybe much in the same way Rolexes are when compared with several finer Swiss timepieces, such as Patek Philippe, a brand against which all watches are weighed,watchmakers often say. Rolexes are no Patek Philippes, of course, but they don't sell new for $100,000, $200,000, $300,000 or more, either, and sans diamonds as well! As a "gearhead" and watch hound for more than 50 years, I say a Rolex is similar to a Dodge pickup loaded with leather, GPS, Sirius and all the toys. They're tough, rough, practical. As mechanical devices go, they're reliable as granite. Each has a strong, masculine, but very attractive presence, and either one that's serviced religiously will work a century more. This isn't the best watch book I own, nor is it even the best Rolex book I have, but those of us dedicated to horology and Rolexes may say, as did I: "To hell with its dimensions, ungainly weight and price: I gotta' have it!" Unless Auntie Maude is the bearded weight lifter at the circus, don't send her after it. Plan to sit at a table to flip through it comfortably. (Be sure to order the 3rd edition, circa 2006!)

2 comments about Bud Hastin's Avon Collector's Encyclopedia: Avon and California Perfume Company Products-1886 to Present.

1. I BOUGHT THIS BOOK HOPING TO IDENTIFY ALOT OF OLDER AVON I HAD FOUND..THE BOOK IS GREAT..GOOD DESCRIPTION OF OLDER AVON PRODUCTS AND EASY TO USE ..THANKS



2. Both specialty collector libraries catering to neo-pro collectors and general-interest public libraries will find AVON COLLECTOR'S ENCYCLOPEDIA: AVON AND CALIFORNIA PERFUME COMPANY PRODUCTS 1886 TO PRESENT an invaluable acquisition, appearing in its 18th updated edition to provide the latest prices and details. Here are thousands of products, paired with the latest prices, black and white and color photos throughout, making for an invaluable at-a-glance reference.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

2 comments about 2008 Comic Book Checklist & Price Guide (Comic Book Checklist and Price Guide).

1. I've been very vocal in my support for the Comic Buyer's Guide Comic Book Checklist & Price Guide. To me it is the comic book price guide of choice over the Overstreet guide for a number of reasons. First, the CBG guide is not weighted down by literally hundreds of pages of advertisements like the Overstreet guide is. I mean, what is the point of endless pages of ads for comic dealers and shops anyway? Who buys mail order with eBay around?
   
   Secondly, the CBG guide is not filled with dozens of pages of market reports from dealers around the country. Yes, at one time I found these market reports to be very valuable. But again, this we in the pre-eBay/Internet days. If I want to know what a certain book has been selling for, I can just search completed auctions on ebay or other auction sites. It's no longer useful to me to read what a dealer in Podunk, Idaho sold a Hulk #181 for.
   
   Lastly, while concentrating its efforts only comics from the Silver Age to the present, the CBG guide is able to provide much more information about individual issues. True, the Overstreet Guide does go back to the Golden Age but at a cost of condensing it's information so tightly and with such a small font, it's almost unreadable. I much prefer the CBG guides where each issue of a title is listed individually, rather than as a range of issues. This allows the guide to provide more information such as notable events as origins, first appearances, and the issue's artist, as well as noting the month and year of each issue.
   
   The CBG price guide provides only the near mint price for each issue but comes with a detailed, full color grading guide that explains how to calculate the prices for books that are less than near mint. Like the Overstreet, literally hundreds of cover pictures are included in the book's 808 pages. This is my price guide of choice. It is all meat without any of the Overstreet fat.
   
   REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON



2. this book is fairly complete to about june 2007. has listings for alternate covers and fairly accurate pricings for older books. the grading guide that is inside has great color descriptive images to define different grades , with great written explanations.

5 comments about The Complete Book of Retro Crafts: Collecting, Displaying & Making Crafts of the Past.

1. Suzie Millions is a high artisan with an abiding love of the crafted, kitschy, handmade and heartfelt, and her brand new book, The Complete Book of Retro Crafts, embodies all those things. More like an artist's journal than those typical craft books that are simply lists of projects and tools, Retro Crafts is enriched with anecdotes from Millions' life and home, as well as tips and steps for making her projects your own.
   
   This is a book to be read for pleasure as well as worked from. Both hip and genuine. I loved it.



2. I was truly impressed with the Retro book. It read well, loved the illustrations and pictures, and it rekindled enthusiasm for me to go be creative!
   I may even look up my Mom's old apron!



3. I love this book. I was not a crafter before I got his book. It inspired me to start crafting and even form my own crafting group with other moms.



4. Our foremothers had the same helpless inability to throw things away that we have today, only they didn't have recycling bins. This book shows what they made with tin cans, matchsticks and the like: craft items, some beautiful and some really, really ugly. Suzie Millions has been collecting these thingies for a lifetime -- she has an artist's eye for the good stuff and the really good bad stuff. This book shows you things you never knew existed, and what's worse, how to make them. As an added bonus we get photos of her amazing house, which gives new meaning to the word clutter.
   
   My highest recommendation! A funny, soothing, yet oddly practical book.



5. This is an enjoyable read, with many photos that will take you back to the campfires, scout meetings and home-ec classes of your youth. Even if you consider retro crafts to be more junk than antique, you'll still find projects that will tempt you to break out the glue gun. I gave the book four stars because I do wish that a few more projects had been included. (As an example, she referenced the Reader's Digest Angels, but didn't include instructions for making them.) But overall, I think novice and expert alike will find something here that will inspire and entertain.

5 comments about Lulu Meets God and Doubts Him.

1. I enjoyed this book! Danielle Ganek pulls no punches as she sets out to lambaste the world of contemporary art through the eyes of Mia- the gallerina who tells us the story. There is plenty to satirize. The collector, the gallery owner, the art advisor and even the artists themselves. The chapter describing Mia's effort to sell a collector by bringing a piece to his home is full of satire and insight. (Likened to sex as Mia calls it).
   
   Ironically the climax of the book occurs when Mia discovers that the central character's niece, the "Lulu" of the title, has one thing going for her that nobody can duplicate. She has talent. All at once, the craziness, the greed, the absolute insanity of the contemporary art world starts to make sense! Its that talent that the rest of us can't have or possibly learn. Its that talent that makes us all want those works,and, ironically, justifies the almost obscene behavior of the entire art world-all driven by the one thing they don't have. Talent.
   
   Perhaps as others have said, a short story, but its a good one.



2. Light, fluffy, funny - read it and forget about the cold weather for a day. Nice way to spend time when you don't want to go out.



3. This book just didn't appeal to me. The characters were well done, but bored me. I was disappointed because the blurb attracted me to it. Someone else may love it, but not I! Genre of art dealing was well done.



4. Danielle Ganek desperately wanted her novel, Lulu Meets God and Doubts Him, to be a witty, chic, well-written novel. The problem is this becomes painfully obvious after reading only the first page of the book- this is not an effortless work of prose. Mia, the novel's narrator, is a gallery receptionist/undercover aspiring painter who describes the rise of the late-artist Jeffrey Finnelli. Finnelli is killed by a taxi on the opening night of his collection, which then sends the values of his mediocre paintings through the roof. Along the way, Mia makes friends with Jeffrey's muse, contemplates her future and tries to play hard to get with an art adviser (despite her insistence that she will never get involved with someone in her industry again).
   
   The premise for the novel has potential (that's why it gets three starts), but is just so poorly executed. The novel is told in the present tense, even though most of it is technically in the past. Description is used in excess and there is a certain cheesiness factor at times (A checklist quiz of where they should go on their dinner date? White flowers spread throughout a bedroom because that color seems to fit her? Please...) I was disappointed with the "chick-lit" feel of the novel, since I really hadn't anticipated it would turn out that way. Definitely not one I'd recommend.



5. In Manhattan's Chelsea section Mia McMurray works as a gallery receptionist assisting patrons at Simon Pryce Art Gallery by looking snooty and pretty. However, Mia sees the job as temporary as she dislikes her peers whose self-importance seems ridiculous to her as all they do is act like candy to customers; Mia plans to cross the barrier and have her work hanging at a gallery; albeit a nice one rather than the dump she works in.
   
   When talented artist Jeffrey Finelli is killed by a taxi on his opening night gala, Mia watches the entire accident in slow mo. She also observes the fascinating holy war over his paintings as a battle royal between collectors and his estate explodes. His death leads to a feeding frenzy as everyone wants to own an original Finelli especially his masterpiece "Lulu Meets God and Doubts Him". However, the painting's model, Finelli's niece, Lulu claims ownership.
   
   Lulu and Mia become friends; encouraging each other. The former quits Wall St to paint and takes a chance on love with an artist; while the latter begins to date art dealer Zach Roberts while quitting her candy girl role to become a writer.
   
   In many ways this chick lit tale is a coming of age story as Mia finds her groove when she stops watching and begins doing. The story line is amusing as Finelli stars in the art of death with his posthumous season being like uneaten asparagus quickly over though his masterpiece keeps reselling. This is a fun look at the art world as Lulu and Mia take no prisoners.
   
   Harriet Klausner

5 comments about Art Dealer's Field Guide: How to Profit in Art, Buying and Selling Valuable Paintings.

1. This is an amazing book. For the novice or even someone with some knowledge of the art world, Davis reveals his tricks of the the trade and inside scoop of the business brilliantly.
   
   I can't recommend this book enough. It gave me confidence to talk the talk with the dealers and gallery owners. Wish there were more books like this on every topic....
   
   Thanks Ron.



2. The Art Dealer's Field Guide is an invaluable reference book. I have dog-eared half the book for future reference. It is full of useful web-addresses, resources & experts. It is an extremely practical book & I found it to be a crash course on the business of art. I do not think this information is readily available to the general public. I have a degree in fine art, but would never have known where to begin the type of research that is described in the book. This is full of information that can only be learned through years of experience & is most likely kept an industry secret. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning how to invest in art.



3. I'm relatively new to art collecting, and found this book to be helpful and practical. I learned a lot from it. Recommended.



4. Ron Davis' book was exactly what I was looking for as a new dealer/collector just getting into the art world. It provided me with an abundant amount of information to get me started with my quest to develop the skills I desire to make educated transactions. It think as a beginner that this was a great place for me to start. I am very excited to continue my self-education and now I know how. Thanks,
   Ron!



5. I'm new to the field and had no idea where to turn for advice. Thank you for writing this!

5 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass.

1. Like many people who collect depression glass, I stumbled into it while breaking up housekeeping in my grandmother's house last summer. As we went through her cabinets and packed up the things she couldn't take to her assisted living facility, I found numerous pieces of pretty colored glass that I took simply because I enjoyed the various colors and patterns. When my mom suggested that some of it was depression-era glass, I went to the library and found a previous edition of the Florence's book and went nuts when I saw what these pieces were worth. My grandma did too! Later that fall, the book was indispensible when we were cleaning out my great-grandmother's house to put it up for auction. I found 5 large boxes full of glass. This book was very useful in helping catagorize what I had, and how much to insure all of it for.
   
   This edition of the book is great because of it's photographs of each pattern. It makes it very easy to identify a lot of pieces just on sight. It also contains extremely useful information on reproductions which is fantastic to have when looking for glass, particularily at flea markets, estate sales and online where a lot of people mislabel patterns. The pricing is also helpful so you can see when people are simply trying to make a huge profit, rather than asking a reasonable amount.
   
   The reason I only gave this book 4 stars, though, is because there are many patterns that are not included in this edition. In the foreward, it's stated that not all patterns are contained because it would cause the price of the book to increase. However, by excluding several patterns, you are forced to purchase another book which means spending more money as well. The book is also difficult to bring along to antique stores because of it's size--most stores won't let you bring in a large purse or bag. But overall, if you are a new collector or looking to become one, this is an important book to have in your library.



2. Best book out there for dealers of depression glass, but they forgot a usable index or table of contents. To make matters worse, some patterns are alphabetized as No. ###. No index of alternate names (some patterns have 3 or 4 commonly used names). The table of contents is the same as the alphabetical listing by page, totally useless. The official company name is the pattern name it is ordered under, regardless of the popularity of other names.
   
   Pictures are great. Many prices have been reduced in this 2007 version, bringing pricing into line with what you should pay/charge. Common pieces (cups, small plates, etc.) can be got on eBay for about 1/2, but more in demand pieces (cereal bowls, dinner plates, serving pieces, tumblers) go for just about what is in the book. Verbiage for patterns normally indicates the marketability of the pattern, but wish there was a prominent "popularity score" above each color the pattern comes in. Some colors in some patterns have absolutely no buyers, which is an extremely valuable piece of information. Would recommend using --,-,+,++.
   
   They use a purist definition of depression, so you'll have to also buy the 40s 50s 60s book to complete your reference of what is commonly known as depression glass. There are pictures for about 1/2 of the pieces available, and generally a larger closeup for pattern identification. Success of pattern identification is probably 95% (best we've seen).



3. A must have book for begining collectors of depression glass -- good pricing - if you don't buy on e-bay - if you go to the glass shows gives you fair prices for most items -- e-bay buyers - GOOD LUCK, most everything is WAY, way over the value of the item you want.



4. anyone interested in finding out what they have or what to look for, as far as depression glass or collectible glass, Gene Florance is the person to look for. I've got most editions of his books. and my parents also swore by his books. every edition has a little something extra, different or new. easy to follow and excellent pictures!



5. VERY HAPPY WITH THE DETAILS AND INFORMATION ABOUT DEPRESSION GLASS. I HAVE ABOUT 300 PIECES AND AM NOW ABLE TO IDENTIFY MORE OF MY COLLECTION.

3 comments about Kovels' Antiques & Collectibles Price List 2008: The Bestselling Price Guide in America- 40th Anniversary Edition (Kovels' Antiques and Collectibles Price List).

1. The Kovel's book is by far the most detailed, entertaining and informative price book I have ever owned. It helps us sellers and buyers and on line shoppers understand real-time market values. I like that it is based on ACTUAL prices. ( after all things are really only worth what someone will pay). It helped me identify things that I was unsure of with some really clear four-color photographs.
   The book is packed with TONS of pictures! It also is easy to find things and the Kovel's seem to have a knack to know how to organize such a large group of potential categories. Overall, this book was worth every penny in terms of showing me what things are worth and what they are. No other place I have found that can do both so well.



2. For information on a wide variety of antiques or collectibles, it's almost as good as Warman's. But, really, I like having both books available for use. I've found, however, that if I know what I'm interested in, I'm better off spending the money and getting a book specific to that antique or collectible (if there's one available.) Nevertheless, a good reference book to get someone started in collecting. Prices listed vary greatly from what one finds on internet market; you need to be aware of this with some antiques or collectibles.



3. This is a nice reference book. Not as complete as I wished. Sometimes difficult to find specific items. However, it is solid and full of information. A nice reference to add to your collection.

5 comments about Art Making, Collections, and Obsessions: An Intimate Exploration of the Mixed-Media Work and Collections of 35 Artists.

1. This is a fabulous collection of some of the most noted Mixed Media Artist around. I loved every page. I know you will all love it also



2. Although I knew before purchasing this book that it was focused on the collections of different artists, because the lead person is Lynne Perrella I guess I expected it to be more artful. Although it was lovely to look at and the various collections were interesting, this book really isn't more than eye candy -- expensive eye candy. I would recommend that you go into a bookstore or library and look it over before you make this purchase.



3. I'm a huge fan of Lynn Perella's books and I would have bought it anyway, as I always did. This time, it is a new Lynn Perella's style, who goes, I think, further in the Art, and a little less in the Craft, as it is more about collecting than making. There are beautiful and striking photos and so far, I just had the pleasure to watch the marvelous pictures which make dream any sensible artist. The colors are also more white-neutral and calm in the hues than usually, giving us the wish to touch the material as much as admiring the textures.
   Forgive-me if my English is not so good, but I think you understood that I love this book, and I widely recommend it if you want to see something new and amazing.
   Yael
   Author of "Une Nouvelle Vie Pour Vos Objets" by Yael Bolender and JP Delpech, Didier Carpentier Publisher, written in French and sold at Amazon Canada and France.



4. Art Making, Collections and Obsessions is a stunning book. The photography beautifully captures not only the work of some of America's best mixed media artists working today, but also the collected objects these same artists turn to again and again in their studios for inspiration.
   
   While I savored each page for its incredible eye candy, there were some images in the book that were so beautiful I had to make a color photocopy to hang on my inspiration board. Just seeing these images every day, catching sight of them out of the corner of my eye while I'm working, touches a creative place inside of me.
   
   The image that haunted me is a tattered 18th century wedding dress surrounded by a flowing tea-stained curtain, a basket of straw and twigs (pg 55). The display was created by artist Ellen Kochansky, and is reminiscent of an installation one would see while visiting the Museum of Modern Art.
   
   I also enjoy Carla Sonheim's sweet little illustrations and handmade fabric accordion books (pg 32), Cathy Rose's incredible figurative work made from found objects (pgs 45 & 102) and Nina Bagley's gorgeous altered book (pg 99) that's embellished with freeform wire wrapping, twigs and fork feet.
   
   The other thing I really enjoy about Lynne's latest book is that she featured fine art from the first page to the last page. Many of the works in this book are pieces the artists would sell in contemporary galleries to sophisticated art collectors or museum curators. Nothing is "pretty" and perfectly packaged for a retail (consumer) market.
   
   I truly believe Art Making, Collections & Obsessions sets a new bar for authors and publishers of "craft" books. Thanks to Lynne for having the artistic vision to see this through.



5. Anyone who has the collecting gene will love this book. I liked seeing the displays of these artists' collections with examples of how they incorporated their pieces from their collections into art. There are plenty of varieties of collections and beautiful pictures to peruse.