5 comments about Lea Stein Jewelry (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. Lea Stein Jewelry is a thoroughly researched beautifully presented book. The photography and design of this book is outstanding. There are hundreds of photographs of Lea Stein's wonderful necklaces, pins, rings, earrings and bracelets. I was not aware that aside from jewelry, Lea Stein also created jewelry boxes, dressing table mirrors, cigarette lighter holders and other gorgeous accessories. When I discovered that finally a book about Lea Stein had been published, I ordered it immediately and it has proved to be even better than I hoped. I shall never tire of looking through it.



2. I was disappointed with the content of this book. I expected to learn about the history of how the Stein's layering process came about. Also, certain popular pin styles were left out completely. The photography is
   beautifully done, however.



3. "Lea Stein Jewelry" is a coffee table book containing 180 pages of colour photographs of the jewellery of Lea Stein, with 2001 values. Other than the picture captions, there is very little text throughout this book. As far as I am aware, this is the only book available that is dedicated to Lea Stein jewellery, so if you are contemplating starting a collection, this book is a must. However, people who have already started a collection of Lea Stein jewellery are likely to find this book to be lacking.
   
   Although this book provides photographs of a large number of Lea Stein's pieces, it is incomplete (I have seen several pins that are not included in this book) and no indication is given as to the full range of colours and styles each pin was produced in (many Lea Stein pins were produced in a wide range of colours, and in some cases embellishments, such as rhinestones, were added). It also lacks an index, making it very difficult to find any one particular item.
   
   This is by no means a comprehensive catalogue of Lea Stein's work. Nevertheless, as I said before, it's the only book available on the topic, so until something better comes along, this is it.



4. I am thrilled that I found this terrific book. I do believe that it is truly informative and enjoyed reading the method of how Lea Stein produced her wonderful jewelry with the help of her husband. The photography was super full of a vast amount of Lea Stein's design. A book I will always treasure.



5. Lea Stein Jewelry is a very special book for any one who might find Lea Stein's designs of interest. The book is outstanding. The information about how her work is manufactured on the first few pages is very informative. The photography is exquisite and I recommend this book to beginner collectors and all other collectors of Lea Stein's gorgeous jewelry.

5 comments about Glass Hen on Nest Covered Dishes: Identification & Value Guide.

1. Shirley Smith's GLASS HEN ON NEST COVERED DISHES IDENTIFICATION & VALUE GUIDE packs color photos on nearly every page of its value guide, and is a pick for any who frequent flea markets or garage sales in search of glass hen on nest covered dishes. From American to Asian and European productions, identifying marks, written descriptions, and comparisons and contrasts between makers and items seek to clarify the collecting experience to avoid confusion between makers and products.



2. like it picture are great way to compair. Need to have a few more definitons on Glass type and colors.



3. This is a comprehensive book on glass hen-on-nest covered dishes. Kudos to Shirley Smith for a job very well done. She has made it quite easy to identify most any hen-on-nest dish you will encounter. It is a must have for any collector.



4. Wow. It is rare to find an antiques book like this in any field-- Smith's book is authoritative, complete, easy to use, and profusely illustrated.
   
   THis book covers all of the known hen on nest dishes made in America and abroad from the 1800s through today. Photos are big, easy to see, and really helpful. If you buy this book, you will definitely be able to identify the maker of your hen on nest dish, and to learn a good bit about the manufacturer. I especially appreciated the sections on Atterbury, Challinor Taylor, Flaccus, and Portieux/Vallerysthal. Those who collect more modern dishes will appreciate the Westmoreland, Fenton, Hazel-Atlas, Indiana, and dozens of other sections.
   
   Shirley Smith's book has been reviewed the National Milk Glass Collectors Society and has been endorsed as accurate and excellent. I personally found it to be exactly what I needed and incredibly helpful.
   
   The only thing I would caution readers about it the "price guide" aspect. Antique prices fluctuate dramatically and regularly, and prices for hen on nest dishes have dropped in the age of online auctions.



5. Not a really good reference guide especially for the ones who need the most guidance...like a new collector. Too complicated.

5 comments about Antiques Roadshow Collectibles: The Complete Guide to Collecting 20th Century Glassware, Costume Jewelry, Memorabila, Toys and More From the Most-Watched Show on PBS.

1. The scope of the book is too broad and the depth of the topics considered is too shallow. Complex collectibles such as costume jewelry or art glass are given a few pages of attention, but the book tries to cover too many areas at the expense of giving adequate attention to any area. If you want a very, very basic overview, history, and details about popular collectibles, you may find this book of some use. However, your money would probably be more wisely spent on books that deal with your specific topics of interest. It's fun reading, but definitely not a "complete guide to collecting...".



2. If you are into collecting this is the book for you. It has lots of interesting facts and discussions about why people collect things and how to get started if you're thinking about a collection.
   
   It doesn't talk about EVERYTHING though, so if you are really into a specific collectible you would be better off with a book that addresses that collectible.



3. Most of the pages in this book are a drab black & white print, with a few (emphasis on few) pages in the middle that are glossy, full-color. I was thinking "coffee table book" when I bought it, but it's definitely not that fancy. I sent it back.



4. Nice book and provides considerable information. The author does cover alot of territory in one book. Should consider a series and provide more photos.



5. If you are just getting into collecting, this is a fun book to review. Lots of overall ideas of varieties of collectibles...for more serious colletors, I would suggest books oriented to the subject matter of interest.

5 comments about The Official Precious Moments Collector's Guide to Figurines.

1. Just received this book in today's mail, and frankly, other than the pictures of the pieces, it is, in my opinion, not worth the paper it is printed on. There is NO secondary market except internet auctions for Precious Moments any more. This guide lists "Free Puppies," for example, as a value of $2,100 - they sell regularly on auction for $300 - $450, depending on whether or not they have a box. Last week, one with an original brown cardboard box (extremely unusual), went for just under $600 in mint condition - a beautiful piece. The rest of the "Original 21" are priced through the roof - some of them 10 times and higher prices than what reality is. There is a disclaimer in the book claiming that the prices vary from spot to spot, and they got this information from dealers and collectors around the country. I wish they would give credit to these so-called knowledgable people, and it would be nice to know who paid $2100 for "Puppies" and how many years ago that happened.
   
   For the pictures, the guide is fine, but beyond that, DO NOT rely on it for accurate price information - even many of the suggested retail prices in the book are incorrect.
   
   I give this one a thumbs-down. There is no secondary market to amount to anything in collectibles any more, in my opinion, and this book's prices just encourage disillusionment among collectors so they keep buying (or investing?) in pieces, hoping to make good money when they sell. It ain't gonna happen - there is a ton more merchandise out there than anyone ever guessed back 30 years ago at the beginning of this.
   
   Buy what you like, like what you buy, and don't expect to put your kid through college when it's time to sell - you might not get back enough money to even pay the bookstore bill!
   
   For what it's worth - my opinion!



2. This guide is an essential reference for any serious collector or anyone buying or selling Precious Moments figurines. The lack of serious competition will make sure this sells. However, there is little improvement in this 3rd edition over the 2006 second edition. The addition of the newer figurines and an update in pricing, which seems to average about 16% increase, are the main differences. There is also a size difference. The second edition was a handy 8.5" x 5.5" but the third ed is 11' x 8.5", which I believe is too large for a soft cover book. There is no new information about each piece that is not in the earlier version. It would have been nice to include the size of each item. There is an annoying change in the index that consolidates several previous entires into entries by series. For example, instead of separately listing the sugar town skating pond there is one listing for the series 'sugar town' with 18 page numbers.
   
   Overall, I was disappointed in this guide and would recommend that anyone not needing information on the last 2 years figurines stays with the 2nd edition and awaits the 4th.



3. I think this book is a great way to keep track of my Precious Moments and give me a current value of each one. However, because values change from year to year, it could be a lot of work transferring them to a new book each year. I think every couple of years would be fine to keep track of what you have unless you purchase numerous figurines every year.



4. Took a while to receive due to release issues, but once received, Book is great!



5. The 2007 Bomm Precious Moments guide is truly precious since it incorporates retail and secondary values into the same book. The cross-indexing by figurine title and model number is also wonderful. The photos are great quality, too. The guide is a must-have for all collectors!

4 comments about Collectors Encyclopedia of Russel Wright: Identification & Values (Collectors Encyclopedia of Russel Wright).

1. Packed with information, this book is cumbersome to use since it doesn't have an index.



2. I am so happy to have gotten this book. I knew little-to-nothing about Wright,and Ann Kerr's book lays out all kinds of information about the man, the artist, and his art. I haven't had much of a problem without an index, as she has all the information chaptered out, and it is all easy to access. The accompanying photos are excellent and there are many. She also explains any areas which may be ambiguous, such as color, size and shape anomalies. Due to getting this book, I often know more about the pieces I find than the dealers do, as she tries to fit in every piece of information that she has, on every aspect of the collectible items. I love this book!



3. I just started collecting Russel Wright dishes, and was looking for a definitive reference guide to help key out the pieces I had. I thought this book had a lot of helpful information about determining pattern and manfacturing locations, but I was a bit disappointed overall. Though the cover of the book features only pottery, the book itself has examples of all that Russel Wright created in his long, prolific career-- all the way down to the radios and lamps. It would be great for the diehard RW fan, but I wished it just focussed on the pottery.



4. We've been collecting RW since 1998, and have hundreds of hard to find and many one of a kind pieces.
   
   Pros:
   -Some new photos.
   -The most comprehensive author of Russel Wright, covering all designs from all eras, including furniture and plastic
   -Detailed price guides
   -History and chronology of lines based on extensive research
   
   Cons:
   -Due to wide scope of the book, it is fairly easy to find incorrect information on pieces, prices, and other data.
   -Truncated some interesting information from 2nd edition, including photos of very rare items that we collect
   
   Neutral:
   -Moved prices to back (for easier reference?).
   
   Bottom line: 2 stars for accuracy, 4 stars for breadth, 3 stars for depth. Thus the average rating. If you seriously collect RW and do not have either the 2nd or 3rd edition of this book, you should buy this as without doubt this is certainly better than other RW books (and we have several others), but again not necessarily a must have for those with the 2nd edition.

No comments about American Dream: Collecting Richard Prince For 27 Years.

5 comments about The Art of the Russian Matryoshka.

1. The detailed and collaborative work of Rett Ertl and Rick Hibberd, The Art Of The Russian Matryoshka is a unique and distinctive artbook devoted to the classic Russian toy consisting of dolls that fit inside one another. 330 full-color photographs illustrate and showcase rare and vintage matryoshka, while the narrative text covers the history of this device as well as the steps of its creation today. The Art Of The Russian Matryoshka is especially recommended for toy collectors and a welcome contribution Russian Cultural Studies collections.



2. As an avid collector of matryoshka dolls, I found this book covered it all! I especially enjoyed the pictures and explanation of the lathing and prepping of the blanks. And the techniques used to paint the dolls. This book is a must-have for every collector!



3. Our daughter was so happy receiving the book The Art of the Matroyshka for her school project. The book marvelous! Extreem beautiful pictures, so clear! A good story with much details. Very usable for the school project.
   We also were very pleased with the fast en accurate delivery.
   
   Many thanks, Robert



4. Fantastic book! Color plates are exquisite and the text very informative. A definate must-have for any doll collector!



5. I had visited Russia in 1996 and purchased many matryoshkas for myself and souvenirs. I loved this book, because I saw many of the ones I had bought, and others I hadn't and it was wonderful to learn their history. I also am fond of the store that Mr. Ertl has online and hope to purchase some matryoshkas from him in the future.

4 comments about Rhinestone Jewelry: A Price and Identification Guide.

1. I thoroughly enjoyed Leigh Leshner's first book on vintage costume jewelry and feel this book is even better! Very well researched information, fascinating facts and, of course, gorgeous photos. I highly recommend this book to anybody who loves vintage costume jewelry, it will be a wonderful addition to your library!



2. I bought this book to supplement my collection for information on the jewelry I sell on my web site, Atlanta Vintage Jewelry. It's full of excellent pictures on black backgrounds that make the jewelry really stunning.
   
   There are not too many books out there that feature only rhinestone pieces so I found this book to be a great addition. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in vintage rhinestone brooches or necklaces or earrings . . . or any vintage jewelry.
   
   Gail Gupton, Author: The 31-Day Diet of Spiritual Enlightenment and Seekers of Truth.



3. Very informative book on rhinestone jewelry. I own every book in Leigh Leshner's collection and she leaves you wanting for more books to be published. Excellent samples of jewelry; beautiful photography and very informative on jewelry from this vintage. A must for the rhinestone collector.



4. I found the opening chapters of this book very informative. However, the section of pictures could use some organization. If there is a pattern to how the pictures are organized, I have yet to discern it. Very few if any dates are attributed so it's not organized chronological. Very few pieces are attributed to designers so that's not it either. Some pages seem to have a theme but are unrelated to the page immediately before or after. It seems like photos were grouped by what would fit on the page.
   
   Great information and the jewelry is very well photographed. If it were better organized, I'd absolutely love it.

1 comments about Fenton Art Glass Colors and Hand-Decorated Patterns 1939-1980: Identification & Value Guide (Fenton Art Glass).

1. This is a very informative book with a detailed picture guide. Each type of glass design is expained and color pictures help in the identifcation of the glass.A price guide is also included. An excellent tool for identifying Fenton Art Glass. This book is worth the price.

5 comments about O'Brien's Collecting Toys: Identification and Value Guide (Collecting Toys Identification and Value Guide).

1. O'Brien's Collecting Toys covers an awful lot of ground and does it well. Whether you are a collector or a dealer you MUST have this book to be on the same page everyone else is when evaluating the values of most antique and vintage toys. While the book does cover many of the popular toys and manufacturers, it does have many ommissions, at least in the area of tin windups. In the future I'd like to see more toys added, and other manufacturers included..most notably Guntherman, Marklin, Martin, Arnold. A more intuitive listing of the toys would also help as it can sometimes be difficult to find the toy you're looking for.



2. 10th edition, year 2001 very comprehensive collectible toys guide featuring more than 51,000 values for its 17,000 listings. There are more than 3,700 black and white pictures and a 16-page color section. A complete table of contents makes item location easy. Its items range from Action Jackson, Buck Rogers, Charlie's Angels and Evel Knievel, to Addams Family, Howdy Doody, Munsters and Pez and Matchbox, Renwal, Tootisetoy and wooden toys. Each major topic covers a nice introduction to the area. Very useful reference for toy collectors and enthusiasts.



3. Elizabeth Stephan's O'Brien's Collecting Toys, 10th Edition is a weighty price guide which could well be used as a price 'bible' for toy collectibles. Anticipate only a handful of color photos mid-book: the meat of the title lies in its black and white photos throughout and more particularly its over 50,000 items categorized for quick reference and provided with the latest values.



4. I would rate this comprehensive guide to collecting toys as a basic necessity for the beginning toy collector as well as the veteran toy collector. Not only is this new reference exciting, but the information is extremely helpful, reader friendly, accurate, and up-to-date with contributions by many leading authorities in the toy-collecting field. If you are seriously interested in toy collecting, then this fine book is a MUST for your toy-reference library!



5. Great Resource for Toy Collectors. Got this as a gift for a family member who collects toys. He said it was very informative, especially for antique toys.