2 comments about The Intrepid Art Collector: The Beginner's Guide to Finding, Buying, and Appreciating Art on a Budget.

1. I love art but I've always felt nervous buying art. How do you know if you're getting the real thing? How do you know if you're overpaying? What's that rug really worth? Why is a photograph worth so much? What's the difference between a valuable vintage photograph and a copy of it that looks exactly the same? No one can tell you what a piece of art will be worth in ten years, but Ms. Hunter explains how to go about buying the real thing (and avoid buying fakes) -- and why you should buy the real thing. I feel much more confident about buying a few pretty things for the house now.



2. This is a great starter reference for the novice. The guidance is sound, and Lisa Hunter's enthusiasm is contagious. A few color photographs would have been nice, but wisely this book focuses on cultivating the reader's own intelligence and knowledge rather than dictating taste. If you have ever been interested in starting an art collection of your own, or buying that Kashmiri silk rug, a little research is a good thing. This is a grand place to start.

3 comments about Collectibles Price Guide 2008 (Collectibles Price Guide).

1. I received this book yesterday. For a newbie to collecting like me, it is just what I've been looking for. The pictures are amazing. The information in it is incredible. The categories make things easy to find. It is just the right size to fit in my purse while I shop. I'm going to enjoy using this book very much!



2. Mostly pictures with litte information, but what I really disliked was it was difficult to hold open and therefore no fun to even look at the pictures!



3. I found this book very informative of quite a selection of item. I really enjoyed looking at all the different items included in the book.

5 comments about Kitchen Glassware of the Depression Years: Identification & Values (Kitchen Glassware of the Depression Years).

1. I have been using Florence's books for research and pricing. What a world of help and knowledge!!!I recommend this book for those, like me, who are new and need a helping hand and guidance as well as for those who have been in the business for years. My thanks!!!



2. An excellent resource superior to their book on Oven Ware. I would highly recommend. Lots of pictures and values.



3. THIS BOOK IS NOT ONLY A NECESSITY TO USE TO KNOW THE VALUE OF ANTIQUE GLASSWARE, IT SO INTERESTING JUST TO BROWSE THROUGH WITH ALL THE COLORFUL GLASSWARE AND ITEMS YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IN YEARS AND SOME I'VE NEVER SEEN. I'VE REALLY ENJOYED LOOKING AT THIS BOOK OVER AND OVER AGAIN.



4. This book goes everywhere with me! I've bought a lot of reference books, and it's definitely one of the best.



5. I love this book. It's colorful and informative. It was much cheaper than the book store. It arrived in excellent condition.

5 comments about Mr. Wilson's Cabinet Of Wonder: Pronged Ants, Horned Humans, Mice on Toast, and Other Marvels of Jurassic Techno logy.

1. Lawrence Wescher is not writing a complete treatise on wondercabnets for use in an academic historical society of previously learned fellows. It is much too short and easy to read for that. He is coming at the subject as a newcomer and hoping to bring some of us in with him. I for one am right there. Mr. Wilson's Cabnet of Wonder serves as a perfect introduction to this ultra-fascinating subject that has surprisingly huge implications on our everyday understanding of history. His short summations of the history of the museum itself, and what might be housed within them, are to the point and well researched (I would like to think he threw in a few of his own "made up" references just to keep in the spirit of things although). The anecdotal stories of his mystic encounters with Mr. Wilson are humorous and enlightening. Weschler encourages a healthy skepticism about each exhibit in the MJT (Museum of Jurassic Technology), and indeed about every bit of knowledge we are taught as fact in our upbringing. The wonderful thing about this skepticism is that it leads him on an astonishing journey into The Church of Wonder. He made me a believer in Wonder as a state of mind/heart that perhaps shouldn't be questioned too much, lest we lose it. Be it wonder of Nature's endless imagination or that of man's, I'm hooked.
   
   Therefore, Weschler not only writes about Mr. Wilson's wonder-filled collection, or simply the history of other collections, but they are merely the means to an understanding of that blissful state itself. I began to understand this book as a more of a religious conversion, than a "fact" filled catalogue.



2. Although Mr. Wilson's Cabnet of Wonders is at first slightly confussing and plotless, much like the type of museum disscussed in the book, it is eventually leaves you with a sense of...well...wonder. The book is construsted to take you through the wonders of a "wonder cabnet." I found it to be an education on what it mean to learn, that wonder is a nessisary component.



3. Honestly, when I worked in Culver City, I would drive by the Museum of Jurassic Technology and wonder just what was in there. I read the articles in the L.A. Times and still I could not understand what it was about. And even when I finally got to the museum, I was mystified. What was the connection? What was it all about? Finally, I have my answer. And more. This book was a superlative read. Mr Weschler never flags in his focus and his precision of language and yet doesn't overwhelm his subject matter. It would be so easy to try and write a fictional story about the museum as opposed to trying to distill and tell the real story. It is very slippery! You will not be dissappointed in this book. And you don't have to go to the museum to enjoy it. But if you read the book, you will be COMPELLED to visit the museum.



4. Splendid little read, profound in its own way, and outright devilish. Absolutely in keeping with its subject matter; anything shy of devilish would have been cheating.
   
   The Museum of Jurassic Technology, to trim descriptions to the bare minimum in the interests of time and of not spoiling the fun, is a museum that may or may not be entirely a joke on the part of its owner. If it is a joke, it is the most ornately gilded, realistically depicted, and intellectually rewarding joke yet perpetrated on the good citizens of California.
   
   Lawrence Weschler may or may not, himself, be in on the joke. The whole thing, if it is not a joke, is a delicious insight into what the modern world has gained and lost, and an attempt to restore some of what's disappeared.
   
   Well worth the two hours of reading. If I had more time, I would certainly recreate the research that Weschler did when he started to get obsessed with the MJT.



5. I love this book! It is fascinating! and well written! You will want to visit the museum after reading this book; if you've been there, it will enrich your visit! Unique.

5 comments about Oriental Rugs: A Buyer's Guide.

1. I found this book a useful text for beginners. It provides organized information without being overly complex and boring. One benefit of the book is that occasionally when the author makes reference to an item explained in detail elsewhere in the text, a page number is given so the reader can jump to the detailed description if necessary. It's the 1980's version of hyperlinks. The color plates are beautiful, but lack descriptions of the sizes of the rugs. Also lacking is the pronunciation guide; A basic guide exists, but falls short by lacking pronunciations for all but one or two words. I was also hoping to read a discussion of the varrying lengths of rug fringes, which this book did not discuss. A final benefit of the book is the last chapter on the major and minor weaving groups. These sections provide a good source of reference when one needs to get quick, basic information about a particular group.



2. If you are interested in buying a book to learn just the basics of Oriental Rugs in a short time span, this book is just fine. The content is good, and there are about 20 pages of glossy pictures showing different designs of rugs.
   If your intention is to buy a book which will help you really understand the nuances of Oriental rugs, you need to look elsewhere. I gave the book an average rating, because that's what it is - not a great reference, but also not a bad value for the money. Just a decent book conveying about what you'd expect from a 100 page introductory text.



3. This book has really helped me increase my knowledge and ability to recognize different kinds of rugs in a dealer's showroom. There are good color photographs, many diagrams about motifs and descriptions of features that rugs from various locales have. I keep going back to the book and re-reading things I didn't pick up before. It is definitely a buyers' guide.



4. I've been looking for a great rug buyer's guide, working in the rug industry. It's hard to come across a good resource out there. I'd say that this is a good primer on rugs, if you want to make sure you're buying right. Saves you from the regret of making the wrong rug purchase, or the tediousness of having to deal with customer service departments of rug companies. Just like any big purchase, rug buying must be treated with the right amount of reverence. Great resource. Recommended.



5. I am a newcomer in the world of persian rugs and found this book very useful. The more you read the more you understand that there is an entire world to discover and the author introduces you in this nice exotic world. It is by no means a complete guide on the subject but it is a very good starting point to understand the basics of the subject. I would highly recommend this book before reading other, more massive and detailed books.

5 comments about Collecting Costume Jewelry 101: The Basics of Starting, Building & Upgrading (Collecting Costume Jewelry 101).

1. I wish to express my gratitude to so many generous people who helped with this Second Edition of "Collecting Costume Jewelry 101:the basics of starting, building & upgrading".
   
   First, I want to thank my readers. I am warmed by the wonderful feedback I have received from beginning collectors on the first edition of this book. Based on this feedback, I was careful when working on the second edition to leave in place the easy-to-use format. Thank you readers!
   
   A warm thank you must always be reserved for my husband who once again offered me his support and his excellent camera skills. Thank you sweetheart!
   
   Next I want to thank my friends (especially Debi Reece and Dave Mayer) who shared their knowledge and collections with me so I could add over 200 new photographs to this new edition. Thank you dear friends!
   
   Finally, I want to thank the staff at Collector Books for giving me the opportunity to write a Second Edition. With their help this second edition has many beautiful enhancements. For example:
   
   - Collector Books created a hot new cover and vibrant new interior color scheme. I adore the bright colors and I hope you do too. While maintaining the easy-to-use alphabetical arrangement of makers, the interior design is also updated.
   - Over 200 new photographs have been added providing additional examples of jewelry designs from many makers.
   - The historical information and information about marks is updated.
   - eBay selling changes frequently so Chapter 6 - "Upgrading Your Collection" is fully updated.
   - A new chapter is added featuring 13 makers not shown in the first edition.
   - The popular "Marked by Style" chapter, showing unmarked jewelry attributed by the style to specific makers, is revamped and expanded.
   - Of course the values have been updated.
   Thank you Collector Books!
   
   I love jewelry, I love collecting, and I love this new edition. I hope you do too. Warm regards, Julia C. Carroll



2. Hang on to your hats, jewelry lovers!!!! This is a book you MUSTN'T MISS!!! Julia C Carroll never disappoints collectors at any level of expertise. Once again, in this visually stunning new book she grabs us with beautiful pages in a logical and practical teaching layout that keeps us turning those pages!! The pictures are generous in volume and so well done you can examine the details in each piece. This new upgrade is a MUST HAVE-beautiful, bright, full of the great educational info of the original "101", but with so many more pictures and facts!! I find other authors' guides nice to thumb through, but you really learn to identify and nail down pieces out in the real world by studying Julia's "101" and "202". My collection is now full of incredible pieces I learned to look for only because of her great books. If you want the pride of knowing what to buy, and how to not overpay, buy and study this wonderfully updated book...even if you have the original "101", ADD THIS TO YOUR LIBRARY!!! Then sign on to buy her "202". Thanks, Julia C!! How about a "303"??????!!!!



3. I am so tickled and honored to have jewelry from my private collection featured in Julia's books. This new Second Edition of the "Collecting Costume Jewelry 101" book features a bright new cover with colorful layouts and 200+ new photographs and additional designers. Julia and I have been jewelry friends for many years and her incredible knowledge in this field has helped me form an extensive collection. So jewelry lovers, it is time to set aside the original edition that is dog-eared & note filled, and add this new second edition which features many new photographs and designers that are not in the first edition! As her other books, it is a great learning tool that will teach you so much about forming a fabulous costume jewelry collection of your own! She is so thorough in her research which you will see with all the updated information and new values. We can only hope there will be a 303 version in the future!



4. This was a wonderfully informative book with information that dozens of other books on this subject do not cover. Also suggested is the sequel, Costume Jewelry 202.



5. "Collecting Costume Jewellery 101" is essentially a beginners' guide to the main makers of (American) designer costume jewellery. Other information is also given, such as how to repair and clean costume jewellery and what to do with unwanted jewellery, all of which would be useful to a person starting a costume jewellery collection. However, the vast majority of this book are devoted to summaries of the main jewellery making companies.
   
   For most designers, the summary given is brief, comprising the dates of operation of the company; a brief history of the company; the signature look of the product; and buying recommendations. Nevertheless, this is more than enough for a beginning collector. Greater detail is given about Coro, Kramer, Trifari and Weiss, however, four designers whom Carroll recommends for beginning collectors. Numerous color photographs are also provided for each designer, with values given for each piece of jewellery.
   
   For people seeking a more detailed discussion of designer costume jewellery, I recommend the sequel to this book, "Collecting Costume Jewellery 202", although both books are well worth investing in.

5 comments about Collecting Contemporary.

1. Starting with the positives: you can read the entire book in about 15 minutes.
   Here's the bottom line: buy what you like and can afford.
   Dealers and critics try to make artists famous because that is how they make their money.
   If you buy something from a dealer and later decide that you don't like it, it is considered hoyle (by dealers) to give the dealer first dibs on the re-sale.
   Instead of buying this book, save your money and buy a work from a local artist you like - all will be better served.



2. Adam Lindemann, is an art collector who has written a book, Collecting Contemporary. It is a good reference material and serves as a basic road map for the burgeoning art collector - and possibly an even better one for emerging artists.
   
   Since I am founding a new theory of art (UnGraven Image), which includes a written manifesto booklet on the theory, I am exceptionally interested in reaching other artists with what will help them. This book will.
   
   I appreciated the information I found within so much I devoted a whole weekly blog to it (and longer review) at my web site. Other reviews here and in the press have dealt with the information for collectors -- and it is useful for them. However, emerging artists get a good overview of the gatekeepers and movers and shakers in the art world. What motivates a collector -- a curator -- or a gallerist to select the work of an artist?
   Read this book to learn more!
   -- Judy Rey Wasserman, Founder & Artist, UnGraven Image
   
   



3. Excellent book. Gives inside information on how the whole contemporary art market system works. Very helpful for emerging contemporary artists. Good buy.



4. Great book, well worth the read. I liked all the interviews with the dealers and collectors and every art lover who is thinking about starting a collection should ready this book first.



5. I loved this book! Nicely written, easy to refer to, good mixture of examples. If you're going to buy a work of art because you like it, or because you hope it'll grow in value have a read. No book will change the colour of your wall-paper, or give you prophetic foresight into the future value of the art market, but this book will give you valuable insights to deal with the main players (artists, dealers,etc), & understand the mechanisms that move the market.

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

1. 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.



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



3. 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!



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



5. Art Dealer's Field Guide is the only book on the market that teaches the "art" of making money in the art world. Ron Davis generously shares his many secrets gleaned from a lifetime dealing in art. A must read for novice and expert alike.

5 comments about Everett Grist's Big Book of Marbles: A Comprehensive Identification & Value Guide For Both Antique and Machine-Made Marbles (Grist's Big Book of Marbles).

1. As a serious marble collector, I think this book is invaluable. It's informative and very well put together. I believe it could also work well for non-marble collectors. Marbles are pretty universally fascinating and this book can inform anyone about the worth and characteristics of marbles.



2. Excellent book for identification of marble types and values, and for general history of marble manufacture and select manufacturers. Grist details characteristics of marbles to identify the manufacturing method and general production dates, but you cannot identify marbles to manufacturer or more specific production dates by this book. Excellent pictures and selection of marbles. Overall, this is a good quality marble book.



3. I decided after attending a national collector-run marble show in my area to get this updated Third Edition of Grist's book, because it looked like it would have enough new pictures to make identifying all those troublesome common marbles a possibility. And the pictures in the book are nice, being clear and color-accurate, and showing multiple marbles so one can see the range of designs/colors that fall within a category. However, I've always considered Grist to be a lazy author, and this just confirms it. Yes, it takes some work to get the pictures of so many marbles, but that is something almost anyone could eventually do. This is sub-titled a 'comprehensive' ID book, so I expected Grist to deliver. He does not even come close to delivering on that promise! First of all, many marbles are left out and many more poorly dealt with. As new as I am to marbles, even I know that there are subtle differences that help one to differentiate between marble companies. Yet Grist has virtually NO TEXT explaining how to ID various types of marbles. It is simply pictures and an occassional comment, and as we all know, pictures of certain marbles, such as cateyes, do not do justice in showing the differences. Those need to be EXPLAINED (how many vanes, shape, etc) because the differences usually do not show well in pictures. None of this happens. Many of the Peltier marbles are simply lumped together as 'Champion Jrs.' with none of the common names used in the trade included. And as far as being a comprehensive value guide, only ranges are given with no differention for size or condition given. That is hardly a comprehensive price guide! On top of that, most prices on common marbles (under $10 each) appear to be grossly inflated over what is actually happening in the marketplace today. I wish I could get those prices for my commons - I'd be rich! The final insult is the poor editing done in the book. "Peltier" is spelled "Pelitier" half the time. There are pictures where the heading states "row 1" when it means "column 1." Just plain sloppy. Most pictures of the rarities have no prices at all and only general category IDs for the entire group shown. In general, a nice picture book but nothing about it is 'comprehensive' - just more false advertising. Why can't anyone put out a book with the quality and extent of pictures Grist does and the helpful, detailed text and variety listings such as Block attempts? Then we would be approaching a 'comprehensive ID and value guide.' So far, I've found nothing close.



4. Everett Grist's Big Book of Marbles is very comprehensive and extremely well illustrated. It will be a great reference for both hand-made and machine-made marbles. The price estimates given for the illustrations are realistic in my opinion and will be helpful in valuing my collection.



5. Great pictures, and lots of them, with information on go-alongs and on manufacturers, but not a great an ID guide as I had hoped it would be. I still can't tell who made my vintage marbles.

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

1. 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!



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. 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. What a fun read! How interesting it was to learn that there is a history of those wacky things we all made and that someone has been paying attention to the fact that there is a history! Thanks for enlighting us! And thanks for the inspiration to make them again.