1 comments about Art Market Research: A Guide to Methods and Sources.

1. If you've been wondering about the value of art works in your home or in a relative's estate, here's the place to look for guidance: ART MARKET RESEARCH: A GUIDES TO METHODS AND SOURCES isn't your usual valuation attempt but a detailed survey of how to determine the value of art works. Chapters survey major venues of art acquisition, terminology, the basics of analysis and how to research through databases and online. Techniques for authentication and determining art history are also a feature, while the bibliographic references are outstanding for further research detail. Serious art collectors and aspiring collectors alike will find plenty to learn from here, from methodology to art appreciation in general.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

5 comments about The DC Comics Action Figure Archive.

1. Being born in the early 1960s,I have had lots of DC action figures growing up,this book does not come close to having all the DC action figures.Most of the figures covered in this book are from at best early 1990's.I'm definately thinking about sending this book back.If I could,I would have giving this book a negative 5 stars because of its title.Buy MEGO 8" SUPER-HEROES:WORLD'S GREATEST TOYS! this book brings back good memories.



2. This is a great book to casually leaf through but not entirely thorough. As far as I could tell the author has at least listed every DC figure made, but I personally would have liked pictures of every item. I know that sometimes may not be possible, but a book like this is likely to be used as a reference guide and photos of every item would have been more useful. Still, I liked it and if you collect this sort of figures you will enjoy this book.



3. I'm not sure why I bought this - impulse I guess (darn your targeted marketing Amazon!)
   Do you really want to know how many stupid versions of Batman Kenner made? Some of the pages include information about the DC Universe, which is nice, but I think if it were a true archive, it would have images of the 300+ Batman toys made.
   If you are sometimes obsessive, don't look through the book! You'll see that many of the toys were sold exclusively to Target or marketed exclusively in other countries. If you can collect them all - invite us over to see! (And explain how you display them.)



4. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1Z1QHAFVEUXZG This is a brief video that shows you a little bit about this cool book.



5. Being a collector of Batman action figures and also the animated Justice League action figures, I was really looking forward to this book. But upon reading I discovered all the different versions of the Justice League Mission Vision figures were not listed and few other figures were not listed as well.

5 comments about The Medici Conspiracy: The Illicit Journey of Looted Antiquities-- From Italy's Tomb Raiders to the World's Greatest Museums.

1. Have been waiting for some time to read this book, and I really enjoyed it. Of course I like art-related mysteries and other stories anyway. I'll be looking for other titles by this author.



2. I give this book a definite four stars because it is a worthy representation of the story and gives the account of what happened with great zeal. The topic itself is fascinating. In my opinion, various Federal Art/Cultural Property Crime units would be well served by making this book mandatory reading for their agents. It stands as a clear insight into the dark realm of unlawful antiquities excavation, illicit smuggling and clandestine sale- an increasingly important issue in our "global economy" world where buyers and sellers can come together across oceans with little effort, and without regard to laws that may govern certain antiquities transactions.
   
   At times, it reads a bit choppy. A lot of this has to do with the fact that the authors were careful to include all pertinent data, instead of sacrificing the volume of fact for the sake of the story. I almost feel bad detracting a star for this, but if you're going to sell a book as a story rather than an academic study, I do believe certain concessions should be made for ease of reading.
   
   Nevertheless, still a great book, well worth purchasing. This book will probably become one of the classics on the topic of art smuggling and the attendant markets.



3. This book is a well written, well researched book about looted antiquities. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the subject, or anyone interested in looted art in general. If I have any complaint, it is that the book at times gives too much information, which slows down the pace of the narrative as the author reveals how the investigation of Medici, Robert Hecht, Robin Symes, Marion True, and others came to pass.



4. This book is fascinating and important reading for anyone interested in the intersections of the art world, commerce and crime. The Medici Conspiracy is not the most deftly written, and at times seems more like a very, very, very long newspaper story than a book. Yet in the end the sheer force of the information it compiles, with detail and comprehension of the larger picture, leads to confidence in its conclusion: It is impossible to build, in modern times, a great collection of quality antiquities without relying chiefly on, and feeding and sustaining, unlawful traffic in looted items. The archeological countries also are at fault: If you leave hugely valuable items in the ground, and don't invest in excavating them under secure, academically and legally sound conditions, it is inevitable that illicit looters will do it for you.



5. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about stolen antiquities. It reads like a thriller - it does have a lot of details, as others have mentioned, and the authors do become very indignant at times, but I believe this is because the book was published a few years ago, when museums still dragged their feet to send looted art back to Italy, and it was not yet clear in the media whether the Italians had a case or were just being annoying.
   
   I first heard about the controversy in ARTNews, which takes pride in unbiased reporting, and even then, it was difficult not to feel at the beginning that the Italians were asking for too much because they were targeting so many American museums. Watson and Todeschini set out to present the Italians' case to the readers and needed an extensive description of the paper trail to avoid the appearance of bias. This might be unnecessary now that so many museums have caved in and returned art to Italy, but it was definitely important to include all these details in 2006 when the hardcover edition of the book was published in the States.
   
   I was impressed by the flowing, accessible style, and the authors' ability to make protagonists come to life. The book has left me with a better understanding of the current art scene, especially regarding dealers and curators, and of the issues surrounding looted antiquities. A tour-de-force.

5 comments about 100 Years of Vintage Watches.

1. I found this book to be excellent reading. It includes hundreds of beautiful photos and a brief but fascinating historical summary for several well-known foreign and American watch manufacturers. Even a person who knows nothing about watches would enjoy browsing through this book. Highly recommended.



2. The book has thousands of pictures of watches, mostly pocket ones. However, it does not cover the history of such watches It's just a picture timetable of watch development.



3. Disappointing. Little if any information about European and English watches. Misleading title should be call American watches and a few others.
   
   Unless you are into American watches - a waste of time and money



4. This is a great reference however it has very limited information and only a fraction of collectible Watches are listed.I will admit the photography is excellent!



5. Good photos & description of vintage products. I bought this as a gift to a friend and he is really into Vintage watches.

3 comments about Antique Trader Bottles Identification & Price Guide.

1. Excellent resource with good photos in color! Antique Trader is always a good purchase decision.



2. I bought this book for my husband and if you have a generic looking bottle and want to find out information this is not the book for you. If you have visible writing on it, this would be a great find. I'm not the bottle collector in the family and although this was listed as the "bottle bible" I expected more out of it. My husband is pleased with the book. In other words, he gets to do more collecting and I get to run out of cabinet space!



3. I know bottles...I dig them and I sell them at all the bottle shows in NY,NJ,PA,CT area. I am a professional and am very knowlegable on bottle collecting and appraisals of all kinds. DON'T be fooled by the fancy pictures and the fact it is endorced by Antique Trader. They trusted that he knew what he was talking about when they printed 15,000 copies. They were wrong!
   THERE ARE SO MANY MISTAKEs IN THIS BOOK ON IDENTIFICATION AND PRICING THAT ANYONE IN THE BOTTLE COLLECTING SELLING BUSINESS WILL NOT BUY THE BOOK. I spoke with the author at a recent bottle show where he was selling his book and he refused to acknowlege his own blatent and foolist mistakes through the ENTIRE BOOK which is down right embarassing if you ask me. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!

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 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. 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.



2. 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.



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



4. 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. I think a lot of people will buy this hoping to find out the value of that hidden treasure, and it's probably not fair to expect it from a book, but it almost seems to imply it. Most people have a collection of one particular type of item and for that you're better off going to one of those online appraisals if you don't want to invest much money. This book just can't offer you what you need. Google yourantiqueroadshow or free appraisal and you'll probably get more help than in this book.
   Not terrible, but in this economy i'd probably save my money :)

5 comments about Morgan: American Financier.

1. Jean Strouse, the author of several acclaimed biographies, decided to write a biography of John Pierpont Morgan, who was, in his day, America's preeminent financier. At the beginning of her project, she was intent on writing a book along the lines of "Morgan: American Ogre," but in doing research for the book, and reading Morgan's correspondence, she came to radically rethink her views. The subtitle for this book could be "Morgan: American Genius."
   
   When J. Pierpont Morgan entered banking, Europe had substantial savings which stood to get much higher rates of return in the developing markets of their day, the New World, but only if they were invested with reputable and well-managed concerns. Morgan's bank guaranteed that the companies he dealt with were reputable, honest and well-managed; by serving as a bridge between the New and Old Worlds, Morgan became America's preeminent financier.
   
   In her biography, she reports that many of the criticisms leveled at Morgan were bereft of any basis in reality, or misrepresentations of the facts at hand. Among other points she raises, she shows instances of companies where Morgan had a substantial amount of influence giving business to the lowest bidder rather than to each other, which rebuts the charges of favoritism. She explains than in 1907, when Morgan put his entire prestige on the line to stop what threatened to be a stock market crash similar to that of 1929, he was acting to save the system, and not to enrich himself as some critics have claimed; on the contrary. Her revelation that the Morgans père et fils declined to make "contributions" that would have averted the Congressional hearings that portrayed Morgan as America's "malefactor of great wealth" is revealing.
   
   Strouse has painstakingly researched many aspects of Morgan's life, from his time at Goettingen, Germany's most acclaimed university, where Morgan was urged to become a professor of math because of his phenomenal mathematical talent, to the economics and business rationales behind Morgan's dealings, to his understanding of art history and the legacy of his gifts to American museums, and into the relationships among and history between the New England families from which Morgan hailed. This is not simply a biography but the veritable work of an artisan-biographer.
   
   All the same, I suspect that Jean Strouse was so enthralled by Morgan's exceptional erudition, achievements, charm and taste - to this day his library is one of the smaller wonders of our world - that she neglected to delve into a question that may be a less fortunate aspect of Morgan's legacy. Not long after Morgan's death, a slaughter erupted in Europe whose after-effects still carom in our day. During the World War One, the British liberally tapped the American credit markets, through the House of Morgan. Morgan had enjoyed the confidence of the highest levels of the English government, as well as that of the Kaiser; for that matter, the Pope was greatly impressed by Morgan and wished him much health and wealth. As Strouse writes, Morgan had offered to lend Balkan countries money if they agreed to end their belligerent ways. Did Morgan not foresee the horrible possibility that Europe would use his bank to raise the funds to extinguish its bestest and brightest in a truly senseless orgy of violence? If he did foresee this, could he not have sought to avert this disaster? Had Strouse tried to answer these questions, I would bestow more than 5 stars on her book.



2. BECAUSE OF THE SUPERB CHAPTER ON ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL PERIODS IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES - THE PANIC OF 1907 - THIS MAKES THIS BOOK THE PREMIER BOOK ON THIS PERIOD IN MY OPINION. M GORDON



3. A good history of not only the man, also of american politics and finance.
   The real workings between BIG Business and the men who created them



4. Jean Strouse tries to get beyond the myths, both positive and negative, and show us the living breathing man that was J.P. Morgan and she does a remarkable job. Strouse is the kind of biographer who immerses herself fully in her subject when she writes a book and her commitment to the project is legendary at The Morgan Library where Strouse toiled in the archives for years. Her research shows; "Morgan: American Financier" is authoritative and deep. Strouse shows takes inside Morgan's family and personal life as well as deep into his business dealings. We get the full sweep of his professional and personal power; his personal challenges, demons, principles, and pleasures.
   
   Morgan was a man who was larger than life in his own time. He was the consummate guardian of the "Gentleman Banker's Code" - a Victorian notion of serving the greater good through serving the client that formed the heart of the finance culture - with some Protestant spiritual overtones thrown in. Morgan's bank, with its twin loci on either side of the Atlantic, sat astride the flow of capital between England and the US. In the 19th Century English capital investment was vital for American industrial development and Morgan helped tame the destructive competitive business practices displayed in the railroad wars where rival rail lines would squander millions building parasitic parallel lines in an effort to drive the competition out of business. Morgan learned the lesson that cutthroat competition was wasteful of investor's capital and he ever after strove to build peaceful vast monopolies. This kind of business value system seems at odds with our current notion of free market capitalism it certainly wasn't very popular with labor or with those who feared the power of vast trusts. Vast trusts were Morgan's specialty. He personally assembled the first billion dollar stock offering in knitting together the vast majority of US steel production into US Steel. He set up a host of other vast monopolistic conglomerates including General Electric, International Telephone & Telegraph, International Harvester, International Mercantile Marine, and a host of railroad accumulations (just to mention the highlights). In defending foreign investment interests he defended the dollar's value on the International market by defending the gold standard - putting him at odds with bimetallism and William Jennings Bryan. In the East Room of his fabulous 36th St. Library there is a huge 16th century tapestry representing the sin of greed. Morgan clearly thought of himself as a force for moral order among robber baron thieves. When JP Morgan died he left less than $120 million - a figure that shocked many people who had figured he was worth far more. Morgan assembled vast economic power through board voting proxies with the goal of orchestrating a smoother running economy for the profit of his clients. While Morgan did good business on legitimate business, he didn't skim or abuse his position (granted "insider trading" wasn't considered a sin in those days - if it was done discretely). JP Morgan died in 1913 a year after the Titanic (which was built by IMM - his new shipping trust; thus stressing Morgan doubly because he had friends who died on board and the disaster stood to devastate the bottom line of a huge project/client of his) and the Pujo hearings where Morgan was grilled for his role in resolving the Panic of '07 which involved a massive hat trick of capital and political manipulation that featured putting Teddy Roosevelt over a barrel and forcing him to approve a critical bit of monopolistic corporate takeover business for the US Steel concern, staunching a run on the banks, and bailing out a bankrupt New York City government - all in the same month! That kind of power scared the heck out of many and spurred the establishment of the Federal Reserve.
   
   Much of this ground had been covered back in 1990 with Ron Chernow's superb "The House of Morgan". What sets Strouse's book apart is the story of Morgan's personal and emotional life and how she weaves the business story into context with Morgan's private life. JP Morgan was a dynamo riven by contradictions. Notoriously intense - Edward Steichen, the photographer - after taking Morgan's portrait, said that "meeting Morgan's gaze was like confronting the headlights of an express train". He was also a portly man whose nose was horribly deformed due to a disease called rhinophyma. That didn't stop Morgan from having numerous flirtations and affairs and a vibrant public social life. JP Morgan was a man dominated by a stern and judging father, Junius, who dictated JP Morgan's life until Morgan was fully an adult and in charge of the banking empire. For example, Morgan fell in love with Amelia Sturges ("Mimi") and married her despite the fact that she was dying of tuberculosis and wasn't a strategic match. She died on their honeymoon, emotionally devastating JP. Junius stepped in and selected JP's next wife, Frances Louisa Tracy, "Fanny" - based on sound socio-economic factors. Fanny was shy, staid, and retiring; a poor match to JP's fiery extroverted nature. Over time they ended up living entirely apart - each one spending half the year on the opposite side of the Atlantic from the other. Morgan frequently traveled with other women - chaperoned by his daughter Louisa. But Morgan was also devoutly religious and was very active in his church's management and fiscal affairs. He was involved with selection of the pastor - a man who became one of Morgan's closest lifelong friends. Morgan's ferocious business pace drove many of his partners to work to death. Morgan found solace and refuge in yachting and his yachts are legendary (one was fitted with cannon and depth charge launchers and used for U-boat hunting in WWI by the US Navy).
   
   But Morgan's greatest love was art. At the time of his death, fully half of his vast fortune was reckoned to be in his art collection. Many consider it to have been the finest art collection ever assembled. During Morgan's lifetime, much of that art remained in his London mansion. After his death, sadly, his son Jack couldn't keep it together for perpetuity because of economic and political reasons. Morgan's first artistic passion was books. The books he brought to New York and later in his life he commissioned probably the world's most impressive private library - now known as The Morgan Library & Museum. He hired the voluble, coquettish, and brilliant Belle DaCosta Greene in 1905 to be the Library's first director and curator. Belle Greene is a fascinating character in her own right - receiving a good introduction here (and warranting her own extensive biography "An Illuminated Life: Belle da Costa Greene's Journey from Prejudice to Privilege" by Heidi Ardizzone). The Library became Morgan's business office in his later years and the banking community nicknamed it "the uptown branch". Much of Morgan's later history - including his artful handling of the Panic of '07 - happened there. Morgan's art collecting transcended personal pleasure. Like his professional life he was clearly trying to lead and shape the United States. In amassing such important cultural holdings he was attempting to raise America closer to his beloved England's cultural stature.
   
   Comprehensive, personal, meticulously researched and annotated; Jean Strouse has written the definitive biography of an epic life.



5. This biography of J.P. Morgan is a yawner. Wading through this book lets you know about Morgan but you never get to know the man.
   Strouse goes into mind numbing detail on his art collection and mistesses while lightly touching on his financial deals. She follows tangents to the point of losing the reader. At times it felt as though she just strung all her notes together to make this book.
   The very rare nuggets to the understanding of Morgan are not worth the time or money.

5 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



3. I am an Avon rep and have always used this book. I ordered the current edition for myself and another person who collects Avon items



4. I bought this book with the idea that it would be a valuable resource for me when I sell some of my collectibles. While I did find most of my items and the current market value is there for me to sell or get insurance, the one thing I needed most was the issue price. I have no clue as to what I paid 25 years ago. No one thought to keep receipts back then. Since these items are considered collectible, IRS regulations require that it be reported on Schedule D and you pay tax on the gain. If you have no idea as to the cost, you end up paying tax on 100% of the sale price! Who wants to do that!!! If this book contained the issue price, that could be used as a cost basis.



5. I found this book to be helpful in determining the values of most of the pieces in an Avon collection that was inherited. Unfortunately some were not but they were minor items. All in all a very informative book for the serious collector.

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.