5 comments about Marble Mania.

1. Marble Mania will prove to be the standard to which other marble related books will be compared to. A thorough, comprehensive view of all aspects of marble collecting. Graphically superior with detail that will be utilized by not only the beginning collector but the advanced collector also. Mr. Block has taken the time, performed the research and compiled this vast amount of information into an enjoyable, eye and mind satisfying beautiful book. Mr. Block is clear in his intentions to continue to be the leader in an area of great challenge, I can't wait for Mr. Block's next marble book. The bar has been raised!



2. I bought this book for my husband (from Amazon) for Xmas. Not only is the book very beautiful, but he has become an expert in his own right. With a year-2000 interest in things retro, marbles are enjoying a boom. We now have jars of them everywhere, looking great and, according to this great book, appreciating in value as we watch. With the help of the pricing guides we discovered that we already owned some very valuable marbles, and have since acquired more. In fact, the book paid for itself about 10 minutes after we got it, with the discovery of an unrecognized treasure.



3. Marble Mania has fine photographs of every imaginable marble from pebbles found alongside streams to the Industrial Revolution in Germany & Austria. Here the cutting of agate cubes & polishing them into marbles for export all over the world became a huge cottage industry. You have to see the beauty of all the clay, pottery, crockery, china & porcelain globes. It was fun to read this big book. Found myself chatting at the local recycle shop about the blue canning jars in their windows filled with marbles. Eyeing them eagerly, with a little more knowledge & a few more names.



4. i loved this book because it gave you funny expample of how to play i also loved it because it gave you marbles that you can play with.
   from,
   caroline



5. wonderful photos', informative narrative, the new guy can't go wrong. And the speed of shipping can't be matched. Thanks all around.

5 comments about Tales from the Art Crypt: The painters, the museums, the curators, the collectors, the auctions, the art.

1. Richard Feigen has written a super piece of insider information about the art world, admittedly his own and centered around Chicago and New York. Superlatively illustrated, written in a personal style with a gossipy machine-gun ring to it. For anyone part of that world this book is a must and for the rest of us it is a rare wide-open window, not unlike reading a Suzy column in W magazine but with a few Art History doctorates added on.



2. Though interesting, this book might well have been titled "Why I'm Right and Everyone Else is Wrong". This is an author with a definite purpose, and any enlightenment one gets is secondary to the book's overall tone of self-justification. Though Feigen shows an intense dislike for ex-Met director Thomas Hoving, Hoving's books consistently deliver more solid information and fewer sour grapes and give a more balanced view of the art world.



3. In this account of his many years as one of New York's most prominent art dealers, Richard Feigen offers readers a personal and engaging view of the art world's past and the many issues it faces in the present.
   
   The difficulty with Mr. Feigen's book is that fails to approach these issues in an intellectually engaged and balanced manner. Though he presents delighful, and at times humourous accounts of his relationships with several prominent collectors, Feigen then proceeds to mow down most of the museum directors of the last thirty years and several very influential and erudite academics. He also glosses over important details and omits others, presenting a one-sided, opinionated view of many events that in reality were much more complicated. In his account of the "Boston Massacre," for example, he does not address concerns that many of the curators fired were uncooperative, unproductive, or both.

   Though the book's organization obscures its thesis somewhat, it appears that Feigen envisions a return to an era in which museums functioned as private clubs for the independently wealthy and art historians were chiefly concerned with objects' formal qualities. This hardly seems like a desirable goal and ignores the many financial and legal issues that face the modern museum. In the end, the reader is disappointed that Feigen was unable to provide a more thoughtful and productive contribution.




4. I found Richard Feigen's book to be a mostly worthy criticism of the current art world. I am the son of Sam Salz who is mentioned in a short passage in the book as a legendary art dealer. I think Mr.Feigen's description of his method of dealing is accurate even though my father's german-jewish accent is slightly overdone. My father may have been a shrewd and sometimes ruthless negotiator but he always saught a good home for "his pictures" and could judge a great one from a "postage stamp". The rest of the book deals very well with the gradual takeover of large corporate interests in the museums. Sometimes Mr. Feigen has a tendency to portray himself as the sole savior in a corrupt system but more than a few of his shots are right on target.



5. Feigen does a wonderful job of tooting his own horn and bashing the hard-earned reputations of others. The subtitle of the book: "The Painters, the Museums, the Curators, the Collectors, the Auctions, the Art" should have read "ME, ME, ME, ME, ME, ME". There a few useful or interesting tidbits of information buried in the book, but the challenge is staying awake long enough to unearth them.

4 comments about Collector's Guide To Ideal Dolls: Identification & Values (Collectors Guide to Ideal Dolls Identification and Values).

1. I have several of Izen's books and I'm never disappointed with them. I especially like the section on the PlayPal family group; I found a couple of variations that I don't remember seeing before. There are a few I'd like to have seen more pictures and info on, but I guess something has to be saved for the next book.



2. Judith Izen has hit another homerun with this excellent book for collectors of Ideal dolls. There are literally hundreds of wonderful color photos throughout the book. It is a pleasure just to leaf through the high quality, glossy pages. Even if you are not a collector, it would still be interesting to have the book as a conversation piece. Anyone who ever had a doll when they were young would love to look through to see if their favorite dolly is here. The book is also very well written with plenty of information about individual dolls and the different types of dolls. The 5 stars are well deserved.



3. I am a Shirley Temple Collector. I use this book all of the time to identifiy valuable dolls and outfits. I have learned so much from this book. A must have for anyone who collects dolls.



4. This is a very good refence guide to use to find out information and value of all Ideal dolls. Lots of nice pictures!!

4 comments about Antique Trader Tools Price Guide.

1. I purchased this book for my boyfriends birthday. He is very interested in old tools, and old things in general. He Loves it. He takes it out to the machine shed and compares tools, or just glances at the pages in the evenings. The two largest sections are those on plumb bobs and planes.



2. We like this tool price guide book, but we just wish it was set up so you could look up tools by their maker rather than by just what they are. If you wanted to look up a certain Stanley Plane you would have to go to the planes section and read each description to find a Stanley plane. The index does not go by the maker of the tool, it just goes by what type of tool you are looking up. Still a useful price guide with beautiful photos.



3. Excellent photos and descriptions of a huge range of joiners tools and equipment - really interesting.



4. This is an excellent book for collectors and just folks who like tools. Like the others mentioned I only wish it was indexed or set up so that a person could look up a specific tool. It is still the best I have seen and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about tools and looking at the excellent photos.
   It does not tell you much about the history or application of the tools. There are other books that do this. This author/editor has written a book that is for those of us who already know something about tools.

5 comments about Barbie Fashion: Vol. 1, 1959-1967 (Barbie Doll Fashion).

1. For any serious collector of vintage Barbie doll, this book is the best resource available. I have many other books on early Barbie and her fashions, but this volume is the one that I consistently use. It is an accurate, comprehensive chronology of Barbie doll, her family and friends from 1959 through 1967. The photographs alone are worth purchasing the book. The colors are vibrant and crisp. Each fashion is pictured with all of its original components. This is of great value to the collector in putting together an outfit. I keep this book by my computer for reference when making vintage Barbie doll purchases or bidding on online auctions. I cannot imagine collecting Barbie doll items without it!



2. A great reference book with great photos and descriptions to keep track of your dolls clothes and your investment.



3. Great book - a must for any Barbie collector-great pictures with accessories that originally went with each outfit- easy to look up values-great fun to wander through!!



4. To say something about this book is so so easy - this is THE Barbie collection book. Great photos, great describtions of all the outfits year by year.
   You don't need any other book besides this



5. I must admit, I'm not as crazy about this book like everyone else seems to be. I gave it four stars for the beautiful photos, and descriptions.
   But I think some things could be improved. The index lists everything by page number, which is fine if you're just leisurely looking through the book. But if you're looking for one particular outfit, it would be much more convenient to have an alphebetical listing. I wouldn't mind seeing the price guide broken down to include each individual accessory, since many people put together a complete set, piece by piece. But the thing that REALLY bugs me is that she almost always adds the word 'doll' after their names. For example, 'On weekends, Ken doll liked to take Barbie doll for a drive...', or 'Francie doll was excited about...'. Very annoying, to me, anyway. But, overall, it's a very good book to have.

5 comments about Matchbox Toys 1947-2003: Identification & Value Guide (Matchbox Toys).

1. The benefit of this book is in its arrangement. For the first time in any toy car price guide, models are listed alphabetically by model name, making this the easiest-to-use Matchbox toy collector's guide ever published.

   The only compromise, due to time constraints by the publisher, is that the book only lists three-inch models, which leaves out Major Pack, Kingsize, Models of Yesteryear, Skybusters, and larger Matchbox Collectibles, hence the 4-star rating. This will thankfully be remedied with the release of Volume 2 in 2005.




2. Interesting book with a bias in its pictures towards Matchbox models released in the last 10 years. Great that it concentrates almost wholly on the 1-75 series Matchbox models which is all I collect. Very useful if combined with other books as a model identification guide, especially as this one is in alphabetical order and up to 2003 year. I would rate it as less than useful in terms its value to me as a price guide. There are better and more accurate books around reflecting international prices especially of the 1953 to 1969 series issues.



3. It is amazing to see every single matchbox diecast ever made into production grouped under one title. You can easily assess the value of your cars and hit the road to find precious collectables with this very usefull guide.



4. I collect superfast Matchbox from 1969-present. This book only lists 1-75 (1/64th scale) Matchbox cars which is fine for my use. It is good becasue it lists all models in alphabetical order so you can cross-reference the number (1-75) of the model - most model numbers are not imprinted on late model cars so it is helpful in that respect. However, I found it lacking in the number of variations it listed. There is no consistent differentiation between wheel type (other than RW and SF), interior color, stickers/decals or other minor variations. This guide does not use the same numbering system as Charlie Mack's Encyclopedia (e.g. 14 A 3) making it difficult to have the references compliment each other. This guide does list more recent models where as Charlie Mack's guide is typically long overdue when a new edition comes out. But again, this one is not as complete regarding model variation so you may not know if you are collecting all the variations of a particular model you want in your collection. Another positive point of this book though is that not all pictures are of perfect cars -- the cars in the photos have a little play wear and is more reflective a practical collectors cars rather than some ideal collection most of us will never have. Lastly, in comparison to Charlie Mack's guide, I find it nice becasue most of this book does dedicate it's picture space to the 1-75 models. One of the dissappointments I have found with Mr. Mack's guide is that it lists a lot of subtle variation (i.e. light blue, mid blue and dark blue Soopa Coopa) but does not show pictures on how to tell the difference (neither does this one -- it doesn't even try to differentiate). Also, much of the picture space in Mr. Mack's guide is with models that no one I know really collects (i.e. NOT 1-75 series, super kings and models of yesteryear). I'm still not sure where 1/2 of the pics in Charlie Macks book come from (I've been collecting MB superfast for 20 years) -- perhaps thats why it is called an encyclopedia. Dana Johnson's book simplifies things but does not take it to the next level by any means.
   
   Basically, I use Dana Johnson's book as a supplement to find model numbers so I can look up varaitions in late model cars in Charlie Mack's guide. I do think Mr. Macks guide can be too complete, in that it lists more model variations than most people can possibly collect. However, Dana Johnson's guide is too incomplete. I prefer Mr. Macks guide becasue it lists all known variations and allows me to decide which variations I think are significant to collect.



5. i can track my collectible item from this catalogue.
   this book help me a lot
   
   thanks
   
   
   ari

5 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia Of Fiesta: Other Colored Dinnerware, Post86 Fiesta, Laughlin Art China (Collector's Encyclopedia of Fiesta).

1. The title of this book "Fiesta" can be a little misleading to the novice or seasoned collector. Beyond actual Fiesta and Fiestaware by Homer Laughlin the author's detail company history by delving into Harhequin, Riviera, Mexican lines, Kitchen Kraft, even promotional items and advertising.
   
   For Fiesta identification pieces the pictures and Plate descriptions are very good. Pictures, specifically are very clear and concise while the page quality is excellent. In particular, this book will provide a very wide range of history and the wide variety of products offered by Homer Laughlin Co. over many years. Although the title suggests a book on Fiesta, this portion is limited.
   
   If your looking for price comparisons or rule of thumb the book is weak in this department, it does not effectively handle all colors preferring to provide information strictly on the "hot" collector pieces such as 'medium green.' Of course, prices quoted in books are strictly "guides" as the internet, antique malls and live auctions mix up values on a weekly basis. Current research and personal perspective will be the true guides for market value at any given time.
   
   Fiesta is covered in the first 73 pages of this book (pre/post 1986) and then moves on other topics or products produced. This book would be a fine starter for the novice but additional resources will need to be added for a complete library on Fiesta and Fiestaware.



2. I just received the 10th edition copy of Collector's Encyclopedia of Fiesta, and other related items. The new layout and design are exactly what this edition needed to set it out above the previous ones. It seems the forward is a bit lengthy. Each page is framed in the turquoise color. The new pictures are numerous!! And for those who collect New Fiesta (produced since 1986, the pages for this are expanded to include up thru Scarlet and quite a few of the pieces produced thus far in color pictures. I rate this book at 4 stars for one reason. I feel the prices are inflated and out of line. Yes, there will always be some "rare" items at high prices. There are a fair share of pictures that are the same as previous books as well.



3. One of worst of the newer "collector" books out there. There isn't even a color chart with the names, you need to deduce them by flipping through all the pages and guessing at collections of variuos colors and doing a process of elimination. Fakes are mentioned, and the author says "you'll know them when you see them". Thanks alot! All the marks aren't even listed. What about newer peices versus old?
   
   Some Encyclopedia, more like ramblings of a collector. The medium green issue is already covered by others, the book mentions it everywhere but gives very little evidence of it (maybe the author has medium green envy?).
   
   Not worth the bargain price spent on it. Certainly not a reference book.
   
   p.s. I give other collector books 5 stars, so I'm not just a grump.



4. This is the third book in this series I have purchased by these authors. I like the book a lot.



5. I am brand new at collecting Fiesta Ware. I really enjoyed this book. Great pics. It has been a wealth of info for someone new like me.

5 comments about Blue Book Dolls and Values, 16th Edition (Blue Book Dolls and Values).

1. Although the Blue Book is the avid doll collectors' favorite price guide, it contains numerous categories that have not been updated for quite a number of years. China, parian, papier mache, and wooden, some of the earliest dolls in existence, have been gaining in popularity for several years now and the market prices, both at auction and online have been rising considerably. The Blue Book has not caught up with this trend.
   
   Also, it would be extremely helpful if there were a comprehensive section that described the methods used in compiling the information as well as the sources of this information. Some of the prices are so far off the mark in actual market prices realized, that it makes the professional wonder if the numbers are merely picked out of blue sky.
   
   The book is well structured and is the easiest to use on a daily basis, of all the price guides, however, serious updating and a description of the price compilation process, would improve it immensely.



2. THE resource for all your doll questions on values and dolls.



3. I am formilair with this book. It is a great book IF you know the name of your doll. If you don't it is not a good one for you.



4. I bought this book to help me determine the value of a collection of high quality dolls that my aunt wants to help her sell. Our of five doll designers, only one of the designers was even listed in her book. This was a waste of my money, for sure!



5. Very helpful book - have really been enjoying this book as I have wanted this book for years, finally got it!

1 comments about Thomas Hope: Regency Designer.

1. This is a truly excellent addition to the rather small literature on Thomas Hope. Every facet of his career and talents from Interior design,collecting and travel, furniture design, drawing and writing is discussed, as is his -and his family's - history. The catalogue section presents the history and significance of items designed and owned by him and his family. A worthwhile purchase for anyone interested in interior design, collecting or simply the lives of extraordinary individuals.

2 comments about Vintage Fashion: Collecting and Wearing Designer Classics, 1900-1990.

1. As an avid vintage clothing collector, I looked forward to receiving this book. Alas, despite the subtitle, this is NOT a book on "collecting and wearing" vintage clothing. It is a very lightweight/insubstantial overview of 20th-century fashion, with four half-filled pages of "shopping guide" in back, which are credited to someone other than the book's author. My theory is that the book's editor decided that there are too many overviews of 20th-century fashion on the market already, and hired someone to throw in these four pages (in terms of content, two pages) so the publisher could call it a book on collecting vintage clothing.
   
   This "shopping guide" contains bulleted lists of the most basic information possible on buying vintage clothing; things every collector with any experience already knows. For example, the guide tells readers that if they buy a garment without either trying it on or getting the measurements from the seller, it may not fit them.
   
   _Vintage Fashion_ contains NO information on wearing vintage clothing. If you're looking for a guide to integrating vintage pieces into your everyday wardrobe, this is definitely not it. This is also not a guide to shopping the vintage market, or a price guide, or a real guide to cleaning and caring for vintage clothing. It is most certainly not a guide to mending or altering vintage clothing.
   
   In short, if you want a lightweight history of 20th-century fashion, which contains a little text and many large, attractive, but not stunning color pictures per decade, buy this book. If you are either a beginning or advanced vintage clothing collector wanting a book specifically on collecting or wearing vintage clothing, find another book.



2. I found this book to be a wonderful look into the past. The photo's were a pleasure, and I have picked it up again and again. The descriptions were accurate, and the highlights of each decade, concise,
   I don't think there is any one "diffinitive" guide for vintage fashion, it is impossible to find in one book. This is an overlook into each decade. I certainly feel that I got my money's worth. The shopping guide could have been expaned, but all you have to do is "google" and there are thousands of resourses at your fingertips!
   As to learning "how" to wear vintage fashion, I think as with any fashion or style, it is just an instinct. If you love it, wear it.