No comments about Match Holders: One Hundred Years of Ingenuity : With Price Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

4 comments about Spyderco Story: The New Shape of Sharp.

1. I am fascinated by the book's descriptions of the design-rationale behind each of Spyderco's many knives.

   Also, the book describes the management philosophy and practice at the Spyderco company. Fascinating insight into what makes Spyderco knives so good!

   A nice feature of the book is that it can be read in bits and pieces. It has lots of glossy photos. It reminds me of reading National Geographic magazine. Parts are nice for casual browsing, other parts have in-depth description.

   If I have my pants on, I'm carrying a Spyderco knife! If your Spyderco knife is indispensible, I'm confident you'll like this book!




2. I am fascinated by the book's descriptions of the design-rationale behind each of Spyderco's many knives.

   Also, the book describes the management philosophy and practice at the Spyderco company. Fascinating insight into what makes Spyderco knives so good!

   A nice feature of the book is that it can be read in bits and pieces. It has lots of glossy photos. It reminds me of reading National Geographic magazine. Parts are nice for casual browsing, other parts have in-depth description.

   If I have my pants on, I'm carrying a Spyderco knife! If your Spyderco knife is indispensible, I'm confident you'll like this book!




3. If you are looking for the perfect gift for a knife collector/user or anyone interested in knives, THIS IS THE PERFECT GIFT.

   As one who has none of these characteristics, I found the book fascinating- an intriguing look at a world I knew nothing about. The final chapter is an unexpected gold mine of ideas and insights into a company, Spyderco, whose philosophy is guided by integrity ... "being good even if no one is watching".

   You'll buy this book because it's the definitive book about a great knife company and its products. When you read it, you will get a lot more...you will learn about the company they call "the mouse with a megaphone" and it's no Mickey Mouse either!




4. I bought this book for my knife collecting husband who not only loves Spyderco, but is an avid reader. He immediately read the book from cover to cover and refers to it on what seems to be a daily basis. He routinely reads passages to me when we're discussing his knives and why he prefers Spyderco over all others. If you know someone who likes folding knives at all, BUY THIS BOOK!

4 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia of Flow Blue China.

1. This is an essential guide for collectors of flow blue china. It features over 400 pieces photographed in color and described in detail.

   For identification purposes, all of the manufacturers' marks on these pieces are shown in enlarged b/w photos. There are also cross-references for manufacturers and their patterns and types of objects other than plates.

   For the collector, there is a history of flow blue, information on collecting methods, a glossary, and market trends including modern reproductions to watch out for. A current value guide is also provided for all the items illustrated.

   The photography is excellent. Captions for each item include maker & pattern, size and reference to the photo of the mark. This will be a great reference for the beginning or advanced collector of this beautiful style.




2. If you collect, are interested in collecting, or want to identify and value flow blue items, this book is a must. You can look up items by pattern, which are cross-referenced to the manufacturers' names. The book is full of color photographs of makers' marks as well as examples of hundreds of patterns on various types of pieces. The back of the book contains values for the photographed pieces. Another helpful feature is the section on reproductions. This is a great reference book.



3. I have been seriously collecting only a few months now and have decided to sell. This book is well organized and the best of 3 reference books on flow blue that I have. The hard cover is a good idea since I think I would wear it down to stubs if it had been a paperback!!



4. This book along with the entire series of Flow Blue books by Mary Frank Gaston are vital in Flow Blue identification and history. This book is brimming with photos and identification marks, along with manufacturing dates and makers. There is also a section on 'fakes' and how to look for and avoid them.
   Each book has different photos of the many patterns and shapes Flow Blue comes in. I highly recommend owning a copy of each of Ms. Gaston's books if you are a true Flow Blue collector. You will enjoy these books for years to come. They are well made with high quality color and material.
   Enjoy!

1 comments about Simon & Halbig Dolls: The Artful Aspect.

1. I was disappointed that more head mold numbers were not available. I will need to look elsewhere to continue my research.

No comments about Albany Institute of History & Art: 200 Years of Collecting.

No comments about Hollywood Movie Songs: Collectible Sheet Music (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1 comments about The Artist-Signed Postcard Price Guide, Second Edition: A Comprehensive Reference.

1. Mashburn writes terrific books. His Postcard Guide is the best general book out there. He also does specialized postcard books such as this one. Anyone who collects artist-signed postcards will want this book, no question about it.

   It is filled with hundreds of pages and pictures of all our favorite artists, like Harrison Fisher, Philip Boileau, Earl Christy, as well as the more obscure yet fabulous artists like Lupiac and others. He covers a variety of categories, like Beautiful Ladies, Beautiful Children, Nudes, Blacks, Sports, and Comics. He includes a reference section in the front which goes over important information such as how to determine the age of a card, grade a card's condition, and so on. My only quibble with this book is that all the inside images are in black and white, and I would have loved to see some in color. Perhaps in the next edition.

   If you're looking for a comprehensive reference on Artist-Signed postcards, this is the book to buy.

1 comments about Evolving Southwest Indian Jewelry (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. When I saw the dust jacket promised a PRICE GUIDE, this book was immediately added to my shopping cart. But I just can't find that darned price guide anywhere in these pages. It is also interesting to note the `Evolving . . ." portion of the book is confined to a short historical essay (which amounts to a mere 10 or 15 of the 253 pages) - kinda sketchy. And there is a smattering of annoying typos, missing words, incomplete sentences and photos which fail to match up with the credits. However, the photos are glorious and clear, many colorful and an exciting array of backgrounds and setups. Sadly, the "evolving" issue is confounded by the author's choice to group jewelry in wearing categories like bracelets, buckles, conchos and so forth. Similarly, each category lacks evolutionary structure, even though there are plenty of examples to stretch the old-to-new `evolving' idea. In short, the ingredients are there, you just have to assemble the idea yourself. Now on to the good stuff . . . a huge percentage of photos feature specimen and artist credits for some of the most overlooked high quality jewelry in Indiandom (is that a word?). Master silversmiths and stone cutters like Quam, Weebothee and Peynesta are featured AND credited. It is good to see these names correctly placed in the higher strata of Indian Jewelry. Likewise, it is sad the names of vintage Indian jewelry artisans do not accompany photos, sealing the fate of these artisans to slide off into the abyss of obscurity. Surprisingly, there is a significant number of mediocre jewelry shown, some by noted silversmiths. It is often said that Indian artists, in their individual humility, avoided individuality until the white man came along, and that may be true. But it is more likely it was the white man (traders) who illuminated the hallmark practice, encouraging silversmiths to utilize identifying stamps and marks. In reality, such practice supported higher prices. But, for some Indian jewelers, their designs, patterns and unique skills are their hallmark. For instance, no one can duplicate an Edaakie inlay. Some have come close, but no one to date can reproduce the delicate curvature and mirror finish; nor the precise, unerring inlay. Moreover, the curving design elements are almost impossible to replicate. But just about anyone can drill a hole and string a bead; it's the combination of rote mechanics and skilled craftsmanship that is often lacking. You will find none of that in this book, however. There are hundreds of excellent photo notations for jewelers, traders and collectors alike. I expect to see lots of references to this volume on eBay and elsewhere in the near future. No serious buyer or seller of authentic Indian jewelry should bypass this hardbound book. Its hefty dimensions, quality binding and slick heavy paper make the book itself a collector's item. So, despite its meager shortcomings, this book on Indian Jewelry is very worthwhile. Now, if I can just find that PRICE GUIDE . . .

1 comments about Chinese Fans: Artistry and Aesthetics (Arts of China).

1. This book on fans is written from a purely Chinese point of view. It deals not with the fans China made for the west (Mandarin fans and elaborate ivory brise fans), but with those that were made for local use and taste.
   
   First we are given a history of Chinese fans dating back to prehistoric times, quoting numerous examples of ancient fans found in archaeological digs over the last 50-60 years. It also deals with the methods of making fans -both for sticks and leaves and how they have changed over the centuries. There is also a section of painters noted for their fans whose work is highly esteemed within China. This portion of the book, almost more than any other, gives a good feel for how knowledge the West lacks on native Chinese fans. Many 'Great' artists and calligraphers are mentioned that have almost no references in Western art books on Chinese art.
   
   My only disappointment with this small volume is that many of the masterpieces mentioned in the text do not necessarily have corresponding photos. The author seems to assume that the reader would be familiar with these artists. While this may hold true in China this book almost breaks new ground in the west in dealing with Chinese fan painting and manufacturing in English. This book should be part of any fan collectors reference works if you have an interest in Chinese fans.

No comments about Specs Appeal: Extravagant 1950s & 1960s Eyewear.