1 comments about Marks of Opulence: The Why, When and Where of Western Art 1000-1914.

1. The writer clearly knows a lot [though I did notice slips] and can write engagingly, but I felt the book lacked a clear purpose and at times there were so many artists and works the writer felt were relevant and worth mentioning that a list-like effect was not avoided.

No comments about Collecting Lustreware.

2 comments about The Collector's World of Inkwells.

1. As an avid inkwell collector I was very excited about a new book coming out on the subject. The last books I got on inkwells were the Badders' books from 1995, so I was ready for an update. Wow, was I disappointed! First, the book is not organized in any way. It seems they may have tried to organize by subject matter (lion, girl, etc.)but this system is erratic. Secondly, they have obviously not taken into account the market fluctuations due to online auctions. I have seen mint inkwells sell for $250 where this book estimates values at $300-$500. On the other hand, I have seen an estimate of a $200 inkwell selling for $400. These examples are not a "one time" situation, they are consistant. I realize that this is probably a difficult factor to add into estimating, but if you are going to call yourself an expert and publish a book about it, you should consider all factors.



2. Featuring more than 1,000 photographs of inkwells and inkstands, The Collector's World Of Inkwells is a benchmark publication and a "must" for all inkwell collectors. Included are examples spanning the mid-eighteenth century to the early twentieth century by drawn from American, European, and Asian manufacturers and artists. Here are to be found examples from Tiffany, Wedgwood, Quimper, Staffordshire, Sandwich, and Vaseline glass, majolica, art pottery, faience, milk glass, and Delft. Examples are also provided of inkwells of porcelain, sterling silver, pewter, cast iron, brass, wood, and other natural materials. Some are decorated with precious and semi-precious stones, others are combination pieces. Jean and Franklin Hunting draw upon their considerable expertise to provide detailed descriptions, an historical perspective, tables on United States patents and designs, an up-to-date price guide, and an index. The Collector's World Of Inkwells is an invaluable, indispensable, beautifully presented reference work that could well become a collector's item in and of itself!

No comments about Emyl Jenkins' Southern Christmas.

2 comments about Collecting American-Made Toy Soldiers: Identification and Value Guide.

1. Second of two large soft cover books by Richard O'Brien, specifically aimed at the identification and fair value of American Made Toy Soldiers. Includes brief history of each manufacturer pre and post WWII styles of soldiers. Top quality materials, mine has traveled thousands of miles in suitcases, back packs and the backseat. Opened and closed hundreds of times, it is still in great shape. Crisp and clear photos of most of the listed items have helped avoid confusion and misidentification.

   With on-line auctions setting the pace in the toy soldier collecting world. An identification guide of this quality is a must in establishing a BEGINNING bid, while desirability sets how high the actual cost will go. Hopefully, an update of this book is in work as in my opinion the on-line auctions have driven the price of many of the toys to often double their listed price.




2. I've been collecting American toy soldiers all of my life, and this is by far the best guide that I've ever found. It works as a good overall history of the subject, as well as, a specific historical guide to the companies and individuals involved. It is also superb as an identification guide and for approximate pricing.
   Whether you are into cast metal figures like Maniol, Barclay, or Grey Iron, or the classic Marx, Ideal, MPC, or Lido plastics, this is one great guide. It even covers comic book flats, paper soldiers, cerial premiums, and the original G.I. Joe. You can spend hours just flipping though this hefty book and reminiscing, even if you don't currently collect.

No comments about A Community of Collectors: 75 Anniversary Gifts to the Seattle Art Museum.

No comments about Vintage Shoes: Collecting and Wearing Twentieth-Century Designer Footwear.

3 comments about Standard Catalog of Farm Toys.

1. My first farm toy was my dad's Product Miniatures Farmall tractor and wagon with McCormick-Deering decals. It was his as a child and has seen its share of play. That toy was also my inspiration for the improvements included in this 2nd edition.
   
   In creating the 2nd edition of a popular title, the most important considerations for an author are the needs of the audience. I consulted with farm toy expert Kate Bossen and other enthusiastic farm toy collectors to make this edition more comprehensive and easier to use. It contains more than 1,800 new listings and several hundred new photos bring the grand total to well over 5,000 photos. And the positive reactions from collectors this year made our efforts worthwhile.
   
   This book is a must for farm toy collectors who like their toys in green, red, and every variety in between. Like the dedication says: "This edition is dedicated to all who participate in the farm toy hobby, to everyone who remembers that first toy tractor, and to everyone who still has that first toy tractor."
   Karen O'Brien



2. This is a good reference book with pictures and prices.



3. This was a helpful book for husband who wanted to assess the value of some of his old farm tools.

1 comments about Bohemian Decorated Porcelain (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. My book describes the development of porcelain production in the Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) region of western Bohemia. Through the declining years of the Habsburg's Austro-Hungarian Empire to the rise of communism in Czechoslovakia, a history of each factory exporting ware to the United States is presented which recounts details of factory owners never described in English literature. A description of each small town or village in the Karlovy Vary region that manufactured porcelain is provided. Details of the methods of exporting porcelain to the United States and the history of import businesses and their owners gives the reader an insight into how today's antique porcelain found its way from factory to home. Numerous advertisements of import companies illustrate the array of Bohemian porcelain sold in America during the late 1800s and early 1900s. As the demand for whiteware increased to satisfy the growing interest in amateur china painting in America in the 1880s, the Karlovy Vary area factories expanded and their export business grew. I describe the factory methods used to decorate "Carlsbad china", the name given to porcelain exported from this region in the late 1800s. American decoration of imported whiteware is also presented making the book an invaluable reference for those who purchase, sell, or who have inherited pieces of this china. In addition, the book should be of value to those interested in family histories of factory owners and decorators. Over 600 color photographs and illustrations demonstrate the rich variety of porcelain pieces exported to as well as decorated in, the United States during this time. An extensive presentation of American export dinnerware patterns from the oldest producing factory is featured in one of the book's appendices. Many factory marks are illustrated in color and are presented in a chronology following the description of each factory. A price guide is provided to give a relative value of one piece to another. If you have questions about Bohemian/Austrian porcelain please contact me and time permitting, I'll try to help you.

No comments about Antique Trader Furniture Price Guide.