1 comments about How to Restore & Repair Practically Everything.

1. How To Restore & Repair Practically Everything by antique restoration expert Lorraine Johnson is a how-to book that expertly instructs the reader with explicit instructions and step-by-step diagrams in the skill of restoring and reparing stains, grass matting, glass, textiles, metals, paper and photographs, decorative finishes such as faux marble, and much more. A superbly efficient and practical resource, as useful for conscious homeowners as it is for those seeking to make a living by fixing up broken down appliances, furniture, and personal items. Highly recommended.

1 comments about Kovels' American Art Pottery: The Collector's Guide to Makers, Marks, and Factory Histories.

1. If you've ever wondered if your "find" is indeeed authentic, this book will resolve the majority of your questions.
   In addition, it is a beautifully designed book with many luminous photographs and closeup details. I'm proud to display it on my table and carry it while antique shopping. It has always been met with a knowledgeable nod.

1 comments about Barbs, Prongs, Points, Prickers, and Stickers; A Complete and Illustrated Catalogue of Antique Barbed Wire.

1. This is the best book on barbed wire identification that I have found. It is actually a catalog of line drawings of barbed wire patents. Because of this, there may be drawings of wire that may have never actually been produced. The drawings are very clear and are identified by name, patent number and patent date. There are no references to "Barbed Wire Bible" numbers that are commonly used to identify wire samples in collections. This is not a criticism, only an observation.

   The best feature of this catalog is that it is arranged by classifying barbed wire by its attributes (e.g. 2 points, 4 points, metalic strip, etc.). This makes locating a wire sample very convenient.

5 comments about The American Roller Coaster (Motorbooks Classics).

1. An excellent and unusual title providing insights into American pastimes and interests, Scott Rutherford's American Roller Coaster covers the ups and downs of roller coaster history, pairing a clear text history with color photos and illustrations of coasters from 1900 to modern times. The history and evolution covers construction as well as roller coaster styles and development.



2. Other reviewers have given a good overview of this book. I will go into some detail on Chapter 3:Nuts and Bolts -- How Coasters Work. Rutherford begins by talking about materials used in the basic structure. His section on the evolution of tracking is excellent. Most readers will be surprised to learn about the side-friction coaster. This is a rare beast, and to my knowledge, this is the only easily available documentation available about it.

   The wood track structure is well explained along with cross sectional diagrams of how the carriages (trains) are attached to the track/structure. Rutherford finishes this part with a discussion on standard bent construction for the structure.

   In the next part of this chapter, the discussion continues with steelie coasters, track fabrication and wheel assemblies. Propulsion, lift chain, anti-rollback devices, other safety devices, brakes, zone blocking, restraints, etc. are wonderful background information for the teacher who wants to take their class to the amusement park for a science field trip.

   The chapter ends with the nature of teh ride and what is involved in creating one of these machines. The difference between an track plan and profile are clearly illustrated.

   Good addition to the library.




3. Perfect book on rollercoasters. Great photos, great history. If you were only to buy one book about roller coasters- make it this one!



4. This is a very good book if you want a look back to the predecessors of today's coasters. The coverage is very thorough and informative. The coasters covered range from early 1900's to many of today. The photos are simply great -- they made the book wonderful (though the text could easily support itself). If you like coasters, this is the book for you.



5. very good book about rollercoasters with lots of information and good pictures

2 comments about Friedrich Becker: Kinetic Jewellery.

1. This retrospective volume is so immense and impressive in scale and quality it is hard to describe. Becker's influence on modern jewelry design is so far reaching that many take many of his trademarks (geometric aesthetic coupled with his obsession with movement and kinetics) for granted in modern metals design. While this book may be a bit expensive for private ownership, it is a must have for any art focused library collection or jewelry school.



2. Whether you're interested in kinetic jewelry, or you just like beautiful photos of jewelry, this book is fantastic. I've never seen work like his anywhere. For him, kinetic is not just a matter of adding some hinges or dangles, but designing hidden devices that allow the jewelry to change its shape, or to move in surprising ways.
   
   Get it as a fabulous coffee table book, or an invaluable reference work. It can be difficult to obtain, but is well worth the wait.

5 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia of Bauer Pottery - Identification & Values.

1. We collectors all need to realize that price guides are just that, GUIDES! No one is ever totally happy with the values in books; either too high or too low, kinda just depends on if you are selling or buying. I feel that the prices are on the low side in Jack's book, but I would prefer that over him quoting the higher California area pricing; keep it real for the rest of us across the country. Even if you disregard the value guide aspect, this book is the most complete,informative book you can find if you like Bauer. The color photos are superb and the history is the best info I have found in print. Thank you Jack for putting up with the critics; just remember there are more fans that appreciate the work you have done for us.



2. I started collecting Bauer Ringwear by accident with a totally random visit to a wonderful shop on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles called Buddy's Art Pottery. Whenever I visited Hollywood, I knew that Buddy would help me choose that single, special, almost-affordable piece of Ringwear and spend lots of his time sharing his knowledge, as if I were a major purchaser. Buddy has, sadly, passed away and his shop is a thing of the past. Living in New York as I do, Bauer is not a common collectible. In fact, most antique dealers do not even know the name and try to steer me to their collection of Fiestaware.

   I am today a more informed buyer and that is mainly due to the writings of Jack Chipman. This Encyclopedia, specifically, has so many gorgeous photographs and such a thorough history of Bauer and its place in California pottery that I feel it is invaluable.

   It is obviously impossible for any writer/collector to price correctly since there are publishing deadlines that must be met and prices, as we all know, change on a daily basis from place to place. But Chipman's price guide is a great "jumping off place." As I cruise Ebay looking for a Bauer bargain, I often think of Buddy and I always consult Chipman. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED




3. This book is wonderful. I found everything I needed to know. Jack Chipman has done a great job - the text is clear and informative and the photos are especially good as they clearly show the important details . This will have a special spot in my book shelf....



4. Great photo shots of the various Bauer products. Highly useful to a novice collector interested in the history and examples of Bauer pottery. Enjoyable as a good read as well as a great guide for collecting.



5. Mr. Chipman did a fantastic job at giving collectors an extensive history and overview of Bauer Pottery; its founders, key managers and workers and customer base. The book is an invaluable reference tool, especially for anyone who does not reside in an area where Bauer isn't "common". One must remember though, that this book was published before Martha Stewart featured the pottery in one of her magazine issues, thereby giving rise to the current popularity and scarcity of ringware. Therefore the prices, though out of date, were at one time quite accurate...new collectors can always dream of finding that rare piece priced by the standards of this text...Some of us were lucky enough to be collecting when the prices were even less than those listed here. Good luck!

4 comments about D&D Miniatures Deathknell Booster.

1. The beholder is truly spectacular and several other miniatures in this set are "must haves" for any collection but distribute across Rare, Uncommon, and Common is even worse than earlier sets.
   
   I look at these mainly through the eyes of RPG so if you play the miniatures warband games with these you may like this set better than I do. Alone this set is great, I like the Grell, the Couatl, Centaur Hero, and Flind Captain for their workmanship and variety they add to the game. The Uncommons are all interesting and appear in the distribution just about right.
   
   Taken as a whole with what has already been released I get the feeling of Deja Vu. Again the number of dwarves available has increased with 4 more selections in this set while other player character races are only slightly represented. Mages and priests are present but still only add a few to your collection. While the Blue Dragon is large, as are several of the Rares and Commons, most of the dragons and large creatures represented are smaller that life when set in front of your party's miniatures.
   
   The reason I only gave this set 3 stars is the distribution with continues to get worse with each set. The number of commons has fallen to 12 but they continue to make up 1/2 of a box. Rares have increased to 24 so you have to have perfect distribution to make get a full set out of two cases (doesn't happen) and you end up with 8 of each common (funny, THEY are perfectly distributed over 2 cases). It's getting where I don't care if I get all of the miniatures, I'll just pick out a few that I like and get them on ebay.
   
   Over All: Very Good. Excellent construction and paint, Out of 2 cases I did not have any damaged or deficient pieces as I had in earlier sets. Would be happier if the commons were really the foes we commonly find in higher numbers and we didn't have to buy so many of them to get the better, rare, pieces.



2. Of all the sets I've purchased, I have to admit this 1 is one of the more interesting ones. It comes with many large sized pieces and it isn't very unlikely you won't get at least one of them. Most of the pieces are relatively useful. Creatures such as Griffons, Beholders, vampire spawn, vampires, ettins, etc are very commonly liked creatures for use in game. Overall, this is one of the better deal packs I've seen as of far. However, I do wish they would release an Undead Pack. That would be interesting to see. ;)



3. The new DeathKnell miniatures are extremely detailed. There are 60 miniatures to a set. The majority of the set are finely detailed. This series has a variety of character classes. The mini's I enjoyed were the Dwarf Artificer the detail is exquisite. The Beholder rare mini blew me away, along with the Grell mini. The miniature settings range from Temple of Elemental Evil to The new Ebberon setting. I would like to have seen more undead minis. The undead mini's I noticed in the set was a dwarf skeletal, and a hobgoblin zombie, again great detail. I could do without most of the rares in this series. I noticed a rare samari dwarf. Nothing rare about that mini. I agree with some in their reviews that if you were to buy a case of these boosters, it's very doubtful, and unlikely that you will get a set. I would just buy a case of these then hit ebay up for the ones you are missing to complete your set.



4. Love it. No need to paint. Pretty detailed considering it's mass produced. Loyal fan of D&D. A+!

5 comments about The World of Beretta: An International Legend.

1. It's beautifully illustrated and he relates many interesting and deliteful anocdotes about the Beretta family. Less attention is paid to the technical side, I do agree that Beretta firearms are uniformly of a high quality but Wilson's appaissels are uniformly glowing, fail to acknowledge some shortcomings (as gangarosa did) and are technically no more informative than the catalogs (which he excerpts from often). I read this book after reading Gene Gangarosa's Modern Beretta Firearms (which I also reviewed) and it compliments many of the shortcomings of the Gangarosa book. There is much more focus on their shotguns and sporting rifles. Unlike Gangarosa's book where Berettas are often talked about in relation to other inovations in firearms. Wilson's book is narrowly focused in talking only about Beretta products.

   The worst part about this book is when he talks about James Bond. It sounds like such a sales pitch because while he mentions that James Bond originally had a Beretta .25ACP pocket pistol he doesn't tell us what model (Model 418 which is out of production, perhaps the company wanted us to buy one of their fine current production pocket pistols?) and remarks that in the first movie Dr. No he had to replace it with "a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol." Like he couldn't possibly say another companies name (he even gets it wrong, Bond had a Walther PPK in .32ACP). There are other technical innacuracies. Your best option as a fan is to buy both Wilson's (the human side and colourful history) and Gangarosa's (the more technical and firearms hobbiest oriented) book. This one is well written and might have been the definitive beretta book if Wilson had Gangarosa's in depth knowledge.

   Why is this book the more sales pitch and coffee table-like book? It would seem that that would more likely describe the Gangarosa book because it was published by Stoeger (which is owned under Beretta holdings). I would read another Gangarosa book because he writes more generally of firearms history, hobby, and innovation but Wilson's book is of interest only to the fan.




2. I had hoped this book would provide some useful information on older SO shotguns. The book devotes lots of pages to the subject, but it seems that almost all of the information is available through the old catalogs that are downloadable from Beretta.com. There seemed to be an effort by Wilson and Beard to build more romance and mystique into the Beretta brand, hey guys that's what Beretta has a marketing department for!

   This is a beautiful book for the coffee table but if your looking for a book with useful data then keep searching.




3. If you love all things Beretta, then you will appreciate this superb book. Wilson magically transports you through 475 years of history to Gardone, Val Trompia, Northern Italy, by way of some of the most delightful examples of the perfect blending of walnut, metal and handcrafted artistry.



4. R.L. Wilson has assembled a handsome, well-researched volume on the world's oldest and most respected maker of firearms, Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta. Beretta stands out for its superb Italian craftsmanship, durable quality and design. Beretta's reputation has earned it respect and Beretta supplies the standard sidearm of the U.S. Armed Forces, which is the 9mm M9. Too me there are few things that surpass the exquisite aesthetic appeal of the Beretta pistol, except maybe a beautiful blue-eyed blonde. I'm a Beretta owner, and it's often to be expected that a man claims his possession to be best, but when I'm in the market for another gun, I'm not getting a Smith & Wesson or a Ruger, I'm getting another Beretta. These guns are tried and true. So, whether you're a collector of these fine firearms or just an admirer, I wholeheartedly recommend this informative, illustrated and history-filled volume on Beretta firearms. Some other reviewer scoffed that this is book is merely an effort to create "a mystique and romance" about Beretta, but Beretta has earned this after nearly 500 years. Wilson just captures the essence of the "mystique." Sure this book is a coffee table tome, but it is beautifully illustrated and fun to read and skim through! I give it 4.5/5.0 stars.



5. I bought the book hoping it would allow me to learn more about several older Beretta shotguns I own. Other than a table on dates of manufacture in the index, that used to be avilable on line for free, there was very little usable detailed information.

1 comments about Standard Catalog Of World Coins 1601-1700 (Standard Catalog of World Coins 17th Century Edition 1601-1700).

1. This formidable work manages to be comprehensive despite the scope and ambiguities of the period covered. The listings of coins themselves are in step with very recent numismatic discoveries. Accompanying photographs to many of the coinages are clear and fairly representative. Now, the length with which German issues are treated may surprise some, but this may be due to availability of records. Also, the prices quoted for most coins in general seem very approximate at best (particulary for issues from within many Spanish dominions), but this is only to be expected of a publication that must remain usable over several inflationary years. As a reference in identifying coins from the world of the 17th century, this Standard Catalog will stand one in good stead indeed!

1 comments about Nineteenth Century Cameos: A Price and Identification Guide.

1. This really is a wonderful addition to the unfortunately small number of sometimes iffy books on cameos currently available. Though it generously contains 134 color plates and is so well presented, I only wish it was longer. Thankfully, it does not waste your time with photos of junky, mass produced modern cameos. These are all important, Georgian and Victorian cameos, fine examples in hardstone, shell, coral, tortoiseshell, lava, jet, jasperware and ivory to train your eye toward picking out the very best at high-end antique venues. The author, a London antique jewelry dealer, has a website, (rowanandrowan), which contains many beauties, if you want to see more. This is a book I will often enjoy browsing through, especially since I am not wealthy. Price guides are notoriously undependable, especially for one-of-a-kind, rare items, and the location of your find can wildly affect the price you can expect to pay. This book is not a price guide, though it occasionally includes a price in UK pounds. (Many of the cameos are privately owned or in museum collections that you might not easily visit, but are of a high-end type occasionally still found in odd places, estate sales and auctions by the avid cameo hunter.) It depicts primarily Greek and Roman mythological subjects in very clear color photos with concise overviews of the myths and identifying information. Additionally, there is a small collection of portrait cameos that does not include, thankfully, the ubiquitous, anonymous ladies' heads. These are portraits of famous Victorians, Lord Byron, Florence Nightingale, and a Victorian portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots. Of interest to me are wonderful, deeply carved ivory portrait cameos of the poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning and the novelist, Elizabeth Gaskell. There is a short 2 page section referencing eminent carvers who signed their cameos in an effort to differentiate their work from real antiquities. If I could wish for anything, it would be for the author to expand her book in the future with even more examples of the lovely and unusual cameos that have passed through her hands. I recommend this book as a small indulgence to serious fine cameo collectors. Antique Collectors' Club books can be depended on for quality information and wonderful color photography.