4 comments about The Master Jewelers.

1. It may seem an era long gone by but the art work is as vital and enthralling today. The photos are numerous and magnificent and it is a valuable addition to anyones library.



2. I really enjoyed my first scan of this book and look forward to many more in-depth visits. The jewelry is absolutely breathtaking. The color photos are extremely well done.



3. The book offers insight into the most important jewelry designs and the artistic talents of their creators. It gives an overview and biographies of the most important jewelry artists of the recent history and how their businesses got started: Cartier, Tiffany, Van Cleef and Arpels, Lalique, Verdura, Bulgari, Boucheron etc. The photos are wonderful; I only wish there were more of them. A great book for anyone wanting to learn more about the most important jewelry creators and jewelry pieces. It is also a great way to start your own favorite jeweler/jewelry book collection and get more specific books.



4. "Delicious", sumptuous... full of beauty! This book is for anyone who loves to look at jewelry at its best!!

5 comments about The Care and Feeding of Books Old and New: A Simple Repair Manual for Book Lovers.

1. The Care and Feeding of Books Old and New is a lovely little volume that provides the novice book repairer with all the information they need to make minor repairs on damaged books. The authors do an excellent job of describing the tools needed and methods to be used, and are very clear about what sort of damage should be tackled only by an experienced book binder. The repair of loose pages and broken hinges are covered, as well as what to do about a stinky book.
   
   I believe this is an excellent book for any bibliolater (defined by the authors to mean anyone with an extravagant devotion to books) to have on their book shelf. With the dust jacket in a protective cover, of course.



2. As a Librarian who specializes in Preservation Management, I found this book somewhat appauling. I found it to be full of factual errors. Many of the cleaning and repair procedures described in this book would actually do more harm than good in the long run - while book tape, rubbing alcohol, homemade paste, and Elmer's glue might seem like harmless substances, these items will break down over time, yellowing, cracking, and damaging your treasured book. The bookbinder's motto is not as these misguided souls profess "Don't make it any worse", but rather "Don't do anything you can't undo". Readers of this book will come away with just enough knowledge to do some real damage! If you're unsure of your methods, you're better off leaving your books alone! If you're really interested in learning book repair, there are many manuals written by trained professionals who actually have some idea what they're talking about.



3. This breezily written guide to repairing books (and many other aspects of book buying and collecting) is a good introduction to its topic for the casual collector. The writing is extremely clear and simple, and the authors do not give advice on more advanced repairs in which you might do damage to the book. It is more of the "how do I get the price tag off the jacket?" or "what do I do about a dirty fingerprint on a page?" variety. And that IS helpful.
   
   At some point, the reader becomes aware that the book is no longer talking about book repair but about various topics that become less and less related to the original topic: how to store books, how to handle books, libraries, book borrowing, and so on. I found this somewhat entertaining, though it does not fit into the book's putative topic, as given in the title and subtitle.
   
   The authors write in a style that is very informal, with many references to their own lives and experiences. This makes the book easy to read, and it is generally not overdone so much as to become cutesy-wutesy. However, the authors' constant references to dog, including the most far-fetched analogies between book care and dog care, did become tiresome. No matter how much the authors love dogs, they should understand that most such references are not actually useful and that some readers may be cat people--or even just book people. However, the effect of this was not to impede understanding; it was simply annoying a few times.
   
   Overall, a good, short introduction to this topic that is easy to read.



4. The backcover blurb reads "Here at last is a short, simple, inexpensive guide to book care and repair." Amen! While this book, as other reviews suggest, may not be ideal for rare or leather-bound books, it is great for the mundane volumes of any book collection, or for experimentation purposes, if you're a neophyte repairer. Their advice for removing old price stickers, e.g., is excellent and easy and less harmful than the use of a fingernail. In addition, the advice comes with a charming dialogue about dogs the authors have owned and loved, and the dogs' contribution, or lack thereof, to the book owning and cleaning process. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it as a first step toward book repair mastery. Just don't try it on your Gutenberg Bible!



5. Boy, was I disappointed with this book. The Author certainly took advantage of a good title, because that is all you will be buying. I didn't count how many times "the jury was out on this one." The only thing I got from this was a list of home remedy supplies and I still don't know what I am suppose to do with half of them. Since then, I have typed in google "how to clean old books" and have come up with the exact same information and more. This was a complete waste of money, especially when you add in shipping charges. Good luck!

5 comments about Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide.

1. This is a fabulous guide, especially for the beginner. I have found it to be one of the most helpful price guides which I have purchased and I have a lot of them.



2. We have used Schroeder's Antique Price guide for many years. We always look forward to the newest issue as we use it on a very frequent basis. It is written in concise and clear terms, well documented with many reference sites also listed in clear, easy directories. Amazon offered this guide at the best value we could locate online or offline. Thank you Amazon.
   
   Thank you,
   Mary & Les



3. Good book but a lot left out, Mostly rare or hard to find items are covered and from not all makers. Still a good book for the more advanced collector.



4. While the book is huge and covers a vast number of items, I have yet to find an item in it that I need to identify/value. It's a good resource for a general feel of how to price items/what items should cost. I tend to rely on more specialized/collector's books instead of this one. In fact, I don't believe that I have opened this book in a year.



5. If you are going to buy only one price guide on antiques, buy this one...and buy a new one every year. I use this constantly ~ it is well written, well documented and has numerous references. It covers a daunting array of items thoroughly and interestingly. The background information at the beginning of each heading is worth the price of admission alone.

5 comments about Ancient Coin Collecting.

1. As a collector over 30 years on Chinese and modern world coins, it's an adventoure for me to probe a totally different field of coin collecting - the western world ancient coins. What I need most is something to show me the way, to give me an outline, to guide me to the right direction, as well as to keep me interested at the unfamiliar new world.

   This book serves my needs exactly as it starts with very basic but substantial introduction to the ancient western cultures which are not familiarized by an oriental like me. Then there are good references provided, among them I appreciated most the last part of Chapter II, "Ancient Coins and the Internet", and also Chapter VI, "Numismatic Literature". Those information show a beginner to a broader view and an easier access in continuing his collection interest.

   I would say the most fancinating part of this book is surely Chapter VII, "Identifying Ancient Coins". It's systematically arranged thus I can get a clear picture of different categories of ancient coins, together with fundamental history background of the coin issuers. That is, indeed, far more interesting than just reading a coin catalogue.

   For anyone who intends to start ancient coin collecting, this is the book to start with.




2. This is something of a potpourri of ancient coin information. It doesn't make a good reference work, per se; there are other books, etc. to purchase when you settle on your collecting theme. It is a great background resource, though, and helped me to clarify my own collecting themes.



3. This is a great single volume reference on Ancient Coin Collecting. I don't want to repeat what others have written, but I found it to be thorough, well-researched, engaging and well-organized. It will spark your imagination and add to your knowledge base without overwhelming you.



4. This is a good introductory book to ancient coin collecting. Getting one's feet wet in this are of numismatics, is a touchy thing in this day of on line auctions...where forgeries are easily sold as authentic. Book covers most everything a numismatist new to this field could want, online help, types, forgeries, authentication, caveats, etc. Good read for the newbie in ancients.



5. This book is an invaluable reference and great educational tool for collectors of ancient coins. It explains many aspects of the field in an academic but witty style. Very readable text, also contains lots of reference material indexed for additional study of specific areas of research. A "must have" for those new to this area of collecting.

5 comments about Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life.

1. Wow. I devoured this book. I found it riveting, fascinating, absorbing - I couldn't put it down. I am intrigued by books that help me understand how people work. Why does my friend have these emotional issues? How has a troubled relationship with her father affected the rest of her life? This book does an amazing job of explaining the psychology of those questions. Plus, it was an enjoyable read. Usually books like this have a tendency to go over the head of the average person. But this was written in an easy writing style. I laughed and cried with the people who were featured as cases.



2. I read this book when it first came out and it really helped me to realize that I was not the problem, contrary to everything that I was taught as a child. My mother abused me to no end. She beat me with belts, wooden spoons, hockey sticks, spatulas and anything else she could get her hands on. She humiliated me in public and made me feel unattractive because I was not a size zero like she was. This book helped me to realize that she was the sick one, not me. I still have problems but at least I feel better about myself. I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering having a child because this book explains just how much damage you can do to a child through verbal/physical abuse.



3. I found this book to be incredibly eye-opening and helpful, both as the daughter of a toxic mother and the parent of two children. The only thing that I am not sure about is whether confronting the toxic parent is always the best option. The most obvious questions in my mind were "What's the point? Why do you still want ANY relationship with this person? Why do you feel you owe this person ANYTHING? At what cost are you willing to keep trying?" Several years ago I made the very difficult decision to end my relationship with my mother when, after years of trying so hard to keep some relationship going and suffering for it, I finally found the courage to ask "what's in it for me?" and realized the answer was "absolutely nothing positive whatsoever". Also, being disgusted by her interactions with my children was a big factor. I profoundly miss having a mother, but I do not miss her or her poison.



4. I read this book when it first came out in the early 90s. It made me realize that my sister and I were not crazy - our mother was! Our mother had caused us a lot of pain with her belief that her needs always needed to come first. The book opened my eyes. We eventually both broke it off with the selfish monster and led much happier lives. Incredible book.



5. If Susan Forward never typed another word her life would be well spent. This book should be required reading for every expectant mother or couple... the sooner we stop the legacy of bad parenting the better. Just as important adults can figure themselves out better if they get a better insight into their own childhoods.
   
   I think one of the great unsung books on the subject of toxic parenting and the confusion it creates from an accomplished author about his own childhood is "Be Sweet" by Roy Blount Jr. It is pure genius and I highly recommend it. Interestingly, a lot of the reviewers and subsequent commenters don't "get it." I would hope that these books get discussed a lot on amazon; it is one of the greatest features of our times and can do a lot to enlighten us individually and as a society.
   
   Along the lines of pure psychological brilliance Alice Miller and Alexix Morgan are also incredible.

5 comments about 1,000 Hats.

1. This book made me want to wear hats and play dress-up. It is an engaging look at millinery history and trends that will tempt any hat lover or fashion enthusiast.
   Shephard's books are quickly becoming essential additions to the fashion historian's library.



2. I guess I hoped this book would be as good as "Vintage Hats and Bonnets 1770-1970" but alas, it isn't. Not much history, just lots and lots of pictures. Over half the book is hats from the 1940'-1960's, which is great if you like those years. Also, I think some of the early hats stated from the 1870's are really 1950's, they certainly look modern for the 19th century. Sorry, but I was disappointed.



3. I can't speak to values of hats or text....but if tons of wonderful images of hats are what you are looking for this book is it. Fashion is definately my love, but if I had to pick one accessory I love the most it would be hats.
   Cheers



4. This was a gift...My sister loves hats...This IS the perfect present for someone who adores them too!



5. This is an amazing collection of hat photographs. Inspiring if you just love hats or are looking for ideas for hats to make. The photos are well taken and clear and accompanied by what they are made of and their approximate value.
   
   There is a little history of hats but I would not classify it as a history book. This book is a book of photos, very well taken photos. I would guess that this book is aimed at the vintage collector but is also a good resource for the milliner.

5 comments about Touch Not the Cat.

1. This was the first Mary Stewart book I read 30 years ago and it was entirely captivating from page one. I loved the ESP aspect, the intrigue, the ancient history that's the mystery. It's just a wonderful story to get lost in. I subsequently have read numerous other of Mary Stewart's books, but find this one my favorite. Her novels set in Greece depict more "lady-like" situations: while the protagonist is in danger, it's of a tamer variety and a kiss with the male lead seals her romantic fate. Nice, escapist fiction.



2. Sometimes-interesting story about a modern-day Brit who has a telepathic link with her distant cousin, and her attempt to save the family's old estate despite machinations from sinister forces. A companion story, actually more interesting, describes her ancestor's love affair with a village girl.
   
   The storyline is adequate, but there were some problems. First, an important part of the story is the location of various estate features, including the main house, the rectory, a cottage, a large garden, a lake, canals and sluices. I had difficulty visualizing these features despite, it seems, Ms Stewart's consistent attempts to describe them. A detailed map might have been helpful. It made the story that much more difficult to follow, and the climactic final showdown with the bad guys somewhat chaotic.
   
   Second, there was really no need to include ESP as a part of the story. I know this is a 1970s book, and that discussion of ESP, along with a lot of other whacky ideas, was common then, but still, it seemed unnecessary and detracted from the story's believability. (The apex of the 70s infatuation with ESP is, for me, Brian de Palma's wonderfully schlocky 1978 "The Fury," where Mr. de Palma treats us to six different angles of a man's head exploding from telekinesis.)
   
   Finally, I was very disappointed with the "live and let live" attitude the heroine takes towards the bad guys at the end. Not to give anything away, but they were responsible for at least one death and two attempted murders, as well as assault and kidnapping, and the heroine just sort of shrugs it off. That's very unsatisfying. Retribution, either formal or informal, was definitely in order.



3. Bryony Ashley inherits Ashley Court after her father's sudden death. She has no idea how to run it when she finds out that that responsibility is in the hands of a cousin. There is a telepathic link between her and an unknown source which she has had for years. A flood and the maze at the mansion guard secrets and uncover hurtful memories. As usual Mary Stuart can spin a good yarn. This one is no exception.



4. The paranormal and ancient mysteries abound in this wonderful tale. I recently began reading the older authors again due to the lack of really great authors nowadays.
   
   Mary Stewart was one of the best, weaving descriptions of 1960's England and making the reader taste, hear and smell the experience. Told in first person you are immersed in the tale of a young lady experiencing the untimely death of her father under suspicious circumstances and learning that she does not truly know the nature of her family's past and ancestral mansion.
   
   Although the author gives you all of the information in the first few chapters to make deductions, the story is told so well that you keep guessing until the last few chapters, when the pace reaches a fever pitch. If you are tired of the garbage being dumped into today's market, try this author and Daphne du Maurier. You'll like 'em.



5. Although Mary Stewart is best known for her Arthurian series (The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment, aka The Merlin Trilogy), she was also a prolific producer of extremely popular suspense and historical novels throughout the 1970's. Out of print for years and therefore treasured by those lucky enough to have original copies, most were suddenly re-issued as mass market paperbacks in the late 90's by an imprint of Harper Collins. Imagine my delight! Stewart has a particular talent for structuring a modern story in an historical framework, usually set in her native England or Scotland, and the curiously English knack for creating realistic, likable characters that neither over- or underwhelm the reader.
   
   This oddly-named (and the name is part of the mystery) novel is told almost exclusively by Bryony Ashley, a young woman mourning the sudden death of her father and returning to the crumbling family estate to untangle the complicated legal mess with her cousins. Bryony also has a secret she's kept for years, which is that she somehow communicates telepathically with a presence she thinks of only as `Lover'. This telepathy is an Ashley trait that pops up every so often in the line and is shared only by other Ashleys, which can only mean that her mysterious mental companion is someone she knows from the family, but who? One of her cousins, the mischievous twins? Or someone else entirely? As this mystery Bryony has lived with all of her life seems to be coming to light, the strange and unexpected death of her father leaves Ashley with a riddle to solve as she tries to understand a final, ominous warning he leaves her from his deathbed. It begins trivially, with small but valuable items missing from the old house, and a glimpse of a cloaked man lurking in the overgrown maze and around the family chapel.
   
   The atmosphere is enchanting, a perfect blending of the encroaching modern world upon a life and time that has faded into memory - a time of rambling, pre-war estates in the green English hills, with histories that go even further back to an era of crests and swords and family honor. It bears Stewart's singular, indelible stamp of originality and subtle suspense, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't wait to get to the other re-releases.

4 comments about Kid's Statehood Quarters Collectors Folder: With Information on Collecting Other Cool Coins.

1. Folders arrived looking a bit beat up, like they had been in stock too long. Spaces are too small--impossible to put in coins without using a hammer. Positive notes--kids like collecting the quarters and the booklet that comes with the folder is quite informative.



2. We love these books. We have them for our older children and are ordering 2 more for our little ones. True it is not easy to ge the quarters in, but no need to use tools and the upside is that they don't fall out. We are pleased.



3. My kids love this folder. Yes the quarters are a little difficult to get in, but i rather have them stay then fall out. They love the facts book it comes with. It is a great buy for the money. i have already bought 4 and will probably buy extras for gifts.



4. My 7 yr old wanted to start a coin collection. I was looking for something inexpensive, yet informative to get started. This set met both those requirements. My child loves it and has been quickly filling in slots with state quarters. The folder is also small enough to store anywhere and can be transported easily to school, etc. when my child wants to show friends the collection. The booklet gives a bit of information about each state and also information concerning coin collecting, i.e. how to care for your coins and other cool coins available to collect. I would recommend this to family or friends.

5 comments about Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, General Issues (Standard Catalog of World Paper Money Vol 2: General Issues).

1. An excellent catalogue. The only disturbing problem is that there are several mismatchs between pictures and descriptions. Unfortunately more frequent than in earlier issues.



2. The new edition of this catalogue is an extremely disappointing effort in terms of keeping up to date with price developments. A majority of the countries covered in this update have not been reviewed at all, resulting in a very misleading guide to collectors. If you have the previous edition, there is little incentive for you to buy this new edition. Editors should really put much much more effort in updating prices, or simply stop printing updates of the catalogue altogether. Changing the cover picture does not justify a new edition.



3. It was a pleasure for me to order from you. The catalog is great and I got it delivered in no time. The service was GREAT!!!



4. I use this book only, I don't know better source for basic informations for collectors.



5. This book is very well for inform on bills in a world! Pictures, year, price...Very complete!

5 comments about Unsigned Beauties of Costume Jewelry: Identification and Values.

1. I had read the book before when I started researching my mothers pins. I have now purchsed two of Marcie's books. They are well written, easy to follow, good pictures of pins and great advise.



2. Marcia "Sparkles" Brown puts together the best books on costume jewelry there are. With all the pictures she includes it makes it so much easier to find something you may be wondering about and she has a lot to look at! I absolutely love her books!



3. I was looking forward to receiving this book because as a collector I did not have a book on unsigned costume jewellery. However I was disappointed with the copy I received.
   My main complaint is the quality of the illustrations. For the most part the photos are dull, too dark and the colours are distorted. Some pages have a definate brownish tint and other pages are quite grey. In comparison to other books on the suject the photos lack colour and clarity but this may be due to the printing and perhaps I received a particularly bad copy.
   The book has 3 chapters that give insight into the birth of costume jewelry, the metals, stones, shapes and settings and also how to start a collection, date and restore pieces.
   For the price the book covers the subject well.



4. An excelent reference book, however, sellers/buyers need to know a particular designer to find items. Not all items are referenced. Sellers/buyers need to do MUCH more research if they are looking for something special.



5. A wonderful book for the costume jewelry enthusiast. Great pictures and fantastic writing. It gave me a great insight on the quality and craftsmanship of unsigned pieces of costume jewelry. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in collecting costume jewelry