3 comments about American Pattern Glass Table Sets: Identification & Value Guide (Collector's Guide).

1. After seeing a preview of this book at a glass show a few months ago, I anxiously awaited the publication. It exceeded my expectations when it arrived in the mail today!
   
   The pictures are fabulous (by FAR the best photos in any reference book on EAPG). Patterns and colors are well defined in the photos where previous EAPG guides did not quite hit the mark. Pricing is up-to-date and accurate. Pattern information is concise yet informative(and I am learning more every time I flip through it).
   
   You can tell that the author and coordinators poured their hearts (and glass collection!) into publishing this book. You get a little more "collecting fever" just by looking at this book.
   
   While this book focuses mainly on table sets it in my mind is now the essential reference guide on EAPG.



2. Gene and Cathy Florence's AMERICAN PATTERN GLASS TABLE SETS is a fine recommendation for avid collectors of American pattern glass. Excellent, good-sized color photos of glass sets are accompanied by the latest values and by notes on makers, patterns and reproductions, making for an excellent reference.



3. I own a lot of identification and value guides. I found this one to be laid out very well and easy to use. Great photos.

1 comments about 2006 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, Vol. 1: United States & Countries of the World, A-B (Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Vol 1 Us and Countries a-B).

1. I have been using Scott's stamp catalogue to organize a large collection of postage stamps collected over 50 years. This purchase represents an update of this catalogue for me. It also is the first time I have secured the item in disk form and will be an adjustment in the way I use the item. The catalogue allows me to organize and value (at least in a crude way) my stamp collecion. In the brief time I have used the new format, I like the fact that I can look at the pictures and text in very large format or if I am searching for something I can cover a lot using the zoom format.

3 comments about Nature Designs Stained Glass Pattern Book (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. I found some very interesting nature patterns in this book, but almost a fifth of the book contained designs (at least 12) which I found unrecognizable as anything belonging to nature or anything else. If you are into these abstract designs, then this is an added bonus. I was disappointed and would rather have had traditional nature designs as pictured on the cover.



2. The designs are very good. The problem I see with this book is there no finished designs or color guides. If you are new to stained glass it could be difficult to visualize a finished design. But all in all a good design book.



3. I could reiterate what the others have said but I won't make you read it all over again. Trust me, keep looking.

5 comments about Red & White : American Redwork Quilts & Patterns (Volumes 1 & 2).

1. This book would make a lovely gift for anybody interested in textile arts, even for someone with little or no quilting or embroidery experience. The presentation is lovely -- two nicely bound, wonderfully illustrated books nestled inside a snug cardboard jacket. One book features a short discussion of redwork embroidery along with illustrations of exquisitely executed quilts. The other supplies brief instructions (perhaps too brief -- especially the section on transferring the patterns)and a lovely collection of redwork patterns so that readers can create their own redwork quilt. My only quarrel with the book is that a beginner (like me!) might not feel confident with the brief instructions. However, a quick trip to the fabric store to talk to a knowledgable salesperson should dispel any doubts. Despite this small problem, I give the book 5+ stars -- it was great fun to browse through, then to read intently , then to pore over as I selected possible designs for my very first quilt!



2. Often it is difficult to get accurate, well documented information on traditional crafts and handwork. Much of that art form was passed down from generation to generation with very little written record. Deborah Harding has done a wonderful job of finding old newpaper and magazine articles on Redwork, as well as fantastic old patterns reproduced here. A friend of mine loaned me this set of books, and I could never bring myself to return them to her, so I knew I had to have my own set!



3. I found these books to be very informative and interesting. I would recommend them to anyone interested in Redwork Quilts.



4. Book came in great condition, on time, and worth every penny. It's filled with many old patterens and lots of history, a pleasure to read. If it's Redwork you enjoy , then order this one.



5. A wonderful two volume source of Redwork information. The author's knowledge and private collection enhances the work in volume I; volume II provides patterns for the vintage Redwork (penny square) patterns. I highly recommend this resource for anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating method of embroidery that originated many years ago.

2 comments about Zuni Jewelry.

1. Even though these are obstensibly for the information of collectors, all the Schiffer books that I have ever gotten are magnificent just for the those who wistfully wish they could afford a piece. The reader can't handle the actual pieces, but it's about as close as one will get in a picture. And if one ever does get enough money to buy a piece, one will know what one wants.
   
   This is full of well-done color pictures and packed with a lot of information about the history and contemporary makers. There are other books with gorgeous shots of turquoise and silver, but the reader of this and the Bassman's other books will come away with some real understanding of the different styles, schools, and the cultural milieu of their creation.



2. This is a great book to use as a reference guide to look for and purchase jewelry created by many of the Zuni jewelry artists. Great photographs of a wide selection of jewelry with corresponding artist names. Highly recommended for collectors.

5 comments about 20th Century Costume Jewelry 1900-1980: Identification & Value Guide (20th Century Costume Jewelry).

1. Thank you Amazon for offering this wonderful book. I plan to spend a lot of time with it.
   It has been very helpful and the price is well worth it.
   Thank You,sanklo.



2. I found this book to contain a beautiful collection of rare vintage pieces. To put down a book of this caliber displays an absolute absence of taste and appreciation of the collector, and the collected. Touche, touche! It seems there are many amateur collectors, with strong words and uneducated opinions.



3. I recieved this book today, and for the first time ever, I am returning a book to Amazon. I was expecting beautiful Jewelry from the 1900's onwards. What is in the book, is 15 pages of AB glass necklaces, umpteen pins/brooches necklaces etc that I would have bypassed at a yard sale, not to mention many pages pages of low quality pieces with HUGE unrealistic valuation prices. Very misleading for a novice collector, they will think that a cheesy 10 year old christmas bell brooch is really worth over $80! No war time sterling, no quality Trifari,Coro, Boucher, Mazer etc. I don't wish to sound mean but in this day and age of umpteen Jewelry books being published these ladies really need to up their game to a much higher standard. Save your money, DO NOT BUY.



4. Jewelry can be an ideal addition to any outfit to add class, and "20th Century Costume Jewelry: Second Edition Identification & Value Guide" is a complete and comprehensive guidebook for anyone who is collecting these kinds of pieces for their own personal use or simply as a hobby. Filled cover to cover with full cover photos, descriptions of each piece, information on rarity, price, and so much more, "20th Century Costume Jewelry: Second Edition Identification & Value Guide" is a must for any hobbyist collector or community library collection catering to them.



5. This book would have benefitted from a lot more research and from inclusion of pieces other than the personal collection of Ms. Aikins and her mother. There are numerous incorrect dates - the most glaring of which consist of labelling aurora borealis pieces as being from the 40's or even 30's when the process didn't exist until about 1953. The descriptions are too "cutesy" rather than factual - ex labelling yellow and black pieces "for Steelers fans" and elephants "for Republicans." Some necklaces are measured by hanging length, others apparently by total length. The list goes on and on. It certainly would be a bad choice for a beginner to rely on, and a more seasoned collector would find it maddening. Give this one a pass.

5 comments about Encyclopedia of Matchbox Toys (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This is a great reference book, full of details and history about evolution of Matchbox toys. If you love Matchbox, this is a must. Charlie Mack is a true expert on the subject, and this is for sure the most complete and updated information about the subject. The only complains are: cover picture is not representative at all. Pictures are excelent but could be larger for the "reg. wheels" and "miniatures", and several rare cars and boxes are ommited (no space probably). However, "Tomart's Price Guide for Hot Wheels" have a much better and contemporary graphic design and many more pictures in a smaller book, and also with more description of individual models.



2. Its a big book and plenty of clear colour photos of so many examples throughout.covers every era of Matchbox toys.This type of book is superior over the wide but short books printed by this publisher.There is so much information here no matter whether you are devoted collector or just love looking at the old toys you had.This book will please most people.Its good value and high quality.



3. As the owner of both the 1997 1st edition and this newer 2004 3rd edition, I am disapointed. In order to fit 7 years of new photos into the same size book, the photos were digitally shrunk and subsequently distorted and blurred. But worse, the 1st edition had 198 pages of photos, the 3rd edition has just 159 pages of photos. Bottom line, this makes the photos tiny, blurred and distorted. Also, the paper stock (thickness) was significantly reduced so although the newer edition has just seven more total pages, the first edition is significantly thicker and heavier. So if you do not collect Mattel Matchbox, purchase the 1st edition (also it does not appear the prices between the 1997 and the 2004 price guide have changed). By the way, the 1st edition is a great book!



4. Excellent book. I was looking for this for a long time. Now I can check out my mini cars and find the best cars and prices I can get.



5. Besides the Stannard,this is the book to have on Matchbox.
   Great for starters and long time collecors.

5 comments about Best Guns.

1. The above review is a bunch of baloney by someone who has never read the book. This book has nothing to do with handguns at all. It's about shotguns, and specifically about the two barrel variety. - - This happens to be an excellent book and a great resource for someone contemplating the purchase of a nice double gun. - -



2. I agree with the reviewer from Seattle -- this book is strictly about high-grade shotguns such as Parker, L.C. Smith, Fox, the Winchester 21 and many others, and has nothing to do with handguns. Overall it's a good book for this type of shotgun.



3. More McIntosh. I don't know who has the definitive work on shotguns, but this one must be close. Especially loved the section on spagetti shotguns. I can tell you up front that, for American guns, he prefers Foxes, but if you have read his works, you already know that.

   This is just more McIntosh. And that is good, even though he has ruined my life. For years I've just considered guns to be tools like drills and saws .... tools to be used but not pampered. Then I discovered McIntosh, and Italian shotguns, and life has not been the same since.

   I've been shooting Japanese. Totally reliable. Never had a problem. But it's like driving a Toyota. I want a Ferrari.

   Michael is to blame.




4. The book has a lot of history, and is very informative on the history of double guns, and especially detailed in that of American heritage, I read a substatial amount about auto ejectors which I understand, twisted bore and smooth bore, pretty much self explainable, but exactly what is a sidelock, what is a boxlock? How do they differ? Old or new which way is the way to go? I look forward to buying a few doubles and using them. Obviously I do not need a $10,000, or even a $15,000 plus double, but I would like one I could use in the field and have something of value down the road in the next 20 or 30 plus years. I think a few informative drawings and discriptions a little more of the understanding of the workings and parts in detail would be benefical. I am not new to firearms for I have a found respect of them and their uses in more than a few areas but doubles are fairly new to me, and with that, new terminology and parts are hard to understand without knowing what to look for.



5. A must have for anyone interested in classic shotguns. Interesting reading with adequate technical information, but not overbearing.

3 comments about Authentic Art Deco Jewelry Designs.

1. good for student review but not for the designer of serious modern jewelery



2. If you want to learn how to draw jewelry in graphite/charcoal/ink, this is an excellent book because the illustrations look like they were done in that medium. The jewelry is in monochrome (black & white). The geometric designs are beautiful and highly imaginative. The illustrations look semi-realistic. The contents include brooches, clasps, pins, studs, rings, bracelets, watches, watchbands, necklaces, pendants, buckles, buttons, clips, belts, mirrors, rings, chains, charms and more.



3. This is a great Art Deco Jewelry reference book, the only "flaw" is that the book is printed only in black and white, otherwise, it would be impeccable!

5 comments about English Women's Clothing in the Nineteenth Century: A Comprehensive Guide with 1,117 Illustrations.

1. I am not a costumer. I am simply a person who is interested in 19th century British history. This book is a fabulous reference and definitely worth the $20 I paid for it.

   I was disappointed at the lack of color. The photographs (recent ones only, of course) and fashion plates were in black and white.

   I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in women's 19th century British fashion.




2. This is an excellent book to give an accurate picture of clothing worn in the 19th century for a variety of occasions. Also very useful is the information on fabrics used, hat styles, hairstyles, etc. Easy to find the information for different decades. This is an excellent book for individuals trying to create authentic reproduction Victorian fashions.



3. I bought this book a few years ago and I found it very helpful. The information is presented in an interesting way.
   
   The photographs are period black and white photographs. Color photography did not exist at the time the photos were taken.
   
   The black and white drawings are detailed and beautiful.



4. While this book was originally published in the 1930's, it has stood the test of time to become a definitive reference on the subject of 19th-century women's fashion, from the beginning of the Napoleonic/Regency era right into the early years of the Edwardian period. The text is exhaustive, delving into the smallest details (which can sometimes be the most important) of every feature of feminine costume from year to year, and features extensive sidebars on such things as underclothes and headgear. Since I run a website devoted to glove fashion and history, I particularly appreciated the attention given to gloves (which were so much a key - indeed, mandatory - accessory of women's clothing throughout the century that women would often even go to bed wearing gloves!). The hundreds of illustrations are a mix of first-class original work and authentic period illustrations. Since this is a reprint, there are no color illustrations (which are mentioned in the text), but this is a minor flaw. Anyone who has any interest at all in 19th-century women's clothing needs to make this book a basic part of their reference library.



5. This book covers costume by detailing each decade of the nineteenth century. You'll see examples of dresses, hats, fichus, mantles (jackets), trimmings, and undergarments. If you need very specific detailing of undergarments or sewing techniques, this book is general in nature and doesn't always give examples of every part of a woman's attire for each decade. Some decades emphasize particular parts of a woman's dress. But, in each decade, you'll see examples of the silhouette and popular dress styles. You can also find the contemporary price of yardage or accessories like stockings or gloves.
   
   In short, this is a handy reference, particularly when you have a quick question or if you want to see the difference in style from the 1840's versus the 1860's. It's great for me as a historical romance writer because I can quickly get a sense of the costume and layers of the garments. My only issue is that there is not enough detail about the intricacies of women's undergarments in the nineteenth century. There are illustrations of bustles and crinolines and corsets, but during the Victorian period, there were so many layers to women's underclothes that it can be confusing as a writer to remember all of the details.
   
   So, I would say that this book is a terrific place to start historical research because it explains each type of garment rather than just shows pictures or illustrations as some historical costume books do. But, if you need to research a particular undergarment or accessory, you may wish to supplement this book with other resources to get the finer details.