1 comments about Paris Collection: French Doll Fashions & Accessories.

1. As a novice french fashion doll collector, I found this book to be very helpful. I learned about the different types of fashion dolls and what to look for before I buy one. It also gives great detail on the dolls accessories, especially their dresses. I also like the fact that this book contains patterns of original french fashion gowns so you could make your own reproduction of the real thing.

No comments about Spinning Wheels & Accessories (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

4 comments about Offbeat Museums: The Collections and Curators of America's Most Unusual Museums.

1. ...and I mean that both ways. The book is better than most books I have used to guide my travels, and offbeat museums are better than (on beat?) ones! As a frequent traveller, this book has guided me well to many of the locations. The descriptions are lighthearted but still in-depth. Its just plain fun reading. Everyone who sees it laying around has to pick it up and give it a read. My only complaint is the at least one of these museums is closed down now, and a few of the directions are a bit hazy. (I did however find every place I looked for!) But overall, even if you aren't planning on GOING to all these places, as I do, it's still a great read. (Be warned: Silly Museums are addictive)



2. This book is a very good resource for those of you who are looking to break from the pressures of everyday life. Although it is unlikely that you will have the occasion to visit more than a handful of these museums, I think that it is still a great book for anyone interested in getting away and seeing what America used to be like before the Internet. Its short reviews of each museum (2-3 pages) make for very entertaining reading and give the reader a tour of the museums' highlights. As the previous reviewer mentioned, some of the museums are now defunct, an unfortunate end brought about by our fast-paced society. Still, just reading about these fascinating places should inspire the readers imagination. Try it out and if you don't go seeking odd museums in your town, perhaps you should ask yourself why. Again, as the previous reviewer stated, this can become an addicting hobby!



3. This book is cool, I've been to two of the museums already and I'm adding the others to my TO DO list, but BE WARNED. This book was published in 1997 and a new edition is out. I wish I had noticed that before I put this one on my wishlist and received it. If you're interested in these crazy museums (and you really should be) get the updated version of this book and enjoy!



4. This book is pretty interesting in a wierd trivia, adventure-seeking sort of way. I bought it for my husbands high school academic team. He won't be able to use the entire book for them, as there is a lot of inappropriate material in the book: Picture of dead, naked woman [from Bonnie and Clyde Museum], the Mentruation Museum?, and a stripper museum.

5 comments about American Premium Guide to Knives and Razors: Identification & Price Guide (American Premium Guide to Knives & Razors).

1. No one book can completely cover even one subfield of knife collecting and values anymore, but this is probably one of the five or six essential reference works for knife collectors. I bought it mainly because I've been a case collector in the past, and it's also especially strong on pocket knives, and Case is the most well known and most collectible of the factory production pocket knives. The book covers all the other main names in that field, including Buck, Schrade, Remington, Queen, Camillus, Parker, Kershaw, Schatt and Morgan, Winchester, and many other lesser known names. But it also covers fixed blades, limited editions and semi-custom, and custom knives are covered as well. But this book is considered to have the strongest coverage of any collector's book on Case, and it's probably an essential reference work for any Case and other American pocket knife collector.



2. The book covers mostly Case and four other makers. It is
   advertized as a guide to help you identify and date individual
   knives or whole collections. If your collection is limited to
   these five makers then you could be satisfied,however if you
   collect throughout the industry you will want a refund. It should be described properly.



3. Jim Sargent's book, American Premium Guide to knives and razors is not a let down if you are into Case or Queen knives. If you have bought other guides and been disappointed by how many advertisements were in it you will be very happy with this book because there are none.
   
   Most of the pictures are black and white but they are detailed and easy to see. There are color pics and these are quite good but few. Even still, going through the pictures is akin to walking into a knife museum.
   
   There are sections in the book for Crandall and Remington but not as detailed or lengthy as the Case and Queen sections. Still these smaller sections are very good compared to anything else I've found.
   
   The Case fixed blade section of this book is about as good as any I have ever run across with information I have never found anywhere else for any price. This section even details the differences in sheaths from different eras and how to date the knife by the sheath if necessary.
   
   I would recommend this book to any Case, Queen or Remington collector. It is not going to cover other manufacturers in detail so if you are looking for values on your Spyderco knives this is not the book you want. What it does cover for the Case, Queen, and Remington collector is perhaps some of the most comprehensive and detailed information for these knives as you can find anywhere at this writing. It is a great guide for these brands.
   
   I've said, "WOW, I did not know that" more times since acquiring this book than any other knife guide I've ever purchased.



4. I will be returning this book. I should have read the reviews before buying because one reviewer described what I just discovered with the arrival of "Knives and Razors." It is a huge, detailed encyclopedia of Case (307 pages), with a bone-thrown to Queen/Shatt & Morgan (84 pages), and Remington (86 pages). It is advertised as an all-encompassing guide to American knives. It is not, although Case collectors will love its focus/detail.
   
   I collect vintage knives, mostly the Texas toothpick pattern, but not Case. An incomplete list of manufacturers in my collection includes Parker, Buck, Ka-Bar, Shrade, Robeson, Hammer Brand, Imperial, Camillus, Winchester, Smith & Wesson, Smokey Mountain, A.G. Russell. NONE of these brands are given a word in the "American Premium Guide to Knives and Razors."



5. The first thing to notice is a lack of an index. Why call something a guide if you don't provide a way to find information? The book, called an Identification and Value Guide covers only four brands of knives. It would better be called an extensive look at Case Knives and short look at a few others. If you are looking for a general guide for collecting knives, there must be better books available.

1 comments about Practical Clock Repairing.

1. The book was what I was looking for and more. Answered questions I didn't know I even had.

1 comments about Red Wing Collectibles.

1. This reference book is a must have for any Red Wing collector, novice to advanced. The photography is superb throught the book and the associated pricing has been diligently researched.

   The guide to markings assists in making accurate identifaction of any piece of Red Wing Stoneware.

   A GREAT REFERENCE!

1 comments about Cutting Edge: Japanese Swords in the British Museum.

1. In a very few words, this book is informative to both the newcomer and the more advanced collector. The historical and technical information is authoratative and concise, but the best part of the book are the incredible photos of the blades. These are the best photos I have ever seen, you can actually see the hamons and hadas which are also described in the text. It is extremely difficult to take photos like these, and in many books you can see the blade but not the individual characteristics which actually give the beauty to the blade.

5 comments about Legendary Motorcycles: The Stories and Bikes Made Famous by Elvis, Peter Fonda, Kenny Roberts, and Other Motorcycling Greats.

1. First off, this is just a beautiful book. By mixing surprising archival photography with his own solid portraiture, Basem Wasef takes you on a trip in a time machine, from the Bonneville Salt Flats to the flatlands of Indiana and the hometown of James Dean. They are all here and the rides that are forever etched in the American motoring consciousness: Elvis and his 'Glide, Fonda and his chopper and, of course, Evel. But this is no lightweight populist read. Nor is it a look back done from a desk. Wasef literally crisscrossed the country and reported on each and every one of these machines in person. This is a deep dive onto rare bikes that will glue the most avid motorsickle rider to every rich page.



2. I've never held a special interest in motorcycles, other than acknowledging that they are one of the coolest objects in existence. I bought Legendary Motorcycles because I figured it would serve as a nice conversation piece on my coffee table. I was right - it has been picked up and perused far more often than any other book within reach. The striking cover artwork continues inside, with photos that compel one to flip through the pages. I found myself (and my house guests) wrapped up in many of the stories which accompany the pictures. I expected the writing to be long-winded, boring, and too arcane for anyone other than the 'in' crowd. However, while this book is a must have for motorcycle aficionados, the author also caters to those of us with little or no knowledge of the history and significance of these classic bikes. Very well done, and highly recommended!



3. I am always a little sceptical everytime a new historical motorcycle book comes out. But "Legendary Motorcycles" really manage to capture my interest, as being well written and well balanced between technical details and interesting histories about the famous people who rode them.
   Highly recommendable!



4. I'm not a motorcycle expert, but this book has interesting stories and includes rare photos of important motocycles and their owners. A great gift idea; highly recommended!



5. I thought this would be more like info on the bikes owned by the elite & famous. It is mostly people who raced bikes or owned racing empires. Not popular names like the title implies.

3 comments about Racinet's Historic Ornament in Full Color (Dover Pictorial Archive).

1. Wonderful book! A must have for all artists and craftsmen, this book features colorful ornaments throughout history, covering most major periods and styles. As an artist I found it very inspiring and handy. All the designs are easily copied and can be reused in any project you choose. My own copy, which I own for a few years, still looks new and fresh thanks to the quality of the paper and printing. If you buy this book and find it useful, you can also get 'The grammar of ornament' by Owen Jones, which is very similar in concept, content and quality. However, Racinet's book is higher on my list.



2. Wonderful book! A must have for all artists and craftsmen, this book features colorful ornaments throughout history, covering most major periods and styles. As an artist I found it very inspiring and handy. All the designs are easily copied and can be reused in any project you choose. My own copy, which I own for a few years, still looks new and fresh thanks to the quality of the paper and printing. If you buy this book and find it useful, you can also get 'The grammar of ornament' by Owen Jones, which is very similar in concept, content and quality. However, Racinet's book is higher on my list.



3. This book is inspirational. It has a fantastic array of visually stunning decorative images. I only wish I had bought the book with the CD option.

1 comments about A Complete Guide to Collecting Antique Pipes (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. Ben Rapaport has achieved supplying a valuable book for the average pipe collector which covers a wide spectrum of pipe styles. Personally this book will spend a lot of time travelling the world with me.
   M McKelvie