2 comments about Chanel Fashion Review Paper Dolls.

1. This is a beautifully illustrated nostalgic trek back in time to the history of Chanel fashions. It is fascinating.



2. Wonderful, amusing - way loads of fun; why didn't I find this 40 years ago!

5 comments about Jan Foulke's Guide to Dolls: A Definitive Identification and Price Guide.

1. Each author and each doll book has a personality of its own....... I found this specific book very helpful, very realistic, and prices and values leaning a bit towards the lower range value in many cases, which is a good thing... I recommend this book. My sister is now rapidly becoming a doll collector and has a good eye for quality dolls.. She will find this book very helpful and will be surprised at Christmas when she opens this gift......... I also found new doll makers in this book mentioned.



2. 
   I was very pleased with Jan Foulk's latest book, "A Guide To Dolls", her first identification and price guide since the last Blue Book she and her husband edited. She is so talented, and our Doll Club, locally, always looked forward to the Blue Books. I have them all in my library.
   
   Also, I am so pleased we have Amazon to help in our searches on any subject.



3. Whether you have an antique china head doll or a vintage GI Joe, this Guide to Dolls is an identification and price guide that's worth having. It seems to replace the Blue Book of Doll Values that Jan Foulke has become known for. (Her last Blue Book was the 16th edition.)However, don't let the name of the book fool you, it is just as comprehensive as the Blue Books and is still packed with a lot of photos to help you identify your existing dolls (or those you may be considering purchasing). The first few pages cover doll collecting in general -- what to look for. Ms. Foulke then provides a few brief suggestions for buying and selling dolls at auction before getting into the meat of the book--the price guide.
   
   The book lists dolls by manufacturer and by mold number in case that's all you have to go by. Each doll or type of doll includes a reported price or price range for a doll in good condition.
   
   Whether you are an avid doll collector or someone just trying to clean out the attic, you may want Jan Foulke at your side before buying or selling your dolls.



4. Black book is the lastest publication of doll values. Glad I bought this book - soft cover.



5. As one who sells dolls on eBay, I was eagerly awaiting this latest Jan Foulke guide. Unfortunately, it no longer reflects the current market prices. It's format makes it much more difficult to read than the old blue book format. The doll descriptions are briefer. A disappointment.

5 comments about Anatomy of a Doll: The Fabric Sculptor's Handbook.

1. IF TRYING TO TEACH YOURSELF DOLLMAKING A TOOL WITH MANY TIPS OF
   DIFFERENT METHODS.I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM IT.ALTHOUGH I HAVE HAD FAILURES IT IS MAKING MY SKILLS GROW.ANOTHER MUST HAVE.



2. I liked this book, mainly for the illustrations. I do make my own patterns
   didn't expect to be given how to on everything. Do not get the"satanic symbolism" some people see???? But then I'm not one of the moral majority
   people. Go figure?????



3. Very detailed information on many types of soft doll construction. It is filled with excellent techniques and ideas. If you are interested in making soft sculpture dolls this is a great resource.



4. I do not buy craft books that I can't see whats inside, because its a good way to be bummed when you get the book. When I tried to look at the pictures in this book, and their other book, they were all blocked; what a bummer looked like a good book.



5. This is a book to get you INSPIRED to create your own designs. This is not a book filled with patterns for you to copy. It is about technique with wonderful photos and illustrations.
   This is a great book for a doll-maker whether experienced or novice. But if you feel that you are too new in doll making and you need patterns or step-by-step instruction then this is probably not for you at this time.

5 comments about The Dames, Dolls and Delinquents: A Collector's Guide to Sexy Pulp Fiction Paperbacks.

1. One of my favorite titles in this book.
   "Never Trust a Rich Bitch" is another. And there are so many more classics here to savor. This is not a comprehensive Overstreet style guide. This is more like a gallery of lurid, sexy, socially inappropriate and hilariously over-the-top paperback covers you might have found on the spinner rack at your local drug store or men's smoke shop from the late 40's to the early 60's. And there are selected men's magazine and pulp digest covers thrown in for good measure. As the previous reviewer has noted, Gary Lovisi knows his subject and includes many collector favorites along with some rare obscurities. I don't want to mislead anyone to think that this is just an art book. This generous volume is packed with great information. Under each cover is noted publisher, artist (if known) and rough value scale for anyone who might want to search for these books. In the back of the book is a terrific list of resources, dealers and websites dealing with vintage paperbacks. I was glad to add "Dames, Dolls and Delinquents" to my library. I recommend it.



2. One could easily forget that this is a guide to collectible paperbacks in looking through page after page of colorful cover art. Lovisi has divided the roughly 700 covers mostly four per page with a few full-page into certain subjects and types of images. These include the basic Sexy Pin-up Dolls and Sultry Sweethearts to the troubling and somewhat more complex Bad Girl Delinquents and Deadly Femme Fetales to the provocative and exotic Luscious Lesbians and Fetish Covers. Other categories are eroticized women in certain activities--Women in Peril, Women and Violence, and Heated Embraces. Inevitably there is overlap since the aim of any of the covers of such pulp fiction is to strongly suggest or depict outright sex--better yet, forbidden sex--danger, and uncontrolled and often perverse emotions.
   
   Underneath these striking, evocative cover illustrations are the book's author, cover illustrator, publisher, and prices according to grades. Though many of the illustrators are unknown. In an introductory section, Lovisi discusses the art of a few of the most notable artists who are known. In many cases, however, the publishers would block out the artist's name. The selling point of such pulp fiction was not who was the cover artist. In most cases, publishers would alter the cover art anyway in the printing by making reds and other bright colors more vivid and glaring and would freely intrude on the art with titles, subtitles, and story blurbs.
   
   Such fiction of interest mainly for the covers doesn't get high prices as far as collectibles and auction prices go. Between $40 and $125 is the range for most in better condition. There is one though titled Junkie (1953) by the author named William Lee which can go for over $1,000 in near perfect condition. William Lee is the pseudonym of William Burroughs, author of the Tarzan series whose first editions written in the early 1900s bring thousands of dollars.
   
   So many pulp fiction titles were published when they were at the height of their popularity during the 1950s and into the 1960s that no guide can include them all. Along with being of interest as a gallery of book cover art in the vein of mass-market publishing and popular culture, this guide presents covers which have been proven to have value to collectors.



3. Excellant review of lurid covers and tawdry times of 50's and 60's. Lavishly illustrated.
   
   Must have for any fan of the fun hey day of provacative publishing.



4. These book covers suggest a lot of crimes, not all of which are on the books! Inspired by pulps these cheap paperbacks had glamorous dames to draw the reader to pick them up. Definitely an excellet collection of the genre! The artwork is reproduced in good color and in come cases, where the same artwork was used on more than one book the different samples are exhibited.



5. I was pleasantly surprised at how good this book looked. Usually titles for collectors, from my experience, tend to look very dull and unimaginative (Schiffer books in particular) probably on the basis that they are only a visual checklist of what is available and presentation doesn't matter. Fortunately Krause think book buyers deserve something better and it showed when I looked through these interesting pages.
   
   The seven hundred covers get a good showing with none of them angled or arranged in contrived graphic presentations. They all have nice drop shadows which lifts them off the page and the nine chapter opening spreads get a pleasant graphic treatment, too. This all looks a lot better than the comparable Sin-A-Rama: Sleaze Sex Paperbacks of the Sixties, which features many of the same covers.
   
   As with any down-market product individually they tend to look like trash but collect lots of them together and visually they come alive. Virtually none of these covers have any design potential and why should they. The publishers clearly knew their market and pitched to it with gusto. Artists like Bilbrew, Avati, Edwards, Maguire, Popp or Bill Ward made a living (sometimes rather precariously) churning out the same female form but concentrating on the bits that caught the male imagination. The first sixteen pages have an interesting essay about the artists and how the paintings were used on covers.
   
   My only real criticism of the contents is that there are far too many British covers. Their extremely tacky art and crude title lettering make them stand out even from the few dull American titles. Perhaps it was an editorial mistake to have so many covers (the highest number of any artist) by British illustrator Reginald Heade. I thought his work was really second-rate when compared to many of the American illustrators in the book.
   
   Though the book's title relates to paperbacks I was surprised to see a few pulp men's magazine covers included. If these interest you check out the stunning Men's Adventure Magazines, with over a thousand covers in color.
   
   'Dames, Dolls & Delinquents' is an affectionate look back at a slice of mass-market pop culture that sold in the millions.
   
   ***SEE SOME INSIDE PAGES by clicking 'customer images' under the cover.
   
   

No comments about Ultimate Handbook: Volume 4 (Littlest Pet Shop).

5 comments about Brides from Around the World Paper Dolls.

1. I bought these for my daughter aged 5, but I have found that both my 5 and 7 year are obsessed with these dolls. Its 5 months now since I gave them to her, and still (beyond one very beneficial Christmas!) they return time and time again to hours of play with the paper dolls. Needless to say, playing with the paper dolls then leads to hours of dressing up themselves like the brides...



2. This is an absolutely divine collection of wedding costumes from around the world that will delight young and old.
   
   The colors are vibrant, the detail is exquisite -- a beautiful collector's item or hours and hours of paper doll fun!



3. This book is filled with lovely costumes from different nations, and they serve as a great template for making your own designs. While none of the models look very ethnic, which is a shame, the costumes are beautifully rendered.



4. 4 different dolls of different ethnicities. Depictions include: Celtic, South Africa, India, China, Poland, Ghana, The Philippines, Bali, Netherlands, African-American, Mexico, Korea, Denmark, Ethiopia, Yemen, Japan, Norway, Zimbabwe, Palestine, Malaysia, Hungary, Kenya, Sweden, Fiji Islands, Hawaii, Sumatra, Greece, Russia.



5. This is a beautiful book. I bought it for a niece who was adopted from Korea. When I came across this book it sounded like something she might like. I think any little girl would. Grace is near 10 years old and can not wait until she opens her gift.

5 comments about Crobots: 20 Amigurumi Robots to Make.

1. Although Nelly's designs are inventive and original, shodding editing results in patterns with errors such as the Zombiebot that requires instructs you to make two heads, two bodies and four arms and legs. This book seems as if it was rushed passed the editor to be sold.
   
   In addition, please disregard the first 9 "customer photos" as those are in fact, characters exactly out of the book used for photography. I don't believe they adequately show customer results; rather author results with the book.
   
   Please note, as the author states - these robots are not child friendly and all safety caution should be taken before giving them to small children as they contain loose screws, nails and pins.



2. This book has the most darling patterns! They are all very cute with very easy directions. There are very detailed directions on the construction of these toys. This book is will worth the cost!



3. For those who like to crochet and are interested in cute little crazy toys - this book is a must! Fun projects, good explanation - one remark : som e of the the little toys are decorated with iron screws - so not suitabe for little kids!!!
   
   havCrobots: 20 Amigurumi Robots to Makee fun, enjoy this book!



4. I have to say, this is the best Amigurumi book that I've come across as of yet! The book is VERY well laid-out. From beginner to veteran crocheter, this book makes it easy. All of the information that you need is laid out clearly, from what materials to buy to the stitches that you'll need to know, including great, clear illustrations on how to do those stitches. I love Creepy Cute Crochet: Zombies, Ninjas, Robots, and More! and its clever, off-the-beaten-path patterns, but that book is lacking the initial basic information that this book lays out clearly and simply for the reader. With "Crobots", you CAN just pick this book up, head to the craft section of your local department or art supply store, stock your basket with yarn and needles, and go get started! "Creepy Cute Crochet" didn't make it quite that easy.
   
   "Crobots" has absolutely adorable patterns, but they're not child-friendly. I love the way that screws, grommets, pin backs, snaps, and other notions are utilized to add a more authentic feel to the crocheted robots that you're taught to make here, but their presence makes them child-unfriendly. As long as you keep that in mind, or opt for other, safer substitutions, I can't see anyone not deeply enjoying the patterns and designs in this book.
   
   I can't WAIT to complete my first Crobot!



5. I got my book yesterday and already started my first lil bopbot! It is so simple so far and I have never made an Amigurumi before! I will admit the patterns are mainly for adults, but I am sure you can replace the beads and stuff with something else so you can give to children. I plan on making certain ones for my son that way. Can't wait to work on the more advanced ones!

5 comments about Collector's Ency of Barbie Doll Collector's Editions (Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Collector's Editions).

1. This was shipped and packaged very well and also it's helping me with my collection. Item was as described and I would highly recommend this seller and will do business with again!!!!!!!!!!++++++++AAAAAAAA



2. I was actually looking for a book that showed all the Barbie's ever made. This book doesn't cover that.



3. I needed a book that would give me the values of my Barbie collection - this book was the most complete of all that I looked at.



4. My daughter saw this book at Pottery Barn Kids and asked Santa for it. I found it for a better price on Amazon. Book arrived in perfect condition and she loves it.



5. I had misgivings about ordering this book because for me, Barbie dolls should be playable. However, I learned from this book that many of the dolls I consider to be pretty enough to be enjoyable and therefore worth buying are labeled "Collector" by Mattel. Thankfully, these dolls are often available for $20 or less from many vendors. I also learned from this book that many of the dolls that I find unattractive and are often included in playsets are Generation Girl Barbies. This book helped me to understand my choices. I recommend it to anyone who plans to buy Barbies for their children. In contrast to this book, check out the Foreign Barbies book by the same author that describes not only dolls exclusive to overseas markets but many playline dolls sold in the US. The playline dolls just aren't as nice as the "Collector" dolls and it's not about price point. After perusing the Foreign Barbies book, I no longer wished for an Encyclopedia of Playline Barbies.

5 comments about Barbie: All Dolled Up: Celebrating 50 Years of Barbie.

1. I bought this book for my 9 year old Barbie fan. It is done in the style of a scrapbook and some pages have mini books and other extras to pull out. There's even an "official" Original Barbie Fan Club welcome letter. The colors and quality of the paper (the pages are very thick and kind of glossy)are phenomenal. This will be a book my daughter will pour over time and time again. I especially love seeing all the old barbies I had as a girl - and it's up to date with many of the barbies my girls have now. You won't be disappointed!



2. The jacket cover was bent down ont the top, either before packaging or because of tight packaging. The page corners in over 50% of the book were stuck together.
   Wish I had bought the book at the Barbie Store at Mall of America when I was there in Nov., instead.



3. My 10 year old loves the guide books for Barbie and this book is something a little different to add to her collection. It has great pictures and fun history on Barbie. It is easy to read and refer back to. She has gotten lots of reading time out of it since Christmas and it will be fun to hold on to for future generations.



4. It was my entire childhood in one book. I blissfully recalled the Barbies I had, and dreamed about the Barbies I wish I had. I can't imagine a more complete book than this!



5. This book is fantastic! Not only is it a great coffee table book , it is also wonderful for the Barbie Collector with reproductions of the fan club letter from long ago and lots of other memorabilia .

2 comments about Barbie Doll Photo Album 1959 to 2009.

1. Book has alot of pink/grocery store versions, very little collectible dolls, Missing alot of dolls, from 2006 - 2009. VERY LITTLE details. Convention dolls are in this book for the 50th anniversary but prior convention dolls are missing???? Vintage doll collectors will be thrilled with book. Alot of vintage pictures never seen in prior books. Photos are much bigger than prior book versions which is nicer! There is a little bit of everything from 1959-2009.



2. This book has the best Barbie doll photos! I love the large photos and the close-ups. The dolls are orangized by year, which is great. Barbie is together with her friends. It is my new favorite Barbie doll book.