1 comments about Dolls' Clothes.

1. I was loving this book for its designs until I came to the pattern section. Normally this type of book, for people who sew doll clothes, has a pattern piece with 3 sizes outlined on the page. Once you understand the format, you can either trace the size you need or copy the page and cut out the size you need. In this book, they have superimposed a pattern piece over another piece, so there can be 2 or 3 or 4 pieces on one page! What results is a mass jumble of lines. It takes forever to make sure you have the pattern piece you are looking for, because there are lines everywhere. In addition, they run pieces across the middle binding, which adds to the confusion and creates a problem reproducing it. Other books print the extended piece of say, a pair of pants, as a separate piece on the next page and you have to cut the piece and combine it on your fabric...much easier for the sewer. I think they were trying to cut down on the number of pages, but all they got was a confusing, time-consuming mess. The designs are great; the pattern format makes it not worth my time or money.

3 comments about American Tin-Litho Toys.

1. I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I've just gotten into Tin-Litho toys and I wanted my first fairly expensive (for it's size) book to contain at least SOME the information I required. No go.

   There is information on the manufacturers, but it is extremely limited, and not very tight. In some cases, the information is limited to half a page or so. . . And this was on one of the biggies.

   There are tons of pix, but not in color. That's a big part of Tin-Litho! If you don't know what the color was to begin with, how do you know what condition it's in now?

   Another problem I had with the book is the valuation scale that the author kind of thought up. With as many different (and accepted) scales to determine the value of a collectible today, it seems odd to me that she needed to invent another. It's sort of like re-inventing the wheel; Sure, you COULD. . . But why?

   Again, I'd like to be able to give more credit to this book, but it's just not there. . . Really great cover, but not much behind it. . . Maybe next edition.




2. American Tin-Litho Toys by Lisa Kerr is a lovely initial introduction to collecting tin-litho toys. While it may not be as comprehensive as other resources, for someone gettting started it's very compelling. The illustrations are beautiful and the book is well laid out. I saw many familiar friends that long ago went into the trash or took the trip to Goodwill.



3. THIS BOOK DOES HAVE LOTS OF GOOD INFO, BUT IN MY OPINION, MORE PHOTOS IN COLOR WOULD HAVE IMPROVED IT. I ENJOYED SEEING MANY TOYS FROM MY CHILDHOOD - THAT I STILL HAVE, ESPECIALLY THE TIN LITHO TEA SETS OF THE 30'S AND 40'S BY OHIO ART AND WOLVERINE. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK IN COMBINATION WITH LISA KERR'S LATER EDITION CALLED "OHIO ART THE WORLD OF TOYS", WHICH HAS A COPYRIGHT DATE OF 1998. THAT EDITION IS ALL IN COLOR. I HAVE BOTH AND AM GLAD TO BE ABLE TO SEE MORE OF WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR BY CHECKING EACH OF THEM. ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE "COLLECTOR'S GUIDE TO HOUSEKEEPING TOYS 1870-1970", BY MARGARET WRIGHT, COPYRIGHT 2007. IT'S ANOTHER GOOD COMPANION TO THE TWO MENTIONED ABOVE AND ALL PHOTOS ARE IN COLOR, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SAMPLE PAGES OF EARLY CATALOGUES. I HIGHLY ADVISE GETTING ALL THREE.

No comments about Baby Boomer Games: Identification and Value Guide.

No comments about Dolls (The Knopf Collectors' Guides to American Antiques).

1 comments about Madame Alexander Collector's Dolls Price Guide, No 23 (23rd ed).

1. I have just started collecting Madame Alexander dolls and I found this book very informative and well done.

2 comments about The Magic and Romance of Art Dolls.

1. The artistry of these adult dolls of the 1920's and 1930'sreflect this period and its cultural trends in the many superbpictures shown on these pages. The current generation of doll collectors and art lovers will delight in the nostalgia aroused by these fabulous pictures in this visually exquisite book.

   Hopefully, collectors will treasure this book for both its dolls and its contribution to art.




2. If you are a collector, a dollmaker, or simply a fan of 1920s and 30s boudoir dolls, this is the book for you. Farago, an avid collector (and also a fine artist) has offered readers an inside look at her own, as well as other marvelous collections of boudoir dolls, other Art Deco-period art dolls, and a number of even earlier historic dolls and automata. She highlights interesting figuratives and a few select contemporary doll artists as well.

   Beautifully illustrated by notable photographer, Bob Dennison, the book brings the dolls to life in imaginative specially-designed settings befitting their characters. The photography is truly out of this world. Farago has a fine writing style and uses historical research, photographs and period illustrations to tell the story of the relationships between art, dolls and the adults who collect them.

   Highly recommended as a one-of-a-kind-kind-of-doll-book ... really a collector's item in itself.

No comments about Personal Doll Inventory.

No comments about The doll registry : a guide to the description and value of antique and Collectible Dolls Vol 1.

2 comments about The Barbie Doll Years 1959-1996: A Comprehensive Listing & Value Guide of Dolls & Accessories (Barbie Doll Years).

1. This is THE one book you MUST have if you collect in the broad Barbie doll family. They are few photos, but there is the most comprehensive listing of every Barbie & Friends you could ever find. When I'm bidding in auctions, this is the book I look to for the REAL value of the item. Get it...or you could overpay on your Barbie items. Highly recommended!!



2. This book lists nearly EVERYTHING! And I'm assuming when the third edition comes out, it'll cover the few things missed here. The values are as accurate as any other price guide (i.e. to be taken with a grain of salt), but the best part is having such a completely comprehensive list of not only dolls, but also fashions, accessories, licensed items, even pogs and postcards!

No comments about The Mini Rubber Penguin Kit (Running Press Miniatures).