2 comments about Print Collecting.

1. Although the artwork examples are dated, this book is a terrific resource for print collectors and those interested in preserving paper in general. Written in a very clear and logical approach, the chapters detail the history, lore, collecting, and conservation of prints in an easy to read fashion. What I enjoyed most is the "examples" section, made up of moderately priced (no Picasso lithos or Rembrandt etchings) contemporary prints, mostly from UK artists. This book is serious about printmaking and conservation.
   
   There should really be a second edition of this book for the new millennium since there are new conservation methods and techniques for printmaking.



2. This small book contains a great deal of data for the print collector. Very informative comprehensive view of print-making, from identification to cleaning and repair. Includes easy-to-understand printmaking terms and definations throughout the book. Excellent organization, with complete table of contents and index. Obviously written by a passionate collector and instructor.

5 comments about Encyclopedia of Cabbage Patch Kids: The 1980s (Schiffer Design Book).

1. This was an awesome book! As an avid collector of Cabbage Patch Kids, it is nice to know that there is some value to my collection. Further, this provided many of my friends and acquaintances with eager cries of "Mine looked like this one!" The research that when into this book is obvious. As one skims over the glossy pages of pictures, they find themselves stopping to read the stories behind the value of "kids." I enjoyed this book thoroughly and often stay up late rereading it.



2. The cabage patch kids are one of the best books i have read!!. It is easy to read and is full of drame and really keeps you on the endge of your seat the whole time while you are reading it. I cant wait to read it again!!



3. This book gives the complete picture of cabbage patch kid collecting. I haven't seen a more overall picture of the dolls anywhere. It is a fantastic guide not only for the new collector, but also for the expert. Thank you.



4. My second wife (a shrew of a woman if ever there were one) blessed me with three little kippers--and each bore a strong resemblence to a cabbage patch kid (Note: the woman had the largest cranium I've seen prior to Shreck). This encyclopedia was invaluable during the difficult child-naming process and has been a nostalgic reference these passing years since the harlot took the kids (and the pudgy judge-awarded palimony) to Kansas in order to follow some religious kook and raise the bigheads in an "upright" environment. I miss them occasionally, and when I do, I shed my tears with this fine book by my side. Thank you Schiffer Design Books.



5. Although I did enjoy reading the facts about the kids, their orgin, rarities, head mold facts.....and so on.....This book ONLY focused on MIB kids. Even though there are great photos (hundreds of them), several are duplicates and the author consentrated mostly on the beloved #4 head mold. ALOT of the kids talked about were mentioned as *hard to find* and *extreamly hard to find* MIB. I do not believe all head molds and eye/hair color combonations were pictured. I also believe that what one collector views as mint another may not agree upon. For instance, some kids are redressed and out of the box...is that still considered mint in the box?
   
   The first 14 pages are very brief paragraphs of the different headmolds, clothing, eyes and hair colors, boxes and so on. No price guide on any clothing with the exception of animal sleepers, terry sleepers and rompers.
   
   I feel as though in my opinion only, that a Collectors guide for Cabbage Patch kids has alot of potential if more information was given and less of identical photos. This book just didn't give ME the info. that I was so hoping it had.
   
   With that said, this book is a definate read for any collector, but quite pricey.

3 comments about A World of Earrings: Africa, Asia, America (Ghysels Collection).

1. ...as with the other volumes published thus far about the Ghysels collection (World of Rings, Splendor of Ethnic Jewelry), one is left thirsting for an accompanying volume of scholarship. Broad introductions to the regions represented and short captions relegated to the end of the book are what we're given instead, often without dates for the pieces shown. A gorgeous and inspiring visual resource- still one of my favorites on ethnic jewelry, for the sheer beauty of the pieces included- but a bit frustrating to the jewelry historian.



2. The book is beautifully illustrated with full color photos that are exceptional in quality. I think it would have been helpful to show how some of the earrings are actually worn, either on a mannequin head or a real person. One other feature I found inconvenient was the location of the descriptive text , which is clear at the back of the book, instead of under or in back of each illustration. The reader has to keep flipping back and forth between the full-sized photo in front and the text at the end. However, it still provides a good general survey of ethnic earrings from Africa, Asia and the Americas.



3. I approach this book purely as an artist seeking inspiration for my own jewelry designs, and for this I give A World of Earrings five stars. The photography is beautifully clear and sharp, offering precise detail under excellent lighting. The jewelry pieces are shown quite large, allowing you to see all the details. It is true that the descriptions are placed in the back of the book, and it might be a little inconvenient for some to flip back and forth between photos and descriptions, but I actually applaud this design decision because I prefer to see the jewelry itself without distracting blocks of text. As an artist, not a jewelry historian, I have to say this book fulfills all of my expectations and is well worth the price.

1 comments about Collecting Royal Copley Plus Royal Windsor & Spaulding: Indentification and Value Guide.

1. Joe Devine's Collecting Royal Copley Plus Royal Windsor & Spaulding Identification And Value Guide packs in a lovely photo gallery of pieces with history and values. Royal Copley is the main focus of the presentation, though some Windsor and Spaulding pieces are presented, and about 85% of everything made at Spaulding was Royal Copley. Collectors will find this a 'must have' reference.

2 comments about Our Chicago (Our States Series).

1. Our Chicago is a visual smorgasbord of the great sights and highlights of this grand city. Full-color photographs by Ron Schramm, enhanced with an engaging text and informative captions by Marilyn D. Clancy vividly illustrate this visual tour of this American Midwestern city, from its homey neighborhoods to its fast-paced commerce and high culture. An excellent and memorable souvenir of vacationing or living in the Windy City, Our Chicago is a welcome and highly recommended work, which could well serve as a template or example for similar visual showcase tributes for other major American cities.



2. Although it has been 20 years since I left Chicago, I still miss it with a passion. It was good to me. I was young and found plenty of opportunity in that great city. I meet some wonderful people as well. I just got this book today but it is a keeper, I can tell. The photos are great and the facts in it are educational, I learned something already; I never saw a picture of the oldest remaining house in Chicago until now.
   So, if you are a Chicagoan, former Chicagoan, or just someone that would like to learn about a great city, buy this book.

1 comments about Finger Rings: Ancient to Modern (Ashmolean Handbooks).

1. Diana Scarisbrick & Martin Henig's book turned out to be a complete disappointment to me. I do not own any other books of either author but if this is any indication of what to expect from them on the subject of finger rings then I won't be buying any more of their books. I am a novice collector of ancient rings (mostly roman) and was hoping to find a brief history of roman rings and their symbolism. Given the wide variety of types to be collected (bronze votive types with their various numbers of dots that are supposed to invoke the help or guidance of either male or female dieties as an example) are not mentioned. A background of the various styles of rings and their symbolism would have been useful but all that appeared for the romans in their book was 1/2 page explaining 3 rings whose photos appeared on the facing page. I understand that the book was just supposed to cover a smattering of finger rings throughout human history but what you get in this book is brevity right down to the skull and bones of the subject. Any elaboration on ring styles and a background of their symbolism of the various eras would have made the book interesting. Having said this however, if pretty color photographs (there are very few per historical era that is covered) that are supported with very little historical information is your cup of tea then this may be the book for you. If the authors have some expertise in this field of finger rings and their history it would be nice if they would share it with their readers next time in some future book by elaborating in more detail. Attempts by other authors to cover this subject seem to deal mostly with the gemstones found on the rings and cover the gold and silver types. Bronze rings of the common man do not seem to be covered much in any book. In many ways the bronze rings would be of more interest in shedding light on the beliefs and aspirations of the common man on whose backs those empires were made. I predict that if there is a knowledgeable author out there who puts out a book on the subject of ancient finger rings and includes numerous photographs of the various styles that exist for each culture along with detailed explanations for them (so far as is known) the book will sell and will make alot of money. To date, there is no such book as far as I know.

3 comments about Fashionable Mourning Jewelry, Clothing, & Customs.

1. A fascinating review of the customs of days gone by. In depth research by the author makes it easy to jump the 100 year gap between the Victorian period and present day time.



2. Explore 19th century traditions, history, and objects in a blend of historical overview and collector's price guide in Fashionable Mourning Jewelry, Clothing & Customs, featuring jewelry, photos, clothing, writings, and more. This fascinating survey does include the good-sized color photos and price guide collectors will want - but also a large dose of 'mourning history' makes the book a top pick both for collector's libraries and for college-level collections strong in American social history and culture.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



3. This was a very informative book. Information about this era is hard to find, either about the clothing or the jewelry. This book has it all!
   Good photo's as well.

5 comments about Modern Antiques for the Table: A Guide to Tabletop Accessories of 1890-1940.

1. I thought that this book was beautifully written by Risa Palazzo. While giving much valuable historical perspective, the spirit of the periods covered was wonderfully captured with great feeling.



2. I thought Risa Palazzo's writing was beautiful in this book. I gained a real understanding of the eras covered, especially for the way that women lived and entertained during the 1920s and 1930s. A very worthwhile book for anyone interested in table accessories.



3. Risa Palazzo has truly captured the feel of the periods covered and made me feel as if I was there! A very good book.



4. A very beautifully written book, with fine photography. A great resource



5. A terrific book on antique china, silver and glass that was well-written and beautifully photographed. I felt like I was part of the periods discussed.

1 comments about Jim Beam Figural Bottles: An Unauthorized Collector's Guide.

1. We have purchased previous editions of this book , and Molly Higgins is the best when it comes to the most complete Jim Beam Library. This book has really helped my husband and I to enjoy our favorite hobby of beam bottle collecting. Thanks to Molly Higgins we know exactly what we should be paying for a bottle. We also know when someone is trying to pull a fast one. Thanks again for a great book!

5 comments about Sand Pail Encyclopedia: A Complete Value Guide for Tin-Litho Sand Toys.

1. Great book with so many wonderful photos and great information!
   Nice presentation and great use of color. Truly enjoyable!



2. Great pictures are the first thing you notice about this book. Terrific graphics and a sense of style. There are some wonderful examples of pails that I have seen and some that I never seen before. A neat gift for any collector.



3. This book is a feast to the eyes of those of us who love and collect these colorful pails and sand toys from by-gone days. As a collector myself, I found the history to be comprehensive and informative, learning things about the very pails I had in my collection I had not known before. The photography is outstanding and the pails displayed represent the best of many wonderful collections. It is a must-have reference book for anyone collecting or interested in old tin beach toys, and a much needed price guide with regard to their value.



4. EXCELLENT help to me since I knew nothing about Sand Pails and I have been able to identify some at shows and buy a few at great prices. All this from reading this fabulous book. I hope there will be more by these authors.



5. What a wonderful book. It tells all about the history of sand pails and who manufactured them. BUT the very best part is the pictures. There are over 300 wonderful colored pictures of sand pails organized by themes and years manufactured. Each picture has a wonderful description of the pail....it's size, year made and value. There are also pictures and information on watering cans, sand sifters and various other sand toys we have all seen or played with at one time.

   This is one of those books that brings back wonderful memories of ones childhood. You can just picture the sand castles, shells and water lapping at your feet. Who would have ever thought those inexpensive little beach toys would end up being such pricey collectibles?! A book full of information and pictures that can make you feel like a kid again.