3 comments about Ceramics.

1. Every potter and vessel maker, every student and teacher of ceramics, every person interested in ceramics should read CERAMICS by Philip Rawson. In fact, you will want to own a copy of this book so you can re-read it and loan it to other people. (I received no compensation for that statement.) CERAMICS is an exceptional source for expanding your knowledge of and vocabulary for critically viewing, appreciating, discussing, and writing about ceramics.

   In CERAMICS, Philip Rawson, a prolific writer and art critic, gives a fascinating and lucid examination of the evolution and aesthetics of ceramic form. He states, "One of the prime reasons why ceramics is such an interesting art is that it fills the gap which now yawns between art and life as most people understand their relationship."(6) Rawson then introduces ideas critical to looking at and fully understanding ceramics such as the relationship of function to the origins of most ceramic forms and how that relationship affects our experience of ceramic objects. He also addresses the inherent attraction of a recognizable material transformed by the human hand into a new object with symbolic or metaphorical value.

   Following a comprehensive but concise overview of the techniques and processes involved in making ceramics, Rawson gives an in-depth discussion of how form, surface and design, combined with the ideas of transformation and forms' residual relationships to function, create meaning in pottery. Well-chosen photographs, illustrations, and vessel profiles accompany the text.




2. This book is not a glossy full-color presentation of the world's spectacular ceramic pieces. It does contain a hundred or so black and white illustrations of ceramics from almost all cultures; ancient and modern. Philip Rawson writes about the general concept of ceramics, the techniques, and the philosophy and symbolism. I found this book to be very helpful in that it gives an overview of all types of ceramics and allows the interested potter or sculptor to survey Rawson's intriguing perceptions. This book promotes ideas and facilitates their coming to the reader through discussions of his seemingly infinite observations. Rawson was a brilliant art professor and brings amazing viewpoints to his readers. Ideas, after all, are the most important factor in creating works of art.



3. The book itself is informative but not all that captivating. Other than that the item was brand new and arrived in fabulous condition in a short amount of time. I was very happy with the sender.

2 comments about The Hove International Blue Book (14th Edition).

1. Use in conjuction with McKoewn's, most things can be identified.
   Somewhat disapointed with the number of incomplete descriptions.



2. The Millenium Edition of the famous Hove International Blue Book is an excellent source of information for collectors and users of old photographic equipment, no doubt about that.
   My critique of it concerns the abundance of typographical errors, factual mistakes and, seen in the light of this era of global interest, the difference in valuations for Europe, the UK and the USA.
   The only justification for the latter seems to be found in the caption "How and where to collect", as prices differ up to 50% between the areas!
   
   Bart Peeren.

1 comments about Elsie (R) the Cow & Borden's (R) Collectibles: An Unauthorized Handbook and Price Guide.

1. My parents both worked for Borden's for many years. So Elsie and the rest of her family were a real part of my upbringing. This book brought back a ton of good memories. I bought it as a Christmas gift for my Dad, and he loved it. The photos and paper quality are really top notch, the collection very complete. There were things shown that even my folks didn't know existed. As kids, my brother and I use to play with, and eventually destroy, a lot of the items featured, not knowing at the time what treasures we had in our hands. Oh, to go back and retrieve those items. If you loved Elsie you'll love this book.

3 comments about Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald Buying Guide: How to Evaluate, Identify, Select & Care for These Gemstones (Newman Gem & Jewelry Series).

1. I was hoping for a more serious book with new facts and price evaluations. At least show examples and more pictures.
   The author did a very bad job with this book its childish and not informing anything special even the internet can give you better stuff to read .
   
   DONT BUY THIS BOOK
   
   regards
   Maxamed Aden



2. An good insight into the trade for the consumer. It is easy-to-read, filled with great colour pictures, and with descriptions in everyday language that even the non-professional can easily understand. I recommend it to everyone.
   
   For further important reading i suggest You coplete Your collection with the Enhancement-books by the author Ted Themelis (please search with the name of the Author to find the books in question).



3. I first came across this book in the library years ago, and was hooked solely on the pictures. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and I bought it, remembering the pictures. This time, I actually read it through, having a better idea about jewelry. This book is good for a beginner, because it talks about how rubies and sapphires are chemically the same but the color gives them different names, and the special qualities of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. I own many Colombian emeralds that belonged to my Colombian grandmother, so I was able to turn around and look at pieces I own, and understand the context of the book. I also learned the wonderful qualities of these popular colored stones, from cuts, to acceptable clarity, and valuble color variations. For someone who wants something easy to read, easy to understand, and has fabulous pictures, I would recommend this book.

5 comments about The Book on the Bookshelf.

1. Although this volume contains much fascinating information about the evolution of the book, Petroski is most interested in how book storage systems have developed. It turns out that books have been stored in more ways--and in more peculiar ways--than an uninitiated reader might imagine. (Would you believe that most books were once shelved "backwards" with their fore-edge out and their title-less spine faced in?) Among Petroski's best chapters are the one that treats problems that arose when books had to be chained to their shelves and the one describing the development of modern library shelving so strong that it could support the library rather than the other way around. Petroski includes many fine illustrations that that well support his theses and educated guesses.

   Committed bibliophiles may easily tolerate the discursive, not to say meandering, course of The Book on the Bookshelf. I reached the limit of my patience a couple of times and put the book back on the bookshelf for a while before finally completing it. That having been said, Petroski's ramble is just too self-indulgent and just plain too long, sort of an Atlantic Monthly essay that got away from the author. I absolve future readers from all guilt if they decide to skip pages and even whole sections of this clever work.




2. I'm as fascinated by history and technology as the next person, but this book seems to be an overstretched monograph, marked by redundancy and needless recitation. Properly edited, the story of the bookshelf would take far fewer pages. There is no reason to cite nine examples to prove that rows of lecterns with books chained to them were common c1600, for example. I'm willing to try other titles by this author--he is curious about interesting things and writes readably--but the subject matter here doesn't fill a book, in my opinion.



3. I enjoyed this meticulously researched history of the physical design of books, bookshelves and libraries. Petroski follows the evolution of book storage from pigeonholes used to store scrolls to modern space-saving "moveable-aisle" stacks. In the process, he also covers the changes in the physical design of books themselves and the ever-present challenges faced by libraries throughout the ages as more and more books appear on their shelves. An appendix covers a host of possible methods of organizing your personal book collection - this section is easily the most amusing part of the book.
   
   Petroski includes interesting anecdotes and helpful illustrations to liven up this sometimes dry subject area. While not a gripping book, it definitely succeeds as a thoughtful study full of interesting nuggets of history. It's obvious that obsessive book lovers throughout the ages have put a lot of thought into storing their collections.
   
   If you're not particularly interested in why books were once shelved spine in, or how library layouts have changed over the years, then this book will probably not hold your interest. Personally, I have fond and vivid memories of libraries, especially the one from my childhood. This book definitely has me looking at libraries in a whole new light - I'll never be able to walk into one again without studying the way it's laid out.



4. ...but it was just so unrelentingly dull. Even the interesting parts (Anatomy books bound in HUMAN FLESH!) were dull, or presented in a fashion that made them dull. The detail was exquisite, but the presentation was...not. And some of the descriptions of avid book collectors and their manners of storing, arranging, and displaying their books made me want to back away, very slowly, towards the nearest exit.
   
   For anyone interested in the history of books and the ways in which they have been stored, I recommend this book for the wealth of information it provides. It's a pity it couldn't be presented in a more interesting manner.



5. Great title, great cover. But not worth a book. The history of the bookshelf is interesting, sort of, but this entire book could have been made more interesting by compressing it into two or three articles, max, in, say, The New Yorker or The Atlantic. That's why those magazines exist. This book is only about 230 pages of text, not including the appendix, etc., but even at that it is too long. The subject just doesn't warrant it.

5 comments about Collectible Aluminum/an Identification and Value Guide Including: Hammered, Wrought, Forged, and Cast.

1. This book has come under much criticism from expert, professional, and seasoned collectors. Much of this criticism is justified from their point of view. However, for the novice or one just getting started collecting hammered aluminum it is a valuable tool. I am novice collector who can't afford to maintain a large research library on hammered aluminum. I find this book a valuable aid when shopping for aluminum. The Introduction and maker's marks are an asset. I only wish that some dates or periods of time could have been listed under the marks. Keep in mind that the values listed in the book are relative. At this point the values are highly understated. If you can find quality pieces at or beldow the values stated in this book, you found a bargain!



2. I have been collecting hammered aluminum for many years and can honestly say that this is the worst book that I have ever seen on the subject. It is riddled with inaccuracies of fact and misrepresentations. I could write a book on the inaccuracies found in this book. If you do anything more than look at the pictures, you will likely not learn much. His research techniques were useless at best. This book is full of fairy tales!



3. With the advantage of hindsight and experience, I have to withdraw my earlier favorable comments. I agree with the negative comments of other reviewers. The one that stated in effect that you are in trouble if you look beyond the pictures is probably right on target. Mr. Grist should significantly upgrade his research, quality of illustrations of marks, provide time frames for marks, get to know "Rodney Kent" better and update his prices. A section on manufacturing methods to distinguish between hand hammered and other would be useful.



4. I received this book as a gift. I have some hammered aluminum and thought this book would be useful to help me learn more. I was wrong, indeed! This book has decent pictures and that is all. There is absolutely no timeline for markings to help someone establish when a piece was made. There is no regard to what is 'rare'. There is also no information given on what the numbering system for certain makers means. How many types of things did Rodney Kent make, for example. I have found this book of little help with my collection.



5. Virtually everything in the book is innacurate. There are literally hundreds of factual errors. A good example would be the 23 line essay on Wendell August Forge that has 14 errors of fact in those 23 lines. Shame on Grist!! Shame on Collector Books for having published it ! ! Anyone who has paid more than $1 for it has been significantly cheated.

   William Freeman

1 comments about A New Light on Tiffany: Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls.

1. Looking into how the highly-valued Tiffany lamps and other fine objects came to be, the three authors disclose the critical, unique part Clara Driscoll had in this. Driscoll served as a major creative force for many Tiffany lamps by her own artistic sense and as director of a staff of other talented women. Recently found correspondence of Driscoll's--an Ohio native who lived from 1861 to 1944--verifies that she was mostly responsible for the classic Tiffany designs of the Wisteria, Dragonfly, and Peony.
   
   The authors do not aim to devalue Louis Comfort Tiffany's (1848-1933) role and reputation in giving Driscoll her due. They seek mainly to lay out a broader, more informed understanding of the creation of the timeless Tiffany works. Parts of the book go beyond Driscoll's place in the company to see her as representative of sprightly, adventuresome, and bright young American woman coming into the American workforce and into large cities in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Besides Driscoll, there were a number of other similarly-talented and -natured women who contributed to the inimitable design and outstanding status of the Tiffany lamps and other objects. Collectively known as the "Tiffany Girls," many are pictured in available period photographs; and all known are given biographical notes.

No comments about Ceramics in America 2006 (Ceramics in America).

No comments about Collector's Guide to Postwar Lionel Trains, 1945-1969 (Collector's Guide).

No comments about Restoring Teddy Bears and Stuffed Animals.