2 comments about Grandmother's Treasures: Reflections and Remembrances.

1. A nicely illustrated journal to record the heartfelt emotions of a grandmother for a grandchild. It covers a variety of information on the subject's life and feelings. A great keepsake. Note: Some of the content might be more suitable for a "traditional" family. I found that some of the questions might be uncomfortable for some family situations.



2. well-organized with thought-provoking prompts. gave it as a gift to a new grandma & it was very well received.

5 comments about The Official Precious Moments Collector's Guide to Figurines.

1. Just received this book in today's mail, and frankly, other than the pictures of the pieces, it is, in my opinion, not worth the paper it is printed on. There is NO secondary market except internet auctions for Precious Moments any more. This guide lists "Free Puppies," for example, as a value of $2,100 - they sell regularly on auction for $300 - $450, depending on whether or not they have a box. Last week, one with an original brown cardboard box (extremely unusual), went for just under $600 in mint condition - a beautiful piece. The rest of the "Original 21" are priced through the roof - some of them 10 times and higher prices than what reality is. There is a disclaimer in the book claiming that the prices vary from spot to spot, and they got this information from dealers and collectors around the country. I wish they would give credit to these so-called knowledgable people, and it would be nice to know who paid $2100 for "Puppies" and how many years ago that happened.
   
   For the pictures, the guide is fine, but beyond that, DO NOT rely on it for accurate price information - even many of the suggested retail prices in the book are incorrect.
   
   I give this one a thumbs-down. There is no secondary market to amount to anything in collectibles any more, in my opinion, and this book's prices just encourage disillusionment among collectors so they keep buying (or investing?) in pieces, hoping to make good money when they sell. It ain't gonna happen - there is a ton more merchandise out there than anyone ever guessed back 30 years ago at the beginning of this.
   
   Buy what you like, like what you buy, and don't expect to put your kid through college when it's time to sell - you might not get back enough money to even pay the bookstore bill!
   
   For what it's worth - my opinion!



2. This guide is an essential reference for any serious collector or anyone buying or selling Precious Moments figurines. The lack of serious competition will make sure this sells. However, there is little improvement in this 3rd edition over the 2006 second edition. The addition of the newer figurines and an update in pricing, which seems to average about 16% increase, are the main differences. There is also a size difference. The second edition was a handy 8.5" x 5.5" but the third ed is 11' x 8.5", which I believe is too large for a soft cover book. There is no new information about each piece that is not in the earlier version. It would have been nice to include the size of each item. There is an annoying change in the index that consolidates several previous entires into entries by series. For example, instead of separately listing the sugar town skating pond there is one listing for the series 'sugar town' with 18 page numbers.
   
   Overall, I was disappointed in this guide and would recommend that anyone not needing information on the last 2 years figurines stays with the 2nd edition and awaits the 4th.



3. I think this book is a great way to keep track of my Precious Moments and give me a current value of each one. However, because values change from year to year, it could be a lot of work transferring them to a new book each year. I think every couple of years would be fine to keep track of what you have unless you purchase numerous figurines every year.



4. Took a while to receive due to release issues, but once received, Book is great!



5. The 2007 Bomm Precious Moments guide is truly precious since it incorporates retail and secondary values into the same book. The cross-indexing by figurine title and model number is also wonderful. The photos are great quality, too. The guide is a must-have for all collectors!

5 comments about Victorian Fashions and Costumes from Harper's Bazar, 1867-1898 (Dover Pictorial Archives).

1. Victorian Fashions and Costumes is eye candy for anyone interested in fashion history.
   
   The arrangement of the book in chronological order by year makes it very easy to find historically correct garments, accessories, and hair styles. A brief overview of characteristics specific to the era is included in each section. Most pictures have captions that identify the type of garment and often the fabrics and colors used in a garment.
   
   I used information in this book to create a bodice and bustle representative of the period for a skirt Mary Todd Lincoln wore in 1872 in England.
   
   With all the historical patterns available in the major pattern books, the costumer or reenactor can find a basic pattern and add the correct construction details and embellishments. I enjoy browsing the book and wondering what life was like for the women who wore these clothes. If you are looking for information about the clothing worn by the common woman, you won't find it here. After all, this is from Harper's Bazar, the Vogue of the 19th Century.
   
   Becky



2. Dover Publications are the go-to people for books on 19th-century fashion, and Stella Blum's "Victorian Fashions and Costumes from Harper's Bazar, 1867-1898" is at the top of the list. Like the companion volume by Joanne Olian, "Victorian and Edwardian Fashions from 'La Mode Illustree'" (another book on this topic that I've given 5 stars), this book comprehensively shows, in splendid black-and-white illustrations taken directly from the old "Harper's Bazar" (note the spelling!) the changing feminine fashions of the Victorian and Edwardian periods over the 31-year period from 1867 to 1898. Every illustration is at least full-page (there are some breathtaking double-page spreads) and accompanied by brief descriptive text. I would definitely put it on the list of books that every student of 19th-century costume must own.



3. If you're like me and can't afford to purchase thirty one years worth of original Harpers Bazaar publications, this will fill the void. I actually own two, one to cut up and photocopy, so I can play with coloring a dress before I make it. It covers all the minutia of Haute Couture. Gowns for different occasions, times of day, traveling, dressing gowns, nightwear and undergarments. It also has plates for accessories, shoes, jewelry, gloves, stockings, hats. There are hair combs, ornaments, extensions, and a couple styling techniques. Children's clothing is also included. The major fashion plates have fairly detailed descriptions of the garment features.
   
   There is also a good glossary of terms and colors in the back of the book. Which is a great help for some of the more obscure descriptions.
   
   Too bad there's no color plates.....leaves more for the imagination to fill in I suppose. And BOY will this book keep you dreaming!



4. The book was filled with page after page of clothing and accessories, from swim suits to formal wear. The detail of how women adorned themselves and their outfits was very informative. I know that it catered to the upper-class, but it would have been nice to see more for women of a lower class. Also, there was barely anything for men of any class.



5. This is, quite possibly, the most used book for research of Victorian clothes I have in my library. As a member of the Victoriana Society in South Australia, I've turned to it many times to help design and construct clothing of the period for our events. My copy has been falling to pieces for several years now and the one I just purchased is for the woman who works for me as she is into the clothing as much as I am and kept using mine!!! Note to self, buy a new copy for me.

5 comments about Jewelry: From Antiquity to the Present (World of Art).

1. I am a beginning collector, It gave me a big frame and lots of information. I am still looking for a good book that helps me in buying. This is more a history.As a history book it is great.



2. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it has done its job - leaving me wanting to know more. Clare Phillips covers the trends and machinations of each distinct period in jewellery making so I gained a good understanding of the styles of jewellery and their evolution and the historic influences of society and how this manifested in jewellery. It is well written and easy to follow with wonderful colour and black and white plates as the best examples of the period discussed. If you don't know the various styles of jewellery and their production period - this is an ideal book to start learning.



3. Clare Phillips's small volume is the best short history of jewelry I have ever seen. The text, though relatively slender, is packed with information, and the illustrations are lovely and educational. If you can only afford one book on the history of jewelry, this is the book to get.



4. This is the book i've been looking for, a complete review about jewelery history,with good pictures and confiable information.Best for those who want to have an overview since the ancient world up to the modern times.



5. Jewelry: From Antiquity to the Present is a well written book with accompanying pictures to exemplify every style of jewelry popular in the Old World throughout history. Focusing primarily on Europe, this is a great overview of all the techniques and materials used in jewelry creation. The book is enjoyable enough to read page by page, as opposed to using it solely as a reference book. I highly suggest it to anyone interested in gaining an understanding of how jewelry has evolved throughout history.

5 comments about Masters: Gemstones: Major Works by Leading Jewelers (Masters).

1. as a jewelry designer and craftsperson I was very impressed by the variety and quality work of my peers in this publication. Great book to have



2. If you LOVE looking at jewelry, the editors of this book have done a fine job of curating a remarkable collection of work. The pictures are clear and close enough to see the smallest granule, some of the work featured in this book is truly jaw dropping. I love this book.



3. Looking for beautifully made, artfully designed jewelry made with high quality materials? Historically, a few big name retailers have provided leadership, but over the past couple of decades, the 5th Avenue jewelers that used to be the go-to stores have grown tired and complacent, their goods have evolved from innovative and exciting to safe and boring and the low and mid-range jewelers have followed their lead. The giants who built those legendary retail establishments are long gone and most of the famous names have been sold off to conglomerates who grow fat off their fading reputations. In short, they are no longer a solution, they have have become part of the problem.
   
   The good news is that there are a small number of American designer-goldsmiths and jewelers working today that are producing tomorrow's heirlooms. They are the Rene Laliques, the Pierre Cartiers of the late 20th, early 21st Century. Unfortunately few are well enough capitalized to stand against the hot wind of hyper-babble that hammers the consumer with the dubious virtues of such artistic nonentities as Paloma Picasso, JAR and David Yurman.
   
   A new book, published by Lark Books and entitled: Masters-Gemstones, Major Works by leading jewelers curated by Alan Revere will provide you with an acetylene torch to to cut your way through the junkyard.
   
   Unfortunately, the book presents its own design problems. The title is unfortunate and the cover is a mess.--so poorly designed that it becomes impossible to tell what the title is, what the book is about and who wrote it. Well Alan Revere is listed as "curator" which means he wrote it, I guess, Lark prefers publishing books without authors, that way they retain the copyright and most of the profits.
   
   Revere has made an excellent selection. He picked 39 contemporary jewelers and each one is a master. The common denominator, they all work with gemstones---a practice considered very un-chic in university jewelry arts programs where most of our creative artists are trained (another component of the problem, but I digress). What I found most exciting was that after thirty years of looking around there were a good number of artist-jewelers that I had never heard of.
   
   I know and carry the work of several; Bernd and Tom Munsteiner, Michael Zobel, Michael Sugarman, Zoltan David and Stephen Webster but artists like Klaus Spies, Gregore Morin and Bayot Heer were completely new to me. What is really surprising, with perhaps two exceptions I like them all.
   
   Revere's commentary is adequate but oh the pictures! Really its all about the pictures. Masters: Gemstones is a breath of fresh air blowing through the mundane world of American retail jewelry. The book provides a visual stroll through some of the best of the best jewelry being made today. Revere has performed his curator role to perfection. Some of the artists use traditional materials, some add the non-traditional, but all put their pieces together with sensitivity and panache. Secrets of the Gem Trade: The Connoisseur's Guide to Precious Gemstones



4. This is a book which illustrates jewelry with a primary focus on stone settings by noted jewelers. While a nice 'picture book' it doesn't offer much more; moreover many of the examples, or similar examples, have already been seen elsewhere.



5. Interested in beautiful things, or looking for inspiration for your jewelry making? Look no further. This is a glorious book, chock full of the latest designs from master jewelry makers. And are they all different! No matter what your taste you'll find things to like in this book.
   
   There is a fabulous frog, done in emeralds, diamonds and other gems, leaping from the page on 261. Or modern design of a necklace that looks something like a waterfall on page 157. A "candy necklace" series of jewelry on page 190 are lovely, and in sharp contrast to the spare elegant, modern looks of the jewelry by Klaus Spies.
   
   You'll love it.

5 comments about Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children's Hearts, Changed Publishing Forever, and Became An American Icon Along the Way (Deluxe Golden Book).

1. For the last 65 years, children have grown up on The Poky Little Puppy, The Color Kittens, The Saggy Baggy Elephant, Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever, dozens of other Golden Books titles. To celebrate the legacy of this innovative publishing venture, Leonard S. Marcus has released the art book "Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children's Hearts, Changed Publishing Forever, and Became an American Icon Along the Way." The collection is not only an exquisitely beautiful celebration of our collective childhood, but the rich history of the publishing company that changed the face of literacy in America.
   
   The first Golden Books, published in 1942, were distributed through supermarket chains at a retail price of 25 cents. At the time, paper shortages had increased the average cost of children's picture books to $2, putting them financially out of reach for many consumers. Librarians initially resisted the mass-produced books with a place to draw your name inside, but parents could purchase a title a week, children could devour the books on the go like any other toy, and television and cartoon marketers quickly seized cross-promotional opportunities. Golden Books succeeded at their goal of democratizing reading and personal book ownership for families across America.
   
   Given that this title was published by Golden Books, the overall tone is rather celebratory, but author Marcus does not censor all detractors. He covers the controversial flat fee payments to the creative talents behind early titles. Those authors and illustrators have received no residuals from books which are still bestsellers today, 65 years later.
   
   A 2007 copy of The Poky Little Puppy is nearly identical to the original 1942 edition that launched a publishing empire. After reading Golden Legacy, the reader may well be inspired to seek out copies of both for his or her personal library.



2. I ordered this book because I worked for the company for 5 years and so I had a special interest in the subject. Honestly, I can't imagine why anyone else would have a burning interest in the subject. Too bad I wasn't able to read the book before I went to work for the company...I would have known who was most important there and why. In any case, I liked the book but am not sure I would recommend it.



3. If you grew up reading Little Golden Books, you will likely find this book very worthwhile. Along with it being an enjoyable trip down memory lane, it's full of interesting "behind the scenes" information. 2 things prevent me from giving it 5 stars: narrative is not the author's strong suit, so it's often difficult to keep track of the various people and logistics of the company, and the book ends rather abruptly. The other minor aggravation is that the captions for all the pictures on any 2 facing pages all appear under one picture. Nevertheless, I'm glad to have this volume in my library.



4. If the names Poky Little Puppy, Tawny Scrawny Lion and Tootle bring a smile to your face, than this book might just be for you. Golden Legacy is extensively illustrated with a detailed history of the writers, artists and publishers of the Golden Book series. As a Disney fan, I especially appreciated the piece on Mary Blair's Golden Book work. I would have given this book 3-4 stars if I were just interested in the illustrations, but it is definitely a 5 star book because of the extensive history of the books.



5. Do you remember Golden Books as a child. Do you still read them to your children? Then you won't want to miss this fascinating history.

5 comments about Collectible Glassware from the 40s, 50s and 60s (Collectible Glassware from the Forties, Fifties, and Sixties).

1. This guide was great if you don't have any other volumes. The pricing so far seems to be very accurate to the market. If you have another earlier edition of 40's 50's 60's there are not very many new patterns in the book. Great photo reference.



2. I found the book to be very informative about the collectibles I have interest in collecting. It even gave me insight on others that I have seen and may consider collecting. Great, Great book!!!



3. Our copy of this book has lots of paper markers sticking out, because it has helped us identify so many items, found in our travels. Vintage glass is a great favorite at our house, and it can be challenging to ID, so we appreciate Mr. Florence's help! Great color photos, clear information and the authoritative voice of experience.



4. I purchased this book to use at the consignment store that I work. It has really helped me identify antique glass and price it to sell. Reviewiing this book has helped me make some purchases at auctions too!



5. This is a wonderful price guide. It has nice pictures. Very easy to find items and their values.

5 comments about Jeweled Garden: A Colorful History of Gems, Jewelry, and Nature.

1. A "Must-have" for jewelry collectors, designers ..... Excellent pictures!!!! Great details!!! With lots of great masterpieces! 100% +++++ satisfaction in owning it!!!



2. A superb book! A visual ravishment!
   
   The book is well researched and wide ranging in its study of flora based jewellery!
   
   Focusing not only on the great jewellery houses but also on historical pieces, it makes for interesting reading for anyone who appreciate fine workmanship but also the history of jewels!



3. Drool! Drool! Drool! You haven't seen these before. I have a lot of books on jewelry and I haven't seen 99% of the pieces in this book before.
   
   Every page has full color photographs of the most stunning jewelry I've every seen. Many of the photographs are larger than life size, so you can really see the details. The descriptions of the pieces even give you a better feel of what they look like in real life.
   
   I would definitely consider buying other books by these authors, as this book is stunning.



4. From ancient times flowers, leaves, vines and other organic forms have been made into precious jewels by mankind. This is essentially a picture book. It starts with some early examples of jewelled plants from UR (c2500BC) and ancient Greece and Egypt, but the bulk of the images represent jewellery made in the 19th and 20th centuries.
   
   It has to be said that all the jewellery illustrated is very well photographed in colour and the images are of the highest quality. All the big "name" jewellers are illustrated (eg Castellani, Bucheron, Cartier, Tiffany etc) but there are also many examples by unknown artists, whose work is nevertheless still gorgeous.
   
   The book is not restricted any particular type of jewellery. You have earrings, brooches, necklaces, bracelets all unified by a theme of organic design. If you make or simply love or collect jewellery then this book is one you should at least have a look at. It's a feast for the eyes and will give you an appreciated for how widely flowers etc have been used over the centuries for adornment.



5. This is a fabulous book if you are interested in jewelry. The photos are beautiful and the text is well written and fascinating.

5 comments about Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting.

1. Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting is not intended to replace the requisite catalogue, but meant to supplement it. Its sixty-two chapters are divided into three parts. "Stamps of the United States" spans thirty-one chapters and covers definitives, commemoratives, special purpose stamps, and postal stationary. The first two chapters discuss postage before stamps and are well-researched and concise without being simplistic.
   
   "History, Production and Technology" claims twenty-four chapters and covers the history of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, United States Postal Service, and technology of stamp production. The last seven chapters focus on related collectables such as first-day covers, metered mail, seals, and cancellations. Appendix A is a glossary of terms. It is unfortunate that this glossary is not available as a stand-alone publication as it would complement a catalogue well. Appendix B and C are print and web resources. Appendix D is a list of benefactors without an explanation of their generosity.
   
   Each chapter has an almanac, a reference for additional information, and relevant quotes from that period. Some chapters have notes for collectors or examples of postal usage. All of these addendums serve to make philately more interesting for novice and seasoned collectors alike.
   
   Curiously, this publication has no index making it difficult to cross-reference issues that are cited in multiple entries. The term "encyclopedia" would imply that the book contains detailed information on every US stamp issued (until its publication). In this regard it is a disappointment as some issues are not covered at all, and a large number are given perfunctory treatment.
   
   Generally, an interpretative review of the socio-political factors that prompted an issue or public reactions to it is lacking in its depth of coverage. Technological factors essential in the production of stamps are adequately covered and well presented. While the glossy pages enhance the vibrant color reproductions, these pages are not conducive to writing personal notes.
   
   One can debate if the book is truly an encyclopedia. However, it is packed with interesting facts and insights making it a wonderful companion to any philatelist's United States stamp catalogue.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: Great for stamp lovers.



2. This is a well put together book. It's very informative and entertaining. The full color illustrations are a plus. Overall great value for the money for any stamp collector, beginner or expert.



3. As a newcomer to American Philately I found this work to be
   
   erudite,logical in its layout and,most importantly,very easy to
   
   read.



4. This book is a must for US stamp collecting. Use it often to find hidden information.



5. This is a very interesting and helpful book. It has a wealth of information about US stamps and the full color illustrations are just great. After collecting for in excess of 50 years, this is a rare find.
   
   I highly recommend this book for US collectors.

1 comments about Montgomery Ward & Co. Catalogue and Buyers' Guide 1895.

1. The Montgomery Ward catalog is just what I needed. I'm writing a historical romance set in the 1890s and the catalog has been so helpful as a visual aid with the clothing, furniture, and even kitchen utensils available to people at that time.