No comments about Identifying German Chinas, 1840s-1930s.

1 comments about Americas, Australia, & Pacific Islands Costumed Dolls: Price Guide.

1. Excellent little book. A must for any doll collector, especially those who collect internatinal dolls. Book is simply done but very informative. Lots of photos. As a maker of Pacific Island Dolls, I found it to be a jewel to add to my doll book collection and I ONLY purchase doll books that stand out to me, as I travel throughout the So. Pacific and cannot keep a large book collection. As a cultural Anthropologist, I find my doll collection and making hobby to be a fun and significalt addition to my work. All cultures of thew world have some form of "dolls" and they play different roles in all of them. I highly recommend this book to any collector of dolls/books. My only complaint is that it is not long enough. A very exciting find to me ! Well written by Mother/Daughter team who also have written other doll books I hope to add to my collection. Buy this book ! Small price for the content of information on a rarely focused on subject.

1 comments about Steam Toys: A Symphony In Motion.

1. Deceptive title. I thought I was buying a book on STEAM TOYS. This book is about toys POWERED BY STEAM. I expected a book showing toy steam engines which it is not.

No comments about Hard Plastic Dolls, II Identification and Price Guide (Hard Plastic Dolls).

4 comments about Barbie Exclusives: Identification & Values Featuring : Department Store Specials Porcelain Treasures & Disney (Barbie Exclusives).

1. This book by Margo Rana is fun and informative. The pictures are very detailed, bright and well done, making the reader feel like they own each doll. I got my book over a year ago for $25. I missed out on this great deal, but I hope that others won't. Margo Rana really explains the dolls in full detail, but they are in her own words. She marks pricing well, so when you go to a doll show or are shopping for dolls, you know what is a good deal and what isn't. When Margo talked about the Pink Splendor doll, the last doll she talked about, she commented to the reader about the $900 listing price on the doll. She said, "Be kind when judging this doll; it's not her fault she is so expensive." This book is extremely fun to look at. I seem to find something new and special about each doll every time I read it. I hope that you will buy this book and enjoy as much as I did. Even as a young collector (I'm 13) I find this book a great blessing.



2. Excellent and informative book. Was able to locate dolls and pricing from book that I could not find in other books! Great pictures, comments and descriptions!



3. If you have any love of the English language, and are able to tell good photographs from bad ones, you will truly dislike all of the books by this woman that I have read, including Barbie Exclusives volumes 1, 2 and 3. The text is virtually unreadable, almost completely devoid of any real information, and is generally a painful experience. The photographs are almost equally bad, ranging from grainy yellowish shots, to lovely ones in which box-front glare almost obliterates any details of the doll inside. Truly, you can do much better than this series! Try the Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Exclusives and More by J. Michael Augustyniak.



4. If you have any love of the English language, and are able to tell good photographs from bad ones, you will truly dislike all of the books by this woman that I have read, including Barbie Exclusives volumes 1, 2 and 3. The text is virtually unreadable, almost completely devoid of any real information, and is generally a painful experience. The photographs are almost equally bad, ranging from grainy yellowish shots, to lovely ones in which box-front glare almost obliterates any details of the doll inside. Truly, you can do much better than this series! Try the Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Exclusives and More by J. Michael Augustyniak.

No comments about Firefighting Toys, 1940s-1990s.

3 comments about Greenberg's Guide to Aurora Slot Cars.

1. The work of Mr. Graham is one of the most complete works that I have read to date.

   Graham begins the work with an excellent review of the beginnings of slot cars. The progression into the history of Aurora Plastics Company is a smooth and flawless transition. Graham holds no punches in this book when reviewing mistakes that Aurora made during its years. There are numerous pictures depicting almost any "Vibrator", "ThunderJet", "AFX", and large scale cars (1/32, 1/24) that Aurora produced while owned and operated primarily in the U.S.

   This book also has a fair price guide in the back of the book. I think some information is outdated as far as value is concerned, but it is still a good baseline.

   Overall, this book is a handy tool to identify your Aurora vehicles and to use as a collectors guide. It is well worth the money to purchase and would even make a good gift for that "slot-head" in your family.

   I also recommend getting John A. Clark's book mentioned in the reference to this book. Together you couldn't ask for better information on Aurora!




2. This book has nice pictures, just not enough of them. It gives no insight into Aurora or the rationalization of the pricing valuation structure. After attending Slot Car Swap Meets for the past several years, the book is not even close to the valuation criteria used by diehard collectors. If you use this book to valuate your cars, you will invariable over value common cars, and under value the true rare ones. By the way unless the car is extremly rare, it must be in new condition (not just mint for the age), to have any true collector value at all. Mint for age cars are worthless.



3. Do not buy this book to "valuate" your cars. This book is all about the history of Aurora. If you are interested in the company, the men, the circumstances, then buy this book. As far as I know it's the only book of its kind and there in lies the value. A great product (T-jets), a unique company (Aurora), an interesting history and well told. I love this book and it's worth every penny.

5 comments about Talking Toys of the 20th Century: Collector's Identification & Value Guide.

1. "Talking Toys of The 20th Century" is the only book of its kind in the world...It is an outstanding, comprehensive photo and value guide, not simply a resource for the "serious" collector, but instead it's an easy to read, fun to look at pictorial of some of the most important and obscure talking toys ever made. Once you see the wonderful photos and read the product descriptions of these magical icons from the past, you'll want to get a second or third job to satisfy your ever growing hunger to collect these treasures. Also check out the Lewis' first book on Chatty Cathy and Family Dolls...A must have for Chatty collectors!



2. I have spent hours reading Talking Toys of the 20th Century. It is an outstanding book and Kathy and Don Lewis did a remarkable job in their research to make this book possible. Thank you Kathy and Don.



3. Another wonderful, informative book from Kathy and Don Lewis, the authors of "Chatty Cathy Dolls." It's wonderful to see a real guide, using photos from collectors which depict items in played with to mint condition, which is realistic for older dolls and toys. How often are we lucky enough to find mint condition collectible playthings? Highly recommend!



4. When one looks for a collectors guide they are looking for an informed source. A truly good "guide" will show an item in it's mint, original state. This way one can tell if the item they own is in Mint, Good, or Poor condition. It is unfortunate that Ms. Eisenstein and others make excuses for the untidy and ragged condition of some of the dolls and toys in this book, and for the sorry state of the photography. It tells me that the authors did not feel that it was their job to find really great examples of things that are not that hard to find... It takes hard work and imagination for this, and I'm afraid these things are lacking.



5. Kathy and Don Lewis' Talking Toys Of The 20th Century provide an outstanding collector's identification and value guide, using small color photos to provide clear pictures of not only the toys, but the boxes which house them. An organization by toy publisher makes them quick to locate.

4 comments about A Connoisseur's Guide to Antique Dolls.

1. This book does not live up to its title. It is a very superficial review of the subject. It contains an extensive amount of typographical errors; so many typos that it distracts you from the text. I would not recommend this book.



2. As an antique doll afficianado & collector, I need accurate information. Seems like this book was just thrown together to tap into the doll collectors' market, without any sense of real knowledge about antique dolls. Some info on the dolls is inaccurate or wrong. Typos. Scant and superfluous text. I do not get the sense that this author has a love for dolls nor a true knowledge to share with doll afficianados.

   I say, save your money.




3. I absolutely agree with the first review. Ihe information in the book was poorly researched and the author was patronizing, at best. What bothered me the most was the lack of care regarding source checking, which could have easily been done considering all the accessible information around these days. My copy of this book is in the garage waiting to be "sold" at the next garage sale. Good riddance!



4. I agree with the other reviewers: if you want accurate information, buy another book. This book was VERY poorly edited. It has some nice photos, but some of the captions are even inaccurate.

No comments about Perambulators (Shire Library).