No comments about Warman's Transformers Field Guide: Identification and Values (Warman's Field Guide).

No comments about AIRFIX PLASTIC TOY SOLDIERS: Scale miniature figures from 1958-2008 (Action Figures & Toys).

3 comments about O'Brien's Collecting Toy Cars & Trucks 4th Edition (Paperback) (Collecting Toy Cars & Trucks).

1. I've found most everything I was looking for all in one source! If you like collecting cars and trucks, you must have this book!



2. Information seems to be well organized and spelled out, but was disappointed that there were so few color pictures.



3. For Matchboxes, very difficult to find and reasearch based on a proprietary numbering system. Numbering system not clearly articulated in overview. I had to purchase a new "Matchbox specific" guide from another publisher.

5 comments about Warman's Matchbox Field Guide: Values and Identification (Warmans Field Guide).

1. This is one fine little book. The pictures are superb and the text is short and concise. This book would work well for the seasoned collector as well as a collector that is new to Matchbox.



2. Upon reading this new book from Tom Larson,it has finally shown that there is room for a pocket guide amongst all the other "big" heavy Matchbox collector books. This book can be carried easily anywhere you want. Study up on your Matchbox hobby as you go about your travelling. Carry it to Toy Shows, diecast conventions, and even to the local antique auctions. It is small,light, full of brightly colored, well shot photos of all your favorite Matchbox cars and trucks. There is even some rare vehicles,sets, and other accessories shown. With accurate Price quotations for "Mint In Box" models,you are surely to enjoy this work for years to come.
   For the price, you can't beat it!
   Definitely worth every penny.
   Finally, a beautifully compiled Matchbox toy car collectors guide.
   It will be a hit, Just watch.
   Thanks Tom :)
   just another fine book in the Warman's series.
   Kudos to Krause Publications for jumping on this one.:)
   
   sincerely
   Burney Reid
   "Diecast Enthusiast"
   Coquitlam, B.C.
   Canada



3. This book is very welcome as it will increase many people's enjoyment of collecting Matchbox models. Due to its easy availability and reasonable price it may even attract some more people to this wonderful hobby.
   
   With its compact size it is ideally suited for carrying around to toy shows and flea markets, where it can be used as an aid in identifying models one might come across.
   
   While experienced collectors may be slightly disappointed at the lack of detail and some embarrassing and sometimes misleading mistakes (which have no doubt been caused by the tight deadline pressure under which the book was written), this book is perfect as an introduction for beginners.
   
   The quality of the many pictures is first class, and the introductory pages in the front section of the book, including a well-written summary of Matchbox history and useful collecting tips, are a must read for anyone interested in the subject.
   
   Congratulations to Tom Larson on this fine achievement!



4. Most Matchbox guide books are encyclopedic in size. This is the first one I've found that is easy to take with you to toy shows, garage sales, and flea markets. The photos in the book are outstanding. The helpful collecting tips are well-written and are sound advice for collectors. All in all, I'm very pleased to recommend this book. Mine already has considerable wear, and I'll probably be needing another one by Christmas (hint to family)!



5. It's hard to believe that so much information is packed into such a little book. It's the big little book for Matchbook collectors. The photo quality in this book is second to none. Although the prices of these gems are always in flux, it is great to have an updated price guide. The history, collecting tips and listing of online resources contained in the book are treasures in and of themselves.

1 comments about Toys and Models: A Sourcebook of Ideas.

1. This is not so much a sourcebook of ideas as it is a nice picture book of the author's works, which range from quite beautiful, the best being the Kettleship on the cover, to the very simple and uninteresting. The book is quite pricey for what you get, or don't get. There is very little discussion of mechanics, materials or anything that will get you started on a project. Too much of the material concerns children's books that the author has written, and his proposed animated television projects. The author blows his own horn way to much for my liking. There are a few drawings in the back of the book for you to use as a guide to making some of his simple toys, but I wouldn't call them plans, as he does. This will go on my bookcase, most likely never to be viewed again. Future buyers beware!

No comments about Mini Boomerang Kit: Many Happy Returns! (Running Press Mini Kits).

3 comments about Bleuette Clothing Patterns, 1905-1916.

1. Louise uses the original French patterns and sews them as they were meant to be done. Her work is inspiring.



2. The book starts with a little history of the doll from French and great vintage pictures are added (through out the book) to show how things were back than and there are instructions how to make the right embroidery stitches that were used. Patterns are actual size and easy to trace. Instructions are easy especially when you're an more experienced sewer but also the novice can have an easy start sewing because there are all kinds of patterns to find in this book. From very easy to complicated (more pattern pieces, pleats to make, put trimming on etc.)you will always find the right pattern to start with.
   The pictures of the fashions to make, are the size of one page - 9"x12" - so all kinds of details are there to see. What can I say but this is a wonderful addition to your doll(pattern) books and I'm sure you'll love it! Good for hours and hours of reading and sewing pleasure.



3. It was a very perfect delivery and I am very satisfy with the book. I know the book before I purchased it. I have seen it by a friend and therefor I want to have it.

5 comments about 200 Years of Dolls: Identification & Price Guide, Third Edition.

1. Dawn Herlocher's 200 Years Of Dolls Identification And Price Guide, 3rd Edition unlike competing doll guides, over 5,000 dolls of all kinds are identified from Raggedy Ann editions to Barbie. The book comes packed with color photos - but the inclusion of manufacturer's marks, comparison charts and histories is what makes 200 Years Of Dolls so special. Of course, there's the latest pricing to aid in valuations. Over 275 doll manufacturers are included in a lovely coverage.



2. I refer to this doll book often.
   Any author who attempts to include 200 years` worth of antique and collectible dolls in one book has quite a feat ahead. But the author does a wonderful job.
   
   This hardback book is printed on quality paper.
   The photos are very nicely taken.
   Information is very helpful.



3. I used this book while conducting an estate appraisal of a collection of some 45 high-end collectible dolls, all in pristine original condition with boxes, hang tags, etc. and some with custom-made display cases. Only 20-25% of the dolls in the collection were listed in this book.



4. I just got done looking through this book, which is the 3rd edition and is dated 2005. I bought this book for $2 used on Amazon and that is all it is worth to me. I bought it for business purposes and if I'd paid the full retail price, I'd have been inclined to return it.
   
   The photos are nice, full color and close up enough to get a good feeling of what each doll looks like, but there are many more dolls mentioned in text that are not pictured. It makes it hard to identify a doll if there's no photo of it.
   
   For example, I mostly deal with Barbie and other fashion dolls and dolls of the later 60's and 70's. There is a section on Barbie but it offers only a few photos and most of the dolls listed are only mentioned in text. If you didn't already know what you had in your hand, how would you be able to look it up?
   
   Crissy is one of the most popular dolls made by Ideal and there is only a mention of her in the 4 pages devoted to Ideal. There is not one photo of Crissy or any of her family. The only photo I saw listed under Mego was a NRFB Cher doll from the 70's. All the other Mego dolls are only mentioned by name. This book also does not list dates for most dolls. I find that frustrating, too. And the prices suggested as the value are very theoretical. Maybe pre-Ebay somebody would have spent so much for Barbie, let's say, but prices are not that good today, although the author does state she based prices on the doll being in mint condition and with original box, outfit and accessories. Still, I haven't seen too many Barbies in the condition she describes go for quite that much online.
   
   Now, I don't want to say this book is all bad. Its just very incomplete in terms of it being a real history of 200 years of dolls. Its a very brief overview of dolls throughout the last 200 years and most of the photos that are featured, are of antique dolls, not fashion dolls, even though many fashion dolls are listed in text. I don't feel it would be worth $30, which is the suggested retail price. This book would be greatly improved by adding LOTS more photos and if it were spiral bound. Its very heavy and thick (415 pages) and pages don't stay open well. There's a whole chunk of pages seperating from the spine already and this book was like new! I also think the year for each doll should also be added next to the description. Again, a nice effort but falls short. It may be that it is too great of an undertaking to be covered in one volume. I feel the author should have covered less to give us more.



5. The book is very incomplete: a great many dolls are not listed; mostly only composition. The dolls that are mentioned are way to often not pictured, which i found enormously frustrating.I thought paging through my new book would be fun but instead it was just irritating. And of course the prices change, so ones really needs to check the internet for those. It's a horrible pictoral reference. Better to invest in the more specific books like Cindy Sabulis's guides.This book is not recommended.

2 comments about Aurora Slot Cars (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. I use to buy all the Graham's books and I'm always very satisfied. Great pictures,many interesting details about the firm and the models,so I can state that he is the best writer of models book and this book too desereve great interest from ani model collector.
   Roberto Ruggeri



2. This book delivers exactly what it promised. It could have a little bit more information since it was similar to a reproduction with updates of a book from the 70s.

5 comments about Girls' Toys of the Fifties and Sixties: Memorable Catalog Pages from the Legendary Sears Christmas Wishbooks 1950-1969.

1. Thomas Holland's book Girls' Toys of the fifties and sixties is a faithful reproduction of the fantastic Sears Christmas catalog toy pages from 1950 to 1969. The large 8 1/2 x 11 inch format of the book allows it to show close ups of the popular toys from each of these years. These pictures are an invaluable resource to help collectors of toys from this era decide what pieces actually came with the toys. As a collector of tin dollhouses, I found the pictures a huge help in identifying the furniture and tiny accessories for each of my houses. The only drawback to the book is the fact that it is in black and white. I enjoyed this book immensely, it was like being a kid again, devouring each page of toys and memories.



2. This is really a great book for the Baby Boomer Generation! I have a super time just looking at all the childhood toys that I had totally forgotten existed. My Favorites are from the 1960's! If you are a Chatty Cathy collecctor then this is a Must Have book....Her Sears ads are in here!



3. As a collector of hard plastic dolls, I'd hoped that this would be a helpful guide to identifying dolls of the 1950s and determining their original accessories. But there are very few dolls depicted and the coverage is inconsistent. There are no dolls in the first selection (for 1950), 2 pages for 1951, none for 1952, none for 1953, 2 pages for 1954, 5 pages for 1955, 1/2 page for 1956, none for 1957, none for 1958, none for 1959, 5 pages for 1960 (that year's excerpt from the Wish Book is all dolls), 1/2 page for 1962, 1 page for 1963, none for 1965, 2 pages for 1966, none for 1967, 2 pages for 1968, and 2 pages for 1969.

   The explanation for this cursory treatment of dolls in a book titled "Girls' Toys"? The author evidently was reserving them for another compilation, advertised in this volume, titled _Doll and Teddy Bear Department_. That book showcases the doll and bear pages from the _Sears WishBooks_ from 1950-69. (...)

   Aside from silently restricting the doll-coverage in order to produce a further volume, the author has selected for some years pictures of exactly the same toys (the electric piano, the tea sets, the toy kitchens), so the coverage is repetitive.

   I was led to buy this book by the recommendations of the other reviewers, but if, like me, your primary interest is in the 1950s and in doll collecting, I would advise you to save your money.




4. Every page you go "oh yeah" I remember that one ..



5. Don't pay $175 for this, as I have seen listed. You can find this book for $20 if you shop around.