Collectibles Books

This book is filled with lovely costumes from different nations, and they serve as a great template for making your own designs. While none of the models look very ethnic, which is a shame, the costumes are beautifully rendered.

This is an absolutely divine collection of wedding costumes from around the world that will delight young and old.

The colors are vibrant, the detail is exquisite -- a beautiful collector's item or hours and hours of paper doll fun!

I enjoyed looking through this paper doll book so that I could see what the brides in other parts of the world might wear. It is a very interesting and learning experience.

Donna Adank

I bought these for my daughter aged 5, but I have found that both my 5 and 7 year are obsessed with these dolls. Its 5 months now since I gave them to her, and still (beyond one very beneficial Christmas!) they return time and time again to hours of play with the paper dolls. Needless to say, playing with the paper dolls then leads to hours of dressing up themselves like the brides...

Yes,I actually collect paper doll books and I especially like the ones by Tom Tierney. He really depicts the clothes beautifully and accurately and he also provides interesting facts to go along with them, This one being no exception. The dresses are beautiful(and surprisingly few of them are white) A fun,informative book for paper doll fans and even for brides-to-be looking for a unique way to celebrate their heritage.

If you've ever wondered what the famed "Brimfield flea markets" are all about - now you can find out. Mr. Brown uses a compilation of newsworthy articles and human interest chapters to unveil the mystery surrounding the fields of the tiny Massachusetts town. Each May, July and September the rural village is transformed into a world-renown marketplace, and Mr. Brown is located in the center of it all. A book worth reading.

Brimfield: The Collector's Paradise is a real treat to collectors. It gives the reader a glimpse of what the buzz of Brimfield is all about. A compilation of articles, profiles, etc. gives one a personal peek into what exactly happens each May, July and Sept. Both exciting and informative, this book, written by someone "in the know" is much more than a research volume - it is great fun to read!

I read the book prior to my first buying trip to Brimfield. Mr.Brown passed on some interesting history on the shows. Also, the assorted chapters revealed something of interest in almost all aspects of the flea market. I even had the pleasure of meeting the famous "lady in the white hat!" If you love antique shows as much as I do, you will enjoy this book.

Full of photos, quotes, commentary and good writing, this book is a simple pleasure for everyone interested in flea markets. Dubbed the grandaddy of all markets, Brimfield just keeps getting bigger and better. I've been there and I know, but thanks to Mr. Brown's book, readers everywhere can realize what the hoopla in Brimfield is all about. RECOMMENDED READING *****

When I became managing editor of the BRIMFIELD ANTIQUE GUIDE over eight years ago it didn't take long to learn how significant Brimfield had become to the world of antiques and collectibles.Rob al-ready had a book in mind.

For nearly four years I was witness to the diligent and ardent research assembling an idea into a finished product, from formulating a table of contents to selecting an appropriate front and back cover.

There are numerous dimensions in a location as large and diverse as Brimfield, and Rob has adeptly captured many salient aspects about Brimfield. Taken into consideration is a section on how other writers have viewed Brimfield over the years as well as an overview of the early years when Brimfield was literally a one family affair.

Rob's book is not for everyone, to be sure. But it is a must read for the 1000s of dealers and buyers who travel to Brimfield each year, their "mecca."

B

Well-researched, well-written non-fiction that tells a great story. We meet many of Brimfield's characters, as well as dealers trying to make a living in ever-changing conditions. The last few chapters deliver as much suspense as a good mystery.

Terrific book!

BRIMFIELD RUSH; THE THRILL OF COLLECTING AND THE HUNT FOR THE BIG SCORE is a lively survey of a massive outdoor antiques and collectibles show spanning over 20 fields along a one-mile stretch in Massachusetts. It attracts thousands of dealers and collectors yearly - but BRIMFIELD RUSH follows not only the event's history but the experiences of a couple's year at Brimfield markets. The morning's opening 'rush' serves as a fascinating survey of Brimfield's treasures and attractions throughout a spicy, dramatic account collectors will relish and recognize.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Bob Wyss has given us an exciting, insider's look, at the biggest flea market in the world. As someone who purchased his first antiques, 33 years ago at the Rose Bowl Swap Meet, this book has rekindled my interest in the antique trade. "Brimfield Rush" is extremely well researched and gives you the background you need to venture out there and make your first deal. The reader is taken for a roller coaster ride of highs and lows as Joe and Rachel navigate through the worlds of flea markets, art galleries, estate sales, and eBay. For anyone interested in the "Hunt for the Big Score," this book is a must read.

Absolutely wonderful look at the passion of collecting rush that's so much a part of going to the Brimfield Fleas. Wyss has an engaging style in this story of a couple in search of the great art treasures at Brimfield. The truth is is that it's a difficult trail to take, as Wyss recounts. However, that doesn't stop the tens of thousands of visitors to Brimfield thrice yearly. I've been attending and taking photographs there for over 20 years now and it's easy to see that Wyss captured the essence of this event - an even that attracts celebrities, famous people and collectors from all over the world.
A great, short read that's worth the trip to the bookstore. You will not be disappointed. Also a great primer before attending your first flea market in the antique town of Brimfield, Massachusetts.

If you don't live in New England or make a practice of frequenting flea markets, you might not be familiar with the name "Brimfield." It's not just a small town in south central Massachusetts; it's become an all-encompassing term (in both noun and verb forms) for the event that overtakes that region three weeks of the year. Author Bob Wyss has provided us with a look at Brimfield's history as well as the work that goes on behind the scenes. It's a view we casual visitors don't usually get or could even guess at. The emphasis here is on the dealers and the residents, and not the average walk-in buyer.

Chapters are arranged in sections chronologically by the flea market weeks: May, July, September, and the following May. Though the book begins with a couple in search of a human skeleton -- which they eventually discover and gleefully buy -- the focus throughout the text rests on two burgeoning art dealers, Rachel and Joe. Linked in a new professional and personal relationship, they face a number of challenges as they attend Brimfield to buy and sell items for their Pennsylvania art business. Joe is the risk-taker and Rachel the financial manager, and together they struggle to become successful at a work that is fraught with a variety of dilemmas. Should they merely collect, or buy and sell? How much should they reveal to an unsuspecting seller, since "a score has two sides, and for every winner there is a corresponding loser"? (p. 92) What's real and what is fake? And when will they become comfortable enough to stop moving from show to show and settle down in their own permanent gallery? They find most of their answers by the end of the book.

Wyss includes interesting side stories to the lives of Rachel and Joe, with glimpses at other Brimfield dealers, field owners and town officials. He details the town dispute with its police force in 2003, which resulted in the firing of all but the chief and which certainly contributed to a major silver theft in the field that year. He looks at the thrill of "the big score" in the antiques world, citing several cases that include the discovery of a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence behind an old painting bought for four dollars in Adamstown, Penna., in 1989. The piece sold for $2.42 million at Sotheby's in 1991, and was later bought by Norman Lear for $8.14 million in 2000. That score set the dream devoutly to be wished by anyone ever attending or dealing at a flea market or auction. Wyss also discusses the effect that eBay and other online opportunities have had on live auctions and flea markets. And even a knowledgeable dealer can mistakenly drink his way through a case of Bordeaux before learning that the going rate for it is $1000 a bottle.

I read this book in the middle of a Brimfield week, and it gave me a new perspective on the event. This time I saw more paintings than I'd ever noticed before. I caught saw PBS's Antiques Roadshow personality Gary Sohmers charging down a path, dressed just as described in the book. I understood that a "big score" could still be gotten by a visitor or dealer. And I realized that the "Brimfield Rush" is not just the frenzied way that customers enter the fields at the opening bell. It's that feeling that permeates your very own nervous system when you buy something you know is wonderful.

This is a great follow up to the first "Buzz" book. The pacing is great, the dialogue is crisp and the action sequences are really fun. The dialogue gives a very unique picture into some of the social issues we are facing (southern perspectives, race, etc.). The author builds out the relationship between best friends Top and Benny in a way that makes you think about your best buddies: "Dee Lane nodded in approval at my story. Benny nodded in approval at the parts of the story I left out."

Great read.

Sam Hill names one of his characters after his next door neighbor. Nice mixture of erudite quote spouting and unpredictable action.

Sam Hill is a terrific writer, and very clever. His characters are unique and the story extremely entertaining. I started with Buzz Riff, will now read the first in the series, Buzz Monkey, and can't wait for the next Buzz Book! Buzz on Mr. Hill. Buzz on.

Readers of Buzz Monkey will find more suspense and better flow in this, the second book in the series. The story is rich with detail, well-paced, and never predictable. Here, Top truly becomes a character to root for... You won't want to put it down until you're done.

Sam Hill's move from writing great non-fiction business books (My favorite: "60 Trends in 60 Minutes") to mystery/action books is an upward spiraling success. He said his second book in the "Buzz" series ("Buzz Monkey"; "Buzz Riff") is better. That's no bluff; that's no fluff; that's accurate reporting. "Buzz Riff" is great. A friend made the mistake of starting it late on a week night. SHE had to put it down and wait A WHOLE DAY to get back to it. I started Friday night. Saturday I read straight through (taking time out for those irksome tasks like eating, drinking, breathing) and finished past my bedtime. You don't need no stinking bookmarks with Sam Hill! Where are THE MOVIES? Protagonist "Top" Kiernan's day job is running Polymath, his self-founded facting finding, fact checking business haunted by ex-librarians (with dark sides!) and para-legal types. His night job (often turning into 24/7) is finding and people and things for clients with big bank accounts. This time it's a Confederate flag. And wherever Top--who's got a severe case of adrenaline "buzz"--damage seems to follow--and half the time it's to him! One of the many great lines this time is "Don't you ever have any plans that don't involve Blue Cross/Blue Shield?" And quotes are one of the many side benefits of reading Mr. Hill: amid the hijinks, he relays a lot of great famous quotes, accurately. Among the ones not yet included pertain to this book:
"Eleven on a scale of ten". Jackson Browne. "Redneck Friend".

THIS BOOK IS FULL OF HELPFULL HINTS AND WONDERFUL STEP BY STEP DETAILS. THE PICTURES ARE GREAT AND HELP EVEN MORE. I WILL KEEP IT WITH ME AS I WORK TO BRING THESE BEAUTIES BACK TO LIFE!! A MUST HAVE FOR ANYONE TRYING THE SAME!!

This book is very informative and helpful to antique doll restorers,the author has a good sense of humor about the care of dolls and tells in concise detail all aspects of care and restoration.Lots of colorful and interesting pictures.This book is a must have for any antique bisque doll collector,well worth the money!

This is a book that I will keep close at hand as I work on the Antique Bisque dolls to restore them to their original beauty! So complete in all areas of restoration with clear directions and wonderful pictures. It is just like having Mary there with you to personally guide your hands! Without hesitation, I give it 5 big stars!!!

This is an easy book to follow. As a beginner it was wonderful to have pictures and easy to follow instruction, I am now able to set eyes, restring comp bodies and fix wigs.. if you are a beginner it is a MUST HAVE - money well spent !

I am an avid antique doll collector, and an glad to see all these practical repair tips.

A very well written book with lovely and truly beautiful illustrations. Highly recommended!

In this fascinating book, De Dampierre brings a fresh perspective to world history by describing it through one of the most ubiquitous items in our daily lives: chairs. In doing so, she has produced a highly enjoyable read for both the sophisticated antique collector and the general student of history.

I have read Chairs; A History and find it to be fasinating from two view points. One is that it is more than a history of furniture, it is a social history of the people who sat in the chairs and their times and their culture. Secondly I will retain it for years as one of the most complete reference books on the cultural periods discussed. Finally it is beautifully illustrated and written and should be in everyone's library.

No one who has seen my home would expect me to have anything to do with a furniture book. But some perceptive friend gave me this book and now I get it! Under Ms. de Dampierre's tutelage, I have grown to understand how pieces of furniture are a reflection of the times in which they were created. This study of chairs is no less fascinating than any great work of art history and the author does an incredible job of detailing changes in social and political currents which impact the design and use of each chair in her exhaustive chronology. As importantly, the pictures are beautiful; the book is worth buying for them alone.

Florence de Dampierre has produced what will certainly be not only the definitive guide to the chair itself but also a witty and learned look at how modes of communication in differing cultures governed the kind of furniture people invented for themselves. The scope of the book is huge, ranging from the cradle of civilization in Mesopotamia and Africa to the chair as modern art. I recommend it highly, both for serious collectors as well as anyone who has ever thought twice about the provenance of the place they've just sat down in. The book is copiously and beautifully illustrated, so it makes a lovely gift.

A thorough reference book on charms as art, momentoes and talismans around the world and through the ages. Beautifully photographed, this book shows you that charms are not just decorative bits of silver and gold but also cultural tokens which remind us of people, places, things and significant events. It is clear that the number of charms that you can collect is limited only by your imagination!

Charms and Charm Bracelets: The Complete Guide is a price guide to charm bracelets from the 19th century to the present, illustrated with over 300 color photographs and featuring jewelry ranging in composition from gold to plastic. Written by an enthusiastic collector of antique jewelry, Charms and Charm Bracelets discusses techniques in making charms, trends in charm and jewelry making throughout the decades, factors to consider when evaluating and appraising specific pieces of charm jewelry, and much more. A "must-have" resource for serious collectors, and a treasury to page through for art lovers interested in this unique form of adornment.

Charms & Charm Bracelets: the Complete Guide is well researched and entertaining. This book gets it right! I read plenty of jewelry books and Charms & Charm Bracelets avoids most of my pet peeves. It is well organized and includes an accurate glossary, bibliography, and index. The photos are clear and well composed. Missing are photos that show more background than jewelry. You know the pictures I'm talking about. "Gee, is that an earring, bracelet, or waste processing plant?" Helpful information including measurements, prices, and circa dates is included in the captions. This is a fun and useful book.

This is an extremely useful resource for any one who collects charms. The coverage of the subject is comprehensive and the illustrations are exquisite.

I have every book there is on collecting charms and charm bracelets. This book is the best written, contains the best history, best advertisements, etc. The book has over 300 color pictures of charms, bracelets and advertisements. Unlike other books, this one gives equal time to both gold and silver charms and bracelets. You get a wonderful history of charms, charm bracelets and how they are made - decade by decade.

What really sold me on this lovely book is the fact that it has lots of additional information. There is an appendix explaining metal markings and one showing pictures of actual metal markings with explanations. You also get a nice glossary of frequently used terms, a bibliography, and a wonderful index.

If you want to know the history of charms and charm bracelets, their metal markings, and you can only get one book - get this one. This is great for collectors and for people who actually sell charms and bracelets. The author has done an outstanding job of compiling a lot of useful information and photographs in a wonderful, easy to read guide to the world of charms and charm bracelets.

If you are at all interested in Chintz dishes, this is the book to own. I personally want to sell a few pieces and would like to have the author's address. She has a wonderful collection as shown in this colorful book.

For any serious collector of Chintz this book is a must. It is clearlly set out and easy to understand. The passion and love the writer has for Chintz is apparent.

This book is absolutely gorgeous. Of course, it is full of very useful information for chintz collectors. It is very educational for any one interested in learning more about chintz ceramics. However, the best thing about this book is its beauty. I just love to look at it time and time again.

Excellent presentation on chintz pottery and ceramics without making it look like a manual. The type of book you'd want in your collection as a show piece.

This book clearly shows the author's enthusiasm and knowledge of chintz ceramics. Beautifully illustrated and packed with information for both the novice and experienced collector of chintz china. Highly recommended!

This book is the funniest thing I've read in years. I hope this author has more writing to be found.

Home made gifts are always the best--except for that time I tried to make an "electric hammer" by gluing a power cord into the handle of a standard-issue ball-peen--and this book shows you how to write the perfect chatty news letter that will have your friends laughing. The letters themselves are funny and can be used as is, or just as valuable, they will spark your own imagination to create your own. Either way, a very useful and clever book. And great gift too.

This is very funny. Comes with a Word Document CD with a bunch of different crazy scenarios into which you can place the names of yourself, your family and loved ones, even your pet, to really turn those annual "catch you up on what's happening" Christmas Letters on their heads. Smart and hysterical.

This book is uproariously funny. Not to be missed.
These letters should be read and used by everyone with a sense of humor. Buy this book - you won't be sorry.

This book is perfect for creating an antidote to any and all of those "bragalogue" Christmas letters that deeply boring people insist on sending each year. Hey, maybe if you send them one of these "wild" letters anonymously they'll even take the hint and save some trees and stamps next year. Of course, it's probably asking too much for them to understand the joke, but that doesn't mean that the rest of us can't! This is a great gift for the merciless and mirthful.

I purchased this book along with Christmas Tree Pins/O Christmas Tree and since I rated that book a "5", I am rating this book a strong 4. While the pages are a bit thinner in weight (but still of good quality), the photos are excellent with the pins presented nicely. And, even though the number of pins featured are fewer, this book also includes santas, angels, reindeer, wreaths, and other seasonal pins which makes this a good addition/companion to my library.

Ms. Gallina has done impressive research. Her pictures are well done, in color, and carefully organized by designer and theme. Her captions are descriptive and the values are clear.

This somewhat small book was extremely helpful to me in identifying the values of some recently purchased Weiss candle Christmas Tree Pins. It has also shown me what pins do not carry such a high value.
I would love to see more books like this one for holiday jewelry.
I would highly reccommend this book to anyone interested in Vintage and New Christmas Jewelry.

This book by Jill is one of my favorite books, and not just because my own jewelry is included. Jill's wonderful photography showcases a wonderous variety of this collecting category. I doubt there are very many collectors who don't have a least one Christmas tree pin in their collection. And truly, it is very likely that every single woman who loves jewelry has at least one tree pin for holiday wear. This beautiful book is a perfect addition to any vintage costume jewelry reference library, for collectors and dealers alike. And it may even convert non-collectors! Thanks Jill!

Very enjoyable book with great history of the designers of today and yesteryear that made Christmas Pins. Good color pictures with a price guide that reflects today's prices. If you are a new pin collector this is a must have at a reasonable price. If you are a seasoned collector you will enjoy reading about the short histories of your favorite designers.