Collectibles Books

Great book for the CAS crowd. Only problem I can find with it is that it is a bit outdated. Lots of new stuff out there now. I know the new stuff gets reviewed in monthly magazines etc. It is nice to have it all in one place though. Other than that the book is excellent. Authors usual good work.

The book arrive promptly and in excellent condition. It will be very helpful when I start looking for a SA pistol.

If you are involved in collecting replica firearms then this book is a must.Detailed analysis of each Old West gun and rifle. I enjoyed the report on the Colt.45 SAA and Winchester type lever action. Entire book is in black and white except for four pages in color. Wish they had published more color photos. A must have for replica collectors.

Looking for a new gun for SASS or just to have fun in the style of the old west? This is the book you need before you run out and put down the bucks. Doesn't cover all the guns of choice but does present a good selection (It should include the new Henry Repeating Arms Big Boy but doesn't).
This will also make a good addition to your old west library.

For those contemplating entering the popular ever growing COWBOY ACTION SHOOTING sport, Chicoine's new book is the best I've seen too date. This reknowned gunsmith/writer gives you a wealth of facts on the popular firearms of that period and moves right into the modern offerings and clones of those original firearms with outstanding details and thoughts on each.

He covers the most popular handguns, percussion & cartridge,Colts,S&W's,Remington, Starr and others,the popular and most used rifles in the same thorough style, and shotgun too. I doubt you'll have many questions left to answer if you read this one, about making personal choices.

The book reeks with QUALITY,the book is filled with absolutely wonderful photographs of original firearms, clones,new offerings,leather goods for them,a color photo section that is breathtaking.

He then combines all this with a bit of history on the CAS sport, ammunition available for these, tests with the new guns & ammo,lovely photos of CAS shooters right up to the latest items just coming onto the market like the Colt Lightning slide action rifle.

If this great book doesn't "fire you up" to get into this wonderful sport or for your own at "home" shooting ,nothing will.

Daves books always seem to "come out" of the box being "classics" before they get around, This one is no different. The best I've seen on this topic to date.

This reference book contains accurate descriptions and black and white photographs of virtually all work issued by Hagen-Renaker from its inception to current as of the date of publication. The catalog is organized in a very easy to use manner, grouped by category (Designer's Workshop, Miniatures, Specialties, Disney, etc) and subcategory (Birds, Cats, Dogs, Horses, Wild Animals, etc), and indexed for fast reference. Also included is a very interesting history of the company, information on restoration processes, and separate sections on associated companies.

I never leave home without my copy, because you never know when you are going to need it. In the last 2 years it has flown across the country several times, and visited Canada a couple of times as well. It's dogeared, pieces I own are highlighted, and current eBay and dealer prices noted in margins, across the tops of listings, or wherever I can fit them. The condition of my copy is the best review I can give it.

This is wonderful book full of photos (black & white) and information about the marvelous pieces from Hagen-Renaker. A resource you'll be glad you have. As a collector & frequenter of flea markets, I don't leave home without it! It's excellent for all levels of collectors from beginner to advanced.

Hagen Renaker collectors have waited a LONG time for someone to put together a book like this. With wonderful pictures showing the majority of manufactured pieces, dates produced and the designers, it's a must have for the Hagen Renaker collector. A BIG thank you to Gayle Roller for sharing the time and research that went into the book so that everyone can marvel over the variety and beauty of these creative masterpieces!

Charlton Press, a noted publisher of collector's guides, uses authors who are also collectors, as the company feels this provides important insights needed in a collector's guide. From what I've seen, book height and format are consistent between guides. Each book starts with a blurb about the collectible, such as information on the company or the modeling artists. Item listings come next. These include photo (if available), the item name, number, designer, height, color, issue date, and price. Prices are listed in three currencies: U.S. Dollars, Canadian Dollars, and U.K. pounds. An index is located at the back of the book. Also, included are ads from companies, clubs, and magazines that specialize in the particular collectible.

An important aspect of any collector's value guide is the basis of the valuations. Charlton uses a method based on the actual going price in each quoted region. They gain this data by contacting dealers in the various countries and getting the actual prices the applicable collectibles are going for in that area. This method eliminates the fluctuations of currency exchange rates that would occur if the item was listed, say in U.S. dollars, and than an exchange rate applied to calculate the prices for Canada and the U.K. Now we can move on to specifics.

I was very happy to finally see The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Hagen-Renaker, 2nd edition by Gayle Roller. Back in Dec/Jan 1994, I reviewed the Hagen-Renaker Handbook, the book Gayle co-authored with Kathleen Rose and Joan Berkwitz. It was a handy book, but had a big problem. It was out-of-print.

The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Hagen-Renaker, 2nd edition obviously built on the Hagen-Renaker Handbook foundation, but it has some major improvements. The Charlton has the pictures with the listings, instead of separately. The history section has been expanded. A section on production steps has been added. Restoration is discussed. And, of course, the Charlton has more current information. If you've been looking to replace your old Handbook or just to add a H-R guide, the Charlton is a good choice.

No collector of Hagen-Renaker, California Pottery, or animal figurines should be without this exhaustively researched book. The book contains a detailed company history, explanation of the production process, discussions of identification and dating techniques, and more. It is loaded with close-up photographs of almost every figurine produced by this prolific company throughout its 50+ year history. A must have!

This is the best (if not only) resource to use for Hallmark collectibles. The color pictures are invaluable and the index makes it easy to find what you're looking for. I purchase a new book each year and reference my copy at least 3-4 times a week. The only 'negative' comment I can make is that the secondary market prices on many of the ornaments seem to be quite high - compared to what you can purchase them for on sites such as ebay. But many of them are 'right on' and it gives you a great idea of what is/isn't hot.

Each year I get a new CheckerBee Value Guide. They are the best - very easy to use and full of good information. Great index in the back to find your ornament if you know the name. The book is divided by years so if you know the year of the ornament - you can look for it's picture. They also have the series all together so when I'm shopping on line - I know what the going amount is for each ornament. It also has a section in the back to list all your ornament by year. A real five star book!

what can i say i love this book it tells me all i need to know about my collection and it is good incase disaster happens i have some insurance records afterwards

This book is very easy to use, and fun to use. It is all stocked up with todate information that todays collectors want.There are color photos of every piece that Hallmark has put on the market.This is a must have for any Hallmark collector.It's also great for a person who is just starting thier collection. This book will tell collectors whats popular and whats not.

I have been collecting ornaments since 1991 and this is the best collectors guide I have ever owned. It lists all ornaments with color photos and current value. It even lists very rare expo and hard to find pieces. A must have for collectors!

From it's inauspicious beginnings in the late 19th Century in America, this book follows the burger craze from it's supposed creation at the 1904 World's Fair through the present day.

You'll find out how the architecture of burger stands was both a reflection of and inspiration for the development of 20th Century American pop culture.

Every successful "hamburg" purveyor had its imitators, but the author shows how the rise of the "Big Boy" chain was an important predecessor of today's omnipresent McDonald's, Burger King's, Wendy's, et al.

The book is marinated with vintage photos, and concludes that America is still in love with the "slider" as evidenced by the Checkers chain's success.

If you're looking for a book on the history of the Wurlitzer adorned diners of the Art Deco era, this isn't the one. But this is a great book for people who want to know if there was life before Mickey D's two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.

A fun and quick read that you'll love to share with children and grandchildren alike.

Hello, my name is Wayne Henderson and I am the author of 8, going on 10 books on petroleum collectibles and the history of service stations and gasoline marketing. I am also a publisher of nostalgia books, and a collectibles magazine, and when I read Hamburger Heaven, I found it to be an absolutely fascinating look at the cultural icons all around us...fast food restaurants. Since I have been so deeply involved in other "roadside" Americana, I've always been interested in other "roadside" interest books. Folks, this is one of the best. And a note to the author...If you see this, I have some information that may be of interest. E-Mail me at PCMPublishing@worldnet.att.net. Thanks! It's a great book!

If you like hamburgers and nostalgia like me, you will love the book Hamburger Heaven. I've literally spent hours flipping through this book. Sometimes I just look at the picture and other times I have read the whole book over. Who ever knew there was such a rich history behind the common hamburger?

This book is great for the coffee table too, and it has been the source of countless conversations with my friends who just happened to pick it up.

Hamburger Heaven is a blast to the past, when there were Drive-Ins instead of drive-throughs. Starting with the history of the hamburgers as it related to the Tartars and brings it into the 70's, 80's and then 90's. It reports on the glory days of the Hamburger, when McDonald's was in it's infancy and there were far more unique chains than we can dream of today.

The history of the hamburger is much richer than most could imagine, and Tennyson does a wonderful job of exploring the past. Presented not only with facts, but with pictures, he does a wonderful job of showing the past so it's not only interesting, but nostalgic.

I love the fact that he is clearly enamored with his subject, and I love all the older graphics and pictures depicting the chains we have lost along the way. My only complaint about the book, and the reason that it got 4 stars instead of 5, was he doesn't talk about the excellent, out of the way places still open! Yes, he has two pages of addresses in the back, but only addresses. He doesn't tell us anything about these places, about what makes their burgers special. I would have really liked that.

The only other thing I want to say is that Tennyson is a graphic designer, and that does show. There are equal numbers of pages dedicated to graphics as there are to words, and sometimes the words are crowded by the graphics.

Over all, though, a nice, charming book.

Hamburger Heaven is a delight. Five Stars isn't nearly enough to rate this eloquent, visually brilliant, ode to the nexus mundi of fast food gastranomies.

All aspects of Hamburger evolution are included here - the early, hotly-disputed origins of the beloved patty; the concomitant rise of the hamburger and the highway; the first real chains; the evolution of McDonald's, Burger King, and other current hamburger giants; and everything in between.

Moreover, the book is worth the price for the illustrations alone!

For anyone who appreciates the sheer nostalgia of burgers - the ads they spawned, the intimate connection between hamburgers and the ascendancy of the automobile and the simply delicious fusion of fast-food culinary genius, architectural treasures (in the form of early diners and drive-ins) and the thousand-and-one ways in which the almighty hamburger has changed our lives - this is THE historical record.

Read it with relish!

There is so much glassware out there I need to identify and this book really helps - and not only on Hazel Atlas glassware

Excellent book - Perfect for the beginner or long-time collector. Great photos and each page is well explained.

I was really impressed with this book. It filled in many of the little identification gaps that I had missing as a glass collector. There are so many items listed here that were not in his other books. It was enjoyable.......I read it in one day.......informative.....I was able to id many pieces.....and beautifully illustrated. I like the outline key too!

This is a fantastic reference book for anyone who is a fan of Hazel-Atlas glassware. The pictures are crisp and clear - the colors are vivid - and every page is full of photos. Not all of the Hazel-Atlas glassware is marked and this book is a valuable guide to authenticate those items, as well as being an interesting look into the many pieces of glassware that they produced. Very nice to have by the computer when you are surfing ebay.

The identification and value guide are very easily read. The pictures are of great help in identifying the various styles of Hazel-Atlas glass. There is a brief history of the glass from 1885 until the factory was sold to the Continental Can Company in 1956. All in all, well worth the purchase.

For publication: November , 2001

More news about the book Heisey Glassware: The Early Years 1896-1924 ---

At the Mid-Administration Congress of the National League of American Pen Women on October 20th, 2001, in St. Augustine, Florida, a variety of literary competitions were held and Heisey Glassware: The Early Years 1896-1924 won FIRST PLACE in the non-fiction category.

At the same time, The Florida State Association of the National League of
American Pen Women awarded the book, again, in literary competition, FIRST PLACE for a Published Nonfiction Adult Book.

According to reports, this book has become a "classic" for beginning collectors of Heisey Glassware because of its original photographic presentations of the early patterns

This super 176 page, softbound volume is loaded with more than 300 large, full color photos and 50 black and white photos. All of the items are identified by number, including mold dates,pattern origins, and up-to-date, year 2000 market values. There is a wealth of interesting and useful information to meet the needs of the novice and experienced collector. Every pattern is so clearly shown in amazing detail, even hard to photograph clear glassware. You'll learn who A. H. Heisey was, the classes of glass, buying glass, care of glass, as well as Victorian Patterns, Bands, Grooves and Panels, Evolution of Style, Novelties and Rarities. There's a glossary of terms and much more. Heisey Glass collectors will really enjoy and refer to this book often.

As reported in the Fort Pierce, Florida Tribune: This book recently won FIRST place in a National Competition: Non-Fiction category given by the Mid-Administration Congress of the National League of American Pen Women (Spring, 2001) Washington, D.C. and, FIRST place in a competition for a Published Non-Fiction Adult Book, State of Florida, awarded by The National League of American Pen Women (Spring, 2001) in Jacksonville, Florida. The author's bibliography appears in the 2002-2003, 23rd. Ed., of Who's Who of American Women. The book and author were featured on the TV series Collectible Treasures (H&G Network), October 26th, 2001.

In this book author Shirley Dunbar shares with the reader her research on glassware produced by the A.H. Heisey Company, from 1896-1924.

This book contains page after page of large, full color pictures of the different pieces. This is always joy to have as it makes identifying your piece so much easier. You can also find the market value of each piece which is another great plus.
We are given a history of the Heisey Company and its founder and helpful tips for buying and caring for glassware.
A well researched book that every collector would want in their library.
Shirley Johnson

this book is the first book on Heisey glassware to completely cover the early period from 1896-1924. It offers a complete history of the company and includes original color photographs of over 50 patterns along with explanations and dates of origin. It is NOT copies of sales catalogues, but rather an encylcopedia of photos of actual glass pieces. It is highly recommended for collectors of pattern glass, elegant glassware and fine glassware of this time period.

Featuring condition scale, current values, and full color photography of almost every item featured, Joe Caro's Hopalong Cassidy Collectibles is the definitive price guide for dedicated Hopalong Cassidy memorabilia collectors. The quality photography of hundreds of items, ranging from books to clothing, food ads, magazine articles, games, school items, toys and much more make Joe Caro's Hopalong Cassidy Collectibles ideal for Hopalong Cassiday fans who don't have hundreds or thousands of dollars to spend on these vintage treasures, but are interested in browsing through the these many minute artifacts of American popular culture. Most items have only a brief description, but some have slightly more involved commentary.

Like many fans of Hopalong Cassidy I had toys and other items connected with the TV show collecting dust in my attic. I didn't realize how many Hoppy souveneirs I could collect. This book gave me price ranges but it also brought back some great memories with its detailed pictures and descriptions. Clearly this author knows his subject. I can't wait to increase my collection.

This is the book. Whether you are a serious Hoppy collector, a novice beginner, or simply a fan of one of the greatest western character heroes ever, this book is a must. Extremely well written and organized it is a trip down memory lane. William Boyd, who played Hoppy, was one of the first cowboy stars who was also a marketing genius. This book shows why. This beautifully illustrated price guide encompasses the myriad of Hoppy collectibles that swept not only the U.S. but the world in the 1950s. Every kid wanted to be like Hoppy and as this price guide shows a trip to the store could fulfill that fantasy. You do not have to be a collector to enjoy this book. It will rekindle memories of the things you had as a child and might still have in your attic. To the collector this is an invaluable tool to assist you in evaluating what you have and what to search for. Well done Joe!

I am happy to state that I have added Joe Caro's "Hopalong Cassidy Collectibles" to my library. It is worth every penny! As a writer, I can fully appreciate the hard work that went into this study - a must for every serious collector of Hoppy material as well as the novice who wants to know originals, reproductions and items that existed only in someone's "mind". A wonderful and colorful display gauranteed to bring out even the most "shy kid" back to when America was a gentler nation and everyone looked up to Hoppy - youngsters and adults and how we all wanted a Hoppy collectibles - whether it was a flashlight or a holster set! The reading is easy, the color photos dazzling and the market values makes the cost of this book minuscule compared to knowing what the curent values of these wonderful collectibles bring today! Joe Caro is to be congratulated for his exhaustive effort to make us smile again as we get re-acquainted with our he! ro - Hoppy! There is one drawback: Careful, pardners, it'll turn you into a kid again! Job well done!

I have Joe Caro's first Hopalong Cassidy Collectibles book, plus his little known updated book.Joe's new Hopalong Cassidy Collectibles book has all the contents of the first two plus more. The merchandise Value guide on each collectible(original, reproduction and some fantasy items) gives the advanced and novice collector a price spread that's consistent with the Hoppy collecting market. With the collectibles being pictured in color, it gives the serious collector detail and brings out visual differences, in the many variations, that are being discovered by collectors, everyday. This book covers every catagory of Hopalong Cassidy collectibles so thoroughly and with such enthusiasm, by the author, that after an hour or so, of absorbing every page, imagining I was a kid again I found myself wanting to go out and start collecting Hoppy, as soon as I put the book down.

One day, I would like to build a large sleigh with my husband, so that our family can go Christmas caroling together through the snow. I'm intrigued by the simplicity and hominess of the Victorian era's holiday traditions. It was with that in mind that I purchased Horse Drawn Sleighs, by Susan Green. Her information was well-documented and -described, the illustrations were beautiful and detailed, and I feel that, with her book in hand, my able husband and I will be able to build a beautiful vehicle to transport family and friends when the winter snowflakes begin to pile up!

I highly recomend this book to anyone involved in the building and restoration of sleighs. Being compiled of articles from The Hub, The Carriage Monthly and other trade journals from the days of the horse drawn carriage this book has been very useful to our buisness. I highly recomend this book.

This is a great book. We recently bought an old sleigh that needs to be refurbished and I wanted info on how to do it authentically.

Excellent Variety of sleighs, with essays of sleighs and sleighing giving valuable background information, plus a glossary of sleigh parts to help understand construction details.

This book has a wealth of historical information pertaining to the various types of sleighs and their differences. Within each catagory the models are described separately and in detail. A must have for anyone who wants to learn about these icons of the past.

Bamber Gascoigne's "How to Identify Prints" is a comprehensive, yet detailed analysis of the various types of works on paper. As other reviews indicate below, it covers the entire field of works on paper. For appraisers, dealers and collectors, it is a "must have" for your reference library. As an appraiser, I agree with another review on the book that indicates that the book is a little light on woodblock prints. However, woodblock printing is complex enough to support its own books, especially when discussing Japanese Woodblock prints.

Even with the brevity of the woodblock section, this book is still the best overall print reference book I have seen. It uses a logical approach to educating the reader, and allows him or her to progressively expand his or her knowledge as they work through the book; it builds a foundation, and then adds to that foundation. I only wish I had discovered the book years ago when I was just beginning to learn about prints! For beginners to connoisseurs, this is a fabulous reference book.

This book is found in the printrooms of most galleries and print collectors as it is a precise and concisely written text which explains the complex processes of printmaking. It clarifies the sometimes baffling differences between printing families and the creative techniques involved in making a print such as the subtle visual difference between an etching and an engraving. The book is illustrated throughout to assist the reader to identify printing techniques, characteristics and attribution marks used in Old Master prints through to those made in contemporary times. This reference text would appeal to anyone fascinated by prints and provides a new vocabulary for those who want to know more about the interesting visual variations possible in the world of the print.

Now in an updated and expanded second edition, How To Identify Prints: A Complete Guide To Manual And Mechanical Processes From Woodcut To Inkjet is a superb reference and self-teaching tool for discerning between manual prints, process prints, and screenprints/non-prints, whether the print in question is monochrome or color, and whether it is relief, intaglio, or planographic. 272 illustrations, 40 of which are in color, highlight the meticulous attention to detail in this excellent manual, which also covers essential aspects of printing history and the craft of printmaking. This new addition is revised with insights concerning how increasingly sophisticated yet inexpensive cheap printing processes such as quality inkjet and laser prints affect the process of identifying and evaluating printed images. A "must-read" for anyone collecting authentic prints or pursuing a career involving the identification of prints.

I almost said "for the beginning print lover," but even the pros might want occasional reminders about obscure processes.

This book displays an incredible number of processes and variations. Even within etching, there is standard intaglio process, relief etching, intaglio so deep it's amost relief, spit-biting or open-biting - well, a very long list. This gives an exacting look at the marks specific to each process, and gives good diagnostic descriptions. A special strength in this book is the differential diagnoses, the questions to ask that help distinguish two very similar kinds of marks. Every point made in the text is illustrated real samples, and that makes for a heck of a lot of illustrations.

I have almost no quibbles with this text. There are just a few minor points that Gascoigne could have brought out more clearly. First is that Japanese woodcuts are under-represented. It's a rich tradition with a number of distinguishing features: gradations of ink hand-placed on a block, occasional use of mica for luster, and occasional use of un-inked "blind" impressions to impress texture into the paper. Second is a mark that I think is unique to drypoint: the line is often asymmetric, crisp on one side and blurred on the other, capturing the asymmetry of the drypoint burr. The split drypoint line is more famous but, in my experience, less common. I've seen it only in the most aggressively worked drypoints, such as some by Picasso. Third is a feature of some dust-ground aquatints: that the white marks can sometimes form a connected mesh around the black dots, where a spirit ground always has a black ocean dotted with white islands. I know these are minor points, and I hope you see how few there are.

I'm a process nut. It's not the only way I enjoy prints, and not the way everyone enjoys them. For me, though, it really adds something to know how the maker's hand created each mark that I see. This isn't strictly a process book, and only accidentally a book of process history. It's a book about how a print looks, and seeing even more in the finest part of its looks. In the end, that's really the best reason to love a print.

//wiredweird

PS: A little while ago, I was given a very nice color print. It was done in mezzotint style, using burnishers to work from dark to light. Instead of a rocker-made ground, though, it had an aquatint ground. Color came from inking au poupee, dabbed on the plate. The giver was quite surprised that I read its story so precisely. Read this book, and you'll know just what I saw.

Back in print and updated in a new paperback edition is Bambar Gascoigne's classic How To Identify Prints, first published in 1986 and enjoying ongoing acclaim as an essential resource for any involved in identifying prints, whether they be woodcuts, lithos, or etchings. Some ninety techniques - manual and mechanical alike - are described to round out an accompanying history of prints. A lasting, classic work essential to any art library and many a general library reference collection.

Well written book for a collector and enthusiast. Loads of helpful information for any restoration project. Great photos and checklists.

a great book love it

I can't say enough good things about this book! Of course it has the usual "how to remove a tire" info, but the sections on rebuilding and refinishing a vintage bicycle are plain outstanding! The information is detailed without being overwhelming. And they also make sense to non-gearheads like me. The book also gives lots of sources for obtaining vintage and reproduction parts--with URLs that actually work! One of the things I liked best about the book is that the author places much emphasis on the decision making process involved in cleaning/repairing/restoring an old bike. As we all know, many collectible bikes (and collectibles of any kind!) have been ruined by over-enthusiastic owners wanting to make them "like new." It is obvious that Mr. Love LOVES his hobby, and delights in sharing it with other people. Highly recommended!

I am mainly into restoring classic British cars, but my interest in classic bicycles has always been strong. I have found this to be an excellent book for its coverage of the restoration process, for the many helpful technical tips sprinkled throughout, and for the high level historical information covering major categories of most commonly collected bikes.

Some of best financial advice in the book relates to finding and selecting reasonable project bikes (I have a bad habit of trying to "save" bikes needing major work and/or missing parts). The chapters "Finding and Evaluating a Bicycle" and "Choosing the Right Project" have helped to change my approach. As recently as this morning, after becoming enamoured with a certain 1920s era bicycle needing restoration, I checked page 12 and was tipped off that the expense of the single tube tires might be significant. A quick phone call verified the expense...saved!

This is a well written book and well worth the investment.

Of course there is the basic "how to remove a tire" information, but there are also lots of good tips on how to evaluate a purchase, some really clever and easy techniques for brightening up an old bike's appearance, plus many excellent "insider" resources for information and replacement parts...with URLs that actually work! He uses different "experts" to demonstrate how to do a factory finish on the bike, how to get it replated etc., and the information is detailed, specific and fun to read without being overwhelming. The author places much emphasis on deciding whether to restore or not, which is a good thing-- as we all know many wonderful collectible bikes (or collectible anything!) are ruined by owners eager to make them "like new." This book strikes me as a labor of love by a person who really loves his hobby and enjoys sharing it with other people. The mechanical info might be too basic for die-hard gearheads, but even they will benefit from the wonderful body work sections!