Collectibles Books

I love this book. The photos are clear and easy to view. The collections are in order and complete. I have been collecting for 40 years and this in my favorite book.

The PEANUTS COLLECTIBLE ORNAMENTS book is great for all ornament collectors. Each ornament has a GREAT photograph and details such are year sold, licensee and a description of the ornament. It is easy to carry, because of its 5.5 X 8.5 size and being a hardcover wears nicely. I never knew so many Peanuts ornaments existed.

The first thing I noticed was the great front and back covers (in hardback, no less) -- and it only got better from there! Beautifully photographed pages and so many ornaments that I had never seen before. A wonderful addition to a Snoopy collector's archives.

This book isn't just about quilts and not just about people. This book is about how quilts helped a primitive Appalachian people survive the cold winters. Each quilt is not only described but the story of it's maker is told with it and why or how they made the quilt. There are amazing touching stories of survival throughout. A must read for collectors of quilts and for those who want to remember a past so different from today. Any Appalachian grandparent would treasure this book.

This book is superb & worth the extra effort to special order it. The author interviews women (and a few men) of Southern Appalachia, where quilting as a mainstay of life has never really gone out of fashion -- hence they've never had a quilting "revival" either. Photographs are gorgeous, and the stories about the people make you feel rooted to the land. One of the more intriguing stories is the "Hanging Elephant" quilt, which shows an applique block of an elephant being hung for the crime of killing a Tennessee man in 1916. The book is printed on heavy, high quality paper. Quilt history buffs and anthropologists will love this book. As for hobbyists, it's not a how-to book, but the photographs will furnish much inspiration and food for thought.

I bought this book while visiting Williamsburg with a friend. It so captured my attention that I had to read some of the stories to my companion. We were both quickly enthralled. I brought it back with me and introduced my quilting group to it. Several more copies sold the next day. The stories are heart warming. The photographs are incredible.

The man who picked up quilting only after his wife passed. Well. Just amazing.

The wedding quilt made in the late 1800s by friends and relatives of the bride. Awe inspiring.

This book is not a "how to" book. But if you are interested in quilts, quilting and quilters, it is a must for your library.

Wonderful just what I wanted to expand my knowledge now that I am a member of IPBA. Colour plate are beautiful and so much information.

This is absolutely the BEST book available on Czech Perfume Bottles. The variety shown is astonishing and the designs are beautiful. Color photos show bottles and details. Good research and historic information. I found more than I expected and am delighted with my purchase!!!

A beautiful book to look at (the photos are amazingly detailed) & facinating to read, even if you are not a collector. This book will transport you to another (more elegant) era.

This beautifully illustrated, concisely detailed descriptive book provides an incredible amount of information. The photos in particular enable the reader to recognise finer details and are a valuable research source for collectors. I recommend this book to art lovers and bottle collectors alike.

Happy to add my approval to this as a "must have" for any serious collector and a worthwhile read for anyone contemplating starting a perfume and cologne bottle collection. LAM

This book is full of lush color pictures of bottles many of us will never be able to afford but now we know what to look for! I really am glad I purchased this book and I have referred to it many times. I have made purchase based on information and discovered favorite styles of bottles. I understand that there is a newer version of this book and I have not seen that book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who collects perfume bottles. It is a great book to sit and look at and wish "..if only......."

As the follow-up edition to Ron's earlier book on PHILCO, this continues to be the definitive reference for antique radio collectors and mass media historians. PHILCO (short for "Philadelphia Storage Battery Company") was the name synonymous with affordable radios for nearly three decades...along with the well-known "cathedral" style radio of the 1930s and 1940s.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the family radio was the last household item to be sold for rent and food money.

I recommend picking up your copy before this edition goes out of print.

Ron Ramirez (Mr. Philco to radio collectors) has compiled one of the finest books of its type. Focusing solely on Philco radios, he traces the evolution of the Philadelphia Storage Battery Co. from its roots to PHILCO, one of America's leading manufacturers of home radios. The book is organized chronologically by model year and includes a photograph and text explanation for virtually every Philco radio ever manufactured. Each chapter begins with a detailed description of the key features of the new models, how Philco responded to the fierce competion of the day, and the company's marketing strategies for the new year. The photography is outstanding with the vast majority of the pictures representing the best available examples of original or restored radios. The author wraps up the book with a listing by year of all Philco models, their tube configurations, and a "rarity" scale. While an excellent technical reference and history book, it also presents an interesting insight into how the Art Deco school of design influenced even radio cabinetry of the period. Highly recommended!

This is one of my favorite reference books. The pictures are great and especially helpful when you are trying to restore an old disgarded Philco to it's former beauty. Packed with interesting history and trivia. Values listed in the book tend to be on the conservative side, but then again most reference books tend to do this. If you love old radios and their history, this is a "Must Have" for your book shelf. (PS. His website is pretty neat too)

This book has almost 200 different patterns of depression glass and price lists for them. The pictures are excellent and the size makes it perfect for throwing in a bag or backpack while browsing at flea markets or yard sales. The author, Gene Florence does refer to another of his books which is larger and more in depth if you need more info, but this is my first book on depression glass and I find it has what I need at this point. Of special note is his section on reproductions and how to spot them - very helpful. I highly recommend this book.

This book came with much needed information. Definitely great for identification purposes of almost all there is was out there!

This book was recommended to me by a dealer specializing in depression glass at a glass show, and I was not disappointed. Clear color photographs with company names, dates, color range, and prices listed in a small size book that is easy to tote around. My favorite part is the section on reproductions in the back of the book, not found in some of the other glass books I own! This is the second copy I have purchased (it comes out every two years) just to keep abreast of the reproductions, since it is sold at such a great price!

I first bought the LON version of the book and was floored by the writing, knowledge and the definite love of the game. When this title came out I promptly purchased it.

Like the LON version the Specifics highlights are almost identical: 1) They start off the book by analyzing the impact of the new release of cards (LOD series) into the current card environment. This is very important since each card series release is aware of the past sets. 2) They also analize the impact onto the different class of deck types (Exodia, Clown Control, Weenie rush, Swarm, etc) 2) At an absolute card level, each card is separatly reviewed by two people/Players so there is a double reference and support and knowledge when a card is great or stinks. 3) The book also has top 10 lists and Deck building by various methods in detail.

This book was not just authored, but the people reviewing were avid players in the curcuit of Yugioh National Tournaments.

Bill 'pojo' Gill oversees the book as a project and finnesses the entire series. I own the LON, LOD and PGD of the series and await the new books. An excellent surprise to any Yugioh fan would be all three books.

I highly recommend this book for avid collectors or players who 'truely' enjoy the game on many levels of pleasure.

This is an excellent book. The reviews of individual cards are represented from two views, so there is some variation, but most of the rankings are right next to each other. The place where the contradictions come in are that when the whole set is looked at, many of the "must-have" cards were rated middle-of-the-pack during individual reviews.

The other material in the book is worth the price alone. Good suggestions on strategy and deck building, with many sample decks shown.

I play Yugioh with my son weekly. I love the strategy and card work it brings to an era of TV/video games. This book is amazing in the strategy, collecting and play of the cards. The Heart of the Cards.

I bought this book this past summer on a whim and was amazingly surprised how in-depth the cards were reviewed. The book explains in detail why certain cards or desk are good and how you can improve the decks.

Specifics highlights: 1) They start off the book by analyzing the impact of the new release of cards (LON series) into the card environment. Amazing! 2) They also acertain the impact onto the different class of deck types (Exodia, Clown Control, Weenie rush, Swarm, etc) 2) Each card is reviewed by two people/Players so there is a double reference and support and knowledge when a card is great or stinks. 3) The book also has top 10 lists and Deck building by various methods in detail.

This book was not just authored, but the people reviewing were avid players in the curcuit of Yugioh National Tournaments.

Bill 'pojo' Gill oversees the book as a project and finnesses the entire series. I own the LON, LOD and PGD of the series and await the new books.

I highly recommend this book for avid collectors or players who 'truely' enjoy the game on many levels of pleasure.

In our search for the perfect slip shade chandelier, we have referred to this book time and time again. We have found several fixtures from the book on Ebay. It is an excellent compendium of art deco light fixtures and, although the prices stated are on the high side, gives us a good idea of rarity and value. Highly recommended.

Although this book is the best resource of its kind, I do have two minor whines. First, few of the pictures are accompanied by the manufacturer or a definitive date produced (most have a date range). Second, a few of the pictures (although it is a small percentage) are of poor quality.

For anyone who is a beginner or a serious collector of deco lighting, this book is a must. The pictures are beautiful. I have purchased several old lamps for restoration. I now have a better idea of how the finish might have looked as well as the appropriate shade. Well worth the dollars spent. You might be surprised to find out just how much Aunt Lucy's old spelter lamp goes for on the antique circuit.

For years I've wished there were a good, richly illustrated reference book on Deco lamps. Usually, I had to content myself with just a single chapter in other books on Deco. Finally, there's this book! Marvelous photos on every page. I suspect some of the estimated values are a bit high, but perhaps, in time, the rest of the market will catch up to them. Regardless, anyone interested in Deco lighting needs this one on their shelves.

McMenamin's lavishly illustrated tome covers many areas of Mexican folk art, including certain forms specifically created for the American tourist market in the 1920's, 30's and 40's. Folk ceramics, talavera, textiles, furniture, wood carvings, popote or straw mosaics, lacquerware, loteria drawings and carved coconut banks are among the folk art genres included in this well-researched book. As a collector of Mexican folk art, I know only too well how difficult it is to find books in English on this subject; McMenamin offers both the serious scholar and the casual collector precious insight into many folk art forms that have almost completely disappeared or are languishing because of the acculturation that inevitably occurs with foreign contact. Popular Arts of Mexico (1850-1950) is a good, basic overview of areas other than traditional dance masks and Los Dias de Los Muertos-related folk art.

Beautiful pictures, informed text! Collectors use this "Bible" as a reference to describe their Mexican folk art.

Most of the information is unavailable in other books.

Plus, the book is gorgeous.

I was first told about Donna McMenamin's book "Popular Arts of Mexico" by a fellow collector of Mexicana who thought I might like it. I remember telling him I had too many other interest to get involved in such a broad field of collecting. At that time I was collecting the most basic of Mexican chotzkie, anything with a "Sleeping Mexican" on it seemed appropriate. Then I saw Donna's book. One word...Wow. I was first just blown away with the pictures, such clear and concise images. And the detail! Sadly, I was hooked. I started taking her book with me on jaunts to the antique mall where I would pick up anything that looked remotely similar. Can you say expensive? Eventually, because of the book, I was able to spot things on my own, which was great, and much cheaper. :-) Donna's book has opened up a whole new world of collecting for me. I had never seen a carved wood panel, known as "bas relief." When I saw the chapter in her book I just knew I had to own one. They are incredible and have now become a focal point in our collection of TRUE Mexican Popular Arts. OK, I still like sleeping Mexican things, but I'm crazy! :-) It would be difficult for me to say a collectibles book changed my life, I guess it seems so shallow, however, Donna's book gave me a new awareness of things that are amazingly beautiful. I'd say that's a positive life change. Can you say sappy book review? :-)

As a vintage jewelry dealer, this is one of my favorite books, both for reference as well as for enjoyment. Ms. Ettinger has selected and verified the dating of jewelry for the most popular collectible jewelry types in the vintage and antique categories. As a pricing guide, her instincts are excellent in this ever-changing market. The narrations add to the pictorial information to make this one of the most important books in my collection. She reveals a good sampling of each era of jewelry styles, giving us a realistic glimpse of period jewelry popular in each decade covered. This book is well worth buying.

Sandra L.
Foxfire Vintage Jewelry

Roseann Ettinger's "Popular Jewelry 1840-1940" is definitely one of the must-have books that all vintage jewelry collectors and jewelry lovers should have in their libraries. The book covers jewelry trends such as Victorian, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Transitional and Art Deco. This is not a book about the big name jewelry designers and makers of the rich and famous, but rather about the jewelry marketed to the general public. Having said that; however, as you leaf through this book, you'll find that the jewelry advertised in the Sears catalog or given away for subscribing to Mc Calls magazine were not less beautiful or less dazzling than the "real" thing. "Popular Jewelry" is easy to read. But what I like the most is the profusion of illustrations and photographs (both in color and black and white) of rings, pendants, brooches, chains, bracelets, necklaces, buckles, lavalieres, pins--and in addition to some magazine and catalog advertising of each period, that makes this book a feast for the eyes.

This book is important to dating old jewelry because it is divided into "periods" of popular jewelry with lots of photographs to help you identify the age of a piece. It's like a little timeline. Chances are you have seen the jewelry in this book and you can learn about the era and the wearer...