Collectibles Books

This book is excellent for all doll collector's Filled with pictures to help identify faces. This is book will stay in your library and pass on to the next generation.
You will be glad you bought it
Julie Nye

Excellent book-Well organized by years, showing top quality photos of American compo. dolls. Highly recommend!

The photographs in this book are outstanding and very helpful when trying to identify a doll. Ms. Mertz has outdone herself in the information she provides in this book. I especially like the closeup photos of the dolls' heads because it is so helpful when trying to identify unmarked dolls without original clothing. This book is a joy to read, and I have kept it on my chair side table in close reach so that I can enjoy it every time I sit down for a break.

This is a 'must have' book for the collector of American composition dolls. It is well researched and showcases many smaller companies that produced dolls as beautiful, and desirable, as the larger ,better known manufacturers. The addition of actual advertisements from trade magazines, touting 'uniqueness' and sales potential for particular dolls, is both interesting and education to the serious collector as well as the novice. The histories of the lesser known companies ,no matter how short, are enlightening since many of them I knew nothing about. This volume is as beautifully photographed as the first; Ms. Mertz took no shortcuts on quality. Both volumes I & II are well worth their price.

Ursula Mertz has done it again! Her first volume of the COLLECTOR'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN COMPOSITION DOLLS set the standard for compo doll reference books. Now her Vol. 2 -- all new information and photos -- has been published and it more than lives up to the quality of its now out-of-print predecessor. For anyone who enjoys the composition dolls of the first half century of the 20th Century, this book is a "must buy!"

This book is simply fabulous in every respect and you will most certainly not be disappointed! The pictures are plentiful, crisp, clear, and full color showing very precise detail of each item featured along with thorough descriptions, references to Ad's, dates and what I consider realistic price guidelines.

There are also additional photos of the inside of some compacts, especially the carryalls, which is extremely helpful in identifying what items should be there in order to maintain value. I have collected compacts and carryall's for years, but often find even though the exteriors are in great shape the interiors lack essential pieces, which can devalue, therefore knowing what you should have inside and out is of paramount importance to your collecting.

Compacts shown in this book are very attainable too, although there are those depicted, which are more difficult to find, rare and more expensive the book gives a wonderful comprehensive overview of VERY accessible compacts the collector can actually find in the market today. Within the first 50 pages I had already easily found and identified 6 compacts I purchased over the last 3 months AND I was able to identify even more within online auctions.

Finally a book that shows compacts, carryall's, etc. in great detail, gives a thorough description, references to Ad's, gives accurate dates and what I consider very accurate price guidelines, plus offers pieces, which can actually be found. This book is a stunning masterpiece both in text and photos and I can't wait to purchase the Second Edition!

I bought this and Volume II. The history! The pictures! You know what you are seeing and reading about in a collectors book, AT LAST! I have been collecting for a number of years, just for the beauty and my own personal thoughts about the people that might have owned these compacts. Now I know so much that I have always wanted to know. Now that I have seen these books, even though some of mine are not listed, I know where to look! I would love to talk to Laura, the author, because she must feel the same.

This book is just as beautiful as Gersons' Vintage ladys compacts with just as many color photographs of compacts. How ever Mueller expands her information on compacts with every chapter and the different compacts are catagorized by type ie, military, novalty etc and she also includes face powder boxes and other related Items in her books. I would recommend getting both volumes of her Encyclopedias as one is meant to compliment the other. There was a wonderful wooden box that she includes in one of the books that was originally meant as a bridal gift that I would love to acquire. Mueller has put keepsakes from her own wedding in it to demonstrate what it could be used for. Plus on the top of many pages of her books are quotes from people who were in the cosmetic and compact business when compacts were originally made that I find fun and unique. I highly recommend these books by Mueller .

From start to finish, this book is loaded with very sharp images of hundreds of vintage compacts ranging from absolutely gorgeous pieces to whimsical and always with great descriptions and current values. All of the photos are in beautiful color and are very sharp & easily recognizable. I've been collecting vintage compacts for years and was still amazed at the variety of styles and manufacturers that are included in this book! It stays on my desk and is a constant source of reference and pleasure! The only thing I would really like to see (maybe in a future publication) is the approximate age of each piece. Whether you're a serious collector or just a lover of the older compact beauties, you just cannot miss with this book....the author knows her stuff!!

This volume, along with volume 2, is the best place to learn about compacts and how to collect them. Gorgeous photos, all in color, covering every possible category of compact imaginable. Mueller covers compact and makeup history, from Egyptian times to the turn of the 20th century to the demise of artistically designed compacts in the 1960s. Any reader will be educated in the world of compacts after going through these two volumes. A quality guide/encyclopedia.

Whether you are already a passionate collector of these wonderful pieces of art and history or a novice just starting the adventure of collecting, Wendy's book is a treasure. As my love of chocolate molds and my collection grow, I find myself turning the pages over and over again. The book is well-organized, informative, and full of beautiful photographs. The author is obviously knowledgeable and very enthusiatic about her subject. Somehow the book has the ability to both sooth and excite. I truly can't wait until her next book is available. Enjoy.

This is a beautiful book with wonderful color photos of about 350 chocolate molds-includes pricing information--great for Antique Shops!
Wonderful postcards and tradecards relating to the candy industry-they make the book really colorful. Buy the book as a gift or for use in your store--you will love it!

Wendy's passion for these exquisite little works of art is evident in her first "Collector's Guide"!~ Fabulous photography and colorful antique postcards displayed with the moulds just add to this wonderful book's appeal~ I highly recommend it to anyone who loves chocolate moulds, antiques, or who just appreciates the fine workmanship in everyday items of a bygone era. I personally use it as my "wish book", hoping to come across more of these great moulds in the future!~ Excellent!!

I was thrilled when I was able to get an autographed copy of this wonderful book! I was even more excited when I opened it! It is FULL of gorgeous pictures of antique chocolate molds! It gives us a wonderful history of these treasures! It also includes beautiful photos of antique post cards and other special memorabilia from the past, that correlate with these special molds. It is an exquisite book! I have shown it to others who have thoroughly enjoyed reading it, too! This book is a one-of-a-kind resource for valuing these wonderful pieces from the past! The author, Wendy Mullen, clearly went to great lengths to give us the information AND treat us to many extras! I am very impressed with this book and can't wait to see what else Ms. Mullen will give us!

I was very impressed with this book. The pictures were beautiful and so vivid. I gained so much knowledge of chocolate molds, there was so much information. I display my book on the coffee table, it is a real conversation starter.
I located the author's website at: [URL]. The site has great deals on your favorite chocolate molds.
I would highly recommend this book.

I am a lover and collector of vintage dolls from the 60's and 70's. This book is an incredibly valuable resource!! It shows pictures from hundreds of dolls - from baby dolls, collector dolls and fashion dolls. It really does have everything!! It also shows an estimated market value. I would highly recommend this book - it is GREAT!!!

I really could not live without this book! Not only has it taught me more about what I do collect, but it has opened up a whole new world to dolls that I never new exisited. The vibrant color photos are amazing and the descriptions are fun to read. Thank you for the countless hours it must have took to compile such a thorough history of dolls from my era!

As if her first book didn't do enough damage to my bank account, Ms. Sabulis had to follow up with a sequel, providing me even more opportunities to indulge my doll-collecting habit (addiction).

Just like her Collector's Guide Vol I, Volume II is page after page of beautiful photographs and informative descriptions of dolls I had or wanted as a child, and also contains many dolls I never knew existed (but now of course must obtain). There's so much there, I find something new each time I peruse it afresh.

Warning: The cost of this book is very reasonable. But unless (unlike me) you have a lot of self-discipline, it will ultimately cost you far more than the initial purchase price!

As a vintage doll collector I would be lost without this authors books for dolls of the 1960 and 1970's. I have had such fun finding dolls that I had long forgotten about or never even knew existed. The photos and information in this book are very valuable to the vintage doll collector. I would highly recommend this book. Even if you are not a collector the book is very fun to have around. People come over and open the book and say I had this doll or I remember my friend had this one.

Volume 2 of Cindy Sabulis' great doll directory of the Sixties and Seventies has more obscure dolls than anyone has ever seen. There are the popular favorites like Tressy, but did you ever see the bizarre Peteena,a glamorous woman with the head of a poodle? Betsy Wetsy rubs elbows with the John Travolta doll, but then there's the strange Ginny Bones, all head with a stick body.
But don't worry: you'll still see Twiggy, Flatsies, Liddle Kiddles, Heidi and the Rock Flowers. But then there's the obscure guys like Mr. & Mrs. Mouse House, Herby Hippy, and Lil' Souls. Just when you think you've seen it all Cindy will surprise you.

I found this book to be very useful in identifying the age of dolls and their value. It has a lot of information in it for the collectors !

A MUST-HAVE book for any serious doll collector or dealer. Great and varied photos and description guidelines.

This is a very good refence guide to use to find out information and value of all Ideal dolls. Lots of nice pictures!!

I am a Shirley Temple Collector. I use this book all of the time to identifiy valuable dolls and outfits. I have learned so much from this book. A must have for anyone who collects dolls.

Judith Izen has hit another homerun with this excellent book for collectors of Ideal dolls. There are literally hundreds of wonderful color photos throughout the book. It is a pleasure just to leaf through the high quality, glossy pages. Even if you are not a collector, it would still be interesting to have the book as a conversation piece. Anyone who ever had a doll when they were young would love to look through to see if their favorite dolly is here. The book is also very well written with plenty of information about individual dolls and the different types of dolls. The 5 stars are well deserved.

The book is very helpful, especiallly formatted for the comic book fan. It is also great because of how it is organized. I think it is as good as Overstreet.

I picked up this book simply because I was interested in pricing my comicbook collection. Imagine my surprise when I read the wonderful editorial on heroes (both real-world, and the four-color kind) as well as the moving tribute to those heroes of the 9/11 tragedy. I highly recomend this book to everyone!

If you are looking for a great price guide to price out your comicbook collection, then this is the book for you! Fair, realistic pricing, and fine editorial content as well

As always, the Team of Malloy, Wells, and Sodaro bring sanity and clarity to the multi-tiered world of comicbook prices. This guide has consistently ranked as one of the best price guides on the market. Malloy truly has a handle on what stuff is truly worth. This edition is especially relevant in the post 9/11 world, as it contains a pair of stirring tributes to "Heroes" (both the four-color and the real-world kind). I heartily recommend this book

The 2007 edition of Comics Values Annual from Krause Publications is out and it continues to get better and better each and every year. This book gains momentum every year as an alternative to the more well-known Overstreet price guide. The main problem with Overstreet is the endless pages of dealer ads that grow longer each year. Who needs 150 pages of dealer ads anyway? Do people really order that many comics from dealers, especially with eBay? I also don't need the dozens of pages of dealer market reports that are basically already stale by the time the book comes out.I just want prices and information, which is what Comics Values Annual 2007 delivers in a no-frills package.

This edition gives a brief introduction on the industry, a grading guide, and features an interview with artist Joe Jusko. The CV Annual is very different from the Overstreet in its layout, Rather than simply list each title alphabetically, this guide lists titles alphabetically by MAJOR publisher beginning with DC and then continuing with Marvel, Image, Dark Horse, Classics Illustrated, and then tossing in miscellaneous Golden Age titles, Misc. B & W, titles, and misc. color titles from modern publishers like Valiant, Gold Key, Gladstone, Malibu, etc...Now this may not be to every collector's liking as we've been conditioned to one type of delivery, but I personally like it. I mean it's still a Marvel and DC world to most collectors, especially in regards to Silver and Golden Age books so why have to thumb through all the junk no one's interested in when Marvel and DC have their own sections.

Another big difference between the CV Annual 2007 and Overstreet is that this book only lists the NM price per issue while the Overstreet gives three prices. I can go either way on this one. On one hand, it's nice to have all three major grades listed. On the other hand, it's not all that hard to calculate the price yourself based on the grade. Plus, Overstreet has to end up using a miniscule typeface to fit all those prices in the book.

I think the biggest advantage of the CV Annual is that instead of listing a range of issue numbers, it lists each title number by number. This allows for more information to be supplied such as story arc name, character appearance, artist credits, etc. This is a BIG plus!

If you want a price guide that gets right down to it without all the fluff and waste, I cannot recommend the Comics Values Annual 2007 any more highly!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

I bought this for friends of ours who recently moved to Iowa (go figure). She has let me know it's the best book on the subject. They spend lots of time in the wide open looking at cows. So I guess you can't get a better reference than that!

Sara Rath really gets deep and into her writing in this book. I enjoyed every bit about it. I thought i knew just about every thing there was to know about them being as though i was raised around them my whole life. I would recommend this book to anyone

Sara Rath's "The Complete Cow" is a gem of a book. I was amazed by the scope and in-depth coverage of cows written in friendly first person text. It 's all so readable and interesting, you just keep turning the pages for more information about these all-important and loveable beasts. The book is full of large-format color photos, side-bars, cow jokes and interesting trivia such as how to say "Moo" in eleven languages. Did you know that the age of a cow is always based on her age when she calves? Or that Texas still leads the US in beef production? Rath writes about the mythical cow in places like Egypt, Greece and Scandinavia; cow breeds of the world (Kuri, Pinzgauer and Romagnola); and the philosophy about cows. Another section I found interesting was "Holy Cow" about how the Masia tribe of Kenya andTanzania devote their lives to cattle; the importance of cattle in Irish culture; and interesting lore about the Texas Longhorn. The Complete Cow, entertaining and witty from start to finish, is a real pleasure to hold in your hands. A great gift for anyone who loves cows!

Why are cows so trendy? Why do cow calendars sell out at Christmas before their kitten and puppy counterparts? Well, the answer was a mystery to me until Sara Rath put together her incredibly well-researched account titled, THE COMPLETE COW. This book is a gas! From the truly beautifull photography -- to the hilarious "asides" on bovine history, Rath has put together a cow compendium of unrivaled proportions. A great book for animal, trivia, and history lovers alike, this book brings together Rath's fine, storied prose and a character we can't help but love.

As with so many other "ordinary" things in life, I had forgotten to think about cows, and I certainly had no idea that there are so many different types. Thank goodness we have authors, like Rath, who have the ability to re-ignite the childlike wonder in us. The Complete Cow's entertaining text and stunning photos make it exactly the kind of book that my children and friends love to pick up, over and over. I'm ordering copies for my sisters for Christmas.

Because I am only an occasional buyer of Franklin Halve Dollars, I want the best advise possible. That comes from Rick Tomaska's book "The complete Guide To FRANKLIN HALVE DOLLARS.

Excellent book for collectors of Franklin Half Dollars. Lots of GOOD information. A MUST HAVE for collectors.

Info virtually unavailable elsewhere

This is the best Franklin half dollar book I have seen. It starts out with a history of the series. Then it shows 5 tables showing which dates are the rarest. Next it gives detail on every date and mintmark, proof and mint. It gives the value for toned and untoned coins. It also gives historical price comparism and a census of how many have been graded by PCGS and NGC. The only bad thing about the book is it isn't that updated. The prices are from a couple years ago and then censuses are from late 1997. All together this will help you make a great profit off the half dollars you buy. DON"T WAIT, BUY IT!!!

I found this book to be informative on the series of Franklin Half Dollars. A must for anyone seriously considering collecting this series of coins. Although prices specified is outdated, this does not deter from its content.

Schneidly Whiplash has done it again! He and his wife have such a wonderful talent for showcasing the values of collectibles!!!!

Probably the best reference book to date on collecting shakers. Chock full of pictures and information cover to cover.

This book is what I would term user friendly. It is set up in such a way that you can easily access the information you need. In the back of the book is a listing of many importing companies and information on them. This is my favorite of all of the shaker books.

If you are going to own just one book on salt & peppers, this is the one in which to invest. It is quite comprehensive and very well organized.

Mike Schneider keeps raising the bar a little higher--so high that Sergei Bubka couldn't vault over it. When I got the book I showed it to friends and that was the acid test. Over and over I heard, 'My grandma had that pair,' or ' We have those in the basement...they're worth that much?!?' These people were enthralled with the book. Mike Schneider's book runs from routine shakers to really obscure ones to ones that are absolutely unbelievable. The prices are true and the colors are crisp. Mr. Schneider's previous work caused me to be sure I got this volume--and as always I am very pleased with his efforts. Schiffer Publishing has a rising star.

This book is great. Provides a lot of information on crissy and her family. Includes info and pictures of clothing also great helpful hints on restoration. Restoration tips can be used on other dolls as well.

This book is a must-have for any Crissy collector! Beth Gunther has done an incredible job of detailing each Crissy family doll as well as the outfits, accessories, and related toys. The book is organized well, with a comprehensive price guide and collector's checklist at the end. Included are many rarities and catalog outfits. Even if you are not a die-hard collector, Gunther's photos of groovy 70's outfits take the reader on a fun-filled trip down memory lane! Yeah, baby!!

Beth Gunther knows her Crissy family! She has filled her book with well-researched facts and beautiful photos. Her guide to this family of dolls is very complete and makes a good companion when doll shopping. Additionally, she includes a section on styling Crissy's hair. I didn't realize it was possible to work with synthetic hair and make it look good again. I think her techniques would also work on other "modern" dolls. I wrote to Ms. Gunther shortly before the book was released, and she was kind enough to reply. I'm sure she is a doll "reporter" who will be around for a long time. If you love Crissy, you can't go wrong with this book by Beth Gunther. It's a keeper. I look forward to seeing more of Ms. Gunther's work in publication; perhaps a book of sewing patterns for the Crissy family.

This book is well written, thorough, and a must-have guide for collectors. It is better than the other book currently available ! I have learned a lot from Ms. Gunther and have been able to build my collection while also identifying dolls I already owned. I have found her research into the clothing made for the dolls the most helpful. Now I know what to look for on eBay ! Thank you, thank you for writing this book. I recommend it to all collectors

this book brings back many happy memories of playing with my crissy dolls, and finding out how many outfits and accessories i didn't know about!! she also gives you in depth help on helping the dolls look brand new again. that area alone is good for any doll collector!!! don't miss out!!