Collectibles Books

For those of us who could never afford a Lichtenfels piece, this is the next best thing. The realism and detail she is able to achieve in cloth is phenomenal. The beautiful large-format all-color photography does justice to these amazing works. One of the most important artists in the field.

You don't have to be a doll collector to appreciate the art dolls created by Lisa Lichtenfels. Her dolls are more like people than anything else. The work she does with needle and thread, batting, wire and nylons is phenomenal. If you are a doll artist, then this is the book to take you to the next level in doll artistry. I would highly recommend this book for the art collector, doll collector as well as doll makers who want to become doll artists like Lisa.

Outstanding book on a unique artist with the professional photography that matches her work.

Buy for yourself, coffee table, inspiration!

A must have for all doll makers for whatever reason!

For those of us who could never afford a Lichtenfels piece, this is the next best thing. The realism and detail she is able to achieve in cloth is phenomenal. The beautiful large-format all-color photography does justice to these amazing works. One of the most important artists in the field.

For those of us who could never afford a Lichtenfels piece, this is the next best thing. The realism and detail she is able to achieve in cloth is astonishing. The beautiful large-format all-color photography does justice to these amazing works. One of the most important artists in the field.

This is a wonderful book in the series with wonderful reproductions of the posters of the decade. Makes a wonderful gift for someone who loves movies as well as a great coffee table book. Highly recommended

Excellent... add it to your book collection! If you are a Star Wars fan check this out!

When I first looked at this book, it was like going back to my childhood, well, sort of, it was so neat to see posters of some of my favorite films from back then and a lot from movies that I never knew they made. The artwork on those posters is most certainly something to see and admire!!! If you love art and or movies this is THE book to get you won't be disappointed!

back in the day this was the best visual present.if the poster was cool then the movie would get Love.a picture can tell a thousand words.and the 70's had the coolest posters and arguable the best films in Movie History.before video tape you walk to the movie house and see the poster and the reaction you felt led you or back the other way.a solid must have book.

Like the other decade books in this series Film Posters of the 70's is a sensational buy. You could either keep it intact as a collection of posters in a book to show and discuss with friends, or cut the book up and actually have a vast number of posters up on your wall. This book is about a third the size of your standard film poster and most movies are full page colour. Any of them would look great up on the wall.

The 70's gave the world Star Wars, Grease, The Godfather, Mad Max, Alien, Taxi Driver, Texas Chainsaw Massacure, Halloween, Rocky and a very blood thirsty shark who changed human perception of sharks for decades to come named Jaws. These films along with other greats fill this book. Roger Moore also took over from Connery as James Bond and Clint Eastwood made a heap of Westerns. Find them here as well.

I use this book constantly for reference. I received it as a gift, and have given it to others as a gift. It's a lot of fun!

AS A PAST COLLECTOR OF FISHER PRICE TOYS (15+ YEARS)---
EXPERIENCE SAYS - THIS IS AN ACCURATE PRICE GUIDE ALONG WITH A VERY INTERESTING APPRAISAL OF FISHER PRICE (THE COMPANY).
THE INQUISITION OF TOY VALUE COMBINED WITH DAINTY PHOTOGRAPHY GIVE THIS PUBLICATION HIGH MARKS IN MY EYES.
THE AUTHORS BRING A DISTINGUISHING MARK OF AUTHORITY TO FISHER PRICE AND ITS PRODUCT LINE'S....I WISH THIS MATERIAL WAS AVAILABLE AT THE PEAK OF MY COLLECTING..
VERY NICE JOB.....................

I collect toys. A friend gave me this book as a gift. It is an excellent resource for anyone starting to collect toys or someone that has been doing it for a long time. I applaud the authors for making this available. The history of the company was also quite good.

If you are at all interested in collecting Fisher-Price toys or simply want some interesting background about the toys you grew up with -- then you'll like this book.

It is by far the most thorough book I've found related to Fisher-Price. It has a complete company history, product catalog and price guide for all the toys made by Fisher-Price (and even some never released).

I am a novice toy collector and bought this book because I've always loved my FP toys. I found every toy I've ever had (or at least can remember) in the book along with some amazing facts about them. Unfortunately, I learned that my Jalopy prized #724 Jolly Jalopy is probably not worth more than...

The authors were obsessive in their attention to detail, pointing out all the nuances that make certain products more valuable than others and providing a detailed history of the company and how some of their favorite toys were born.

My only disappointment was that the book is not available in hard cover.

Have fun!

I enjoyed this book because of the great photos and details. As a toy lover and collector, I can appreciate the authors' memories of collecting and the interesting facts about Fisher-Price. It's a great portable reference to take with you to garage sales or flea markets! The colorful pages and concise information make the world of Fisher-Price toys come alive. It's been a wonderful edition to my library.

Fairly comprehensive. I felt that more information regarding the current value of some of these sleds would have been helpful, though.

It sounds like a great resource for collectors. And I miss my Flexible Flyer (40+ yrs). If they're so great (and they were), why wouldn't they (the new owners) continue making them? They are is still demand. They were and are tremendously superior to the cheap (and expensive) plastic garbage (i.e. sleds) that are now available. The plastic "sleds" slide all over the place and offer little or no control (steering) on hard pack surfaces. Are these in the book? I hope not.

I don't suppose this is the correct site to be in, but I don't know where else to go. I have a 41-42 (year) sled (60") and I refinished it recently. I do not have the logo any longer, and was wondering how I could go about finding one so I could put it on the sled.

Joan certainly knows her stuff when it comes to sleds and 'sledorabilia'. As a collector, I find it an invaluable resource for dating items and the values she has established are a good 'ballpark' for bargaining over prices. Best source I've encountered for Flexible Flyer information.

As a kid, I loved to slide down the hills on my sled. At that time, my trusty, steerable sled provided the biggest thrills of my life. Now everyone can evoke those nostalgic moments by reading this exceptionally well researched and documented book on sleds in general, and Flexible Flyers in particular. The photographs are clear and colorful, and the stories relating the rise and fall of the sled manufacturers are quite interesting. It makes a useful reference book for collectors and I think it would make a fine addition to their library.

If you own three books on pens, this should be one of them.

This handsome volume reflects the high quality standards, cantankerous spirit, and eccentrically traditionalist preferences that seem to characterize many of us who are drawn to the impractical beauty we call insist upon calling fountain pens.

An introduction and six chapters tell the story of this writing instrument, its long evolution, its demise in the twentieth century, and its rebirth as a collector's item here in our twenty-first. Five lavishly illustrated chapters meander their way from the pre-fountain-pen spectacle of rooms-full of 'inexpensive scribes' with quill in hand doing the work of a small iiterate class ('Pre-1880s: before the fountain pen', pp. 22-39) on to moderate levels of pen production ('1880-1910: early marketing efforts, pp. 40-52) to the rise of a corporate behemoth (1910-1925: competing with Sheaffer', pp. 54-85) to the fountain pen's twentieth century misfortuntes ('1930-1940: how the depression affected the market', pp. 86-107); '1945: the war: how bargain debasement nurtured the ballpoint pen', pp. 108-121) and finally to a day when--mirabile dictu--people write books about fountan pens ('The future: the rebirth of the cottage industry', pp. 122-128).

Mr. Steinberg is neither an economist or sociologist and so given to amusingly sweeping explanations of pen life: 'By the 1930s the world was in the grips of the Great Depression. The public wanted to be dazzled by technological marvels to take their minds off their economic woes. Hence the uncommon popularity of the Schneider Trophy seaplane races and the land-speed record attempts ... For fountain pen design, the Great Depression made utilitarianism and functionality the order of the day.'

However, Steinberg *is* a lover of pens and that's why he's a capable author of a coffee-table illustrated book like this one.

One closes this book with several impressions forming themselves in his brain.

First, there is the sheer technological challenge of making a pen where ink flows in the directions it's supposed to, with tolerable evenness, and a refusal to leak. This is one of those small technological adventures that culminates in something the rest of us take for granted rather than to the cleaners with ink stains around the pockets.

Then there is the sheer variety that flourishes within somewhat unbending natural limits. As with dogs, there are only so many ways and means to make a pen. Yet the plethora of canine breeds on offer has its parallel in the dazzling display of pens of which photographs, paintings, and reproduced advertisements flavor this book.

If you are so inclined, you may well find a resource that will educate your more thoroughly about fountain pens. But probably not with a more satisfactory outcome for the appreciative eye.

I purchased this as a Father's Day gift for my dad, who is a fountain pen addict. He loved the book and the history, but especially the pictures of the old ads for some of the classic fountain pens. He continues to talk about the book and for about $20 I found a gift that has become one of his favorites.

This is a beautiful book. The covers and pages are of high quality papers. Steinberg has written a truly excellent book on history of the fountain pens. Though by no means it is comprehensive and detail but definitely more than adequate for any serious collectors as part of the essential knowledge on fountain pens. The illustrations are well laid out accompanying the story and they are simply superb. A very elegant book and suitable for both beginners and serious collectors. Even good as a gift to introduce someone to pen collecting. I simply love the book and a pleasure to read it.

I've received the book yesterday. It is not the first related to Fountain Pens that I see, but this one is really nice. It is not written as the others but as a review of the history and the kind of pens. I've read almost a half of it last night!

"French Style - How to Think, Shop and Dress Like a French Woman" was published by Express (the clothing store) in 1993. The book design is unusual. It is a an oversized 10" by 9" soft cover book with a stiff book jacket cover making it a cross between a hard cover and soft cover book.

The text is illustrated with line drawings and a number of photographs (mostly black and white). It helps you learn to THINK like a French woman. It will help you learn to make the decisions a French woman would when shopping, dressing, playing and more.

French woman are known for their chic appearance and attitude. Within these pages Vienne who was born and raised in France conveys what it is that makes the French woman so stylish. She begins by looking to the past. A look at how the French fashion evolved. Then she shares the purebred classics that make the French look - items such as the supreme black turtleneck, hermes scarf, red gloves etc.

Vienne encourages you to "epater les bourgeois" that is shock say a French matron. Here is where you wear things that will raise the eyebrow such as a sweater turned inside out, sunglasses in the rain etc. As Vienne says "you cannot have style without breaking the rules". Take what you have and add little twists to make it special and give it style.
In the States we dress "appropriately" in France a French woman will push buttons - be surprising and fresh.

Vienne gives a list of "do's" and "don'ts" and she gets into "Le Shopping". Armed with more attitude than cash the French woman will use her wits and savvy to find the very best.

Like the design itself this book is very unusual. Not your usual dress like this fare. This is a book that goes beyond the obvious of what is style and helps explain the mystery of how to make style yours.

French style is not a trend, it's a way of life. A way of thinking and feeling. Veronique captures that in this book!

Lee Mellott

I bought this book about 5 years ago. Just casually flipped through it and read only parts (I don't why). Now, I've found another copy and have read it from cover to cover. I honestly don't think I was ready (5 yrs ago) to tackle the suggestions in this book. I am now.

I can't think of anything that's more inspiring or more helpful for getting the French look. I've read all of Anne Barone's books (helpful) and the tres terrible French Chic and this is absolute best..hands down.
The best thing I have come away with from this book is that you don't needs tons of money to create that French allure. The tips and tricks in the book anyone can do and will create that mystique you're after.

Today, I decided to mix navy and black together (as the book says "Very French") and I've gotten a few second glances. Shock les bourgeois...ooh I do feel so very French!

Get your hands on a copy of this book and don't let go!

Amusez-vous bien!

I, too, bought this book from Express way back when and read it religiously numerous times. As a high school girl who didn't want to look like a tart, Mme. Vienne's words of wisdom were just what I needed to create a classy style of my own.

Sadly, I donated it to the Goodwill or Friends of the Library a couple of years ago, during a momentary lapse of reason and good common sense. Guess I thought I didn't need it anymore. Boy, was I wrong!

Get it if you can, my dears, as it's a great read for the exact reasons the other reviewers love it. Thankfully, I still remember a lot of the advice.

I wish I still had mine!!!

If you're lucky enough to come across a copy of this funny little book, grab it immediately!
The illustrations & photographs are marvelous, darling! See Audrey Hepburn, the museums of Paris, street cafes & much, much more. The history is fascinating, the tips practical & usable.
And if you're into book "altering", this book is oh so chic!

I loved this book when I was in high school, and still remember (and use)some of the tips.

I just saw the Gene Marshall - Girl Star book at Borders. It is beautifully photographed with excellent illustrations. This book will make an excellent addition to any coffee table in any home. The story line is very well thought out and it can rival any fiction of the 1940s. Also, the book should be displayed right along with the Gene dolls that all of the collectors have, it would make a great conversation piece for visiting guests in your home.

For the fans of Miss Gene Marshall, this walk down Hollywood's memory lane will not be a disappointing one. Gene's early days from childhood to her initial experiences on the set of her first motion picture, Blond Lace, serve to chronicle the much anticipated story of one of the 20th centuries most beloved celebrities.

A carousel of sweetly flavored reminisces from "those in the know" are often interwoven by the tartness of tensel town's own diva, Madra Lord.

This well written text left this particular reader wanting more, more, MORE!

I had wanted this book since I first heard about, so when I got it for my birthday, I was very pleased. The book is just beautiful, Mel Odom's illustrations are fabulous, as are the photographs which make Gene seem to come alive. After reading through the "interviews" and letters from people who worked with Gene, you almost find yourself believing that she was a real person, and want to go and rent a movie staring her, which sadly one cannot do. It is a wonderful book to add to your collection, and it makes Gene's story even more real. I highly recomend it to any Gene fan. Even if you do not collect Gene dolls, this book would make for an entertaining read.

This is a terrific book. I am a big fan of Gene - as well as the way she is presented. The use of shadow and light in the wonderful photography makes her looks very real. In addition, the thing that makes Gene special is that she has a whole story - of how she was discovered and became an actress. They have interviews with various friends, enemies and family, again, making her become very real. Two thumbs up!

This is a very entertaining and beautifully illustrated story of the rise of Gene Marshall. Anyone who has enjoyed reading Hollywood history and movie star biographies will love this. The story is told in snippets from studio memos, a gossip column, and excerpts from the biographies of Madra Lord, Trent Osborn, Eric Von Sternberg and others. It all begins with Gene's childhood and ends with the debut of her first film "Blonde Lace". There are some new characters introduced into Gene's story such as Trent Osborne, an aging actor who has dated Madra Lord and Ivy Jordan, a character actress who becomes Gene's friend. The photographs are cleverly done and the illustrations are wonderful. Anyone who has studied Hollywood lore will see the similiaries to real life stories and situations and that makes it all the more fun. The only reason I don't give the book 5 stars is because it ends too early. An entire synopsis of Gene's career would have been welcome. It really leaves you wanting more.

A must have for any person that appreciated the work of George Ohr.
Thank you Robert A. Ellison Jr. for this amazing book. If you can't see
the actual work this book is the next best thing.

The book is beautiful and the photos are superb, but I was somehow led to believe I'd find photos of early utilitarian pottery in this book and I did not. I will use the book. It does enhance my knowledge of George Ohr and his work, but I wanted to see the really old pieces from his work with his mentors and beyond.

If you like pottery and George Ohr this is an outstanding book. Amazing photo quality of some of George's coolest work..He was truly one of the worlds best at what he did..This has become one of our favorites, and we found it for less money on AMAZON.COM!!! Thanks,TESSRS

"Geo E Ohr has challenged any potter on earth! `You' Prove the Contrary!" These are the words painted by George Ohr on a sign at the 1895 Atlanta Cotton States and International Exposition.

He did more than challenge fellow artists, he set a standard for them by digging his own clay, shaping his own pots, firing his own kiln, and creating forms that were unlike the currently popular shapes. In fact, his shapes were so outre at the time that he was called "The Mad Potter of Biloxi." As the world now knows he was prescient.

The words that he painted in 1895 followed the total destruction of his studio and some 10,000 pieces by fire, plus a devastating hurricane that hit the Mississippi coast prior to that. Obviously, he was a resilient and determined individual. Today, in the wake of Katrina, the Ohr O'Keefe Museum in Biloxi is being rebuilt. If he were still living Ohr would have it no other way.

Married and the father of ten children, he sold most of his works at expositions and fairs. He received only a modicum of artistic appreciation during his lifetime, although he was presented with the Silver Medal at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. It was not until the 1960s that a New Jersey antique dealer, Jim Carpenter, came to Biloxi and saw Ohr's works now housed in an auto repair shop. Carpenter eventually bought nearly 7000 pots and introduced Ohr to art aficionados in New York City. The potter's stature as an extraordinary artist has continued to grow.

Robert Ellison became an admirer of Ohr's and now owns some 370 pieces. His creation of this beautiful volume is a gift to all. With 192 color illustrations illuminated by scholarship George Ohr, Art Potter, is both a tribute to the artist and an outstanding reference for his work.

- Gail Cooke

Ohr does break the mold when it comes to art pottery. Whereas other potters, no matter how innovative or imaginative they are, stay within certain classic forms for vases, bowls, goblets, etc., Ohr often departs radically from the forms. His art pottery is perhaps best considered as free-form sculpture inspired by, but not made according to, traditional pottery. Thus, a "pot" has "elaborate configuration: sharp bends, angles, blades, swirls, and quasi-cylinders [making for] complexity from every angle." Another "pot" has "crinkling result[ing] in dramatically deep three-dimensional spaces...[which] radiate highlights that contrast with the dark-brown glaze...[giving] this piece...a brooding, enigmatic presence." The foregoing quotes are from captions of two of the color photographs of individual pieces of Ohr's pottery on nearly every page. The work is a tour through Ohr's artistic career from "The Early Years" to "A Final Phase" noting and illustrating phases of development and points of his individuality. With their colors and polymorphous, though mostly rounded, shapes, Ohr's pottery/sculpture has a deep earthiness, as if plucked whole from the ground's depths, though they patently demonstrate a clear, singular vision and matching consummate skill.

Of all the many books produced about the timeless toy classic of G.I. Joe, none has reached the pinnacle of understanding, love and respect than Mr. Marshall's. His in-depth coverage of the development of America's Mobile Fighting Man is beyond any other writing on the subject. Combined with John Marshall's particular humorist style, the era of these action figures is brought back to life. If you love G.I. Joe, you MUST OWN THIS BOOK!

Anyone who collects action figures from the 1970's needs this book. Anyone who HAD action figures in the 1970's needs this book. Lots of pictures, lots of price values, and lots of information. Not just a price value or pictorial guide, the text is surprisingly fun to read with Marshall's oddly biting humor and obvious genuine fascination with the subject matter.

The first of a trilogy by John Marshall (he has two other, similar books; one about 60's toys, the other about the 80's), this is the one closest to my heart. ALL of the toys I collected as a kid are either pictured or mentioned. He must be around my age, because his memories of buying and playing with his toys somewhat mirror my own (and that's what collecting is all about; NOSTALGIA, not values and prices...right? RIGHT!?).

More than just a price guide, this book is a funny, informative walk down memory lane that would make a great gift for any boy who played with toys in the seventies.

PS. His chapter on the Micronauts is worth the price of the book!

For those of us that grew up in the 1970's The Adventure Team is the crowning glory of GI Joe. John's book is the only book on GI Joe written from the perspective of an Adventure Team fan. If you are a fan of the Fuzzy Head guys this is a must buy. No collection of hammerhead sharks, giant spiders or Kung Fu Grip is complete without this book.

This is one of the most complete and comprehensive collection of material and facts that I have seen gathered and paying respect to the Adventure Team. This is a must for all who grew up the same era as I, the last of the baby boomers. Well designed and thought out. I have yet to see a more accurate and helpful source of information, dedicated to this beautiful time of Joe. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, its a true winnner.

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.