Collectibles Books

The artwork is unique. The only thing to bother me was the cards had to be torn out. I knew this when I purchased them, but didn't think it'd make that big of a difference to me. It does.

If you like Victorian ephemera, this is the book of postcards you should buy. A very high quality product like most of the offerings from Dover. The postcards are beautiful and interesting.

It's funny how much and yet how little advertising has changed. These postcards will make you smile, and then make you think...

These reproductions of very old postcards from the Landauer Collection are great fun and might have gone UNdiscovered by me were it not for several family members who have become fascinated in A.T.C.s: 2 1/2" X 3 1/2/" Artist Trading Cards. The images are perfect to "remodel" and use for concocting your own cards /OR/ collages.

PLUS, you don't have to sacrifice the actual card but can copy on lighter weight Kodak paper to cut into small images. The postcards can then be used as intended for correspondence with lucky individuals who perhaps share your taste in the unusual & colorful objects used in turn-of-the-century advertising. You may find some you can't resist for your own amusement - to decorate a window sill, for example - OR - ?

The books of 24 cards (each) make interesting gifts - and even better, you can "pair" with "The Antique Advertising Paper Dolls" (isbn: # 0486240452). The cover of that collection would be a wonderful decoration for your own ALBUM of A.T.C.s. You can see how serendipitous this hobby becomes >> from postcards to trading cards to paper dolls. Reviewer mcHAIKU is pleased that each of these has an appeal even for today's teens who try to appear sophisticated/COOL yet want for themselves a slice of someone else's nostalgia!

The ultimate guide to quality tabletop antiques for those of us who cannot get enough of these kind of "pretties". Have owned this book for 10+ years, and still "pour" over it, can never get enough of it!! Besides being informative, the pictures are literally intoxicating. If you love all things old and elegant (nothing shabby here) for dining and entertaining, this is the book for you. If you look at decorating books and get disgusted with cookie cutter tablewear, or you would die before going into a Pottery Barn or Pier One, this is the book for you. Tasteful, classic, traditional and always in style. Like a very wealthy elderly MD once told me, "anyone can have new things". Ladies, if you think like me, you will totally understand this!

This book is a must for those who truly enjoy a great table! The photos are magnificent and is beautifully written. I found that I learned a LOT by simply looking at the photos of china, crystal and glassware. From this book alone, I chose my sterling silver flatware and china patterns and have never regretted it! The book also gives ideas on simple room decorations as well - even though this is not a primary focus of the book itself. I really can't say enough good about this book......

This book is everything I hoped it would be. The photographs are stunning and the book is full of them. There is virtually no repetition. A beautiful, inspirational tome for anyone who loves to set the table.

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. It is an absolutely gorgeous book for anybody interested in table settings of the most elegant kind. As well as spectacular photography of the most sumptuous crystal and china, the text is fascinating as it explains the history of table settings and of individual antiques.

As a person who is particularly interested in mixing and matching colored crystal and different china patterns on the table, I have found it to be of immense help and has given me even more courage to blend different styles together.

I will treasure this book forever.

Since the local craft store carries the Arnold Grummer supplies for papermaking, I decided to buy his book - Arnold Grummer's Complete Guide to Easy Papermaking. (Mr. Grummer also has a website.) The instructions in the book are very clearly illustrated by photographs. Many variations in colors and textures are shown. You'll need a frame set and cotton linter both available at the craft store, a blender and paper scraps. Easy to recycle old envelopes or paper (discard the black print which will turn the paper grey). Variations: Colored paper tints the pulp. Add dried flowers and leaves. Emboss wet pulp with brass stencil. Hot tip: When pressing out the excess water from the wet pulp, use a rolling pin!

I love this book. Arnold Grummer is fantastic. This book explains everything you need to know about paper, and making paper, in a very simple way. I especially love the beginning of the book where he gets into the technical aspects of what IS paper and why we can make our own. There are also many full-color samples of handmade paper that I found very inspiring. This book will keep you busy trying all the embellishment and inclusion techniques, too, including botanicals, pin drawing, and coloring. I'll be using this book for a long time, and I recommenend it to everyone.

There's an old adage that says, "Never judge a book by its cover."

That was certainly true for me when I first looked at Arnold Grummer's Complete Guide To Paper Casting. My initial reaction to the cover (& many of the 'projects' was--How 70s can you get?

Fortunately, I followed the adage's advice and read a few chapters. Result? I found a valuable addition to my how-to library.

The authors (Arnold & Mabel Grummer) have created a work which is rich with detail. They offer techniques, tips, history, ideas & more in such an easy to read manner that whatever your interest &/or skill level, you will find yourself casting pulp before you know it.

Saavy enough to recognize that many crafty types want to get started without reading 'War & Peace', the authors provide readers with a quick start-up in Chapter 2. I made my first paper cast within thirty minutes of reading the instructions--(took me twelve minutes to find the blender!)

From that point on, I found myself enjoying (& learning) so much. I picked up a vocabulary without needing to consult a dictionary; began exploring additives & molds & generally having FUN with paper casting in ways I had not considered.

With the current trend in paper crafts/arts, I heartily recommend this book to scrapbookers, altered-bookers & collagists. I also recommend it to anyone who has ever asked 'What If?'

The day I recieved this book I could not put it down, I had to read the entire book! From the start, it is an encouraging and creative book to be used in every aspect of the papermaking process. Unfortunately the only parts I felt were weak would be for paper artists who want a totally acid free paper. His comments on that though, do need to be believed because He is the curator of the Dard Hunter paper museum and a paper chemist. He feels that the best way to make that type of paper is to start with recycled paper that is already acid free. Those artists who create from plants alone may not find enough information to please them,yet many of His techniques can still be applied with their experience to create very artistic paper. Even beginners can tackle the most professional results with this book in hand. I feel even children could achieve surprising results with the processes he shows, step by step, using mostly home supplies. He shows you how to make your own mold and deckle too! The "moon paper" recipe he shows you how to create is worth the price of the book alone! Out of my entire library of paper books, this does stand on its own for the most part and for that reason, I recommend it for all beginner and intermediate artists and every papermaking teacher.Your creative juices will flow with this book!

In this book, Jean Long introduces us to Chinese calligraphy. As he explains, even though "calligraphy" only means "words written by hand", to the Chinese it is an art with a long history. He affirms that "the characters not only convey the language of thought but also, in a visual way, the artistic beauty of the thought".

In the introduction to "The Art of Chinese calligraphy", the author says that the purpose of the book is allowing the readers to delight in the intrinsic beauty of Chinese calligraphy, even if they haven't yet mastered the Chinese language. Also, J. Long points out that in this book he provides the instructions that allow the readers who want to try their hands at Chinese calligraphy to do so. The instructions include a step by step guide to using the necessary equipment, and all that is needed to learn the different brushwork techniques. Finally, he also expresses his hope that "a greater understanding of the art of Chinese calligraphy will provide a clearer insight into the character of the Chinese people themselves".

The book is very well divided into interesting chapters that are easy to read and contain a lot of information even though they aren't overly long. The 1st chapter is titled "The development of Chinese calligraphy", and deals with the history of this art. It is worthwhile mentioning that this chapter and all the others include many useful illustrations, specially photographs (for example, a photograph of a ritual vessel from the 10th century BC, inscribed with characters). The 2nd chapter, "Chinese calligraphy as an art form", explains how it developed to an art form, from the merely functional act of writing. The 3rd chapter is "Language as a way to the understanding of Chinese thought", and the 4th is "The calligraphic seal". Chapters 5 and 6 deal with "Chinese porcelain and ceramics" and "Inscriptions on paintings" respectively, and chapter 7 centers on "Chinese painting equipment and how to use it". Lastly, chapter 8 is about "The techniques of Chinese calligraphy".

When I bought this book I was not exceedingly interested in attempting Chinese calligraphy, but I wanted to know more about it and the importance it has for Chinese culture. I decided to buy "The Art of Chinese calligraphy" because I considered it would be able to answer my questions... And thankfully, I was right!. This book is a great introduction to the subject, and it is highly likely to be useful not only to artists but also to readers like me who don't want to paint but love to learn about other cultures.

On the whole, I think this book is a keeper, and I highly recommend it :)

Belen

This book covers Chinese calligraphy very well. You can gain an appreciation for both the mechanics of calligraphy technique as well as the artistic look of the finished product. Dover Publications has done a good job with this well illustrated book.

The book was informative and a pleasure to read.

Chinese calligraphy is a mammoth subject with thousands of years of history. In addition, calligraphy in Chinese culture has achieved a recognition and respect as an art form that has never been matched by its Western counterparts. Jean Long has written a very readable book that provides an excellent overview to the history of Chinese writing from the tortoise shell oracle bones through bronze inscriptions, pottery vases and, of course, calligraphic scrolls. Also, the author provides basic instructions for how to hold a brush, grind ink, and write a few characters on your own. Given the breadth of the material, the author covers it well, but this book, on account of its brevity, serve as an introduction to whet your appetite. One would then look elsewhere to explore more deeply the various techniques and different calligraphic styles.

Jean Long's Art Of Chinese Calligraphy provides practical instruction in Chinese calligraphy, blending in historical background and explanations of how the characters are used in Chinese art. There's a healthy dose of background information on methods and development.

This book does an excellent job of showing the cream of the crop of collectable 19th and 20th century perfume bottles (and often their presentation boxes). The text is profusely illustrated with small black and white photos, while also containing several full color sections illustrating in detail hundreds of different bottles. The text goes into intricate detail for the novice to expert collector without dumbing it up or talking down. The 16 pages of concise bibliographys at the back are infinately useful, if you are wondering when where why who or how a house started its probably in this list. Jam packed with facts, tips, annecdotes and illustrations by a TRUE expert in the field.

This book is lavished with the most magnificent perfume bottles and their pacaging. full color photos of Lalique, Baccarat, and other exquisite bottles along with the histories of the fragrance companies who commissioned them. There is also an index of these companies for quick refrence. I found the title missleading. the author is of the belief that the "art of perfume" died 30 years ago. All of the bottles are from the late 1800's to the 1960's and I feel that the title should have mentioned this. If you collect antique bottles or are looking for a good fragrance history book, this is a must.

As an avid collector of advertisements and literature on perfume, this is the first book I always recommend to fellow collectors. In the past ten or twelve years, many books were published to cater to the exploding popularity of perfume bottles as a collectors item. Christie Lefkowith's book stands out because of its focus on the ART of perfume bottles (hence the title), rather than their monetary value. Bottles are viewed in the cultural context of their time, with photographs of by far THE best quality I have ever seen in perfume books. I agree with the previous reviewer, though: too bad the book ends with the fifties. There should be a sequel.

I know that the writers are savvy perfume bottle collectors. They have incorporated years of experience into this book. That is the reason why that among all the books on this subject, this one is the most appealing. I have also used part of her materials (w/permission) to write my book (published in Chinese).

A very comprehensive book covering both English and American furniture of the classical to recant,evan having some of the author's own furniture on the front cover.This is a book that has created very favourable comments from visitors to our house who have browsed through it during their stay.

Rodel has crafted an excellent review of the Arts and crafts movement in America with many fine pictures.

The book provides an excellent introduction in the history of furniture at the end of the 19th century and the evolution of the Arts & Crafts movement. The nice thing about this book is that it's giving the larger context, showing the influence designers in England and continental Europe had on Arts & Crafts movement in America. The book has excellent pictures of representative furniture pieces.

Towards the end of the book, there's a small collection of contemporary furniture makers and designers that build classic pieces, or new ones inspired by the classic designs. You can google the name of the furniture makers to find showrooms and stores that carry their products, which is a very good way to start when you want to buy such furniture.

If you like this type of furniture, and you're technically inclined, it might also help getting a book that describes how this furniture is built. This helped me enormously to understand what is involved in producing good quality furniture.

As a librarian and a lover of all things relating to Arts & Crafts style, I recommend this book to anyone desiring a greater knowledge of this furniture's history and design evolution. With clear color photographs and just the right amount of text, this book illustrates the origins of Arts & Crafts furniture in England and its progression, first to our East Coast, and eventually Westward across America. In fact, my only 'complaint' about this book is that the photographs are good enough that they leave you wanting for more.

Because of the depth of information presented here, I would not say that this is a general interest read - rather this book is geared toward those seriously interested in the history of the Arts & Crafts movement and its recent revival.

This book is a true classic and a MUST for anyone interested in antiques or interior design. We were very fortunate to first be introduced to Vervoordt at the 1984 Paris Biennale des Antiquaires where his booth, displaying Ming porcelain lost in 1645 in the South China Sea and recently recovered, was the sensation of the Salon. All of that massed blue-and-white in a large booth at the center of the Grand Palais drew lots of attention to the 37-year old Vervoordt and his subsequent success allowed him to restore a magnificent Belgian chateau over the next four years for use as both home and gallery. Much of this book is photographed in his home/gallery chateau.

This book provides a superb overview of his aesthetic, one which can incorporate a huge Anish Kapoor sculpture (perhaps circa 1995) with ancient stone Thai carvings, gorgeous Renaissance bronzes and wonderful European furniture. Think Rose Tarlow on steroids. The photography is excellent, almost all color, many full-page, and the scale of the book is appropriately large.

If the eclecticism of a Cy Twombly (a contemporary abstract painter) displayed in a warm wood interior appropriate for 17th C. Amsterdam sounds intriguing, he may be on your wave length. The array of tasteful objects beautifully presented is a key feature of the book. His collection (all of which is always for sale) will no doubt include some superb items which you have really never looked at before; when you read about the object, you may reconsider. His enthusiasm is contagious.

Those primarily interested in interior design may find his new book "Axel Vervoordt: Timeless Interiors" more interesting because it shows some twenty homes he has done for clients. But if you only want one book on Vervoordt and if you can afford this out-of-print text, I'd go with the Meredith Etherington-Smith volume.

Five stars are not enough! I have savored every word of this gorgeous book. The philosophy of this remarkable man is truly inspiring--his work is very personal, and seeing it and reading about it are a privilege. Anyone interested in interior design, antiques, or art would benefit from owning a copy of this outstanding, intelligent work.

Every once in a great while a person enters this world who truly makes a difference. Axel is such a person - generous, brilliant, cultured and admired. He works very hard and has endless passion for life and for the joys of his life. This book is a glimpse into what Axel does, into what he lives for. As you read this book and marvel at what heights of artistry, inspiration, then continue on to Axel's web site, at axel-vervoordt.com. You might even be moved to travel to s'Gravenwezel, northeast of Antwerpen, and visit the world he is building there since the mid 60's. It's a wonderful book about a wonderful person.

Axel Vervoordt is an artist in his own right. A designer and collector of art from all periods of history, he presents here the work of his life's vision - creating spaces where all of the arts from all cultures and timeframes meld into subtle, elegant, harmonious and extraordinarily beautiful spaces.

Vervoordt's keen eye for excellence demonstrates how architectural features of a building/living space are enhanced by a combination of art objects, drawings, paintings, murals, artifacts and bits of nature. The results are page after stunning page of thoughtful, quiet splendor. Mixed with commentary from Vervoordt (with written statements by Meredith Etherington-Smith) and exceptional photography by Laziz Hamani this book goes far beyond the borders of volumes about design. This is a bold and inspiring homage to Style. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, December 05

I loved this book and could not put it down. It's all about what happened to girls in the 60's and how they had such limited choices to make, even though they were on the verge of so many wonderful changes. I could really relate to the characters. They sound just like me and my friends, and I loved all the summer of love adventures. Fun, heart-aching, and beautiful writing.

Mary Margaret Hallinan is not sure of much but she is sure of one thing: she does not want to end up like her mother.

Her mother (who Mary Margaret thinks is slightly mental) has four children and spends her days being very unhappy, ironing shirts for her father -- who has clearly turned out to be a bad ticket. At least that's what Mary Margaret's new best friend Jane would call him.

Jane is fun, fearless, and adventurous. Everything that Mary Margaret is not. Mary Margaret is trying to leave her good girl Catholic ways behind her (well, maybe not completely) and get on track to a fabulous future.

Set in 1967, the Summer of Love, it's the perfect time for Mary Margaret to do a little soul searching. With Jane by her side, Mary Margaret meets all kinds of people (cute boys!) and has some awesome yet dangerous adventures. By the end of the summer she has found one of the hardest things to find -- herself.

BAD TICKETS was awesome and I suggest it to anyone who is a fan of the 60's. It will leave you changed somehow and thinking about what life and love are really all about.

Reviewed by: Michaela Pallante aka "Mickey"

I love Bad Tickets. Kathleen O'Dell brings her characters to life with humor and compassion. I enjoyed learning about another time in history, And quickly realized that no matter the date, choices and decisions may be hard but always full of excitement. This book is a great read and I highly recommend it.

I got this book for my niece, but I had to sneak and read it myself first. I enjoyed it immensely - the well-crafted, funny, and spot-on descriptions of life in the 1960s, the unsparing details of the sometimes rough teen years, the bittersweet lessons learned, Mary Margaret's unbreakable connection with her cast aside childhood friend Elizabeth, and the solid core of an independent young woman we see being shaped. I love that this book doesn't stray into sentimentality when it easily could have. Two thumbs up, and I can't wait to read more from Kathleen O'Dell.

Love this book! Beautiful photography and good explanation of bakelite history. A must have for a collectors library. Wish I had been involved in the publishing of this book. It must of been a delightful ride to see all the vintage bakelite. Like being in a candy store. Corinne Davidov and Ginny Redington Dawes did a wonderful job. But please invite me next time, okay? :-)

This is a beautifully photographed book. Shows many wonderful pieces of vintage bakelite jewelry. I can't fault it except to say, I wish it had even more examples of bakelite to look at.

The Bakelite Jewelry Book by Davidov and Dawes was published in 1988 and it was the first book I bought when I started collecting Bakelite jewelry many years ago. Big and beautiful, with wonderful pictures, this book does a great job of showing the variety and personality of this fun jewelry while also educating the reader about the history of Bakelite. Unfortunately, the price guide in the back is now outdated. This book is a visual feast and, even though I now have a shelf full of books on Bakelite, it is still the first book I grab when I want to check on a piece!

This was the first book on Bakelite jewelry that I ever bought, and the mouthwatering pictures wheted my appetite to start collecting Bakelite jewelry. However, after this luscious introduction, I was in for a big disappointment out in the real world. Most of the stunning pieces in this book have long since been snapped up by collectors, and in the years since I got this book I have rarely found a piece of Bakelite that appears in it. In terms of seeing some of the best of the best, Davidov shows Bakelite jewelry at it's finest. She also does much to enlighten collectors about the Bakelite jewelry industry. Although there is a rudimentary pricing guide, it is completely out of date and is of little use to today's collector. None the less, Bakelite collectors will enjoy this book. It's not a collector's guide. Instead, this beautiful book is a glorious celebration of top of the line vintage Bakelite jewelry, and a guilty pleasure to just thumb through and savor....

This is a fabulous, beautiful book as are many Rizzoli books. It is not perfect as to attributions etc, so scholars may quibble, but for inspiration and a wonderful overview of international beading with small beads it is terrific! I am going off for my first class in peyote beading this morning and this was a perfect source of ideas and information to get me charged up! It is not, however, a how to book. There is a technical section at the end describing how the various techniques are done but not in anyway sufficient to make any projects. The descriptions are clear but not detailed enough for that. To attempt any of these techniques the reader will need a good teacher and most probably additional books.

I'll start with a quote from the introduction "our aim is to draw attention to objects decorated with, and constructed from, the tiny glass 'seed' beads" (pg 8 introduction). I will attest to the fact that the authors have succeeded in the most magnificent fashion!

Divided into deceptively simple sounding sections, this book will take you on a trip around the world and through history. The six sections are: Bead Manufacturing Centers; Africa; the Americas; Asia, Oceania, and the Arabian Gulf; Europe; and Construction and Techniques. Then each of these sections is divided into the the various countries and regions covered with the broad section heading. There are photographs everywhere - color, black & white, historical, and studio quality. This is a very visual book for a visual medium.

I've always felt as a beader that I am carrying on a tradition that goes back centuries, this book pays homage to the traditions from around the world. It is an incredible resource that belongs on every beader's shelf for inspiration and rememberance of all that has come before. This book will be to beadwork what "The History of Beads" is to beads and bead collectors.

TWO NOTES:
ONE: The section on Construction and Techniques is not meant to teach you how to do a particular type of beadwork, but to give you an idea of what is involved. There are several excellent teaching books available.
TWO: On page 151, there is a set of beaded sleeves from a dress from Western Europe that are absolutely breath-taking.

i've just re-started beading after a hiatus of about ten years, so i am not familiar with recent beading books and can't compare this to any other overviews that might be out there.

however, in and of itself, this is a beautiful, well-illustrated, far-ranging work. africa is well-represented. north AND south american indian work is represented, including the work of the inuit and northwestern nations. there is a section on greenland beadwork, short, but more than i have found yet. asia, india, oceania, the middle and near east and europe have their sections. the final section is a brief but reasonably adequate, description of techniques.

the photos are breathtaking. and dangerous. i have already mentally designed at least five new projects. the only complaint i have is the lack of dating for some of what are probably 19th century postcards and photos and for what may be relatively recent photos.

i think this would be a worthwhile addition to even extensive beading collections.

This is a wonderful book. It is beautifully photographed with sumptuous examples of beadwork traditions from around the world. The text covers each tradition rather lightly, but the information the authors do provide is solid.

That said, some of the size and proportion choices for the photographs make no sense. Entire garmets will be tiny, while beaded trinkets will be magnified. The most annoying example is the Bagobo shirt on page 137. This garmet is worked in the unusual shell and bead embroidery found in the Philipines, and the technique is discussed over several paragraphs in the accompanying text. However, the picture is so miniaturized that if you were not reading a book on beadwork, you would have no idea that the design on the shirt is any kind of applied decoration, much less beads and shells. Meanwhile, a photo of an unremarkable (and undiscussed) purse covers half the page.

A huge disappointment is the complete lack of information about where any of these beautiful pieces may be. For those doing bead research or travelling (or both), it would be helpful to know which are in collections that the public can access either through web contact or museum visits.

Neither of these should deter buyers interested in beads or beadwork. This book is a keeper. If there is a second edition, however, I would hope for the addition of information about the collections from which the beadworks come.