Collectibles Books

Love, Love, LOVE this book! The photography is awesome! Gives some good testing methods to identify which type of plastic. When I was reading the book, I discovered I personally have several pieces in my own collection that were illustrated. And no, they're not worth hundreds or thousands but rather just a mear $20, but I'm happy just the same. :-)

There are several things about this book that puts it in a superior catagory. It's not only the photography, which is stunning, but the in depth information throughout the entire book. Different plastics were always a source of confusion for me but the explaination of just what the plastic was with a photo next to it taught me so much.

I agree with John's (reviewer below) assessment of pricing. I believe he was referring to self-serving pricing of which some authors are guilty. These prices are realistic and from what I see in the market place, prices that people are paying. This book has taught me to do my research.

The book is beautiful, well thought out and extremely well written. A must in the library of any serious bakelite or vintage plastic collector.

I bought this book because I wanted to know something more about bangles, which I love and have been collecting for a while. I always wonder if I am being over-charged or "told a tale" about a bracelet from dealers at flea markets I go to or in antique stores. After reading this book, I can ask intelligent questions and have found that I am treated with so much more respect. In addition, the pictures are gorgeous. I actually leave the book out as a coffee table book when I am not using it.

Finally, a concise book on the identification of all the plastic bangles out there. As a dealer, I am always trying to explain to my customers how to differentiate between one bangle and another. Now I just tell them to buy the book. The pictures alone speak a thousand words.

Would I agree that there is an area of subjectiveness regarding pricing? Absolutely. But there is also a realistic price or perception as to what people see in a piece. In my experience, people are only willing to pay what they believe is a piece's value. Anyone can put a $500 price tag on a Diane Von Furstenberg bracelet, but that doesn't mean that it will sell.

As a dealer, I'd rather my customers have a realistic price guide as opposed to a self-serving "off the charts" price. All in all, I found the book to be helpful, exceptionally well layed out, beautiful in presentation, and worth every penny.

There's a living quality to the photos in this book, most of which are pictures of the land. A few photos of Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Inverness add the city sense but even those crawl to life with nature all about each picture.

The title may be Portrait of Scotland but the land is alive in this book.
Each page conjures a sense of the romance that the very name of Scotland invokes.

I do a little family history and wanted to know what the homeland of my possible ancestors looked like...Mr. Baxter makes me want to fly to Scotland and see it up close and personal. His photography is excellent and beautifully done and I couldn't be more pleased with the purchase.

Colin Baxter pushed his way up to the top photographers in my book when I saw this book! The way he photographs this lovely country is amazing! The love he has for Scotland shows in the way the photos are taken, printed, and arranged in this masterpiece of Scottish photography! It's one of my favorites in several books that he's published with his talent, definately on the top of the list.

This is a beautiful book which brought a lump to the throat of my Scottish husband (now living in the USA). This is the real Scotland that he and I (an English woman) both know and love. Highly recommended.

Pro Wrestling Collectibles is certainly what this book is all about. Its all the other stuff covered that makes this book so interesting. My favorite chapter is number two (2) "Some Superstars Worth Collecting". The history about many of these wrestlers can be found no where else. The authors did a great job in organizing this "collectible" and putting every thing into perspective. Recommended reading for all wrestling fans!

The book provided terrific reference material and continually captured my attention from page to page. The pictures added tremendous detail. The author clearly did his homework.

This is a good book filled with lots of pictures and information. It is a good book for anyone but for the hardcore collector it does not cut it. Aloso the prices are a bit off on certain items. Overall the pictures make it a worthy purchase. Reccommended!

Overall, a very well researched book by Mr. Pope and Mr. Whebbe. This book does not cover all wrestling collectibles, that would be impossible, however, it does give the collector a good idea of the many areas in wrestling that are out there to collect, although they do have a very in-depth coverage of the action figures and autographs.

The book also covers some of the history of wrestling and is a great book for novices and long-time collectors. There are great photos of some of the older collectibles that I have only heard about. My favorite chapters were the ones on the action figures, trading cards and autographs, which make up a large part of my 15+ year collection.

The prices listed are average, however, the value of the items in this market change so rapidly, that its hard to give a set value on some items. 5 stars to Mr. Pope and Mr. Whebbe for tackling such a huge task.

What a wonderful guide for PY collectors. I am a Rooster and Roses collector and have searched for information on different pieces and their values, but to no avail until the PY/Miyao Fun Kitchen Collectibles Reference & Value Guide was published. I always wondered about the history of the pattern. The book even peeked my interest in the anthropomorphic line of PY. Belinda Euans not only captured my interest with the beautiful photos and the pricing guide, but answered all my questions regarding the origin of the pattern and history of the company. Kudos for a job well done. I recommend this book to anyone with any interest in the PY, UCAGCO, Early Provincial line.

Belinda has done a fabulous job cataloging and pricing my favorite collectible, Roosters and Roses. The color photographs of the various items are beautiful and really show off the pieces wonderfully. I don't collect any other PY items but I found the rest of the book delightful with the whimsical photos and wealth of information. Hats off to Belinda! My husband and I now have new Roosters and Roses "horizons" to conquer thanks to her.
Grateful readers,
Alexis and Bob Stone,
Florida

This is an excellent book. It is a great book for collectors of Rooster & Roses, Fruit Faces, Veggie People, & Flower Girls. It is very interesting & quite knowledgeable for both old & new collectors. High fives to Mrs Euans for a terrific book. We will be looking for more of the same in the near future.

The author of this latest collectible guide, Belinda Euans, did an outstanding job putting this book together. Collectibles are a work of art and knowing as much history as possible makes them even more special. I was delighted to find that this book not only contains beautiful, colorful pictures of these special, whimsical, and unique collectibles, it also includes a comprehensive section including the history of the Miyawo Company and distributors. I especially enjoyed the photographs of the Miyajima family, WWII, and the factory then and now. Ever wonder why so many ceramic items were produced after the war and how Japanese manufacturers and United States buyers conducted business? Answers to these questions and others can be found in this reference book.

This new, professional guide is very easy to follow. Pictured page after page are a wide variety of treasures from salt and pepper shakers, planters, teapots, wall pockets, vases, plates and more. It will likely keep a reader interested from start to finish and could even leave some collectors desiring more because it's so much fun to look at. I was amazed and surprised to see many items I never knew existed before. I believe many of them cannot be found in any other books on the market and are pictured here for the first time.

I feel collectors and admirers of ceramic kitchen collectibles will wish to add this reference and value guide to their library. I plan on purchasing multiple copies for Christmas presents. Thank you, Belinda, for your efforts and dedication in obtaining this information for interested fellow collectors.

I am a stained glass artist. This is an excellent reference book. I have given this book to some of my students. Very informative, lots of color pictures, easy to read and understand. Also includes a number of patterns from beginner to more advanced. This book is No. 1, in my opinion, of all the instructional stained glass reference books I have owned.

This is the first book I bought when I started learning this amazing craft. It has beautiful illustrations and pictures (in color), which really show some of the techniques better than you can describe them. It is short and to-the-point, but I did eventually buy a more detailed book. But this one remains the one that I check back with to answer quick questions! Definitely worth the money!

I am a beginner and I'm teaching myself. This book was very helpful in teaching me how to begin. It also has a lot of nice designs that I was not afraid to try. I found this book very helpful in getting started.

I tried stained glass construction 25+ years ago. I wish I'd had this book then. I'm starting over again. I'm going to the GlassExpo in Las Vegas the end of Mrch 06.

I purchased this book as a momento of my trip to the Winterthur Estate. The estate is fabulous and well worth the visit. In the book you not only have some fabulous quilts but you also get the history too. This book would be a great addition to anyone's library or coffee table. Linda has included excerpts from letters, poems and advertising. This is not just "another" quilt book. It is a well researched and written history book.It is a fabulous read.

"Quilts from a material world" is a long-awaited opportunity to view some of the finest quilts in Winterthur's collections, but also to have them expertly placed in social, economic, mercantile, and political context by Linda Eaton's well-researched and readable narrative. This book is a must for quilt and fabric historians, American history buffs, and members of the general reading public who are interested in knowing more about American material culture (in both senses of the word "material"). It is an excellent contribution to the study of fabrics and quilts.

i have barely had time to savour this book. there is so much to interest quilters and non-quilters that it is hard to know where to start to review.

the photographs of the quilts are wonderful, with lots of details. the textile history is thorough and accurate, including a fascinating section on the different techniques of putting pattern on cloth. the history of the quilters is, yes, fascinating, including letters written by one quilter to her fiance and later husband in the early part of the 19th century.

anyone interested in early america, early manufacturing, and the lives of our forebears will enjoy this book as much as any quilter.

My wife is a "quilter". While I was on the East Coast attending a family reunion, one of my cousins, with whom I was staying, asked if I wanted to join her in a tour of Winterthur, close to where she lives. I accepted the invitation and totally enjoyed it especially the quilt collection there. I am not a quilter myself - there are some males interested in and "artists" in this art form, but I have become acquainted with it through my wife's interest in it. When I saw this book, examined it and checked out other's reviews of it, I decided it would make a nice birthday gift for my wife. I liked the fact that it dealt with the history of this art form here in the US, the quilt makers of particular quilts, and the progression of technique in "constructing" them. To me it would appeal to my wife's knowledge of this art form through the collection of the H. F. DuPont family.

This book is great. Gives you the information you need to get autographs from race car drivers from many major series. Very well written.Very easy to use. A great book.

Great book and put together very well. A definate must have for any racing fan or autograph collector. Really enjoyed this book and it works.

Great book. About time someone wrote an address book for racing.

Addresses that really work. Have already gotten autographs. Good book. Highly recommended.

I was apprehensive that a book ostensibly written by a teddy bear would get sneers from my teen aged son, however, despite a few pages of cuteness at the start, the book was so well done in art work and content, and mirrored our own safari experiences so well, that Nick loved it. He even, abeit a bit sheepishly, liked the teddy bear humor. If this book succeeds so well with a cynical teen, it should work for everyone. Read this book before you go to East Africa, then re-read it (and get a little misty-eyed) after you return.

This delightful book tells the story of the bear Reggie, who travels to Africa for a safari with his owner. His handwritten account records everything he sees in a journal/scrapbook format that is accompanied by beautiful illustrations. A wonderful book for any age. Also check out the follow up, Journey Up the Nile.

An absolutely charming book, "Safari" is the journal of Reginald Oliver Smythe, a vintage Teddy bear who was taken along on a trip to Africa by his owner (and travel companion), Susan. I've read lots of books on Africa, but none like this one--told entirely from the toy bear's perspective. It is filled with interesting facts and suffused with "Reggie's" endearing personality. Written in the form of a travel journal, the book is as lushly illustrated as an artist's sketchbook. Reginal Oliver Smythe's "Safari" is perfect for reading to my young nieces and nephew. A great gift!

I have been on a safari with each of my daughters and am going on another with my son, his wife and 3 young grands this summer. Mailed them Reggie's book which was so beguiling I had to get another copy for my daughters to share with me. Needless to say I love the East African experience and this book gives some useful information in a fun, easily accessible and creative way.

As a former Navy Corpsman, I found this book to be OUTSTANDING! Fully half of the book is devoted to the uniforms and equipment of Navy Medical personnel, and I agree with the earlier reviewer who felt that this should be reflected in the title. Other than that small beef, this is a great book, a welcome addition to Navy historical works, and I look forward to the rest of Mr. Warners' series.

Jeff Warner has written the most monumental, complete and historically accurate books on WWII Navy, Uniforms, Equipment and Gear on the market to date. It is clear that the author knows his subject matter and he knows it very, very well.

This book is rich with full color, high quality photographs, as well as original photographs direct from the National Archives. The subject matter flows easily from one topic to another. The author's descriptions are well written, clear and concise. Complete outfits and gear are shown, head to foot, showing how the gear goes together, how they were assembled and which items were used during what year, then paired with original photographs illustrating and documenting exactly by whom, where and when they were used.

It is obvious that the author embarked on a huge project and put an immense amount of research, hard work and dedication into this book. Since this is the first volume of a series, it is clear that the following volumes promise only more of the same quality, consistency and excellence.

Whether you are a veteran, collector, curator, historian, teacher, artist, scale model-maker, costumer, re-enactor or simply have a keen interest in the Navy during WWII, this book is a definite MUST HAVE.

Let me start by saying OUTSTANDING JOB SIR! This PHENOMENAL BOOK is festuned with a plethera of never before seen images and information!! This new book has everything! Any one who is interested in the US Navy in WWII should have this book on their bookshelf!

The photos are crisp and clear, the descriptions are great and the information is phenomenal!Mr. Warner took may of the photos outdoors, so you have a difficult time relizing that these are not actual war time color slides. his section pertaing to the sub force was amazing to say the least, the simple fact that he had an original black dyed set of the khakis in this book was mindblowing! And the fact that said uniform actually was on a model who was on an actual sub was incredible! Really loved this section. His gear layout are unmatched, as well as his use of wordage to describe the equipment.

Never before have I seen a reference book with so many original picture that havent been seen a 100 times before in other book, buy this book for the original pictures alone!

If anyone out there is hesitant to buy the book due to the rather high cover price, well then, said person might be called an imbecile! a really superb reference book, like this one,are hard to come by, as well as worth their weight in GOLD!!!This book is worth its weight in Platnum! Don't be a penny wise and a pound foolish, spend the money for this book, it's well worth the price! I would have paid twice this amount if asked by my book dealer!

I am looking forward to the other 4 volumes of the US Navy in WWII from Mr. Warner in eager anticipation, especially his chapter on Aircrew and pilot uniforms.
all my best,
paul w. miraldi

I just received my pre-ordered copy of this new book and I was very impressed with it. This is the first I've seen of any reference books about the U.S. Navy and it's quite good. Osprey does have a comic-book size volume called "The US Navy in WWII" but it's practically worthless.

Of course no book of this type is perfect but in my opinion, this book's faults are minor and are far outweighed by its merits. Here are the pluses and minuses that I discovered although your interpretation might be different.

These are the things I didn't like; the author used live people to model most of the uniforms for the photos. That's okay but it looks like there are only about 5 or 6 guys wearing about 30 different uniforms. It was a little disappointing to see the same few guys wearing so many different uniforms. However, to his credit, the author does apologize for this in the forward.

It looks as though the photo quality is not as crisp and clear as in other books of this type. I know some writers use slide film or new high tech digital imagery these days. The photos in this book just aren't eye-popping quality.

The title is a bit deceptive. About 80% of this book is devoted to Navy Corpsmen and USMC uniforms & field gear. Maybe the title should have included something about Navy Corpsmen.

The price is very high at $79.00 retail.

These are the things I did like; everything is in one volume. This isn't a book about one subject like helmets, knives or patches. Complete uniforms are shown and the subjects are thoroughly covered from A to Z.

This book is very informative, not just pics of WWII stuff. The author has shown step-by-step instructions for assembling packs and other equipment and the complete list of all the medical items carried in the navy corpsman bags is wonderful. Some experimental items and camouflage are shown as well. The official regulations are often quoted in the text for the wearing of insignia and uniforms which adds a lot of credibility to the author's work.

There are a few recent USMC uniform books already in print that feature similar items. Namely, "Grunt Gear" by Alec Tulkoff, "Paramarine" by Chris Mason and "USMC Uniforms, Insignia and Personal Items of WWII" by Harlan Glenn. I have all of these books and I found very little repetition in "Sailors in Forest Green". Notably, the other books devote little or no attention to dress uniforms which is covered very well in this book. Also, none of the other books give little more than a passing honorable mention to corpsmen. The original combat photos of navy corpsmen and the layouts of the gear they used are also covered here in detail. In my opinion, if you have other USMC reference books, this one will compliment them, not rehash the same material.

With all of the overkill of books out there on U.S. paratrooper gear and German SS camouflage, I'm glad that someone has finally taken on the job of writing a series of serious reference books about the U.S. Navy in WWII. After seeing this first book in the series, I'm really looking forward to the rest of them. All things considered, I give it 5 stars.

My husband picked this up at a discount store on a whim and what a find it was! Great information, great photos, helpful index, very well organized. Author is truly an expert.

This is a good book for beginners. It is really an overview. The information is well organized with a table of contents and index so the reader can find the answer to most queries. This book is similar to How To Be a Jewelry Detective although, Secrets has better photography and higher production values. The title promises Secrets and How to Buy More For Less. I am not sure that these claims can be supported.

There is good section on findings. For example, did I buy a fur clip or a dress clip? Secrets to Collecting Jewelry includes clear photos of findings so the curious reader can discover the difference. Another question that pops up monthly on one of the online jewelry forums I belong to is answered here with more clear photos, "What are those quirky ear findings, they can't possibly be for pierced ears!?!". Yes, there is a photo of those quirky wing back ear findings.

There is a section is called Examples of Specific Types of Jewelry, Materials and Styles or what I would call an illustrated glossary. It is thorough from applejuice bakelite to watch pin. There are some really interesting and unique inclusions such as Prison Rings, Book Chains, Kum-a-Part cufflinks, Negligee Necklaces and more. But some inclusions are silly such as a photo of leather and satin and suede cord! Not really necessary even for a rank beginner.

Secrets to Collecting Jewelry has a notable section on Bakelite and Plastic Jewelry the photography is compelling and the pieces selected are lovely.

This review also appears on Jewelry Ring an on-line community for costume jewelry collectors

This book is THE textbook you would use if you took a course in collecting vintage jewelry. Leigh gives a definition and then shows you exactly what she is talking about, and she has made this learning interesting and easy. It is great for novice collectors, but even better for brand new collectors.

What a fabulously comprehensive book. Perfect size to carry with you too! Being somewhat of a beginner in the true "collection" of vintage jewelry, I have of course been burned. I am forever learning and have found this book so helpful. I learned about pieces I currently have that I didn't know the names or era of and found on my first thumbing! I have all of this authors' books. I think she is so great with information. So many of the vintage jewelery books have pretty pictures and prices but no information. This is definitely an instructional book as well as a source for beautiful photographs of vintage jewelry. Write More Soon!