Collectibles Books

Once I started to read this book, I could not put it down. It was full of information and anecdotes that were fun and interesting. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a collector. Novice collectors can also gain insight into the exciting world of collectibles by reading this book. Mrs Nichols writes with an easy style and keeps her reader completly entertained throughout the book. A great "collectible" in itself.

This is a charming book chock full of information for beginning and advanced collectors alike. Each chapter has excellent information on different collectables, along with advice on what to look for, and where to look. The ancedotes are charming and make the book a real fun read as well. I recommend this book to anyone interested in discovering the world of collecting and to those who are already serious collectors.

This is a charming book chock full of information for the beginning and advanced collector alike. Each chapter tells about a different collectable, with information on how to start, where to look and what to look for. The ancedotes are absolutely charming, and make the book a very fun and interesting read above and beyond the valuable specific information. The photos are a great addition as well.

For the advanced collector, there has been a shortage of information on Bing Bears in regards to identification, charm and market value until Ken Yenke wrote and complied wonderful photos of Bing Bears in this comprehensive book. As always, I am impressed and learn more than I had hoped when selecting one of Ken's books to add to my Teddy Bear Book reference library. A wonderful book for all who seek more knowledge about our loved...Teddy Bears.

We, collectors have waited a long time for someone to write a comprehensive book on the wonderful world of Bing Bears & Toys. Ken Yenke has developed a book designed to educated the reader on the history of Bing, as well as, give remarkable early sketches and photos of Bings that most collectors never get an opportunity to actually see. I was quite impressed with the energy and apparent love that Ken Yenke has demonstrated throughout the book. The descriptions are concise yet informative; and the price guidelines help the novice collector and the advanced collector gauge their buying and selling scales. I looked forward to reading this book from the earliest whispers of its development and have not been disappointed in any way. I hope Ken Yenke continues to write books that are educational to collectors and also beautiful to the eye.

This book is much more than a report of a company's products. It is an honest and direct account of what happened to a creative and productive enterprise under Hitler's oppression, and after that it is a beautiful description of the many fantastic items the company developed. Ken Yenke has made a fine contribution to the history of the German toy industry by describing the happenings that led to the demise of the Bing company. The pictures are terrific, and the dialogue is strong and exciting. You'll want to read every word and study every picture. I strongly recommend this book to all toy collectors.

This book has a lot of pictures of black glass collectables from common to unusual pieces. The descriptions are informative even though the prices seem to be on the low side. I enjoyed the Company Histories with Illustations (ads from catalogs, etc.) All in all a very good book for black glass collectors.

This is the first Black Glass reference books we have purchased, but in comparison with other collectors books I vote this the number one for pictures, prices, and descriptions.

Books on nearly every kind of glass, from Fenton to Depression, abound for collectors; but here's one that stands out from the crowd: The Black Glass Encyclopedia, a price guide and history for over eight hundred different animals, bowls, candlesticks, plates, stemware and more. 19th and 20th century black glass was produced by a range of firms and makers: all are represented here, with manufacturer catalog copy accompanying company history, production features, identification and values. So many collectors' glass titles focus on the same types that it's refreshing to see something truly unique in the genre.

It was a very perfect delivery and I am very satisfy with the book. I know the book before I purchased it. I have seen it by a friend and therefor I want to have it.

Louise uses the original French patterns and sews them as they were meant to be done. Her work is inspiring.

The book starts with a little history of the doll from French and great vintage pictures are added (through out the book) to show how things were back than and there are instructions how to make the right embroidery stitches that were used. Patterns are actual size and easy to trace. Instructions are easy especially when you're an more experienced sewer but also the novice can have an easy start sewing because there are all kinds of patterns to find in this book. From very easy to complicated (more pattern pieces, pleats to make, put trimming on etc.)you will always find the right pattern to start with.
The pictures of the fashions to make, are the size of one page - 9"x12" - so all kinds of details are there to see. What can I say but this is a wonderful addition to your doll(pattern) books and I'm sure you'll love it! Good for hours and hours of reading and sewing pleasure.

This is a fantasic applique book of baskets and forals for the advanced appliquer. Can't wait to see it come to life in fabric. Clear patterns with detaild directions. Not a book for beginners.

Try Emily's method for echo applique. Use this technique when you want to highlight a shape or pattern piece. You can stitch the narrowest little border using this technique. Great job, Emily.

This is a beautiful book with several patterns for detailed applique. The instructions are straight-forward and easy to understand. Several setting ideas are included. The flowers are beautifully detailed. This is the book I've been looking for! If you want to make a stunning quilt this is the book to buy.

This is a book that has been in my mind since the first time I read it over 30 years ago. I have been trying to find a copy of for my own. I read it for the first time in grammer school. I have always felt sorry for the little girl in it. It always made me feel bad that all she felt she had in the world of any value was that plate. And I loved how proud she was of it.

This is a wonderful book for the casual and serious collector of Blue Willow. The graphics are clear and the number of manufacturer marks listed makes for easy referencing.

I was very glad to find this book. It has help me in so many way about buying and selling of plates. I was surpise ot find out how much some of the plates I had purchased were worth. I recommend this book very highly, the graphics are clear and colorful.

This book is very handy and helps organize my beanie collection. Now I'm waiting for more supplements for the new beanies and teenie beanies. Can't wait to get them into my binder.

Very easy to organize my beanies. Now we need the updates for the recently retired beanies and the new beanies that just came out.

Tried four other books before I found this one. Best book to keep track of your beanies

Maria Padian's BRETT MCCARTHY: WORK IN PROGRESS tells of an eighth-grade corner kicker in Maine whose prank makes her become a juvenile delinquent and a loser. Brett has to figure out how to survive when everyone is changing, many are now against her, and nothing is easy. Middle school leisure readers will find this a compelling tale.

At first I thought I was getting a fairly typical -- though very knowing -- young adult novel about the trials of middle school friendship, but the story grew on me, and I found I couldn't put it down. A compelling plot, a creative first person voice, and depth in the relationships, particularly as the story of Brett's grandmother Nonna evolves. The building of chapters around Brett's vocabulary lessons is not corny: it begins and ends with the concept of (self) definition in a satisfying, theme-building way.

Normally a decent student, a star soccer player, and responsible only daughter, Brett McCarthy isn't exactly sure what is going wrong. First she is suspended, then earns unlimited lunchtime detentions with the middle school principal, and then she is suspended again. It is enough to freak anyone out.

To complicate matters, Brett learns that her long-time best friend is not only dealing with divorcing parents, but has also lost her mind and decided to try out for the cheerleading squad. With her friends deserting her, Brett turns to her grandmother, "Nonna," only to suspect something fishy is going on with her and some medical situation.

Brett is an extremely likeable teen dealing with a crazy middle school year. Typical adolescent problems are creatively mixed with Nonna's kooky schemes, a lot of chocolate brownie baking, and a plan to resurrect an old lighthouse. One adventure after another holds the readers' attention and keeps this story moving quickly.

Debut author Maria Padian has something for everyone in this book. Brett's father, an English professor, provides countless poetry references for just about any situation. Brett's own love of vocabulary shows up as she introduces a new word with each chapter. And with 45 quick-read chapters, readers are bound to increase their personal vocabulary whether they want to or not. There is no shortage of humor. I found myself chuckling plenty. Padian doesn't shy away from heart-rending emotion, either. Be sure to have a tissue or two close at hand.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Yes OJ's an interesting character, and you learn plenty about the Las Vegas robbery here. But the back story is just as interesting, especially for card collectors or memorabilia people. The busting out of jail parts are crazy (you gotta read it to believe it) and so is Tom's lotto/gambling tales. Luck is a funny thing and Tom Ricico has had plenty of it on his side. A controversial guy who's lived a wild life--it's all in the book.

Thats how I would sum up this book. The OJ robbery is really inconsequential to the true story of this book. It's only a backdrop to a life that was lived to the fullest (sometimes foolishly) straight from the man who lived it. Truly an amazing tale of love, luck, money, and greed. Its a terrific book from someone that lived a life that Hollywood probably wouldn't be able to create in any movie. Good Luck with the rest of it Tom!

If a bland life story "Catch Me If You Can" can be made into a movie, this book should be too. Riccio's life story would be unbelieveable if it wasn't true: escaping from jail, winning the lottery, beating Vegas, successful entrepenuer and a life filled with being in the middle of breaking news events from OJ Simpson to Anna Nicole Smith. Truly a one-of-a-kind story. This book is a page turner and an easy read and better entertainment then the 10 bucks you would pay to see any of the lousy movies that are out now.

I have the Second Edition (1977) of the 447 page "Cadillac Standard of the World The Complete History" by New Zealand automotive historian Maurice D. Hendry (1929- ), and the Editors of "Automobile Quarterly" (an automobile magazine founded in 1962).

In this book we learn that it all started with Henry Martyn Leland (1843-1932), an Anglo-American mechanic/inventor/entrepreneur from a farming, Quaker background, who applied his Christian principles to an automobile business. He acquired his car's marque (which has come to typify anything grand) from a French noble/explorer, Le Sieur Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac (1658-1730), who founded the city of Detroit in 1701, where the first Cadillac cars were manufactured in 1902. (The city of Cadillac, Michigan is not related to Cadillac Motor Car Division.)

There are a myriad books on Cadillac out there, but this work by Hendry, et al, is unique in that, besides the passionate scholarship, numerous, exquisite black and white/colour pictures of the cars, there are also copious chassis diagrams, and photos of family, executives, producers and motorists, involved in the Cadillac story. We also learn how, early on, its engineers brought their innovations to fruition, or, perfected what was already there through, for example, the interchangeability/standardization of parts and electric starting; each achievement garnering Cadillac the British Dewar Trophy--Nobel Prize equivalent for automobiles. (Hendry, himself, has an award named in his honour, as well.) And these are just a couple of things that maintained Cadillac as "The Standard of the World." The volume's 84 page/8 part appendix is rich with info, on things like helpful organizations to join, reproductions of ornament/crest/badge regalia, lists of men behind Cadillac--from boardroom to drawing board, specifications and production figures/details, and a glossary of model names.

A Cadillac introductory brochure, "THIS IS Cadillac" (1969) said: "WE AT CADILLAC, BELIEVE...our equipment, materials, blueprints and facilities could be given to another manufacturer to produce a car--but it wouldn't be a Cadillac." The work under review here exemplifies this amply. In fact, the author(s) concluded this tome with this thought: "The Cadillac is certainly a very substantial part of the American heritage. The chances are better than ever that it will stay that way." Therefore, it all boils down to people--with a vision--like Monsieur Cadillac and Messrs. Leland and Hendry.

Do look into "Cadillac Standard of the World The Complete History" by Maurice D. Hendry with the Editors of "Automobile Quarterly" soon, to get to the top of a luxury car saga, where Motor City climbers drive all directions for the coolest mountain.

As a dealer of Cadillac and LaSalle books, I use Cadillac: Standard of the World every day to find answers for my customers who need hard-to-find historical information about their Cadillacs.

I don't know what I'd do without this unique reference.

Justin Hartley

Excelent book and great story. I had no idea that the founder of Cadillac (Henry lelend) was an American industrial hero. Its worth reading just for the history abought Mr. Leland. Of course has good coverage of many cadillacs as well. I would love to see it updated through 2001.