Collectibles Books

This is small but bold little book. The collection of images of matchboxes are colourful, humourous, curious and extremely entertaining. A must have for anyone interested in Indian graphics.

Light of India has great pictures of matchbook artwork. I am inspired by the colors

Warren Dotz's "Light of India: A conflagration of Indian matchbox art" is a fascinating little gift or coffee table book. It starts out exploring the origins of the matchbox industry in India, its practical and cultural place in history. From there it branches into an impressive exploration of the art that adorns Indian matchboxes--starting with those imported from other countries, and progressing through those made in India by Indian artists in later years.

While the images themselves are beautiful and fascinating to look at, every bit as fascinating is the discussion that goes with each section. The images on matchboxes changed with the times, reflecting cultural trends, history, politics, national hopes and fears, and more. What started out for me as a fun look at matchbox art became an engrossing read on Indian cultural heroes, Gandhi's work, religious beliefs and iconography, and even Indian wildlife, foods, and architecture.

An excellent work with great photos and text. A beautiful book that could be enjoyed by anyone interested in expertly crafted contemporary art.

Martin Puryear, like Louise Bourgeois , defies categories and this makes him a challenge for anyone organizing an exhibition or a book for that matter. His workmanship is outstanding and this tends to lead viewer astray into thinking that fine finish is really what he is after. His thought provoking sculptures appear so simple, yet they are both artistically and techinically complex. This book is an outstanding example of what can be done when those producing the book understand the work of the artist they are trying to disaplay.

Being at the opening of this show at moma was an amazingly wonderful and magical evening. Went to the very exciting opening of this show in NYC and it was truly uplifting to my soul, a very inspired exhibit!!

Emotional content mixed with organic elements of expression. Amazing accomplishment. He is a 30 year ago Art school friend of my friend.

For me it was like a immensely large tree [the art show] growing in the middle of a cement Jungle [NYC]. Signs of life, expression, that are giving me hope .

I Highly recommend this show, and while I agree that moma may not be the best place to show his work, the contrast to that place was so striking that his work seemed very alive and sprouting right through the dullness.

I like this quote from a review:
Unlike other sculptors his age who emerged in the post-minimalist era, he values what he can make with his hands. His efforts are not just conceptual but physical. As critic Michael Brenson once observed, ''Puryear has the ability to make sculpture that is known by the body before it is articulated by the mind."

Several hundred beautiful photos tell the story of our friends south of the border. I had Mexican dolls when I was a young girl growing up in Minnesota. They were a gift from my Aunt who lived in California. This book has allowed me to revisit those special memories. But I was pleasantly surprised it is so much more. It is an interesting blend of history and geography but the colorful photos make it a great coffee table book too. I am so excited about it I have already purchased several additional copies as Christmas gifts for friends and family.

I was already a collector of Mexican folk art when I read this book, but the book was so well done, interesting and full of new information for me that I immediately started collecting old Mexican cloth dolls. Besides being of interest for all doll collectors and Mexican folk art collectors, I know of no other book with such good information regarding the names of the clothing styles and where they come from in Mexico. With this information, I was able to label many of my Mexican textiles more accurately. Anyone who loves Mexico, Mexican art and culture, its history and people will love this book. I can't wait until Wendy's next book comes out!

What an incrediably wonderful book. The collection of dolls she has and the inforamtion on the dolls and textiles is unbieveable. I have never come across a Mexican book with so much information and still a pleasure to read. My girls just love going thru and looking at all the pictures, which in turn makes them want to read about the picture. Thank you so much for such a great book.

This is a good bible for the Midwinter enthusiast. My in-laws have been collecting the Stonehenge Midwinter patterns for years without a reference guide. They'll be thrilled as I was with the chronological history of this company and the pottery they created. Great color photos.

This book is a wonderful reference volume for the lover of mid 20th Century design, and invaluable for the Midwinter enthusiast! The colour photos are exceptional and the patterns are also explicitly described in chronological order. If you even have a passing interest in 50's-60's design, this would be a wonderful addition to your reference library.

If you are crazy about Midwinter pottery and want to know pretty much all there is to know about it's production processes, the designers and their designs then this is the book for you. If you are interested in the designs of the 1950s and 60's it will also provide a valuable reference tool. There are plenty of colour pictures to help with identification of different patterns whilst out at boot sales in search of treasure (Becoming increasingly rare to find at reasonable prices now). Read the book but leave the china for me.

Contains a mountain of concise, accurate and easy to use data. Small pocket size makes it easy to keep with you at auctions and sales.

This slim volume is a storehouse of invaluable information. With over 6,000 entries, GLASS FACT FILE provides the collector with a resource which will be referred to again and again. Besides the entries, there are sections on bottle marks, museums with glass collections, glass collectors' clubs and associations, and Internet resources. The attention to detail in this volume is simply amazing!

Aptly titled "fact file," this is an extraordinary resource for quick and handy information on GLASS in practically every category one might wish to explore (manufacturers, methods and techniques, types and designs, marks and signatures, etc.) Arranged alphabetically (with helpful cross-references), the author has assembled a massive amount of material -- over 6,000 entries! -- covering all aspects of glass world-wide, from the 1800s to the most recent productions. Precise, concise,accurate, and happily affordable, this comprehensive volume is destined to be an indispensable reference source for all students and serious collectors of glass.

This book is great for identifying English and British hallmarks. Has a little bit on other European hallmarks which is very useful. It's a small size, so you can easily put it in your purse when going antiqueing (sp?). I'd definently recommend this to anyone seriously interested in silver.

This little book delivers the goods ~ well-organized marks for the English silver sleuth. Also has a credible selection of silver styles thrown in as a little bonus.

This book is a must have for anyone who collects antique English silver. Not as comprehensive as a lot of others I have seen which is actually a plus since it fits comfortably in your pocket when you go antiquing. I keep my copy next to my computer so I have it handy while surfing the silver listings on eBay. Well worth the price.

I grew up with this book and I adore it. I've yet to find anything even CLOSE to this book- it's amazing.

There are clear line drawings, four to a page, for each fashion cycle- sometimes as little as 5 years, sometimes a thousand years apart. The shifts and transformation in styles are made clear, and the notes about what colors, fabrics, and cuts were popular are amazing.

This is THE ULTIMATE guide to historical fashion and if it's not reprinted, it's a damn shame.

NOTHING beats Wilcox's various costume books. They are invaluable references for designers, costumers, teachers and historians. I wish they would reprint them again. I constantly recommend them, especially THE MODE IN COSTUME. And the clear simple line drawings copy and scan better than any others I have ever come across. I would LOVE a digital version of this book.

This is an excellent reference for all costumers. There are extensive pictures of garmets, hairstyles, shoes, and textile patterns for every period from early Byzantium to at least the 40's. Although it is (currently) out of print, seek it out at your library or bookstore till they bring it back!

This is an extension of the authors first book, Silver Wings, Pinks and Greens. The section on pilot and aircrew wings is once again outstanding. Any serious collector of WWII wings and insignia must add this book to their library. Highly recommended!!

It seems to date that the author Jon A. Maguire can do no wrong whenever he decides to commit pen to paper. Yet again we have a title that is truly exhaustive in it's coverage of the topic without becoming staid and condescending. Each page is full of highly detailed photographs that describe and illustrate the items perfectly for the collector. His text is articulate, informative and detailed.

If the American Army Air Forces from the period covered are of interest to you then I can offer you know more words of advice other than buy this book. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.

It really is something of a rare event these days when someone writes a scholarly reference work that rapidly becomes a benchmark for others to aspire to, but Jon Maguire just keeps on doing it.

Keep em coming, keep em flying!

Mountain Dew collectors rejoice!

I have used this book hundreds of times since I purchased it many years ago.

It has a nice variety of collectibles old and new along with a bottle name listing. A big help when shopping on ebay to get an idea of an item's value and age (but of course some values shown are higher and some lower than what the current market demands).

Hopefully the authors will update it and add more items to it for future editions!

Finally a book on just Mountain Dew! Thie book has helped me for I am a BIG DEW lover. You Guys did it right!!

Nice book and would recommend to anyone. The color pictures are great and the price guide is helpful. Finally a book on Mountain Dew!!

What's not to like? The pictures are beautiful and the information is good. Prices are accurate too. One of the few items in my short history of collecting glass that I've found actually can be bought and sold for the prices listed. My only complaint is that a number of times they picture the same item twice. We love pictures, surely there were enough items available that pictures didn't have to be repeated.

Author Kenneth M. Wilson passed away before publication of his opus MT. WASHINGTON & PAIRPOINT GLASS - but he reviewed and approved the page proofs and had written two chapters of the projected second volume (which will be prepared in future using his research materials and illustrations), so nothing lacks in MT. WASHINGTON except the author's ability to enjoy his finished product. The Mt. Washington Glass Works and the companies after it make up America's second-oldest glass manufacturer: the factory opened for business in the mid-1800s and spun off another business in silver plating. Glass collectors will find MT. WASHINGTON & PAIRPORT GLASS the definitive encyclopedia of the manufacturer's works: the volume has been long awaited by collectors and provides an extensive company history to compliment an in-depth coverage of its many products. Chapters come packed with black and white and color illustrations and photos, providing descriptions and color illustrations of all glasses and silver-plated wares and reviewing design, craftsmanship and unique attributes. Add indexes of patents and trademarks, glass decorators who operated in the region from 1867 to 1902, and illustrations of ads, production records and more and you have a truly outstanding reference.

We have waited a very long time for a comprehensive book on this beautiful American art glass and Betty Sisk has provided us with a treat for the eyes! The photos are beautiful in full color and plentiful. I did not know that such examples of this artform existed until feasting on this book. All collectors of art glass must add this to their libraries. The information with each type of glass is insightful and just enough to ready the reader for the pictures to follow. The insight provided is both scholarly and from a collector's perspective. Prices are given in a fair range to give a fair market value. And what pictures there are to enjoy! Many glass types are well covered for the first time. This book will set a very high standard by which all other references on this glass will be judged in the years to come. We indeed owe the author a debt due to this subject's neglect until now. This is a must buy! We have waited a long time to get this book-thanks Betty!!