Collecting Books

Okay- say I lavished praise on other gun books... as the best and biggest. (Though they were all from the same publisher.) This one by Krause publications is the biggest, most comprehensive guide to firearms available. If you own over 5 guns like myself... then you should have at least one good gun identification guide.

Whether your a collector or just curious about a gun you saw somewhere, this book will identify it for you. Its sections on the most collectible firearms like the 1911/1911A1, Colt SAA and the like are very well researched. Although Festad's blue book is the industry standard its lack of pictures puts off a lot of guys new to the hobby. You won't regret getting this book.

If you Love guns you wonn't be able to put this book down . Its full of Info on everything you need to know when collection and buying ..

I originally got this book when I purchased a lot of Starr dolls off eBay. Not knowing much about Starr other than she was from Mattel, I went to my Barbie identification guides to learn more. Nothing. I went to Doll Collectors guides. Nada. Then I found this book. This was GREAT! It had the doll, her back story, interesting trivia, and extremely helpful pictures and detailed captions. I even found other Mattel dolls I had found here there and yonder listed in this book. So like a child with a blanket, I have taken to carrying the book around everywhere. It has joined my Barbie Field Guide and Barbie:A Visual Guide to the Ultimate Fashion Doll as the MUST-HAVES when I look for new find on eBay or when I'm listing dolls to resell.

While this book does not contain all of Mattel's dolls between 1967 and 1997- it is great. The pictures are fantastic- tons of color pictures. Each doll featured has a picture and a detailed summary.Lots of the newer dolls from 80's to 90's that are just now becoming collectable. This is such a nice book to look at and gives values as well for reference. Most dolls are pictured in their original packaging.

Great info on so many mattel dolls... Celebrity dolls (from the osmonds to 90210), Barbie, Princess of Power (my favorite), Lady Lovely Locks, Disney Classics and so much more. All complete with pictures and detailed information. A must if you collect fashion dolls from this era.

I'm an artist with a particular interest in the decorative arts - and, while I can't say much about the text (I haven't read much of it), the artwork shown in this book is exquisite. I purchased this book for the eye candy - and there's quite a bit here to be had.

The book focuses on hand-painted Tibetan furniture, and it's the highly stylized, decorative, and "folky" painting which I find so appealing in the work presented. The book is richly illustrated with many examples, the examples are well photographed, and the printing is high-quality.

If you're an artist, it's a great reference book - there are many decorative motifs and design ideas from which you can "steal", "borrow", "adapt", or otherwise use as inspiration in your own work.

This beautiful book offers much more than a generous selection of wonderful photographs! It is historically informative and well organized so that it is easy to read for both the professional and collector. If you are interested in Tibetan antique furniture-this is the publication for you!

This is an early book--one of only two at the present time--focusing on Tibetan furniture from the perspective of the antiques field. Tibetan furniture is an area that will surely find a wider, recognized place given the growing role of some Asian countries, especially China and India, in global political and economic affairs. Already one sees a growing interest in Chinese antiquities and art. As Buckley notes, the time when a survey of ancient and older Tibetan furniture including many photographs such as found in this book is possible is likely passing because many of the finer pieces of Tibetan furniture are already scattered in private homes and museums throughout the world and there is already considerable interest in this field among Hong Kong and other regional dealers. Although the author admits he is "biased toward chests," these serve sufficiently for instruction and examples on the construction, materials, dates, and carvings, illustrations, and other decorative and symbolic features of all Tibetan furniture. "The echoes of contacts with peoples all over Asia can be traced in the designs found on Tibetan furniture." Yet the furniture and its designs are not a simple imitation or composite of forms, designs, etc., of other cultures, but shown the stamp of the "unique identity" of the Tibetan people and culture so that Tibetan furniture is unmistakable. The illustrations and symbols of Tibetan furniture are usually related to the Tantric Buddhism of Tibet. Buckley's book is not only a guide to identification of the desirable antique Tibetan furniture, but it also relates the historical and cultural context of the furniture. The author is a recognized expert on antiques and collecting currently living in Beijing.

Excellent and informative detail. I strongly suggest adding this book to your library.

I was not expecting this book to be what it is and still am surprised.It is a collection of photos with some details about the author's and other's private collections of rare collectibles(vases,bowls,lamps,etc).All are beautiful photographs and amazing peices!A totally wonderful book for anyone who loves collectible glass!!!

It is not likely you will ever encounter any of the glass shown in this book but the book is worth buying anyway for anyone who enjoys collecting depression glass. The photos in this book will have you drooling for hours. And who knows? You might actually find one of these beauties one day and buy it because you remember seeing it in the book and knowing that the $50 asking price was well worth it since Gene says its worth $2000!

This book is perfect. It covers most every important point when collecting Zippos from the Vietnam War era. Topics like markings, identification and engraving style are covered in great detail. The pictures are colorful and detailed. Buy this book if you want to collect these little gems of history.

The most comprehensive work that I have seen to date on the subject of the ubiquitous war-time cigarette lighter. Mr. Fiorella concentrates on the most popular brand to be carried in Viet Nam, or any war for that matter, the Zippo. Who would think that a niche area of militaria collecting could be so broad with so many variations? From the slim Zippo to the cut-down variety, to Barcroft table models; those engraved in English, or in Vietnamese, carried by Americans, ARVN's, Cambodians, Koreans; Army, Navy varieties and Marines, this author breezes through all of these areas in clear-cut chapters with plenty of example photos and archival images. One of the most interesting chapters is to be found in the beginning of the book, about a subject that is best tackled first: how do you identify knockoffs? This book is worth it for the photos alone and is soon to be a collector's item. The only book you will ever have to own for this hobby.
NAC

i've read just about everything on Viet Nam, and this book really is fun! Sort of like Michael Herr's "Dispatches" (with photos). Written in realistic prose and accompanied by hundreds of photo's of Vietnam Zippos, and great in-country shots. Lots of non-boring Vietnam War reference material. i couldn't put it down.

As a person very attracted to the colors & shapes of Viking Glass, I have enjoyed this book immensley! I have been able to identify most all pieces in my collection from this book and learned about new patterns, colors, shapes to look for in the future! I'm also looking forward to seeing a new book that covers 70's & beyond! Hope he's working on one! Thank you Dean Six!

As a glass collecting enthusiast I have read my share of collecting books through the years, and I have to say that this is the most visually appealing and informative books I have ever read. Viking made beatiful and colorful pieces of glass, and Dean Six's book captures the beauty of the glass while putting the pieces in a logical and historical context.

I highly recommend this book not only for the serious Viking collector, but for anyone who collect glass, is interested in history or enjoys a beautiful decorative arts book.

Beautifully compiled by Dean Six, the Schiffer edition of Viking Glass 1944-1970 is a superbly organized and presented collector's price guide enhanced with more 520 color photographs of the exceptional, painstakingly handmade glassware produced by the Viking Glass Company of New Martinsville, West Virginia from 1944 to 1970. Glorious color and design mark virtually every page of this beautiful display volume which will prove an invaluable reference for professional dealers and dedicated collectors.

A book full of interesting information and beautiful color photos, mainly for English shotguns. Very readable, with the contents arranged in a rather original way. The book needs an alphabetical index at the end.

As a dealer who specializes in upper end shotguns, I think I know more than the average sportsman about shotguns... BUT... I was amazed at the ammount of great info in this book. VERY READABLE. If you have any interest in quality side by side shotguns - get it!!!

this is an excellent book worthy of any gun book collection; however, it is exactly the same book as Vintage Guns for the Modern Shot. Buy one but not both.

Wade miniatures #2 is the top book on wades red rose tea and miniatures!!!
BEWARE = there is a wade miniatures #3 it is word for word - page for page - price for price THE SAME AS WADE #2 so save money and buy #2 instead of #3,
I hate it when I get ripped off by someone who claims to be giving me an updated price guide on a book I depend on.
this book in either copy is the BEST for miniatures,

Just what I needed! I have a collection inherited from my mom. I wasn't sure of the value or which pieces belong to which set. This book is very clear. Has great pictures and pricing information. Highly recommended.

The book 'Wade Miniatures' (2007) by Diane Baker is a wonderful first book to have if you are starting to collect Wade Miniature Figurines. The color photos are so true to life. Ms Baker includes some history of Wade of England and a current price guide for the figurines.
Most of the figurines included in the book start in the 1950's and continue up to the present. The Wade factory in England however, started out making porcelain pieces in 1810.
Everyone remembers the Red Rose Tea Miniatures that were included in the Red Rose Tea boxes. Those little Miniatures currently range in value from $5.00 to about $20.00 - $30.00. More exquisite pieces can range in value from $50.00 to over $400.00. There is a price range for every level of collector.
I had an older copy of her book from the Library. However, when the 2007 edition came out, I just had to have it as a handy reference guide.
As a novice collector, or for that matter, as an amateur collector, you will find this book to be an invaluable reference guide!
Happy collecting!!

There are many antique purse books which include some mesh but this is by far the best for just mesh. Many members of the Antique Purse Collectors Society have this on their shelf!

IF YOU COLLECT WHITING AND DAVIS FROM EARLY YEARS UNTIL NOW YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT THE HISTORY IN THE BOOK. I LIKED THE FACT THAT IT GAVE YOU INFORMATION ABOUT EACH ERA, OWNER AND HOW IT WAS CHANGED. IT IS LIKE STROLLING THROUGH TIME. IT DOES SHOW YOU WHAT THE VALUE IS FOR A PURSE IN GOOD CONDITION AND MINT. THE ONLY THING I WISH IS THAT IT LISTED PLACES THAT WOULD REPAIR THE PURSES OR SHOW PLACES YOU COULD ORDER PARTS.
IT IS GOOD FOR COLLECTING ANG SELLING IF YOU NEED AN IDEA OF HOW MUCH TO ASK OR OFFER.

Fine photos, well organized, comprehensive, price range given. This was a present for my wife, and it was just what she wanted.

A GREAT BOOK TO READ. I ENJOYED ALL THE INFORMATION AND THE PICTURES ARE GREAT.

Attempting to put out a comprehensive collector's guide to toys has always seemed to me to be an exercise in futility. Still, that doesn't stop many companies from trying to do just that, resulting in a telephone book-sized tome with tiny print to match for the literally thousands of listings inside. This of course means very little room for pictures. Thankfully in Charles Dee Sharp's book "The Wonder of American Toys" there is no pretense of trying to put out a comprehensive guide. Rather that we have is a celebration of toys from the golden age of the 1920's through the 1950's and an eclectic collection of toys accompanied by brilliant, full-color photography. While Sharp does give a price range on all of the toys contained in this 336 page hardcover, it isn't meant to display the rarest or most collectible toys. Rather this is a sampling of the types and styles of toys produced during this era, regardless of value. The price ranges go from under $100 in price up to thousands of dollars.

The book is sectioned in chapters on types of toys such as Farm Toys, City Toys, Planes, Trains, Musical toys, Character toys, and more. There's tin toys, cast-iron toys, wooden toys and paper toys. Nearly color photographs display every toy covered in the book. Women may be upset that dolls and girl toys in general get a bit short-changed. There are some things such as a Mickey Mouse washing machine and tea set from the 1930's and character toys like Little Orphan Annie, but the book mainly concentrates on boy toys. It's filled with classic vehicle toys made by companies like Buddy L, Tootsie, Wyandotte, and Marx. There's Coca Cola Delivery trucks, buses, cabs, coupes, and everything in between. There's even all manner of ships and boats including powerboats featuring the legendary speed boat racer Gar Wood.

Collectors will especially enjoy the section on character toys of early film, radio and animation like Charlie McCarthy, Popeye, Felix the Cat and Betty Boop. Westerns are well represented with a myriad of toy guns including the ubiquitous Red Ryder rifle. Sharp hits just about every are he can including Circus toys, sports, war toys, and construction toys like Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys. My only complaint is that the section on space and futuristic toys is pretty sparse. Admittedly those are a favorite of mine and given how highly collectible these items are I would have liked to have seen a bit more. Even if you are maybe too young to remember these toys (like me) you'll still enjoy thumbing through the pages and seeing the things that your parents or grand parents played with when they were children. This is a beautiful book!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

The Wonder Of American Toys 1920-1950 by dedicated toy collector and expert Charles Dee Sharp is a beautifully illustrated, full-color photographic showcase of vintage American toys. From toy cars and airplanes; to Popeye figures and Buck Rogers paraphernalia; to science sets and baseball games; each individual toy is featured with an illustration and a very brief caption. An extraordinary range of objects of childhood memories, The Wonder Of American Toys 1920-1950 is a nostalgic and enthusiastically recommendation for toy collectors and 20th Century American Popular Culture reference collections.