Antiques Books

Well-researched, well-written non-fiction that tells a great story. We meet many of Brimfield's characters, as well as dealers trying to make a living in ever-changing conditions. The last few chapters deliver as much suspense as a good mystery.

Terrific book!

BRIMFIELD RUSH; THE THRILL OF COLLECTING AND THE HUNT FOR THE BIG SCORE is a lively survey of a massive outdoor antiques and collectibles show spanning over 20 fields along a one-mile stretch in Massachusetts. It attracts thousands of dealers and collectors yearly - but BRIMFIELD RUSH follows not only the event's history but the experiences of a couple's year at Brimfield markets. The morning's opening 'rush' serves as a fascinating survey of Brimfield's treasures and attractions throughout a spicy, dramatic account collectors will relish and recognize.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Bob Wyss has given us an exciting, insider's look, at the biggest flea market in the world. As someone who purchased his first antiques, 33 years ago at the Rose Bowl Swap Meet, this book has rekindled my interest in the antique trade. "Brimfield Rush" is extremely well researched and gives you the background you need to venture out there and make your first deal. The reader is taken for a roller coaster ride of highs and lows as Joe and Rachel navigate through the worlds of flea markets, art galleries, estate sales, and eBay. For anyone interested in the "Hunt for the Big Score," this book is a must read.

Absolutely wonderful look at the passion of collecting rush that's so much a part of going to the Brimfield Fleas. Wyss has an engaging style in this story of a couple in search of the great art treasures at Brimfield. The truth is is that it's a difficult trail to take, as Wyss recounts. However, that doesn't stop the tens of thousands of visitors to Brimfield thrice yearly. I've been attending and taking photographs there for over 20 years now and it's easy to see that Wyss captured the essence of this event - an even that attracts celebrities, famous people and collectors from all over the world.
A great, short read that's worth the trip to the bookstore. You will not be disappointed. Also a great primer before attending your first flea market in the antique town of Brimfield, Massachusetts.

If you don't live in New England or make a practice of frequenting flea markets, you might not be familiar with the name "Brimfield." It's not just a small town in south central Massachusetts; it's become an all-encompassing term (in both noun and verb forms) for the event that overtakes that region three weeks of the year. Author Bob Wyss has provided us with a look at Brimfield's history as well as the work that goes on behind the scenes. It's a view we casual visitors don't usually get or could even guess at. The emphasis here is on the dealers and the residents, and not the average walk-in buyer.

Chapters are arranged in sections chronologically by the flea market weeks: May, July, September, and the following May. Though the book begins with a couple in search of a human skeleton -- which they eventually discover and gleefully buy -- the focus throughout the text rests on two burgeoning art dealers, Rachel and Joe. Linked in a new professional and personal relationship, they face a number of challenges as they attend Brimfield to buy and sell items for their Pennsylvania art business. Joe is the risk-taker and Rachel the financial manager, and together they struggle to become successful at a work that is fraught with a variety of dilemmas. Should they merely collect, or buy and sell? How much should they reveal to an unsuspecting seller, since "a score has two sides, and for every winner there is a corresponding loser"? (p. 92) What's real and what is fake? And when will they become comfortable enough to stop moving from show to show and settle down in their own permanent gallery? They find most of their answers by the end of the book.

Wyss includes interesting side stories to the lives of Rachel and Joe, with glimpses at other Brimfield dealers, field owners and town officials. He details the town dispute with its police force in 2003, which resulted in the firing of all but the chief and which certainly contributed to a major silver theft in the field that year. He looks at the thrill of "the big score" in the antiques world, citing several cases that include the discovery of a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence behind an old painting bought for four dollars in Adamstown, Penna., in 1989. The piece sold for $2.42 million at Sotheby's in 1991, and was later bought by Norman Lear for $8.14 million in 2000. That score set the dream devoutly to be wished by anyone ever attending or dealing at a flea market or auction. Wyss also discusses the effect that eBay and other online opportunities have had on live auctions and flea markets. And even a knowledgeable dealer can mistakenly drink his way through a case of Bordeaux before learning that the going rate for it is $1000 a bottle.

I read this book in the middle of a Brimfield week, and it gave me a new perspective on the event. This time I saw more paintings than I'd ever noticed before. I caught saw PBS's Antiques Roadshow personality Gary Sohmers charging down a path, dressed just as described in the book. I understood that a "big score" could still be gotten by a visitor or dealer. And I realized that the "Brimfield Rush" is not just the frenzied way that customers enter the fields at the opening bell. It's that feeling that permeates your very own nervous system when you buy something you know is wonderful.

THIS BOOK IS FULL OF HELPFULL HINTS AND WONDERFUL STEP BY STEP DETAILS. THE PICTURES ARE GREAT AND HELP EVEN MORE. I WILL KEEP IT WITH ME AS I WORK TO BRING THESE BEAUTIES BACK TO LIFE!! A MUST HAVE FOR ANYONE TRYING THE SAME!!

This book is very informative and helpful to antique doll restorers,the author has a good sense of humor about the care of dolls and tells in concise detail all aspects of care and restoration.Lots of colorful and interesting pictures.This book is a must have for any antique bisque doll collector,well worth the money!

This is a book that I will keep close at hand as I work on the Antique Bisque dolls to restore them to their original beauty! So complete in all areas of restoration with clear directions and wonderful pictures. It is just like having Mary there with you to personally guide your hands! Without hesitation, I give it 5 big stars!!!

This is an easy book to follow. As a beginner it was wonderful to have pictures and easy to follow instruction, I am now able to set eyes, restring comp bodies and fix wigs.. if you are a beginner it is a MUST HAVE - money well spent !

I am an avid antique doll collector, and an glad to see all these practical repair tips.

The Fifties was a great time for Detroit and the look of their products reflected the carmakers optimism for the good times that were sweeping over the middle classes during the decade. Never mind racial tensions and the Cold War didn't everybody deserve to drive around in a flamboyant dream on wheels.

Books about autos of the period are steady sellers but I think this volume can't be beat. To get over sixteen hundred color photos and graphics in one book is pretty impressive. I like the editorial format, too, with each model getting a page per year. The mix of car company PR shots, period ads and graphics, dealer showroom and gas station photos plus the captions makes the pages sparkle. There is a very comprehensive index in the back, which makes Cars of the Fabulous 50s probably the best reference book available.

I see that this 416 page all-color book is available at some amazing low prices. Clearly a bargain.

Another book (by the same publisher) 'American Cars of the 1950s (ISBN 1412711568) covers the same ground but has an interesting twist in only using car graphics from ads and brochures for the picture content. It's also a square, chunky 320-page book. This publisher has also put out the same two books covering cars of the Sixties.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

My whole family is enjoying this book very much, brings back a lot of memories too. Thats why we also ordered a copy of the "Sizzling 60's".

Basicly you get a hugh book full of lush high qulity pictures , each picture has little commentry text attached and all are arranged by year , make and model . Most of restored cars but also b&w oldies , advertising , promo etc. I would have liked to see more interior pictures of the cars as well as all round view of the same car and not many image of differnt cars ,but still this is a really great book for 50's cars and you'll surely enjoy browsing it .

I bought this book as a gift for my dad, so I can't say whether or not I personally liked it. I thought it was a perfect gift for my dad because it has lots of pictures and not a lot of text (my dad isn't big on reading). The most text it has is captions under the pictures. He seemed to enjoy it - he spent an hour or two rummaging through it, and he still pulls it out every now and then (which is something he doesn't usually do - once the book gets put away, it stays put away).

So, if you prefer looking at pictures of cars from the fifties instead of reading about them, then this is a good book for you.

This comprehensive compilation of photographs and anecdotes about the fabulous automobiles of the 1950's will appeal to any nostalgia buff, whether a collector, a would-be collector, or to anyone who just likes the cars of the era. Organized year-by-year and then by make, the book makes it easy to find the model you are looking for. The photo reproduction is excellent and the brief descriptions (including prices)are to the point. You will find almost any car made in the U.S., both popular models that sold well and many that were sold in limited numbers.

A very well written book with lovely and truly beautiful illustrations. Highly recommended!

In this fascinating book, De Dampierre brings a fresh perspective to world history by describing it through one of the most ubiquitous items in our daily lives: chairs. In doing so, she has produced a highly enjoyable read for both the sophisticated antique collector and the general student of history.

I have read Chairs; A History and find it to be fasinating from two view points. One is that it is more than a history of furniture, it is a social history of the people who sat in the chairs and their times and their culture. Secondly I will retain it for years as one of the most complete reference books on the cultural periods discussed. Finally it is beautifully illustrated and written and should be in everyone's library.

No one who has seen my home would expect me to have anything to do with a furniture book. But some perceptive friend gave me this book and now I get it! Under Ms. de Dampierre's tutelage, I have grown to understand how pieces of furniture are a reflection of the times in which they were created. This study of chairs is no less fascinating than any great work of art history and the author does an incredible job of detailing changes in social and political currents which impact the design and use of each chair in her exhaustive chronology. As importantly, the pictures are beautiful; the book is worth buying for them alone.

Florence de Dampierre has produced what will certainly be not only the definitive guide to the chair itself but also a witty and learned look at how modes of communication in differing cultures governed the kind of furniture people invented for themselves. The scope of the book is huge, ranging from the cradle of civilization in Mesopotamia and Africa to the chair as modern art. I recommend it highly, both for serious collectors as well as anyone who has ever thought twice about the provenance of the place they've just sat down in. The book is copiously and beautifully illustrated, so it makes a lovely gift.

A thorough reference book on charms as art, momentoes and talismans around the world and through the ages. Beautifully photographed, this book shows you that charms are not just decorative bits of silver and gold but also cultural tokens which remind us of people, places, things and significant events. It is clear that the number of charms that you can collect is limited only by your imagination!

Charms and Charm Bracelets: The Complete Guide is a price guide to charm bracelets from the 19th century to the present, illustrated with over 300 color photographs and featuring jewelry ranging in composition from gold to plastic. Written by an enthusiastic collector of antique jewelry, Charms and Charm Bracelets discusses techniques in making charms, trends in charm and jewelry making throughout the decades, factors to consider when evaluating and appraising specific pieces of charm jewelry, and much more. A "must-have" resource for serious collectors, and a treasury to page through for art lovers interested in this unique form of adornment.

Charms & Charm Bracelets: the Complete Guide is well researched and entertaining. This book gets it right! I read plenty of jewelry books and Charms & Charm Bracelets avoids most of my pet peeves. It is well organized and includes an accurate glossary, bibliography, and index. The photos are clear and well composed. Missing are photos that show more background than jewelry. You know the pictures I'm talking about. "Gee, is that an earring, bracelet, or waste processing plant?" Helpful information including measurements, prices, and circa dates is included in the captions. This is a fun and useful book.

This is an extremely useful resource for any one who collects charms. The coverage of the subject is comprehensive and the illustrations are exquisite.

I have every book there is on collecting charms and charm bracelets. This book is the best written, contains the best history, best advertisements, etc. The book has over 300 color pictures of charms, bracelets and advertisements. Unlike other books, this one gives equal time to both gold and silver charms and bracelets. You get a wonderful history of charms, charm bracelets and how they are made - decade by decade.

What really sold me on this lovely book is the fact that it has lots of additional information. There is an appendix explaining metal markings and one showing pictures of actual metal markings with explanations. You also get a nice glossary of frequently used terms, a bibliography, and a wonderful index.

If you want to know the history of charms and charm bracelets, their metal markings, and you can only get one book - get this one. This is great for collectors and for people who actually sell charms and bracelets. The author has done an outstanding job of compiling a lot of useful information and photographs in a wonderful, easy to read guide to the world of charms and charm bracelets.

If you are at all interested in Chintz dishes, this is the book to own. I personally want to sell a few pieces and would like to have the author's address. She has a wonderful collection as shown in this colorful book.

For any serious collector of Chintz this book is a must. It is clearlly set out and easy to understand. The passion and love the writer has for Chintz is apparent.

This book is absolutely gorgeous. Of course, it is full of very useful information for chintz collectors. It is very educational for any one interested in learning more about chintz ceramics. However, the best thing about this book is its beauty. I just love to look at it time and time again.

Excellent presentation on chintz pottery and ceramics without making it look like a manual. The type of book you'd want in your collection as a show piece.

This book clearly shows the author's enthusiasm and knowledge of chintz ceramics. Beautifully illustrated and packed with information for both the novice and experienced collector of chintz china. Highly recommended!

I purchased this book along with Christmas Tree Pins/O Christmas Tree and since I rated that book a "5", I am rating this book a strong 4. While the pages are a bit thinner in weight (but still of good quality), the photos are excellent with the pins presented nicely. And, even though the number of pins featured are fewer, this book also includes santas, angels, reindeer, wreaths, and other seasonal pins which makes this a good addition/companion to my library.

Ms. Gallina has done impressive research. Her pictures are well done, in color, and carefully organized by designer and theme. Her captions are descriptive and the values are clear.

This somewhat small book was extremely helpful to me in identifying the values of some recently purchased Weiss candle Christmas Tree Pins. It has also shown me what pins do not carry such a high value.
I would love to see more books like this one for holiday jewelry.
I would highly reccommend this book to anyone interested in Vintage and New Christmas Jewelry.

This book by Jill is one of my favorite books, and not just because my own jewelry is included. Jill's wonderful photography showcases a wonderous variety of this collecting category. I doubt there are very many collectors who don't have a least one Christmas tree pin in their collection. And truly, it is very likely that every single woman who loves jewelry has at least one tree pin for holiday wear. This beautiful book is a perfect addition to any vintage costume jewelry reference library, for collectors and dealers alike. And it may even convert non-collectors! Thanks Jill!

Very enjoyable book with great history of the designers of today and yesteryear that made Christmas Pins. Good color pictures with a price guide that reflects today's prices. If you are a new pin collector this is a must have at a reasonable price. If you are a seasoned collector you will enjoy reading about the short histories of your favorite designers.

excellent book for the pro or just for the interested amateur. great pics,descriptions and info. worth every penny.

This book is geared to the watch collector and repairer, which is exactly what I was looking for. It has an excellent description of the major dials and movements with nice large pictures. The information is detailed, in-depth and informative. A professional book. It is large format, not too thick, but the glossy pages (which is a good thing) make it heavy. For the collector / repairer of chronographs, this is a must-have book.

Overall an excellent book on chronographs, which is a cross between a coffee table book and a reference work. As a collector, I refer to it a lot.

Unfortunately, the translation is poor, and there are many inconsistencies which can make it hard to follow descriptions: for example, the same component in the chronograph mechanism may be referred to by several different names. Also, the final editing of the English version leaves a lot to be desired, especially in a book of this price. Having said this, it's still a very good book, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

This book illustrates the intricacies of chronograhs in great detail and with much attention given to not-so-well-known facts. Master Watchmaker Gerd-Ruediger Lang is the founder and manager of Chronoswiss Uhren GmbH in Munich, Germany and his attention to detail can both be found in this book and in his watches, which are famous throughout the world.

This is a great book for those interested in chronograph watches. The pictures are very good and the detail on the movements is exceptional. The format of the book is rather large, but not too thick. Quality printing and binding. Nearly a must-have for watch collectors and horologists.

I started to collecting years ago. This book shows what you might find. Keep looking.

This booklet gives a nice overview of different types of fountain pens through the years. Though not complete, I use it often for my collection of pens.

Books about fountain pens seem to fall into two catagories useful but outrageously expensive ($70 - 150+) and small, fluff books that are reasonably priced (less than $50). Happily, this is neither. This book is reasonably priced and contains 365 (small) pages of clear, large, in focus, color photos showing familiar and unfamiliar fountain pens from all periods of their production (with emphasis on the 20th century). The captions are shorter than I would have liked, but contain valuable information about each pen. While this book isn't a starter ID book for pen collectors, it is a useful addition to any pen collectors book shelf. Two thumbs up.

If you own three books on pens, this should be one of them.

Weighing in at 1.3 lbs and measuring a mere 5.5 inches square, 1.25 inches thick I must say this book looks great on the coffee table (even in soft cover the pages are high quality gloss) and tempts every guest or onlooker.

Don't let size fool you, this beautiful book is packed with information, great pictures, succinct yet informative descriptions with an excellent introduction, covering history, pen design and ink.

Specific topics covered are Vintage, Modern, Precious, Thematic and Unusual. If you're a collector, reseller or only an interested party this little book offers a complete and concise examination of the fountain pen world.

Especially noteworthy are many models with multiple pictures of different colors and materials used. You may not find every pen your looking for when using this book as a reference tool but you can't go wrong by adding it to a collection of other fountain pen books. The difference? This one belongs off the bookshelf and on display!

Best book I've read in years that provides collectors with a visual guide, some great photographs, and history. These photos show some realistic and some whimsical figurines. They are made of glass, diamonds, gold, silver, Vienna Bronze, porcelain, etc.

The author has written a book that makes identification, date of manufacture, material, artist, country of origin easy and enjoyable to read. Anyone who collects anything will positively enjoy this collection. The book and author Eschen deserve top honors.

I just received this book, Collectible Mice, as a gift.  This is the best book about mice figures --some serious, some fanciful --that I have ever seen.  It is pleasant reading with a great bibliography and superb photos.  I wish the book were twice the size; it is one of the most enjoyable collector books I've read in years.  Eschen should write a sequel.

Don't miss this book. It's a winner. This work is so entertaining both the amateur as well as the seasoned collector will derive great pleasure reading and viewing the great photographs. You dare not miss a word. Atypical, odd, comical, extraordinary and life-like pictures fill the pages (over 300 pictures) with these remarkable figurines. The author and the book each deserve five stars!

Best book I've read in years that provides collectors with a visual guide, some great photographs, and history. These photos show some realistic and some whimsical figurines. They are made of glass, diamonds, gold, silver, Vienna Bronze, and porcelain, etc.

The author has written a book that makes identification, dates of manufacture, material, artist, and country of origin easy and enjoyable to read. Anyone who collects anything will postively enjoy this collection. The book and author Eschen deserve top honors!

I have been a collector of mice for quite some time and I was very happy to see a reference guide on the subject published. The author does an excellent job of covering a wide variety of types of mice collectibles and photos are excellent. My only qualm with the guide is the lack of more common mice antique mall / store finds. Most of the items that are illustrated in the book are items that most likely would be found on eBay. I have worked with the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall in Omaha for six years and have very rarely seen the items that are in this book. If you are a mouse / rodent collector, this is an obvious must have book. My thanks to the author for bringing this great hobby into a published form!