Collecting Books

Great book.Overpriced.Vender price gouging just because availability is scarce right now.Since purchase I have found many at cheaper price.

My father used to tell us children about the "old" radio days and how the family would gather around and listen to the radio shows. He would speak of his love for those old radios. I , like everyone else I suppose, have seen old radios in antique stores. However, I don't recall having ever seen a Crystal Radio. I happened to be at an antique show and saw a copy of the book. I decided to buy it for my father. When I got home I started going through the pages and was amazed by the information in the book and the amount of crystal sets there had been. The author has done so much research and I feel the wiser for it. I am glad that I happened upon this book. I have learned from it and know that my father will enjoy it whenever I finally decide to give it to him. He is bound to have many more stories to tell me about "the old radio days" but somehow I think I am going to enjoy listening to them even more.

ISBN: 188660603X is Volume 2 (252 pages) which describes and pictures additional radio sets not in volume 1.

1886606013 is Volume 1 (282 pages).

The important part is the hundreds of pictures of the actual radio sets and/or magazine adds and, when possible, also shows a couple of sentences or so of information about each particular set. The idea is to help identify the huge variety of the many makes and models of crystal sets from around 1920 to 1950, but is also a nice travel down memory lane.

A few of the more modern crystal sets are also covered.

Also a special section with a history of the big four companies:Wireless Specialty Apparatus Company, Radio Corporation of America (in Vol.1). And Philmore Manufacturing Company (in Vol.1 and Vol.2) and Western Manufacturing Company (in Vol.2).

Both fully indexed.

Also both have long tables summarizing the various makes and models of radios.

And both have long summary tables for the spare crystals sold for use as replacements in the sets (when crystals get old they oxidize and lose power).

Very nice presentation of all this material, highly recommended!

Good introductory material including a description of the difference between earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, and whiteware. Has many pictures of the items and their marks, is a great resource for dating and pricing some of my collection.

To add a little information: on page 50 it shows a Perfect mark in a banner. Text says "has been attributed to Dresden Pottery, though some question this association because it is so unlike Dresden's other marks."

I have a pretty gravy boat marked Perfect in a circle with NCC script, from the National China Company. In 1910 National China Company sold its factory and bought Dresden (in Ohio, not Germany). So, I believe the Perfect mark in the book is Dresden (carrying Perfect over from the National China Company).

As you can see, the book leads you down interesting research paths. Enjoy!
cuppateacollectibles

The many quality color illustrations are what count the most in my situation. Very worthy resource.

This book is beautiful to look at and packed with valuable information. If you are a collector, this book is a must have. If you are not a collector, you will be after viewing this book.

This book is full of very helpful information on many aspects of furniture restoration and repair. Unlike many books on the subject it gives you the information you need without wasting your time or money.

Bennett has created a clear guide that both beginning and experienced restorators will find helpful. His techniques preserve the integrity and value of antiques by treating them conservatively. I especially appreciate Bennett's directions for formulating fillers and cleaners. If you want to do a proper job of restoring a fine antique this book is an essential tool.

Whether you're a collector or would-be collector of american furniture, this is the single must-have book for you. Well-written and quite readable, this book is more than just a reference. Its engaging style and informative nature will make it hard to put down.It'll help you spot the best quality pieces and recognize those that have been tampered with. For the new collector buying from auctions or dealers, this book is priceless. It'll help you spot the best quality pieces and recognize those that have been 'restored'. If you want to really know what your colllecting, get this book first!

Having been sent this book as a present by a friend in the US, I felt I must tell others just what a treasure trove it is. It has been written by someone who not only obviously loves his subject, but who has written a clear, easy-to-read amd well-illustrated guide for those of us who have developed an interest in early American furniture but who lacked expertise. It also tells you how to care for furniture. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Early American Furniture: A Practical Guide for Collectors by John Obbard is filled with information about all aspects of furniture from this period. Chapter one starts with an overview of the furniture trade, followed by understanding period and style, evaluation of quality, identifying period workmanship, and identifying fakes and frauds. Each type of furniture has its own chapter (wing chair, Windsor, chest of drawers, desk, highboy, etc.). There are many illustrations, but the only photographs are on the cover. With all of this information covered, one can sense that this book states concepts "straight to the point". For example, on page 64, there is a paragraph which states to look for a detached shoe or two part shoe and that this is something to note with old furniture. A beginner is not going to grasp that concept from the paragraph and illustration. Regardless, this is a good review source for the experienced person or a good outline for a beginner. I have spent three times the price of this book for many with less information.

Although light reading, the text serves as a functional guide; lean and concise requiring the reader to become involved in cross reference.

One of a fantastic series of 4 chuck full of informational volumes dedicated to a particular geographic area. A must for any rock hound weather you travel or just live in the geographic area of the volume. If you can afford it, get all 4 regional volumes. Start with your area. The location information brake down of the minerals to be found in each state counties is so valuable you can't do with out it. Saves time, eliminate barren hunting grounds and it's so detailed as to where and how you find the minerals. This is just one of a fact full accurate guide series you'll want to have in your rock library. Don't settle for an older printing, this one is reprinted and has been updated.

This book looks like it's going to be a GREAT asset in my mineral hunting! I like the way it's set up, by state and then by county within the state. It lists the various sites, tells what has been found at each site and (by a code explained in the front of the book) where in each site the minerals were (in a field, in a mine, in the water, etc.). There are directions of varying degrees to each site. That's the one thing I'd quibble about -- some of the directions aren't that precise. But I understand that some of these sites are private lands, or not completely documented, and he can't come out and say, "Go fifty feet past the blue house, down a ravine, and to your left." In general, the directions seem good enough to get you close, and after that it's up to you.

He lists the rocks and minerals found at each site and gives some information about the quality at most places, including size of crystals found, color (and quality of color), and so on.

My only regret? I don't know if I'll have time to visit each site he has listed! So many rocks, so little time........

This is a great starter book for collectors of all kinds. Just the Web site recommendations alone are worth the purchase price. I found a super wholesale distributor for flea market sellers (like me) that I didn't know existed!!! I've since placed an order for dolls, collector knives, etc. at rock bottom prices!!! Another thing I really like about this book is its breezy and witty approach to things. The author gives us histories of so many collectible items. I'm not a postcard collector, for instance, but I found reading about them fascinating. This book is just plain fun!!!

This book is worth getting for all the cool websites it lists, but as a bonus you get gobs more good stuff. It's an interesting intro to collectibles of all kinds. There's practical information and fun historical tidbits about collecting and collectibles. I learned a lot of things I didn't know. I'll be an educated consumer when I visit the flea markets and garage sales in my town. This book totally rocks! As they say on ebay: A+++++

I have purchased other books in this series that have been rather skimpy and--the truth be told--boring. But the COLLECTIBLES edition is anything but. I picked up a healthy helping of tips and techniques on collecting (and have visted some of the super recommended Web sites). But I also learned a great deal about history through the collectible items featured in the book--like stamps and coins. The political items chapter was fabulous. And I love the cool collectible pictures throughout the book. The variety was neat. This is just a fun and informative book!!!

This book does a good job in bringing back to life this wonderful record player made primarily by RCA Victor Company. It shows the progression of styles, especially the early bakelite models that were always the envy of every young school person in the 1950's. You knew the real thing was yours, if you had one of the RCA Victor Bakelite models. The author, adds his own love of the machine along with an excellent job in tracing the history of the 45 record player from its' inception in 1949, when it was initially introduced to the public. Anyone owning one of these record players, or simply interested in seeing the transition it made from 1949 through the 1960's should get this book. Highly recommended.

Best 45rpm reference book I have read to date. I have collected several 45 rpm players. Every machine I own is listed and/or pictured in this excellent reference book. The only thing missing would be more information for replacing the outdated 45 rpm cartridge. This book has been added to my "best read" recommendation list.

Very nicely done. Lots of information that is useful if you are interested in the 1950's 45rpm Players. Because of this book, I acquired an Alice in Wonderland 1950's player and restored it using the information from the book and links to suppliers of replacement parts. I even created "New" decals from the old ones so my unit looks like it came right out of the box and plays as new....
My highest regards for the author and contributors to this book
Leland Faber

If you work on, weld, silver solder or generally mess with antique weaponry (and metal antiques in general) this book is a boon, a guide, a resource. It is pitched to the layman, highly readable and well researched. I use it as a reference more or less constantly when selecting tools, metals, temperatures etc.

This is an Excellent publication. Although I'm not an arms collector, as a hobby machinist I've long been fascinated by the metallurgy and heat treatment of carbon steel. Unfortunately, engineering texts on the subject are over my head, and Fighting Iron answered a lot of my questions. Further, since I work occasionally with both bearing bronze and brass, Mr. Gogan's thorough explanation of non-ferrous metals cleared up a lot of questions. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who works with, or is otherwise interested in, metals. This would include welders, machinists, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, and jewelers. Well done, Mr. Gogan!

Wether you are interested in firearms or in edged weapons, this is really a must have book. I deeply commend this book to anybody involved in collecting, or in museum conservation work. The book is small and compact, and contains a mine of interesting information. It is technical information, but written in a plain language, easy to understand to the reader, without the need of being an engineer. Surely, this is not a technical manual for engineers, but it is directed to the plain collector.

I found a lot of interesting facts, tables and drawings, as well as descriptions. I always keep my copy near me for refference, and I'm ordering additional copies, one to be presented to the library of the local National Museum of Arms, and one more for a close friend.

Glasses can be both functional and decorative, so it should be no surprise that people have taken to collecting them. "Fostoria Stemware: The Crystal for America" is a complete and comprehensive value guide, masterfully compiled and in a new and revised second edition. Covering glass making and collection across over four hundred years of American history, "Fostoria Stemware" is a must for any collector of crystal glasses.

This is one of the best general books on Fostoria I have been able to locate thus far. Well organized and useful. Great pictures.

If you have stemware and need to identify it, this is the book for you. There's a goblet index in the back which refers to the main book by numbers. I have found it invaluable for quick reference. Having ounces and height given really helps to identify which pieces one has. Each pattern is given production dates, and if it was made in several colors, production dates are given for each color.

FUG 10 is one of the best new genealogy mysteries I have read in the last several years. Osman's story is based on his experience of researching his own Pennsylvania ancestors. The story is suspenseful, historical, modern, emotional, and witty. These attributes make for any good mystery. What sets apart a great genealogy mystery for me are the methods of investigation. Do the methods of investigating the ancestors involved in the story make sense? Are they creative? Are they based in what is available to a real genealogist? Osman's experience shines through. His fictional Rhone family understands investigating the past requires not just collecting dates, names and places but understanding the events surrounding our ancestors lives and creating hypothesis that can be tested by uncovering not just one, but several pieces of evidence that confirm the hypothetical.
FUG 10 introduces us to the history of several Pennsylvania counties and paints a story of typical migration, marriage and family relationships right after the Revolution. The stories of these ancestors could be the stories of our ancestors. This fictional history creates the mystery for the Rhone family and ultimately the reader too. The Rhone's know what all genealogist know-genealogy is addictive. As a confirmed addict I was totally drawn into Osman's mystery. I tried to stay one step ahead of the Rhone's with my methods of historic investigation, but they opened my eyes to several new sources. The story had me reading about my own Pennsylvania ancestors as I read about the Rhone family. When fiction meets reality a reader not only enjoys a story, but also relates to a story. Osman has written such a believable and enjoyable mystery that I'm looking forward to the next brick wall his fictional genealogists break down.

If you like history, you will love this novel. A great mixture of fiction and history that captures you and holds your interest from the beginning.

A very interesting Historical Novel which combines mystery with history.
The book is crafted in a way that you can not anticipate the ending and ties in generations of a family starting during the Revolutionary War and ending with the current generation.

I could not put it down until I finished it.