Collecting Books

Love Living With Limoges complete marks section, complete descriptions and complete price guide. Wonderful photographs of antique pieces of Limoges. Love this book but I prefer Debby DuBay's Antique Limoges at Home - my book of choice.

Living With Limoges is beautiful and I love this book. The pieces are outstanding, the descriptions complete and text is informing and intertaining. Highly recommend Living With Limoges!

I'm very excited about finding DuBay's book through her web site limogesantiques.com - her books are wonderful. I have inhereited many pieces of Limoges and her books helped me identify the factory, the marks, and to date each piece. I highly recommend LIVING WITH LIMOGES it is the best book on the market - except for DuBay's ANTIQUE LIMOGES AT HOME and COllecting Hand Painted Limoges Porcelain Boxes to Vases.

Living With Limoges is just wonderful. Fantastic photos of the most beautiful pieces of antique Limoges I have ever seen. I could not find this book at my local book stores, shopped the net and found www limogesantiques com and www collectinglimoges com and found Debby DuBay's fantastic reference books on Limoges. It had all of the marks and I found the back stamp I was looking for. This book is a must.

I have all of the books on Limoges but I love Living With Limoges! As a college professor I really enjoy the way author Debby DuBay relates to the reader, her enthusiasm, and subject knowledge. HIGHLY RECOMMEND Debby DuBay's trilogy on "collecting Limoges" and a visit to www.limogesantiques.com

This would be the first book I would purchase if you are a beginner or
long time collector of Limoges. It is excellent

I own all three of Debby DuBay's books on Limoges along with all of the other reference books available on the market today. I have to admit - it is hard finding this book unless you purchase it on line - but it is well worth the effort. Out of all of the Limoges reference books this book Antique Limoges at Home is the absolutely best. It covers French factory listed artists, amature artists, American Decorating Studios, American listed artists, every back stamp and mark out there, reproductions and a complete section of American Limoges marks. Antique Limoges at Home is the best and a must for the Limoges collector.

Antique Limoges at Home is a great resource book with the marks & beautiful photos of unique pieces. Highly recommend this book. I have the book by Gaston & those by Waterbrook/Clyde and I can not recommend them. If you need a book on Limoges porcelain purchase one of DuBay's: Antique Limoges at Home, Living With Limoges & Collecting Hand Painted Limoges Porcelain.

I love Schiffer, but I prefer Keith and Thomas Waterbrook-Clyde books on Limoge! I think that their 4 books, and especially the most recently published, contains more insight into the world of limoge.

Numerous color photographs of limoges' pieces or sets in different rooms of a home--foyer, livingroom, bedrooms, etc.--illustrate how this highly desirable porcelain can enhance any setting. Individual pieces and sets are highlighted in middle chapters on different types of limoges such as plates, ewers, platters, chalices, dresser sets, punch bowls, teapots, vases, and others. With these pieces with price ranges conveniently noted following brief descriptions, one can study the details of illustrations, design of the edges, ornamentation, shape, and coloring. There's a shorter section for limoges pieces "you can wear"--i. e., brooches, pins, buttons. Owner of the Limoges Antique Shop in Andover, MA, and author and contributor to other books on limoges who is also a retired Air Force officer, Debbie DuBay has long been a recognized leader in spreading the word about the special beauty, diversity, and value of limoges. This book is so attractive, a reader might miss the general information and reference material DuBay provides of use to collectors and investors at all levels. Opening chapters introduce beginning collectors to limoges porcelain, noting distinctions between French and American limoges and the matter of reproductions. The references on artists, markings, and evaluating a piece or set more of interest to advanced collectors and dealers comes toward the end. Here there are close-ups of the many artist signatures and factory marks signifying the finest limoges.

We were impressed with the presentation layout of this
State Quarter Collector Map. Our grandsons will
enjoy their learning experiences more with something
that is actually interesting to look at. (I learned
something from this...........which shows you
that you can teach an old dog new tricks!!!) I
would highly recommend this item.

Terrific product. The book looks great, the map idea is a nice learning tool, and mainly, the quarters fit perfectly. We've seen some that are terrible to get the coins in. Also, the facts about each state are great.

My friend who has excellent taste was very pleased with these quarter holders I ordered for her to give her grandchildren. She liked the map and the quality of the folder. They arrived at her house before I got a chance to tell her that they were shipped.

This collector map is absolutely beautiful. I'm really impressed with the quality and sturdiness of this product. The color and detail are wonderful. The little tidbits of info are great as well as educational. My dad has been collecting the quarters for my 11-year-old daughter and I ordered this for her. They put them in together today and had a great time. My dad has a different map and likes this one better so I'm ordering one for him now. It's an awesome map and you really can't beat the price! You won't regret purchasing this item.

This finally came after being out of stock forever, and I love it! The size is a little bit awkward, but I love the full color US map and all of the extra info about each state. They have also updated it and replaced the four slots for "your favorite quarters" with six slots for the territories to be released in 2009! A really lovely way to display the state quarters.

If you have any interest in Smith & Wesson firearms, this is a must have. Tons of information on pistols, rifles, shotguns and other items made by S&W.

Excellent resource for the S&W collector. Very comprehensive, quality pictures, great read. The type of book you get lost in for a few hours!

This is a great book to get familiar with all the different models of S&W revolvers. I needed a book that would help me identify different revolvers and this book is the one. I believe this book will help anyone looking to broaden their knowledge of S&W firearms. What I like about this book is the color photos and detailed descriptions of each model. This book should be in every gun enthusiast's library.

As a firearms dealer there is a need for referenca materials that I can use & depend on, both for my business & as a service to my customers. This is the BEST S&W book I have come across.

Best, most useful reference text I've seen on the subject. A very valuable reference for the collector. Very well done. Couldn't be more pleased.

The book is OK. Photos are not all that great (some blurry and out of focus, obviously amature). Most of the dolls are modern and mass produced. I was hoping that there would be more artist creations, one of a kinds, limited editions, and antiques. Instead there are a bunch of plastic/vinyl manufactured dolls with just a few quality pieces sprinkled in. I only recommend this if you collect that style of doll (manufactured/mass-produced).

Loved this book. I am a collector of black dolls for many years. I saw several of my dolls in the book.

I enjoyed looking thru this book to get ideas of the different kinds of dolls to add to my collection. There were a lot of dolls that I didn't know existed untill I read this book.

Debbie Garrett's "The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls" is a magnificent combination of beauty, knowledge, and cultural celebration! It was wonderful learning about the history of antique and vintage black dolls, as well as the current artists and their creations. This guide provides a fabulous array of delightful pictures denoting the significance of black doll collecting, that is both informative and inspiring!

It is the answer to all Black doll collector's dreams! I have a number of "doll" books and magazines but none of them have ALL color Black doll photos in additon to valuable collecting information such as that found in this book. I must confess that initially, I looked through it four times on the day it arrived. It's fun seeing how many of the pictured dolls I have in my own collection!

Hello , I am new to coin collecting so I needed a guide. I wanted some knowledge of the field I was about to enter. This book does that , not only price guide but much much more, full of information and nicely laid out in a easy to read format. Really good basic stuff.

Amazon advertised the latest, 2008 version of A Guidebook of US Coins, copywrite 2007, which I purchased. Two weeks later Amazon advertises the 2009 version. I firmly believe Amazon owes me the 2009 version & I go on record for such.

I ordered three books to give to clients as gifts. After I had ordered them I wondered if they would make it on time. They were here early. The books were exactly as described, brand new. The price was the cheapest on the net. The shipping was free. This product and service really deserve a 10.

It's been many years since I've had this book. All of my expectations were satisfied. This book has been the "Bible" for US Coinage as long as I can remember. If you want to understand grading, pricing, or just want to learn about an important piece of American history, its worth the money.

This book accomplished just what i purchased it for. I needed to value my coin collection that was not reviewed for many years. The spiral bound edition was particularly useful when looking up many different coins.

I must admit, I'm not as crazy about this book like everyone else seems to be. I gave it four stars for the beautiful photos, and descriptions.
But I think some things could be improved. The index lists everything by page number, which is fine if you're just leisurely looking through the book. But if you're looking for one particular outfit, it would be much more convenient to have an alphebetical listing. I wouldn't mind seeing the price guide broken down to include each individual accessory, since many people put together a complete set, piece by piece. But the thing that REALLY bugs me is that she almost always adds the word 'doll' after their names. For example, 'On weekends, Ken doll liked to take Barbie doll for a drive...', or 'Francie doll was excited about...'. Very annoying, to me, anyway. But, overall, it's a very good book to have.

To say something about this book is so so easy - this is THE Barbie collection book. Great photos, great describtions of all the outfits year by year.
You don't need any other book besides this

Great book - a must for any Barbie collector-great pictures with accessories that originally went with each outfit- easy to look up values-great fun to wander through!!

A great reference book with great photos and descriptions to keep track of your dolls clothes and your investment.

For any serious collector of vintage Barbie doll, this book is the best resource available. I have many other books on early Barbie and her fashions, but this volume is the one that I consistently use. It is an accurate, comprehensive chronology of Barbie doll, her family and friends from 1959 through 1967. The photographs alone are worth purchasing the book. The colors are vibrant and crisp. Each fashion is pictured with all of its original components. This is of great value to the collector in putting together an outfit. I keep this book by my computer for reference when making vintage Barbie doll purchases or bidding on online auctions. I cannot imagine collecting Barbie doll items without it!

As a lover of the old days of baseball (prior to the 1970's) , and with an interest in various types of artifacts pertaining to the old days, this book wonderfully broadened my horizons. The sections on baseball cards was especially fascinating for me as i do some collecting to add to some as i had as a kid (50's-60's).
would recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in the old days of baseball or collects baseball memorabilia.

I purchased this as a gift and the recipient was thrilled with it. I did sneak a peak before giving it away and enjoyed it immencely.

A very well done book. Big glossy pictures of some of the greatest Baseball artifacts in America. Probably the closest I will get to seeing these in person.

Stephen Wong has created a drop-dead gorgeous look at some of the game's great artifacts, and many will be surprised to learn that they are not at the Baseball Hall of Fame nor even at the Smithsonian (despite the book's title). The game's artifacts extend way beyond the cards and gimcrack collectibles sold at the ballpark, and Wong has deftly toggled his focus from collectible to collector and back again, providing a memorable prose portrait of the lively game played off the field. I cannot recommend this brilliantly conceived book highly enough.

This beautiful book belongs in every baseball enthusiast's library, but it would be a mistake to keep it on the shelves. Author Stephen Wong has partnered with the Smithsonian to publish the most stunning book on baseball on the market. It deserves to be on your coffee table not only because of its wonderful photographs but also due to the wonderfully rich way he presents the history of the game. Wong gained remarkable access to the sport's foremost collectors, combing through hundreds of images and memorabilia items. The payoff is tremendous for anyone with an interest in baseball or, for that matter, in American history and culture. Readers will learn the essential facts about the game, and the fascinating tidbits, such as the origins of the curve ball. They then get to see remarkable shots, some most unusual - from folk art statues to Don Larsen's enshrined shoes from his perfect game to the bricks of former stadiums. In fact, this book should be placed in the Hall of Fame!

Great, Great, Great, for the beginner or the novice..Teriffic stories and photos, very informative, down to earth, and easy to read..What more can one say.. Buy it, Buy it, Buy it.
.Stu Smith..

I used the idea of alumunum foil, baking soda and salt on my silver. Got out stuff that I'd not been able to clean in years.
Great idea for large pieces, or doing a set of flatware all at once.

Great, Great, Great, for the beginner or the novice..Teriffic stories and photos, very informative, down to earth, and easy to read..What more can one say.. Buy it, Buy it, Buy it.
.Stu Smith..

I loved this book! I loved Ms. Katz-Schwartz on Personal FX.....it was one of the saddest times when that show went off of the air.
Here is a chance to get reacquainted!
I thought I would put this book on the shelf as a reference, and I will, but when I started leafing through it, I had to read it all......it was a good afternoon's entertainment.
How nice to get a "two-fer"......a practical reference, and a good read all in one. Thanks from Las Vegas, the land of "two-fers"!

Having watched Judith Katz-Schwartz in MD for years, I was so happy to find this book through Jewel Collect! I think her tips and tricks are most useful, and certainly pertain to those of us who collect and sell costume jewelry, collectibles, and antiques. I have used this book almost daily for research and tips and caring for my treasures and those who go to collectors. I'm looking forward to many more by this wonderful author!

Before I encountered this wonderful book on the discount table of a bookstore one Friday evening, I had almost forgotten about Major Matt Mason, Callisto, Scorpio, and Captain Lazer, but as I turned the pages, all those memories came rushing back. Memories of a happy childhood, long before the worries and realities of adulthood ever began to set in. After looking at it for a long while that night, I not only remembered Major Matt Mason with great detail, I wanted to own some of those pieces again as a link with my past--and eventually did.

The book is thorough, well researched, and lavishly illustrated, but it could have been much better. It appears the pages were designed by someone who understands all the features of their desktop publishing system, but not restraint in employing them. Many images are of low-resolution, often with inaccurate and muddy color, which leaves fine details difficult to make out. The choice of a low quality uncoated paper stock doesn't help matters. While these shortcomings give the book a somewhat amateurish appearance, they don't detract from the value of the information--or the memories--contained inside it. The book is obviously a labor of love and should be accepted as such. I'm thankful that somebody has taken the time and effort to draw this information together in book form, because no one else has done so to the extent James Gillam has.

As a child of the 60's growing up in England, I was exposed to a lot of American popular culture and toys.
"Major Matt Mason" and "Zeroids" were some of my favourites. This book gives me an excellent reminder not only of what I had, but also stuff I never saw or even knew existed!
This book is well produced with magnificent colourful photos, but they are let down a little by the matte paper used for the pages that dulls their brilliance. Also, some images suffer from "the jaggies" caused by low resolution of the originals.
Likewise, the layout and text is often jumbled and there are some annoying factual errors.
Also, if the author had a rudimentary knowledge of 50's Hollywood monsters he would have recognised the inspiration for many of the Colorforms Outer Space Men.
Apart from these minor annoyances, this is the book I have been waiting for, for almost fourty years!
"Space Toys of the 60's" is worth every cent, even if only for the photos of the magnificent package and box art!
Those colourful boxes are always the first thing to be discarded by young hands too eager for adventure in space!

This oversized, full color paperback is not a glossy coffee table book. Neither is it a collector's price guide. Instead it's an impassioned and informative discussion of three collectible toy lines: Major Matt Mason (Mattell's Man in Space), Colorforms aliens and my favorite, Ideal's Mighty Zeroids.

I read and learned a lot about the other two toy lines, but I used this book when buying a Zintar Zeroid on E-Bay (for only thirty times the original price of $5, which shows how rare they are). Before that I read the book over and over, looking at the photos and dioramas from catalogs. Gillam even includes pre-release pictures from wholesale toy guides of what these toys might have looked like, as well as extensive photos of alternate versions.

Interest in Matt Mason has never flagged, and Zeroids are once again coming into their own in the world of retro toys (see the Zeroid movie link under Robot Links at alivingdog.com). They represented a high point in Ideal's Motorific line of cars and later boats and cleverly ran on the same replaceable motor. Anyone interested in these three lines, or the history of toys, or just taking a trip down memory lane will enjoy this inexpensive and captivating book.

I bought this book on ebay from the author and I am very happy with it. It is loaded with pictures of each space toy and has nice text. Some toys are shown in their original package. Best book I have bought in a long while.

A Collector's Guide to Major Matt Mason, Mighty Zeroid Robots and Colorforms Outer Space Men. Veteran collector and author James Gillam details the story of toys inspired by NASA ventures into space.

SPACE TOYS OF THE 60's could have been the Major Matt Mason collector's dream come true. However, be warned that the quality of the paper and the image quality of the photos is not very good. I wish the publisher had done a much better job and creating some high quality images that I would want to look at over and over again. Looking at these pictures, as a substitute for expanding my collection, is not fullfilling.

All in all though, being the ONLY book out there right now with any information on Major Matt Mason, this is a pretty good book. At leaset it has photos of all of Mattel's Major Matt Mason - Man in Space figures, vehicles and buildings with detailed descriptions, construction and instruction sheets, product catalogs, collector's reminiscences, prototype information, and company histories.

If you can find a used copy for around $5 it's worth adding to the library as a reference.