5 comments about 1897 Sears Roebuck & Co. Catalogue.

1. I remember looking at one of these when I would visit my uncle as a kid. You could spend hours looking at all the things they sold "way back then." I bought it for a Christmas gift last year. It's a lot more interesting that you would think an old catalog would be.



2. I sit for long periods of time just wandering through this old Sears catalogue and wonder where our country went. It's nothing like it used to be. The prices were amazing too. You should get one of these. It's informative, fun and very sad at the same time. Because, you can't get the products any longer and especially at the prices listed. What a shame. What a wonderful catalogue for the pupil, for the older generation to remember the way things were, before we were stripped from being a nation to be proud of, and for the historian. There are others old Sears books or catalogues too. Their house catalogues are great! I have them. A whole house only cost a few hundred dollars. When you see today's prices compared to then you'll see that in the last 100 years something happened to America that isn't very good. Thieves and corrupt people, plus foreign invasion has taken a nation, the greatest country ever known to mankind, mind you, to total ruin. Ted Kennedy, one of the many devil's disciples, did the most damage to America by changing the American Immigration Policy back in 1965 and opened the flood gates to the Third World gushing into the land and bringing along with them their horrible politics and violent, cheating corruptive ways. Every American is now suffering it's aftermath and feeling it's "change' and will no longer be able to live the American dream, unless changed back to the way it was. These catalogues show you how things have changed.



3. After flipping through this book in a library, I decided to purchase it so I could have it constantly on hand. If you've ever been curious as to how to depict everyday life and objects from the turn of the previous century, this reproduction Sears catalog will answer just about all of your questions. The catalog is lavishly illustrated, with each drawing striving to show maximum detail. Everything from horse-drawn carriages to infant bonnets is depicted, showing just how much Sears offered back then. The patent medicines section near the beginning of the book is particularly amusing for its dated language and outlandish claims. This is a perfect book to keep around if you're an artist interested in steampunk, victorian gothic, or other similar subject matter.



4. Hard to believe so many products were available by mail way back then!!! My family lived in what was Washington Territory in the mid to late 19th century and must have been able to order all kinds of stuff!!
   
   Catalog was just as represented but what a delight to peruse!!



5. This catalog is awesome. I saw one years ago, and couldn't put it down. It is amazing what our ancestors could buy. Like pills for "Weak Women". Wow. Its always fun to bring it out and show company, everyone is always so interested in it once they open it. This is not a thin catalog either, very thick and lots of pictures of products to buy from back in the day with original prices. They had more buggies to choose from than they do cars today. This is a keepsake everyone should have, oh.....did I forget to mention the womens underwear?? Boy have things changed!!!! And I had forgotten how popular hats for both men and women were back then, and the choices were unbelievable. Lets not forget the different kind of guns you could get and ammunition. Its just so interesting and filled with knowledge of our past generations and what they used, bought and needed compared to today. Loved looking at all the pictures of items to buy, there is a ton of them. Get it, you will be impressed. Teri in Houston

5 comments about Petretti's Coca-Cola Collectibles Price Guide: The Encyclopedia of Coca-Cola Collectibles.

1. OK - so it's been almost ten years since my post on the last edition and a lot has happened to the Coca-Cola collectable marketplace. My ending comments on the market collapsing and the price points being at those of the guides from the 70's has occurred. But that is not all bad, as there has never been a better time for getting in the market as a COLLECTOR and a person that appreciates the heritage and sheer quality of vintage coca-cola memorabilia. A lot of great pieces are surfacing at more affordable prices and hopefully many new people are getting into the hobby. It is a GREAT time to join-in the fun of vintage Coca Cola memorabilia. So jump on in!
   
   Now for my thoughts on Allan's latest book. First off - thanks Allan for re-issuing a new guide and helping to keep the vintage market going. This book continues to be the ONLY book on the subject, and Allan continues with his pattern of putting out the best collectors guide on any subject around. Pictures are high quality and the coverage (though a bit less than prior editions) is still incredible. For a reference guide - this is THE book you want. As a price guide - it is another story.
   
   Unfortunately - Allan's prices continue to be out of sink with the market - so first and foremost don't rely on them at all. If you have a piece to sell - you'll be a bit disappointed if you think you can get anywhere near the prices in the guide. As always the mint and near mint items continue to maintain their value and in some instance can approach Allan's prices but in general even those items tend to be available at 50% - 60% of the prices in the guide. As for the items below near-mint - those can typically be obtained at 20% - 30% of the guide prices. As of January, 2010 - perhaps more than anything the tray market has really suffered. High quality signs seem to have retained their value the most - perhaps since they also have commercial value for restaurants and bars. Some of the best quality and most affordable merchandise can be purchased at Coca Cola collectors auctions where collectors understand the "real" pricing and are in it more for the thrill of the hunt and the history of the item - then trying to turn a fast buck.
   
   As a collector with a lot of early pieces - it is a bit disheartening that the value of my collection has really taken a hit - but the thrill of the hobby has returned as the ability to purchase at prices not seen for 25+ years makes me search even harder for that once-in a lifetime piece and that is what collecting is really about. There are great pieces still out there - so congratulations to those of you that love the hobby for the sake of the hobby - our time has returned! For those who were in it for the investment - rest assured prices will continue to rise again but understand that they probably will never realize those prices of the late-90's. Perhaps the best thing that has happened is that everyone has come to realize that the "new" collector pieces are junk and they've become so plentiful that no one wants them. As for the "quality" reproduction sign garbage available on eBay that is meant to "fool" people into thinking they have vintage pieces - why purchase a knock-off when you get the real thing at the lowest prices seen in years and have a real piece that has value not only for its imagery but for its age and collectablity. Remember there is nothing like the "Real Thing"....
   
   Comments are always welcome so feel free to email me at conapt@hotmail.com



2. This book was purchased for my brother. He is an avid Coca-Cola Collector. He was very impressed with the hardcover book. The picture quality was also very excellent. Any collector would be proud to add this book to their collection.



3. I bought this book as a gift for my son. He tells me this is an awesome guide with so much information. He said it merits a very high recommendation.



4. If it's one big, definitive collector's 'bible' you seek on Coca- Cola collecting, make it the 13th updated edition of the classic Petretti's Coca-Cola Collectibles Price Guide. For over three decades it has proven its richness in providing Coca- Cola collectors with definitive details: this latest edition packs in more color photos, the latest prices, and keys to avoiding fakes and reproductions. All types of collectibles are covered, making this a 'must have'.



5. Alan Petretti has done a one up on his last Coca Cola Collectibles Price Guide. Easier to find items, more color pictures and just an overall informative guide. Each guide just gets better and better. These truly are the encyclopedia of Coca Cola collecting.

2 comments about Value Guide to Gas Station Memorabilia.

1. YOU LEAVE ME NO NO FEEDBACK SO WHY SHOULD I SAY ANY THING GOOD ABOUT YOUR CO. ..BESIDES YOU ARE BEING VERY HIGH PRICED.... I FOUND THE SAME BOOK A LOT CHEAPER FROM ANOTHER EBAYER CO..



2. B. J. Summers and Wayne Priddy's Value Guide To Gas Station Memorabilia appears in its updated second edition to provide the latest values to signs, cans, maps and more from vintage gas station days. Bright medium-sized color photos throughout compliment chapters conveniently organized by memorabilia type - signs, containers, thermometers, even pumps and globes - to make for quick, easy browsing and reference.

5 comments about Elvis, Jesus and Coca-Cola (Kinky Friedman Novels).

1. This review covers all Kinky Friedman novels.....I've read them all. I read them like they were delicious candy & I lost all resistance to eating just one.
   
   I love the Village Irregulars!
   
   I love the cat, the puppet head, the blower on the left, the no-hunting jacket, Detectives Cooperman & Fox, Winnie Katz and her lesbian dance class, and Big Wong's for lunch with Ratso.
   
   You will, too. Read one, read them all!



2. "Elvis, Jesus and Coca-Cola" is Kinky's sixth novel and was first published in 1993. As with his other books, Kinky has cast himself as the amateur-PI hero - though he doesn't take too many liberties. The book's Kinky (unsurprisingly) is a cigar-smoking, cat-loving, espresso-guzzling, whiskey-drinking, ex-country and western performer. Naturally, Kinky isn't the only 'real' person to appear in the book - for example, Rambam and Ratso, of the 'Village Irregulars', have real-life incarnations.
   
   Tom Baker, a recently deceased Irish actor, rather than the former Doctor Who - was a good friend of the Kinkster. Tom's final project had been a documentary on Elvis impersonators - a documentary that has, apparently, gone missing. Baker Senior, meeting Kinky for the first time at Tom's wake, is obviously aware of the Kinkster's reputation as a PI and requests our hero's help in retrieving it. Naturally, Kinky agrees - he doesn't think it too hard, believing it's sitting somewhere obvious and has just been overlooked...
   
   Unfortunately, Kinky's life is about to take a complicated turn, with the return of Downtown Judy. Downtown Judy is one of Kinky's many former lovers, who never actually realised she was known as Downtown Judy. (This was largely because Kinky was spending a great deal of time, in a horizontal position, with an Uptown Judy at the same time - something that Kinky, obviously, wasn't about to share with her). Although Kinky isn't at all upset about spending some time in her company again, he isn't too impressed about being restricted to a cuddle on the first night. Unsurprisingly, one Judy leads to another...but not necessarily in the manner Kinky would have liked. He's disturbed, mid-cuddle, by a friendly neighbourhood homicide cop called Cooperman - who's at Uptown Judy's, with his partner, on business. While there's no sign of a corpse, there are reports of a gunshot, a large pool of blood on the floor, drag marks heading towards the door and a notepad with Kinky's name and number beside the bed. Kinky isn't in a great position to help the investigation...IIt's been a while since he'd seen her - but even he when he was seeing her, he didn't know a great deal about her. (Due to the large quantity of Colombian marching powder that was disappearing up his nose at the time, he probably didn't know a great deal about himself either). Cooperman is rather vague about the case, but tells him Uptown Judy had been in trouble for a while - and also advises him to keep well away from the case. It's not bad advise : Kinky later finds out that Uptown Judy's father was a mafia Don, who'd been dealt with in a very final way five years previously by a rival family.
   
   Events conspire against Kinky however. One of Tom's assistants on the Elvis impersonators project was a man known as 'Legs' - in fact, he'd been the first to notice it was missing from the lab. Naturally, Legs is someone Kinky is keen to meet - though Tom's ex-assistant fails to arrive at the meeting they arrange. There's a very good reason - Legs has been killed, in very similar circumstances to Uptown Judy...right down to the notepad featuring Kinky's name and number. Cooperman isn't too impressed either and, given that neither he nor his partner are especially fond of the Kinkster, Kinky knows they'd be happy to appoint him the most obious suspect.
   
   "Elvis, Jesus and Coca-Cola" delivers pretty much what you;d want from a Kinky book : it's not an entirely serious 'whodunnit', but it is a fast moving and very easily read book. It's also packed with superbly delivered one-liners and - while his quips won't be to everyone's tastes - it was a book I thoroughly enjoyed.



3. Friedman works hard at being a down-home, profane guy but writes great stories that are packed with literary and historical references that show how deeply aware and knowledgeable he is. It is not showing off, but illuminating both plot points and historical connections. His work is not for everyone, a knowledge of the culture, especially from the 70s on, is essential to get all the references but well worth the attention. His wit and humor has many levels but is dead on funny, if you share his perspective. The mystery aspect is well designed and sometimes quite dark. He connects each book with prior books, especially with his group of friends that are linked to each new work. I recommend this book as well as all his other books.



4. In "Elvis, Jesus & Coca Cola", Kinky Friedman has continued his entertaining mystery stories with jocular just plain fun. He is really Richard Friedman, who grew up on Nottingham in West University with a great group of friends. He has a memory that is better than an elephant, and he uses it in several of his novels in a vicarious way with humor and innocence. Richard is a very talented writer. His twists and turns in this book are reminicscent of " Musical Chairs" which also utilizes his memory of his boyhood friends. He has to solve mysteries of two different Judy's, a problem that many of us folks would probably enjoy just for the heck of it. He already has great reviews, but another will not hurt. Imos is correct in his brief review on the back cover of the paperback version. When this man becomes Governor of the State of Texas you will all wish that you had read his mini mystery. Be sure to read the bottom of page 82 in the paper back version of his book. He is a real artist with talent that is voluminous. Cheers to the man and his cigar.
   Dale Haufrect, M.D., M.A.
   Medical Director
   Micro Light Corporation of America
   Houston, Texas



5. Beach read. That pretty much somes it up. The chapters are fast and furious, with several great lines that are worth highlighting. A few times I laughed out loud. The plot wasn't that great, and the ending was a bit predictable. The two biggest problems were the recap ending(this is how it was done, my dear Watson...) and the plot was flimsy. But, if you are looking for something to kill a few hours, you could do worse.

1 comments about Warman's Coca-Cola Field Guide: Values and Identification (Warman's Field Guides).

1. This is a very helpful book just to keep in the glove compartment or in the vehicle with you when you are out and about looking for that elusive coke item.

3 comments about Antique Tins: Identification & Values.

1. I borrowed this book and the other two in collection from library first to see if I wanted to purchase. I do not. The variety (you need all 3 books) and photos were wonderful. But NO DATES. You have absolutely no idea when any of these tins were made. I personally want some idea even if rounded out to decade or two. If this is not as important to you as it is me than great book.



2. A book that every collector should have on hand. Helps identify, grade and value your tin. Great wish book. Would highly recommend to all.



3. Beautiful updated hardback book featuring more than 1,600 sharp full color photos of popular collectible tins. Many of these tins do not appear in other books. Items are in groups such as tobacco tins, baking powders, coffee, candy, oilers, etc. 17 major catagories are included. It provides grading examples, where to find tins, and evaluating their condition. The pictures are a pleasure to view.

5 comments about B.J. Summers Guide to Coca-Cola Seventh Edition (B J Summer's Guide to Coca Cola Identification).

1. I love this book-I am a collector and it is informative, and I love to find the value of my collection.



2. I recently had the opportunity to review another company's Coca Cola collectibles book, they too a well respected publisher of antique and collectibles books and there's no doubt about it, the B.J.Summers Sixth Edition guide has got that one beat hands down. This is a thoroughly beautiful book. Hardcover, thick, glossy stock pages, and fantastic photography highlight this book.
   
   The introduction provides legend keys to the condition as well as the source of the item's value which I think is very important. Summers lets the reader know if the value came from a collector, a completed auction, a dealer, or the author himself. The book then presents 46 different item categories, everything from signs, bottles, calendars and trays, to more eclectic items like Jewelry, no-drip protectors, and ashtrays. There's also a miscellaneous chapter for items that don't fit into one of the other 45 categories.
   
   I was absolutely fascinated by the number of items pictured in the book. With nearly 300 pages and as many as 10 items pictured per page, there are literally thousands of different Coke items pictured. The signage is simply fantastic, particularly those featuring celebrities such as Eddie Fisher and jazz musician Lionel Hampton. In all there are 82 pages of signs alone. Does it picture EVERY Coca Cola sign ever made? Of course not, but what book does? Still even if you have one that isn't pictured, you should be able to find one similar that you can use as a basis for value.
   
   I really enjoyed the section on coolers and those bright, red coolers of days gone by. I remembered the old Coke cooler we used to have back in the early 70's. Like a lot of people, I love the Coke Santa items, especially those great ads by Haddon Sundblom which look great framed and are still very affordable today.
   
   The problems are few and minor. The categories could have been laid out in alphabetical order but instead there seems to be little rhyme or reason to the order. That said, it's still a truly wonderful book that will delight collectors or just plain fans of nostalgia.
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson



3. This was a very helpful and informative guide to Coca-Cola collectibles. I would highly recommend it to any serious collector. Full of valuable information.



4. We have quite a few old Coke signs and none were in this guide. We were disappointed to say the least.



5. Pros: Extensive selection of signs and cardboard items with lots of nice colour photos throughout. Many items in this book aren't in Petrettis, so it makes a good companion. All up I am happy with this book and use it regularly to price and check items.
   
   Cons: The book is hoplessely laid out and it can be very hard to find items as it seems there is no logic to the order items are listed or displayed. It seems the entire book is largely made up from the collection of one or two private collections and as such prices can be inflated compared to market values, plus many items are missing simply because these collectors didn't feel they are important enough. As with most other Coca-cola collectors books this one is entirely US centric with very little information on foreign items.

No comments about Collectible Soda Pop Memorabilia.

2 comments about Full-Color Old-Time Label Art CD-ROM and Book (Dover Pictorial Archive).

1. Great for collage and mixed media artists. Can be used in actual collage type mediums and in computer graphics.



2. The selection and quality of the files are great. It would have been better if they were larger, but even enlarging them 200%, I got the qaulity I wanted from a color printer.

2 comments about Warman's Pepsi Field Guide: Values and Identification (Warman's Field Guides).

1. Wow! we can't find alot of Pepsi books to find what Pepsi products are of worth. we were excited to find a book that was easy to carry and had everything we were looking for.



2. We are so happy to have this field guide...finally. Now we can make informed decisions on what we buy. Thank you.