No comments about Conservation of Furniture (Butterworth - Heinemann Series in Conservation and Museology).

5 comments about All About Doll Repair & Care: A Guide to Restoring Well-Loved Dolls.

1. I had my old doll from 1947 and in sad condition. This book gave me the info that I needed. You should see old Belinda now!



2. Very little information about restoration of composition dolls. Author seemed to promote selling her cleaning products vs utilizing common every day products. Adequate information about quick fixes for hard plastic & vinyl dolls.



3. The book was pretty elementary. Most directions referred to using the author's products.



4. I bought this book because you can never know too much about repairing dolls. Everyone has a hint or two that you haven't thought of yet. The best basic doll repair book out there, in my opinion, is still Marty Westfall's book on Doll Repair and Restoration. But, this book is a good basic start and has good pictures. Just not as detailed as you might need.



5. This book had exactly what I needed to know to repair my 54-year-old doll. Although her restoration is incomplete, I feel that it gives me the knowledge to forge ahead and finish the job.

No comments about The National Trust Manual of Housekeeping: The Care of Collections in Historic Houses Open to the Public.

No comments about The Complete Guide to Wood Finishes: How to Apply and Restore Lacquers, Polishes, Stains and Varnishes.

No comments about Miller's Care & Repair of Antiques & Collectibles: A Step-by-Step Guide (Miller's Collector's Guides).

4 comments about The Complete Guide to Vintage Textiles.

1. This wonderful guide to vintage textiles was obviously written by someone with a vast knowledge of the subject. The numerous photos depict the textiles up close and personal with the majority being black and white. Overall, this guide is more suitable for general reference than pleasure, though without a doubt it is a joy to read. This is the perfect companion for flea market vendors or anyone buying or selling vintage textiles. Though I have many books on the subject, this is one book that I reach for time and again.



2. I liked this book a lot - good information and reasonable guidelines. If you are looking mostly for quilting pricing though I personally think that Stella Rubin's book is a better general guide.



3. How can one 250 page book be so packed with information? Part I of the book is a concise guide to natural fibers, fabric construction, and fabric embellishments. Most of the topics in this section are 1-3 pages in length and are divided into "how to recognize", "features to note", and "where it is used". Part II is devoted to "Things" as in Vintage Fashion, Home Furnishings, and Fabrics of Society. There are 28 chapters on individual items such as aprons, bridal veils, paisley shawls, handkerchiefs, quilts, etc. Most are several pages in length and divided in "checklist" and "pieces and prices". While pricing information is accurate and detailed, information on identification and evaluation is extensive. I would give this book high ratings.



4. This book was obviously written by an expert. Everypage contains close up photos of fabrics so you can really see the texture. Includes Terms, conditions, identification, some values, etc. of lace, quilts, clothes, flags, linens, hats, etc... Very extensive. This is great for ebay sellers who need help identifying and describing vintage textile stock. However, most of the photos are black and white so it is more educational than entertainment. All-in-all, a great book.

2 comments about Porcelain Repair and Restoration.

1. A very good and complete book covering everything for the restorer of ceramics. Would've given 4 and a half stars if possible. The half a star off is because I still had unanswered questions after reading the book and because there is some professional mumbo jumbo in there I don't understand.
   
   But on the whole, just a good book.



2. Good book, but doesn't have information about non-toxic restoration products. Healthy repair products are a serious concern. You can find the non-toxic products at www.antqrx.com or call (515) 832-2437.

1 comments about How to Recognize and Refinish Antiques for Pleasure and Profit, 5th (How to Recognize and Refinish Antiques for a Pleasure).

1. If you have an attic of old items or a penchant for garage sales and 'junk', you may be surprised to find with that only a few simple tools you can turn inexpensive 'found objects' into treasures for a personal collection or resale. This is for the part-time antique collector and provides tips on everything from evaluating furniture, metal, and other common items to gluing, coloring, and refinishing antiques. An excellent guide any part-time hobbyist or collection catering to them needs.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

No comments about History of the Restoration and Conservation of Works of Art.

2 comments about Collecting & Repairing Watches.

1. The focus is on antique European pocket watches, especially British ones, this being a British publication. The technical history of watches is thoroughly covered, the various outdated watch mechanisms--verge, fusee, cylinder escapement--are explained, and interesting footnotes are included, like the wage records from a 19th century watch shop. A chapter on repair will get you started, and even tell you how to restore the blueing on the watch hands (heat them in a tray over an alcohol lamp). The author has spent much of his life studying and collecting old watches, and has produced an easy-to-read guide filled with interesting and useful information.



2. If you are a "newbie" in the world of watch collecting, this is the right book for you. It focuses the watch evolution from the late 16TH century to the modern quartz watch. It has a lot of graphics and black and white pocket watch pictures...The book, however, is, in my point of view, intended for a quick knowledge of the watch's history and mechanics...It doesn't cover, for instance, the modern automatic wristwatch. I think that's the best book to read before trying something more techicall. The reading is very straight forward, but the experts in the field will find the book very summarized.