3 comments about Bing Bears and Other Toys.

1. For the advanced collector, there has been a shortage of information on Bing Bears in regards to identification, charm and market value until Ken Yenke wrote and complied wonderful photos of Bing Bears in this comprehensive book. As always, I am impressed and learn more than I had hoped when selecting one of Ken's books to add to my Teddy Bear Book reference library. A wonderful book for all who seek more knowledge about our loved...Teddy Bears.



2. This book is much more than a report of a company's products. It is an honest and direct account of what happened to a creative and productive enterprise under Hitler's oppression, and after that it is a beautiful description of the many fantastic items the company developed. Ken Yenke has made a fine contribution to the history of the German toy industry by describing the happenings that led to the demise of the Bing company. The pictures are terrific, and the dialogue is strong and exciting. You'll want to read every word and study every picture. I strongly recommend this book to all toy collectors.



3. We, collectors have waited a long time for someone to write a comprehensive book on the wonderful world of Bing Bears & Toys. Ken Yenke has developed a book designed to educated the reader on the history of Bing, as well as, give remarkable early sketches and photos of Bings that most collectors never get an opportunity to actually see. I was quite impressed with the energy and apparent love that Ken Yenke has demonstrated throughout the book. The descriptions are concise yet informative; and the price guidelines help the novice collector and the advanced collector gauge their buying and selling scales. I looked forward to reading this book from the earliest whispers of its development and have not been disappointed in any way. I hope Ken Yenke continues to write books that are educational to collectors and also beautiful to the eye.

5 comments about GI Joe: The Complete Story of America's Favorite Man of Action.

1. All other books about GI Joe take note: You have just been left in the dust. Michlig's authoritative and highly readable GI Joe: The Complete Story of America's Favorite Man of Action is the best single source of information about the origin of GI Joe that exists. Colorful anecdotes illuminate this exhaustively informative, definitive work about America's Movable Fighting Man. It belongs on the bookshelves of everyone interested in the history of playthings.

   Richard C. Levy
   Washington, D.C.




2. A great read for the hardcore collector or the novice.

   Full of great insider info and eye watering photographs.




3. Excellent review of the life and times of America's Moveable Fighting Man. Especially interesting are the details of the conception and behind-the-scenes work in creating the prototype figure and marketing concept, an aspect of the story that may interest even non-Joe devotees. Collectors may wish to note that this is a much-expanded (and therefore more essential) version of the slender book included with the G. I. Joe Masterpiece Edition boxed figure.



4. Don't confuse this book with the "GI Joe collector's guides" that exist in various forms. This is a different animal - - gripping, well-written nonfiction, telling the story of a small family-owned business and its leap of faith on a brand new type of toy for boys, the now-ubiquitous "action figure."

   The story of the GI Joe product illuminates the story of the toy industry itself. I found this look inside the process of bringing a product to market and maintaining its value over the course of decades fascinating.




5. I don't normally give a Five Star rating, but my god, this book is wonderful. The story is fun and indepth. The design is AMAZING and the images of the GI JOE figures are wonderfully shot.

   If you have even a slight, passing interest in GI JOE, buy this book, you won't be dissappointed!

No comments about The World of Barbie Dolls.

No comments about Patsy Doll Family Encyclopedia.

2 comments about Cabbage Patch Kids Collectibles: An Unauthorized Handbook and Price Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. Brought back a lot of memories as I grew up with Cabbage Patch Kids and had like 8 of them. Has lots of cool pictures, but wished there was more printed information to read - basically it's just a picture and title of each item.



2. Very nice ID/value guide for the collector who has to have everything. Tons of collector items listed- shown in mostly original packaging. Tons of pictures to go with descriptions. There are NO CABBAGE PATCH DOLLS in this book- only accessories- doll carriers, Koosas, Furskins, Mini Figures, Pillows, etc... Everything you can think of, and some you can't, but no dolls. Worth the money.

3 comments about All-Bisque and Half-Bisque Dolls.

1. Pauline's daughter here. Forgot to give you contact info. I can be reached at: pauline@angione.com



2. Bisque and half-bisque dolls are attractive collectibles, but the market, especially for the smaller sizes, is full of confusion and dealers who don't know bisque from china. Angione had the topic covered. Even if she hadn't been an authoritative and experienced collector, her personal memories of the social context of many of the dolls would be worth the price. I personally think her views on Japanese bisques are overly harsh; but I wouldn't give two pins for an authority who isn't openly opinionated about something. Carry your ax where everybody can see it, instead of pretending you don't have one to grind, and you won't mislead anyone. If you have this book and Nippon Dolls and Playthings: Identification and Values by Joan F. Van Patten and Linda Lau (Collector Books, 2001), you are better equipped to start collecting bisque dolls than most dealers are to sell them.



3. Interested in making contact with those who remember the author Genevieve, and/or photographer, Charles. Signed: Pauline Angione

3 comments about Madame Alexander 2006: Collector's Dolls Price Guide (Madame Alexander Collector's Dolls Price Guide).

1. I purchased this book specifically to look up the value of my 1991 limited edition porcelain bride and the porcelain collection wasn't even listed. This listing is not complete and poorly organized.



2. This book is full of good information. It has lists of (seemingly) every Madame Alexander doll ever made. It has relatively accurate pricing (although be aware that online auctions often make such price guides irrelevant). My only quibble is that I wish it had many more pictures than it does, so as to make identifying dolls easier. Other than that, it's a fine book.



3. Linda Crowsey's Madame Alexander appears in a pamphlet-style booklet which may be lost without spine lettering, but which provides an important, specific doll collector's guide to this series.

No comments about The Raikes Bear & Doll Story.

1 comments about The Barbie Doll Boom: Identification and Values.

1. The title was a little misleading..I was expecting a price guide from 1986 to 1999 but it only covers a few dolls and a lot of international makers..which we will see only a few in the US..The pictures took up most of the content and very little on the actual price guide...Disapointing to say the very least..about 500 pictures and not much else...

4 comments about Action Figures of the 1980s (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. I bought this book for a friend of mine and it's a great book for anyone into either toys, or the 80's. (My friend happened to be into both). It lists prices in the eighties, and then a price for today's market (which would be 10 years before today as the book is written in the 90's) Great book, great pictures. And I payed a great price. Can't beat any of that.



2. This book is certainly good for reference. However, the author obviously thinks very highly of himself and his humour, which is often childish. He is also convinced that he *knows* what is good and what sucks, and if you disagree, it's because you don't know as much as he does. This may be partly because he grew up in the 70's rather than the 80's, and as such views these toys as a collector rather than as a fan. He also occasionally shows ignorance of the subject matter. For instance, he refers to Sectaurs as Warlords of Symbion, rather then Warriors. He is also unaware of the fact there was a Defenders of the Earth cartoon in the 80's, evidenced by his puzzlement at the very existence of such an action figure line. The frequent typographical errors are also irritating.



3. John Marshall is THE toy guru, and his expertise shines through in this informative and entertaining guide. This is bound to take anyone who grew up in the 80s back down memory lane.



4. Action Figures of the 1980s is very well written with alot of detailed information cocerning the toys from the 80s that we all remember and cherish! there are ALOT of colour photos 400+ and they are all very clean and proffesioanl! the idea of a price guide feels somewhat redundant seeing as prices change from day to day and from location to location you may end up paying alot more then what an item is truely worth whith the seller in question thinking that the price he is asking for it is reasonable and refering to an out of date price due to a rerelease or whatever!

   All in all it is a good book though it is a shame that there aren't more books in this genre out on the market!