1 comments about Collecting Golliwoggs: Teddy Bear's Best Friends (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. I bought this book for my wife, who makes Gollies in all sizes,and she was astounded to see the huge variety of them that have been produced throughout the ages since they were first introduced. For anyone who wants to collect ideas for making some, she recommends this book as perhaps the most comprehensive collection of golliewoggs there is.

1 comments about Authentic Shirley Temple Patterns.

1. Well written, directions clear and patterns to appropriate scale to fit collector dolls. Excellent range and choice of costumes to suit favorite characters played by Shirley Temple. Need to have some knowledge of sewing, most beginners should have no trouble.

3 comments about Coffee With Barbie Doll (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This book is not worth the $4.00 it sales for.



2. The pictures are nice, and funny, mine came with a defect that made me loose on 20 of them, and I am sad. Gives you nice ideas to display your dolls, but I think the pictures could have been a little better, don't know exactly why or how. I would buy it again. There is this one cute picture with a fashion queen that has her legs up in the air that says something like " 42 more and I can then eat the brownie I baked this morning" that made me laugh! :-)



3. Amazing scenes and fun read. This book brings back memories of being young but acting grown-up.

5 comments about Vintage Clothing for the Fashion Doll.

1. A great book with patterns to copy to make more clothes for Barbie.



2. I spend hours looking through this book, imaging what kinds of fabrics to use for each vintage dress design! The author has really easy-to-understand instructions for many of Mattel's original doll outfits. It makes me, a novice seamstress feel confident and excited about sewing. It brings back memories of my childhood and watching my older sister sew clothes for my barbies! I can't wait to start making clothes for my daughter! Highly recommend.



3. A very detailed and describing book. Many detailed pictures.
   I am somewhat disapointed in the content though. Would have expected more advanced or exiting outfits.
   Many of the outfit are more "basic" than "Vintage".



4. There are some really sweet outfits to make for fashion dolls and patterns and instructions that make the job easier. Photos are bright and clear.



5. I own several pieces by Marirose and she is a dream to work with. Her work is top notch and I admire and respect her talent, but this is a review of book.
   
   I can barely sew and these patterns work for me. I've made 3 of them so far and I have trouble even threading a needle or running a machine. The layout and explanations make sense to an amateur.
   
   On the other hand, she reproduces patterns here for some very rare and hard to find fashions that a Professional could certainly enjoy making.
   
   It's a great book, from a wonderful lady.
   
   I can't say enough good, except to add that she did not ask me to review her book or anything like that.
   
   Go Marirose!

5 comments about The Encyclopedia of Marx Action Figures: A Price & Identification Guide.

1. Tom Heaton's book is an excellent resource for Marx collectors or those who used to play with Marx toys in their childhood. It is packed with clear and colorful photos of the toys, packaging, accessories, etc...
   
   For many years, Santa left me a Best of the West figure under the tree. Being able to flip through the pages and remember the toys and all the neat stuff they came with is a wonderful walk down memory lane.
   
   Although I still have most of my childhood collection, they are in a terrible state of repair. It is comforting to know there are current versions being made (details in this book).
   
   A must have addition to your library if you collect, or used to collect, Marx Action Figures.



2. This is a must have book if you are a Marx Action Figure collector or even a fan. I have never seen so many excellent pictures that can really help a collector. Since owning this book I have used it on a daily basis.



3. Tom helps us reclaim out youth, it is great to be able to pick this book and feel like a kid again. My 8 year daughter and I use the book for a guide as we search through the thrift stores and antique stores for the best of the west toys.



4. Tom Heaton's Encyclopedia of Marx Action Figures is an invaluable tool for any Marx collector. It includes more in-depth coverage of Marx's action figures than any other book to date.



5. This is the most outstanding collection guide I have ever read! The author seems to have put unlimited hours into research to come up with such a thorough history of Marx action figures. The photos are fabulous! I've never seen such a variety of great pictures. This book will inspire many others to become new collectors and relive their childhood with Johnny West! A totally awesome book! Many thanks to the author, Tom Heaton, for finally putting a book like this together for us diehards! Cheri Basham

No comments about Collecting Toy Trains: An Identification & Value Guide, No. 3 (O'Brien's Collecting Toy Trains).

5 comments about Bleuette: The Doll and Her Wardrobe.

1. Being a doll collector and reproduction doll artist for over 30 years I have a very extensive doll library as well as doll collection. This book is an excellent reference source for anyone like myself who wants to learn about the history of Bleuette, how to paint her features authentically as well as study her extensive wardrobe. There are many wonderful color photographs, especially helpful for close-ups of Bleuette's facial features and patterns to make her a very lovely authentic wardrobe.
   This book is even wonderful as a gift for people who love dolls who may just love beautiful books to decorate their home with, a coffee tablebook.
   I love this book and thank the author for sharing her knowledge with fellow collectors and Bleuette fans around the world.



2. If you can only afford one book on that very collectible fashion doll "Bleuette", this is a wonderful choice. A large hardcover, the pictures and history are wonderful and cover it all. There are also original Gautier-Languereau patterns included, so you can sew for Bleuette yourself.
   The overall quality of the book itself is well worth the price. I'm very happy I purchased Bleuette: The Doll and Her Wardrobe by Barbara Hilliker.



3. 
   I agree with the previous commentator that this book is basically a coffee table book about Bleuette ,her history, and her family.
   
   So, if you need a book about Bleuette's clothing patterns, then this book is probably not for you.
   There are other books out there that are specific to Bleuette clothing patterns....but not this one.
   
   The photos in this book are absolutely amazing though...that is for sure!
   
   Please note that this book is not just a picture book. This book does indeed contain lots of information about the history of Bleuette. Also, the photos are mesmerizing (most photos being very large and in full color).
   
   I believe that if you are a Bleuette collector, then it's good to have a nice book about the doll's history. If so, then this book will serve that purpose nicely.



4. I purchased the combination of this book and another, thinking I was going to receive an extensive collection of Bleuette patterns. Instead, I got coffee table books with only a few patterns drafted by the author, rather than the original patterns. I found the advertising text misleading, and would not have ordered them had I known I was not going to get real Bleuette patterns.



5. I love this book and if you love Bleuette, you will read this book cover to cover. Barbara Hilliker is one of the experts we collectors rely on to tell us more about the lovely French doll produced from 1905-1960. The doll was produced as a give-away to sell a weekly periodical to young French girls. Each issue of the paper contained patterns to dress the doll. These patterns are what make the doll so popular. There were over 1300 patterns published, and this author has been influential in getting some of these patterns to the public.

1 comments about Porcelain Doll Design and Creation: Materials, Techniques, Patterns.

1. This book was very well written and has beautiful pictures. However, if you want to make your own porcelain dolls from scratch - it's not for you. I was most interested in learning about making molds and wigs and this book pretty much said, "You can buy a wide variety of these at your local doll supply shop." I personally don't want to make dolls from a pre-existing mold so there's little I can do with that information. However, many of the techniques are very good and insightful and I will definitely look back on this book once I figure out how to get my molds created. The author definitely know what she's talking about, I just wish she had shared a little more of the little known facts with the rest of us.

3 comments about Fashion Doll Wardrobe: A Collection of Designs and Patterns.

1. I got this when it was 1st released and was amazed at how horrible and amateur the patterns are. If you are new at sewing this may be a good start for basic, boxy outfits but don't expect to make anything really nice.
   And to add insult, all the patterns shown in the book are not included. You must order additional patterns to complete the set for extra $$.
   I kept the box to hold my own personally drafted patterns but couldn't even give the book/patterns away. I finally just donated it to a giveaway and I pity the person who received it.



2. This set consists of two parts: (1) a book of photos of various fashion dolls wearing the author's designs, and (2) patterns for some of the outfits. The photos show outfits that are very boxy and amateurish. They reminded me of clothing I made for my dolls when I was ten. The few interesting outfits do not come with patterns. It seems that to get patterns for all the outfits in the book, one must purchase two additional sets of patterns; however, the box is large enough to hold all the patterns.
   
   The only pluses I could find in this set were the thumbnail biographies of each of the dolls, and the chart of the dolls' vital statistics.
   
   While the patterns are very basic, the directions are not, so this would not be good for a beginning sewer. The experienced sewer would not want to waste money on this.
   
   Had I been able to look this over before I bought it, I would have saved some money.



3. Personally I think this book is a rip off. It has lots of great designs, but the author only includes one category of design patterns. If you want the other two categories, you have to order and pay more cash for them seperately by sending a request to an address at the back of the book. I thought that all the design outfits that are in the book would have patterns, but it doesn't. I cannot believe that this author entices you with some fantastic clothes designs for the larger dolls and then says you have to dish out more money for two more sets of patterns listed as other catergories.

5 comments about Crissy Family Encylopedia.

1. Can't imagine why any collector and lover of fine dolls would not love this great book.
   I can't say enough good things about Carla Cross' Crissy Encyclopedia. Not only is this wonderful book a sturdy hardback edition, Carla's professional writing style will delight seasoned collector's and "newbies" alike and seems to speak most to that little girl in us that first loved and cherished our dolls in childhood. It's diametrically different from the "other Crissy book" so try it out! Carla is an very accomplished author in many fields, and her work is a refreshing change from those "I, me ,mine" typical vanity-press publications. You'll love it!



2. When I buy doll collector books, I try to make sure they have everything I need to know about the doll in them. Sadly, such was not the case with this book. It had many nice pictures, but as far as being complete and usefull, I'd say it leaves much wanting.



3. Hi - Wanted to clarify a question on the Green Eyed Velvet. Some Velvet dolls had Kerry - colored (or other) green eyes substituted in the factory, in place of her usual purple eyes. It is not unheard of for a company to, very occassionally, substitute a different item during the manufacture of a doll. But it was a very rare occurrence, making the doll a rarity. This is what makes collecting fun! On the other hand, many Velvet dolls had eyes that oxidized to a greenish color, but when plastic eyes oxidize, the color is never uniform and the color is not a true, vibrant green - like Kerry's. To determine whether a Velvet's eyes are oxidized green, or are a true factory sbstitution, the eyes has to be taken apart and cleaned. If the eye remains green after cleaning, it is a true factory substitution. The oxidized eyes will become purple again after cleaning. There have been Velvet dolls who's eyes have been taken out, cleaned, and found to be genuine factory substitutions. These are the dolls that the book refers to. Thanks to the Expert that had the question - Carla Marie Cross



4. This is truly a wonderful book for any collector to own. The photos are sensational and the information far reaching. It has many hi-lights such as personal stories, redressing hints and fab M.I.P photos which clearly show all original accessories. It also shows the back of the original clothes cards with the kicky illustrations that had young children clamouring for more. The warmth and humour that flows thru this book is indicative of someone that truly loves and appreciates these dolls and not that of a megalomaniac who thinks they have the only information in the world. This book is a must for any collector.



5. This book has absolutely beautiful Crissy family pictures. I think a new collector would be in awe and an established collector would be keeping their wish list growing! Filled with interesting information too!