No comments about Moritz Gottschalk, 1892-1931: Dollhouses - Doll Rooms - Kitchens - Stores - Furniture--Reprints of Original Catalog Photographs with Historical Documentation.

2 comments about The Great Book of Britains: 100 Years of Britains Toy Soldiers 1893-1993.

1. I received my first set of old Britains lead toy soldiers when I was five years old. Two sets, actually, the cavalry and infantry display sets of Union and Confederate troops of the American Civil War were under the Christmas tree and I played with them until they literally fell apart, except for one Union infantryman which I still have.

   I was hooked, and I scrimped and saved to get the ocassional set for myself when going down to the old Buffums' Department Store in downtown Long Beach, California through grade school and high school. Metal and plastic, swoppet knights and Guradsmen, Waterloo artillery and French Zouaves, they all found their way into my modest collection, to end up in boxes in my closet until one day in 1987 when I bought one of James Opies' superb books on Britains and the bug hit again. I broght out the old figures, put them on display and started to buy the old veterans on the secondary market, to where I now have over 2,000 of them and my modest collection is becoming somewhat definitive.

   This book, which chronicles the output of Britains for 100 years is indispensable to the collector and enthusiast. If you don't own it, you are missing out on a visual treat, seeing soldiers produced by Britains that you may not know even exist. As I restore and convert the old broken ones I find, it is also invaluable as a photographic record of Britains immense output over the years.

   The book was issued a Britains catalogue number, was issued in two 'versions', one with a set of four new figures, two Scots' Greys and two fusiliers, in a box, the other with a dustcover.

   The book IS expensive, but well worth the cost, and I have used it innumerable times to research a figure, read the text, or to just enjoy the pictures.

   I have over 4,000 total Britains now, old and new, metal and plastice, and the collection has grown in large part because of James Opie, and his books, especially this one.




2. This lavishly illustrated history of the world's greatest manfacturer of toy soldiers is a must for fans of William Britain's company. From the early hollow metal days through the years of great plastic models to the recent resurgence of metals, it's all in here.

1 comments about Dolls the Early Years, 1780-1880.

1. I like this book because it shows very old dolls that you don't see alot. It has alot of pictures and is very nice for a coffee
   table book.

No comments about Doll Treasures 2001.

No comments about Robert Tonner Inspirations.

2 comments about Knitting & Crocheting for Antique Dolls Vol. III (1914-1929) (Knitting & Crocheting for Antique Dolls).

1. This is a fantastic pattern book! Lots of ideas, and things to work with. Adaptable to different sizes and types of dolls. The only caveat is that on a few of the patterns you have to improvise a little, and there is little or no gauge information. I've found that I start out with a pattern, and if it doesn't look like it will fit a doll, I'll rip it out and adjust accordingly. But it's a great reference--good for all-bisques, larger bisque headed dolls, compo, etc. The whole series (vols. 1 through 3) is well worth the money!



2. This is a fantastic pattern book! Lots of ideas, and things to work with. Adaptable to different sizes and types of dolls. The only caveat is that on a few of the patterns you have to improvise a little, and there is little or no gauge information. I've found that I start out with a pattern, and if it doesn't look like it will fit a doll, I'll rip it out and adjust accordingly. But it's a great reference--good for all-bisques, larger bisque headed dolls, compo, etc.

No comments about Ultimate Book of Traditional Bears (Ultimate Teddy Bear).

No comments about Collecting Dolls (Pincushion Press Collectibles Series).

1 comments about The Encyclopedia of Regional Dolls of the World.

1. Presented as an Encyclopedia, this book contains general information and one or several regional dolls from each country. The information is interesting but one would have expected more explanations about the meaning/origin of each dress/doll for the country. Some of the dolls are classified by topic (dancers, religion, brides...) which somewhat meets that expectation. The quality of the dolls is heterogeneous, from the plastic doll for tourists to the wonderfully dressed and hand-crafted ethnic doll. I could find similar dolls to the ones I own, which was really exciting, despite a few typos. In general, this book is quite complete since all kinds of regional dolls and countries are represented. Fewer dolls, with better quality and more analysis, might have been a good choice, like in "World colors: dress and dolls" by Susan Hedricks and Vilma Matchette. But it is a completely subjective point of view.

No comments about Royal Children Paper Dolls: Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II.