2 comments about Black Dolls: Proud, Bold & Beautiful.

1. If you are a "real" doll collector, you would have this book not only in your personal library but as the centerpiece on your console. The photos in this book are so gorgeous you are left breathless---your heart starts pumping as you see even more artists that you would just love to have in your collection. These photos most definitely place doll making as an art form up there with the Monets of the world. Let's not forget the biographies that attach the photos. This book is not boring but a page turner. I love, love, love this book. I plan to give them as gifts so I can bring non-doll collectors to the bright side! Dorothy-Dandridge.com



2. 3 words to describe this book
   Excellent, Excellent, Excellent.
   This book is full of information. I have learned a lot about doll artist and other doll related information.
   Thanks for such an wonderful, informative book.

2 comments about Barbie the First 30 Years 1959 Through 1989: An Identification and Value Guide.

1. I've had this book for years and look at it often. the European dolls pictured are not seen in most other guides . I wish some of the photos were better and that the color was more true to life in them but I can't fault her research or her doll knowledge. I don't know this author like I do Jim or Michael or Joe so this is a legit review and not done out of kindness but the guys i mentioned are top notch too and don't need friendship reviews either



2. There's not a lot of printed information in this book, it's mostly pictures, but I absolutely LOVE this book. The pictures are great, & they come in handy if you need something to refer to, say for auction information (buying or selling). I highly recommend this book if it's pictures of vintage items you're after, you won't be disappointed!

1 comments about Half-Dolls Price Guide.

1. I don't received the book about Half-dolls. I pay already my card Visa and I don't received my book.
   Please what the problem?
   Heliane C. Fonseca

1 comments about Hopi Kachina Dolls and Their Carvers.

1. This is really one of the most unusual Kachina art books out there. Besides the exquisite photography of Gene Balzer, Theda Bassman delves into how the new carvers who adapted to all wood carving feel about their craft and what it means to them to be a carver. One gets a real sense that the artists themselves come alive and in this way, bring their art alive. They demonstrate a trust in talking with Ms. Bassman, who has a long history of working in the Southwest Indian contemporary art world. In this way, this book transcends the typical art book.

No comments about Mexican Popular Art: Clothing and Dolls.

4 comments about Horsman Dolls: The Vinyl Era 1950 to Present.

1. I feel that from a doll collector's prospective, this is one of the WORST ID AND VALUE GUIDES ON THE MARKET! Reasons-1. THE ACTUAL MONETARY VALUES THAT THIS AUTHOR GIVES TO THE HORSMAN DOLLS! EX-In "the collectors encyclopedia of black dolls by patikii and tyson gibbs", pete and polly are valued at $300-$400, in don's book, they're valued at only $30-$60! 2. ALL THE DOLLS IN THIS BOOK, are valued VERY LOW...3. which can only hurt collectors in the long run-INSURANCE WISE. I do agree though with previous reviews in reference to the beauty of the book and the Horsman history lesson. But HELLO, we need what the book promises-A legitimate ID AND VALUE GUIDE. 4. Also, there are very few black dolls featured. (3 pgs in a book with 240 pgs!) 5. So, being that I collect Vintage Black Dolls, I feel that my money was wasted. I GAVE TWO STARS BECAUSE OF THE BEAUTIFUL GLOSSY PAGES AND THE HORSMAN HISTORY LESSON...



2. This is an enjoyable book, although I must agree with the first reviewer, who said that it is difficult to research a doll without first knowing it's name. I would prefer to find information based on era, material and so forth. It does have some interesting information on the Horsman family and company, and the pictures are priceless. After looking at my own photos and doing a little more research, I realize that many of my favorite dolls were Horsman, so this book should be excellent for reference.



3. Don Jensen's HORSMAN DOLLS: THE VINYL ERA 1950 TO PRESENT includes a fine biographical sketch of Horsman and the dolls he created, then moves to the heart of the matter: color photos for identification and written descriptions which chart the changing styles, purposes and trends of these dolls. Any doll collector, particularly those of Horsman styles, must have this identification and value guide.



4. Don Jensen, known as the Horsman expert, has lots of good information in this book.
   
   However, I found it harder to use to identify dolls. The dolls are listed in alphabetical order. Great if you know the doll's name, but not much help when you are trying to identify the doll you have.
   
   I prefer break downs by era, type of doll, or material type. Putting them all in A-Z order makes for a slow process if you don't already know the doll's name.

No comments about Antique Children's Fashions 1880-1900.

2 comments about Effanbee: Dolls that Touch Your Heart.

1. I own many F&B collectible dolls----especially the older ones. I refer to this book very often. This book is well written, on very nice paper, and with wonderful photos.



2. This descriptive book does a wonderful job of cataloging the various Effanbee dolls and their history. Numerous pictures (B&W and color) add tremendously to the value of this book for doll collectors interested in identification (price guides are also included for individual dolls).

2 comments about Tomarts Encyclopedia & Price Guide to Action Figure Collectibles, Vol. 3: Star Wars-Zybots.

1. i have not bought the book yet, but i have had books like those, there good books all i am gonna say is try it, cause i am going to buy it when i get back from vacation, if u collect old action figures u know why i rate this book good, i will write a nother review after i get it. anyways give the book a chance its better than the Unoffical guide to Transformers,(dont get that one)its not worth it, so try this book out.i am sure u will enjoy it.



2. This book surprised me in beeing very fresh and uptodate even though it was written 4 years ago, it feels as if it is truely is timeless and contains a wide range of toys even though I must admit that I for one thought that it would contain more info on the specific toylines instead it contained general information on the toys in general, which is a shame realy - there are some mistakes made in this book they are not everywhere but they are not hard to find either - recomended to toy dealers in generall but if you are looking for info on one particular series then you'd better pass this one by and look for a book on the topic in question

5 comments about Mission Furniture : How to Make It.

1. I agree with most of Donald C. Thompson's review, but wanted to add a few points.
   
   If you are not skilled at making furniture, this is not the book for you, because the descriptions on how to make each project consists solely of a parts list, plus two to three small paragraphs. In some instances the plans are not accurate. If you are looking for examples of mission furniture, this is a good overview, but the pictures/illustrations are barely legible and there are many other much better books.
   
   In regards to the binding, this book is of substandard quality. Paying $18-24 for the hardcover version is not suggested. The binding is that of a cheap child's textbook with a plastic feel. After opening the book about 4-6 times, the binding is already showing stress. I would suggest purchasing the paperback version for about $10. I have a huge library of furniture books and furniture plans. As a note, this is one of many recent books I have purchased that are now printed and bound in China. I purchase all my books when possible in hardcover format to make them last longer, however in almost every instance of a hardcover book bound in China, I have been disappointed. The bindings break very easily on most of these books.



2. This book succeeds at depicting furniture designs that in their time held a place in the Arts and Crafts movement along with the great designs of the Stickleys and a few other masters. Are these pieces as pleasing in form and sturdy in structure as those designed by Gustav and his brothers? Do they all adhere closely to the design principles of the Arts and Crafts movement? Is Harvey Ellis' influence apparent in any of these designs? Not to my eye. However, much of what's in the book appears simple to build, and some would be useful to have around the house. By way of contrast, I find the designs presented in Robert Lang's books and in the Bavaro and Mossman book to be more to my liking. Those books also include more information about construction processes and details.



3. I recently bought this book because I was intrigued by its old-time style. It is a reproduction of three old how-to manuals from the early 1900's. The preface states that the writing was left alone, but that the indexes and page numbering were altered to make sense in this volume. I am well pleased with this purchase because of what it is and what it is not:

   IT IS - a great collection of Mission Style furniture plans, complete with materials lists and drawings to give a modern furniture maker plenty of ideas for design.

   IT IS NOT - a basic how-to manual which spends half of the book explaining the basics of tools and workshop safety. It is also not a step-by-step cookbook for building the furniture listed. In many places, this book states that you should save time by having the lumber dealer surface and cut all of your stock to size to save time and effort! (apparently this was cheaper in 1910!)

   The real value of this book is as an idea generator and an aid to someone trying to design their own furniture. It also provides some interesting insights into finishing practices common to this furniture in the good old days. Check it out, its worth a look.




4. This book is a reproduction of three Popular Mechanics Magazine publications from before WW I, at the height of the Mission furniture craze. It includes about 100 projects. Each one consists of a parts list, one to two pages of text (a total of about 200-500 words), a black-and-white shaded drawing of the finished piece of furniture (sort of like a bad photo) and minimalist plans. The plans are simple front and side elevations. Don't expect exploded views like one would find in a modern woodworking magazine.

   A paragraph from the text for a five-drawer dresser/mirror combination is illustrative of the brevity of much of the instructions:

   QUOTE: In working up the various parts, proceed in the usual manner. If not thoroughly familiar with the various tool processes involved, it will be necessary to investigate pieces of nearby furniture and to read up some good text dealing with the processes involved.

   In other words, don't buy this book if you are a novice woodworker looking to have your hand held, step-by-step through the construction process.

   What one really gets with the purchase of this book are two things. First, an interesting look at turn-of-the-century America and the arts & crafts period, from the perspective of a middle-class magazine for home craftsmen. Second, one gets a collection of designs for generic mission or arts & crafts furniture. To me, the vast majority of the designs are unappealing. At best, they seem just a little off target, as though a high-school woodshop class student were given an assignment to make an original mission furniture piece. However, there are a few interesting pieces.

   I bought this book because I buy *EVERYTHING* about Stickley/Mission/Roycroft furniture. I do not regret the purchase, but I will probably never make any of the projects, and if I did I would have to spend a half a day (at least) making production drawings of the parts for the furniture.




5. I purchased this book expecting to find plans for various types of Mission-style furniture and that is exactly what I found. In addition, information on finishing wood in the authentic style is included.