1 comments about CO2 Pistols & Rifles.

1. Mr. House has once again written an excellent reference piece on air guns. This time he has focused on CO-2 pistols and rifles. Those readers who are familiar with his other work on pneumatic and spring air guns, "American Air Rifles", will recognize well presented sections on ballistics and pellet types. In this book he reviews the many CO-2 pistols old and new, and spends time reviewing the very few CO-2 air rifles in the market. Until I read this book, I didn't realize how small the market for CO-2 rifles really is.
   
   Readers will want to keep this book as a reference work on ballistics and CO-2 air guns, and can use it as a handy buying guide for future purchases. Once again, Mr. House has written a thoughtful and well research presentation on an under-researched topic. Another nice job!

No comments about The Handbook of Chinese Snuff Bottles.

2 comments about Early American Locomotives (Trains).

1. I purchased this book over 20 years ago. This is a fantastic book of Steam Engine engravings. You won't find a better collection (at least I haven't.)



2. This book is a collection of engravings from the 19th Century, each with minimal history. It is an absolute gem , a cache of information about locomotives from before the era of manufacturers photographs. Engravings were used as illustration in sales literature and publicity material, and so a wide variety of locomotive types are depicted covering more or less 1800-1900. The accuracy of the engravings is superb-in some cases it is possible to scale from an engraving to determine pipe sizes, nut bolt diameter etc. For the price this book cannot be beaten.

5 comments about The Ultimate Guide to Hot Wheels Variations: Identification and Price Guide to More Than 2,000 Collector Number Packs!.

1. I started collecting Hotwheels cars about 3 years ago. What makes me different than most of the other collectors, is that I live in Santiago, CHILE (here, Hotwheels cars market is very small compared with other countries). Many of the variations and models that exist in US, aren't available here. Mike's guide has been an invaluable tool for me to get those variations I never know that exist or I will never find hanging in pegs in Santiago.

   I also have had the chance to email Mike many times and he's very compromised with this hobby (or better said, passion!).

   If you love Hotwheels cars, you MUST buy this guide (or the new one that's coming by the end of March 2004).

   U2, from RTC.




2. I found the 'Ultimate Guide to Hot Wheels Variations' one of the most valuable resources to date for the valuation of Hot Wheels variations; both for collectors and dealers alike. As owner of [a web site,] I refer to this guide on a daily basis for determining the minute differences between Hot Wheels variants. The guide is concise, well laid out, easy to follow, and extremely accurate (in my opinion).



3. This book stinks the pictures are horrible I donated it to te libary. It stinks



4. Hi Michael I had the pleasure of getting a copy of your book. It is excellent very informative and a great tool for us collectors. The descriptions were complete and detailed. I have been telling my fellow collectors about it. Finally a book that answers the question "Is there anyone more obsessed with Hot Wheels than me?" Well Michael my deepest sympathy it might be you. LOL . But I do want to give you your deserved recognition for a job well done on the book. Looking foward to future updates of your book. Thanks again for all your hard work on The Complete Guide to Hot Wheels Variations. Yours in the brotherhood of obsessive compulsive Hot Wheelers.



5. This is a great book and being a variation collector for many years I can tell you that if there is a variation not listed in Mikes book, it probably does not exist. I have trusted this guy for many years and he has always been a straight shooter. I have never hunted for cars that were just rumors. I was so glad when I heard this book was coming out, I couldn't wait to buy it. It would be great if I had something he didn't have in there, but I'm still looking for all the things that are! And by the way. The Suzuki Quad is listed on Page 79 number 311 c variation, listed as "Tiger Paw Wheel" which some would call the POW wheel. Mike has always used his own abbriviations. That's why I like him and his book. (His web site was great, sure do miss it) He doesn't follow anybody elses lead. He goes his own way. I have met him and he is real easy to talk to. He is also the first one to admit when he is wrong, which you don't see too much these days when people write books. Thanks for the great book, I can't wait for the next one!

No comments about The Goldsmith's Art.

3 comments about Timeless Tiaras: Chaumet from 1804 to the Present.

1. Amongst the jewelry books I own, this is another one that I highly recommended for those who love beautiful antique jewelry / tiaras. Tiaras are important in the the antique jewelry / jewelry history. "Timeless Tiaras" captured different types of tiara wearers from royals to celebrities, and contained fabulous jewelry sketches / archives. It's well worth of owning it!



2. Let us be clear- this is a picture book. Beautiful pictures but just pictures. This book contains very little text. If you like detailed photo captions or historical background information you will be disappointed with this book. But for a photo overview of the wide variety of styles and designs in headgear this is a great resource.



3. This is a wonderful to drool over the fabulous tiaras that were made over the course of the 19th and early 20th century. The only drawback is the lack of text explaining more about the tiaras themselves. It's a wonderful book, but if you can only buy one, get the tiara books by Geoffrey Munn!

1 comments about Hooked on Rugs: Outstanding Contemporary Designs.

1. HOOKED ON RUGS: OUTSTANDING CONTEMPORARY DESIGNS covers rug hooking, portraying over five hundred examples of different rug hooking projects in full color photos and gathering the works of modern hooking artists from all over the US and Canada. Think 'rug hooking' and you're likely to think it a lost art: look at HOOKED ON RUGS and you'll realize it's a thriving contemporary hobby with thousands of needleworkers across the country. Don't think just floor coverings either: projects include wall hangings and furniture, hold a vast variety of approaches, and serve as inspiration for aspiring rug workers. Any general-interest library with a section strong in crafts or needlework and any specialty collection of needlework and crafting projects will want HOOKED ON RUGS.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

3 comments about Painting the Maya Universe: Royal Ceramics of the Classic Period (Duke University Museum of Art).

1. As anyone who owns books on the ancient Maya will probably attest, they have a habit of becoming out of date rather rapidly; yesterday's Copan is today's Xukpi and yesterday's King 18-Rabbit is today's Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil. Don't get me wrong, I think this is a good thing. Unlike the vast body of scholarship that Egyptologists can only hope to add a sentence to here or a footnote to there, Mayanists are faced with a field where every turn of the spade yields material that is likely to keep them busy for decades. That is the exciting thing about Mayan studies; every year sees yet more exciting discoveries by both "dirt" archeologists and by "armchair" or more correctly "keyboard" scholars. Every new book on the Maya is welcome and if they are as well written and lavishly illustrated as this one, they are doubly welcome.



2. I've read much of what has been written about Mayan ceramics and can say with confidence that this is the best book on the subject ever written. The essays in it, by top professionals, discuss the forms and functions of the ceramics, the meaning of their calligraphy, their basic themes and the places particular styles of ceramics come from. Indeed, if you read it carefully and more than once, you too will be able to decipher the principal inscriptions even on pots that are not in the book. There are hundreds of full-color photographs of Mayan ceramic vases and plates in this book. These vases are decorated with pictures of formed the greatest Pre-Columbian civilization. These ceramics depict Mayan textile design, Mayan hair-dressing, Mayan head-dresses, Mayan ceramics (within the ceramic paintings), Mayan concepts of design and of the other worlds below this one. From them we learn of Mayan myth,Mayan ritual, Mayan daily life, and Mayan art. Leaving aside the great monumental art of sculpture and stucco that adorned major structures, leaving aside the structures themselves, and giving credit for a host of varieties of artistic representations ranging from the Tsimshian to the Moche... I think it is an absolute fact that the art that appears on Mayan ceramics is the best that America ever created prior to Columbus and arguably the best... period. This book discusses, describes, depicts and defends that incredible artistic legacy better than any other ever did.



3. This handsome book covers a wide range of Maya ceramic imagery, and is filled with stunning photographs. The imagery is also broken down by catagory, and is supplimented with explations of glyphs. The accessible text that explores the mythology, culture, iconography, and hieroglyphics on and related to the ceramics. The information is thorough without being overly specialized.

1 comments about Collecting Model Car & Truck Kits.

1. Finally after years of writing for some of the biggest car and model magazines in the country, Tim Boyd has ponied up with a book that, by itself, will become a treasured collector's item. This overview of model kit collecting offers advice, history, superb photos, value estimates, box art, and some wonderful built examples. Although the format limits the depth of coverage, this book is among the best on model car kit collecting. That it couldn't cover more categories is the only disappointment.

   Well worth the price, and a must-have for your modeling library.

1 comments about Brambly Hedge Collectors Book & Price Guide.

1. What is the greatest boondoggle/stumbling block to the run ofthe mill avid Brambly Hedge aficionado/collector?
   Hands down, ithas to be a lack of information.
   
   Whether you are speaking of pieces ever done, dates of release, or countries availabe, it's all here in Louise Irvine's outstanding work. The photographs are well worth the price of the book, but on top of those is the documenting of the very complex and phenomenal merchandizing tale which is so indicative of not only the tremendous enthusiasm which exists for Jill Barklem's world of characters/stories/artwork, but this day in age in which it is occurring....ie the tail end of the 20th century.
   
   In America, when it comes to obtaining Brambly Hedge merchandise, we are at a big disadvantage compared to most of the other markets, that is the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia and Japan. In those places when you ask after Brambly Hedge Items at a gift or china shop there is instant product recognition. Here you are more likely to get a response like: "That's those little bunnies, right?" Louise's book somewhat levels the playing field for us poor Yanks with previously unavailable information.
   
   Louise Irvine has taken on the daunting task of identifying and photo cataloguing every item of major significance related to the community of English mice, known as the Brambly Hedge. These critters first appeared on the literary scene in 1980, in the form of the first four books by authoress, Jill Barklem. Since the introduction of the Spring; Summer; Autumn; and Winter "Stories" there have been no fewer than 2 dozen companies from all over the world with lines of merchandise with everything from China plates, figures in china, resin, and pewter, to stationery and even cosmetics in which to feature the mice made famous in Ms. Barklem's extremely eloquent and exquistitely illustrated children's books.

   The Collector's Book has an introduction of the general story of Jill and how she came to write and illustrate her stories. The chapters are then listed in descending order of the most prolific of the Brambly Hedge Licensees....32 pages devoted to Royal Doulton, with pictures of everything ever available from them, followed by a 27 page chapter devoted to Border Fine Arts and Enesco, on down the list to a final chapter of "Useful addresses". Included with each book is a very helpful price guide insert.

   Thank you, Mrs. Barklem, for your creativity and magnificent artistry captured in your eight wonderfully illustrated children's books. Thank you Louise, for the dogged persuit needed to put this fantastically documented and illustrated volume out there for the the consuming Brambly Hedge public to 'devour', as I am sure that they will. Best of luck and fortune to you and the Publishers of this volume. From a devoted "Brambly Hedger", Jo Ann Travis, USA