No comments about Batik: From the Courts of Java and Sumatra.

2 comments about Evolution of the Bicycle, Vol. 2.

1. The title of the book is somewhat misleading because it does not provide any written history of the bicycle evolution. It merely provides photos of bikes from the 1800s up through the 1970s (with a very few 1980s and 1990s thrown in). The bikes depicted are somewhat intermingled with each other as opposed to depicting them in chronological order. Consequently, there is no index to the book. The photos are very good, however.



2. This is the 2nd volume in the series. The 8 x 11" softbound book contains 238 pages with 100's of full color, sharp photos. Each item is dated. Pricing is 1994-5. There are numerous old bike ads and picture postcards with large photos. Many bike references and dealers are included. A great reference work you'll enjoy and use.

1 comments about Official Guide to Artifacts of Ancient Civilizations, 1st edition (Official Guide to Artifacts of Ancient Civilizations).

1. "Artifacts of Ancient Civilizations" by Alex G. Malloy is a superb introcuction to the artifacts of various ancient cultures. A basic outilne of collecting ancient artifacts is given followed by sections on Early Man, Western Asiatic, The Ancient Holy Land, Central Asiatic, Egypt, Greece and Rome. There is also a section on Pre-Columbian artifacts. Values are given for 2353 different items. At 257 pages, there is not room for a great deal of detail, but this is a great first book to buy on this subject.

2 comments about Racing Collectibles: Identification and Value Guide (Racing Collectibles).

1. First of all, I HATE the BIG UGLY picture of American Car Racer...do not know his name, on the cover of the book. Second, I hate NASCAR and Cheap political HOT WHEEL junk I do not even care for looking at. The book should focus on HIGH QUALITY COLLECTIBLE BRANDS ONLY. What a waste of paper~!!!



2. Great new 224 page book featuring nearly 700 full color, sharp, photos of every type of racing collectible. Enthusiasts will really appreciate the great variety of items covered, ranging from autographs, bean bag racers, cards and cereal boxes to magazines, medallions, model kits, and statues, steins, tickets and uniforms. There's plenty of text provided and thousands of item listings. If you collect car racing items, this is a must for your library.

No comments about Survivor: The Unrestored Collector Car.

No comments about Standard Catalog of Thunderbird, 1955-2004 (Standard Catalog).

3 comments about The Hopi Approach to the Art of Kachina Doll Carving.

1. Author Erik Bromberg provides the reader with a good, basic introduction to the art of kachina doll carving. The photography of Michael Mouchette is simple in style and foremat ... place the doll in front of a gray or brown background and shoot. Price is what makes this book most appealing. It's publication date of 1986, however, leaves the reader without a TRUE picture of the advances made in this art form over the past decade. Pick up a copy of this book; it's worth the initial investment. Then take an additional step ... compare it to a book from the mid 90's ... you'll SEE the difference!



2. This book is one of the best I've seen on the subject of kachina dolls and their carvers. A great reference as well as a strong introduction to the art. Describes the differences between Hopi and Navajo styles, with high quality photos. Along with my Barton Wright, this book is invaluable as a collecting reference book. The appendix includes a big list of Hopi carvers' names and a page of translated symbols.



3. This book is one of the best I've seen on the subject of kachina dolls and their carvers. A great reference as well as a strong introduction to the art. Describes the differences between Hopi and Navajo styles, with high quality photos. Along with my Barton Wright, this book is invaluable as a collecting reference book. The appendix includes a big list of Hopi carvers' names and a page of translated symbols.

5 comments about Collectibles Price Guide 2006 (Collectibles Price Guide).

1. Judith Miller price guides are simply the best! They have great color pictures and easy to read price guides. There are none better.



2. not a whole lot of item's. More picture's than anything. A lot of the item's in the book I beleive are way to over priced. Not a good book to take to flea market's or auction's.



3. This book is so easy to use-- great price guide to take along on your antique hunt. A whole list of consultants in various areas of expertise help with this book. It covers everything from Holday Memorabilia to marbles to posters to sports stuff to sewing stuff to Teddy Bears and Toys. Also great section on the weifd and wonderful. Also great list of clubs, societies and organizatins. Space memorabilia, rock and pop, radios, pez dispensers, glass, costume jewelry, ceramics -- almost everything around your grandma's house or you'll see at a garage sale including early computers, comics, and watches. Great pictures -- of almost everything with nice hints as to how to take a closer look at a Coca Cola clock and collector notes. Good range of prices and also explains when it was made and how tall etc so you don't get confused. That old pair of straberry shaped earings are not junk-- they could be worth $70-$100 if they are by Weiss. Even an iPod poster could be worth up to $120.00 That 1940's PINK perfume bottle could be worth a $1000 or more...buy this book and you could get RICH!



4. I thought Kovels was good but this one is better. nicer pictures and easy to use.



5. Here is a book you will be unable to put down. The pictures are very clear, the information and descriptions are well done, and especially valuable are the reference sources. This book should appeal to many ordinary collectors.

2 comments about Swing Style: Fashions of the 1930s-1950s.

1. I was so disappointed with this book. Models with long blue fingernails and modern hairstyles dressed in poorly fitting (and ugly) swing style clothing. The photography looks like a high-school project. I was hoping to find a professional collection of pictures and background on the wonderful fashion of this era and this book is depressing. Don't buy it, don't even look at it at the library. A complete waste of time.



2. In Swing Style: Fashions Of The 1930s-1950s, Maureen Reilly takes the reader on a lengthy and in-depth survey of vintage clothing styles that ranges from postwar party dresses in chiffon and velveteen, to cocktail costumes in silk, to prom dresses in tulle. Along with the sock-hop standards of circle skirts and capri pants, this history of clothing fashions includes brief biographies of the clothing designers who were responsible for the fashion trends, tips on creating a vintage look today, a valuation guide, a resource directory, and a glossary of music and fashion terms. Swing Style: Fashions Of The 1930s-1950s is a "must" for any personal, academic, or professional costuming and fashion history reference collection.

5 comments about Levine's guide to knives and their values (Levine's Guide to Knives & Their Values).

1. I have the "extensively revised 4th edition" and I really like it...Pretty much covers everything in knife collecting..Lots of charts, diagrams, pictures, references, etc.....I liked the section on American Indian trade knives....Well worth the money...."A knowledgeable buyer to a knowledgeable seller in an unpressured transaction."...Damn skippy!!!!...The section on Knives as an Investment was interesting as well...This would make a great companion to Knifemakers Of Old San Francisco...No mention of READ THE KNIFE though.....



2. Krause asked me to update specific articles in Levine's Guide #5 by employing the SAME WRITERS Bernard used. Krause removed some material from some of the other articles. They also added 16 or so pages to the book, and told me what they wanted. Again, I used some of Bernard's writers, and a couple noted collectors suggested by some manufacturers. If Bernard's writers are so bad, why did HE employ them? Bernard later bad-mouthed me in Knife World regarding this book. I contacted Mr. Houston Price, the publisher and friend of mine, noting this wasn't a very smart move (lawsuits?), and Price sent me a later copy of Knife World with a written retraction by Bernard. To this day, Bernard will not speak to me even though we see one another maybe 10 times a year, almost face-to-face. But, that's his right. Most who have savaged Book 5 have a right to do so. I do feel they should know what they are speaking about first. Bud



3. Publishing has sunk to a new low with this edition. Levine had nothing to do with it, and the publisher hired some dealer to give prices made from thin air. Save your money and buy the 4th edition again. The 4th edition remains the standard in the hobby.



4. I'm not a publisher, but I bet I could compile a better book than this. I feel like I've wasted my money. The book is incomplete, hard to index and the pictures are shoddy. What more needs to be said?



5. Maybe calling this the "stripped down for racing version" would have been more appropriate. It certainly isn't the family station wagon, full of Knife Information, that it was before Krause slashed all the pertinent data out of it. The 5th Edition is a classic case of creating a new version just for the sake of sales. That may not have been so bad, except they removed much important data which knife collectors use to identify and collect knives. Then, to make it appear they had changed it, they added superflous "bloatware," in an effort to make it look different. If Levine's 4th Edition didn't exist, it would be better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, but you can still get the 4th Edition so that option can be avoided. One of the major facinations of old knives is their level of handmade quality. The historical record tells us that newer is not always better.