1 comments about One Hundred Years of Collectible Jewelry: 1850-1950.

1. Lillian Baker's "100 Years of Collectible Jewelry" might help you to find your way, but only barely. The small opening section, with a brief history of jewelry, may be helpful to the novice...but is by no means complete or even truly interesting to the seasoned collector. It will give you an overview of jewelry styles and some of the historic events that prompted them, but will leave you wanting more. (Much more.) The photographs in the book are clear, but very small; not wildly exciting nor representative of all periods and jewelry styles. However Ms. Baker does go into areas not generally covered...hair combs, hat pins and beaded purse are investigated although in a flash in the pan sort of way. Possibly the major advantage of the book is the Glossary of Terms. If you are brand spanking new to collecting jewelry, this may be the most helpful and informative portion of the book. Overall I would recommend the book for it's reasonable price and easy to chew small bites of information, but if you are interested in a compelling, in-depth view of the history of jewelry, this book is not for you.

2 comments about Victorian Fashions: A Pictorial Archive, 965 Illustrations (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. Every student of 19th-century fashion needs to have six books from Dover Publications in his or her library:
   
   - Victorian Fashions and Costumes from 'Harper's Bazar', Stella Blum;
   - Victorian and Edwardian Fashions from La Mode Illustree, Joanne Olian;
   - Wedding Fashions 1860-1912, Joanne Olian;
   - Victorian and Edwardian Fashion: A Photographic Survey, Alison Gernsheim;
   - English Women's Clothing in the Nineteenth Century, C. Willett Cunnington;
   - and this book.
   
   Carol Grafton's book is really more of an assemblage of pictures for illustrators than anything else, but what pictures! Over 900 B&W drawings lovingly display every little detail of the elaborate costumes of the Victorian and early Edwardian eras from the mid-1850's to 1903. This book doesn't have much in the way of text so it's not as comprehensive a research resource as some of the others that I've mentioned, but as an auxiliary resource to the other books on the above list, it's perfect.



2. I would rank this book just behind Victorian Fashions and Costumes from Harper's Bazar, 1867-1898 (Dover Pictorial Archives) by Stella Blum and Full-Color Victorian Fashions : 1870-1893 by JoAnne Olian. If you have to be selected go with the first two before this one, but I still highly recommend this to round out the collection. More than 900 very detailed crisp drawing from the marvelous people at Dover Publishing again. They bring you inexpensive books that are a wealth of information, writers of period romance just cannot live without.

3 comments about Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys Conquered the World.

1. This is an amazing book! Eloquently written, with great insights into toys as a whole, this book gives a comprehensive overview of the emergence of designer vinyl. Great images!



2. All the cool pictures of toys I can't have are nice. But it's really better than all the other toy books becuase it explains all about toys and how come they are so cool. I know it was for adult level reader but I learned a lot that my friends don't know! It wasn't hard to read and I wish it was twice the size. My only problem is There was not enough Blythe information even though she's on the cover.



3. Ah, what a wonderful invention plastic is! Nearly limitless possibilities, able to be shaped into almost any form, take on any color, and endure across the centuries. As functional as it is fantastic. Of course, it was only a matter of time before artists took this malleable material into their capable hands, and created something that the inventors of the plastic would have never imagined. In this case, it is toys.
   
   "Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys Conquered the World" supposes to tell the story of plastic, and its journey from function to fantastic, from commerce to art. Supposes to, because unfortunately the book seems to have fallen victim to a loss of focus, or possibly a conflict between writer and editor. Instead of this history of plastic, and their connection to Japanese culture, what the writer wanted to write about was an artistic movement called Urban Vinyl, originating in Hong Kong and then spreading to Japan and the US. That's his passion, and it shows.
   
   The first half of "Plastic Culture" is rough. It begins with a very brief history of plastic's invention, and its use in toys across the years. There is some brief connection with Japan, introducing the Kaiyodo model makers who perfected the garage kit. There is a half-hearted section on using toys for marketing purposes as mascots, mainly mentioning McDonalds Happy Meal toys and the Olympics. Trying to swing the story back to Japan, Sanrio is covered with their successful line of Hello Kitty figures and other characters. These articles are all short on text, and heavy on pictures, jumping rapidly from section to section without much logic or interest. Its pretty boring, and not very well researched. Then, on page 43, author Woodrow Pheonix begins the section on Urban Vinyl. And it all changes.
   
   The Urban Vinyl movement began in Hong Kong, with a couple of young talents started taking apart GI Joe figures and putting them back together street-style, dressed in the latest Hong Kong fashions and with an attitude that GI Joe never imagined. These two, Michael Lau and Eric So, exhibited their work at galleries, and inspired other artists to see toys as a medium of expression, rather than just playthings. The movement jumped across the water, to Japan with its ingrained toy culture, and then to the US underground comics scene, where artists like Dan Clowes ("Ghost World") and Archer Prewitt ("Sof' Boy") began teaming up with Asian designers to produce unique figures combining all of their talents and visions. Into this comes Takashi Murakami, famed for his Superflat exhibition and one of Japan's greatest modern artists, who sees the concept of creating original works of art in toys, rather than just reproducing existing works in plastic. Yoshitomo Nara, another prominent Japanese modern artist, follows suit. Its fascinating.
   
   If this book had been called "Urban Vinyl," and started with Lau and So in Hong Kong, then been given enough depth to explore the artistic movement completely, it would have been incredible. Woodrow Pheonix has a real passion for this movement, and a deep insight into what makes it tick and how the pieces fit together. His interviews with Murakami and Nara really made me reconsider the way I see toys, and it was great to here these two giants of modern art put forward such opposing yet complementary viewpoints on Urban Vinyl.
   
   But it wasn't, and so "Plastic Culture" is really only half a great book. That second half is really something, and worth picking up the book for. It makes me want to learn more about Urban Vinyl and hopefully someday Pheonix will get to write the book that he should have. I will be first in line to pick it up.

5 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia of Vogue Dolls: Identification and Values (Collectors Encyclopedia of Vogue Dolls).

1. Terrific reference book - definitely would recommend for personal or public libraries. Loads of pictures and information - very helpful.



2. Even though Kathryn Kay was mentioned as a former Vogue Doll employee, her doll "Ginger" by the Cosmopolitan Doll & Toy Corp. was not illustrated and with absolutely NO information. This book is otherwise recommended for Vogue dolls only.



3. This is an exceptional book for people who love the Vogue dolls! Illustrations and text cover both composition, hard plastic and vinyl dolls. The illustrations are many and identify hundreds of various costumes sold for the Vogue dolls. The Ginny, Jill, Jeff and Ginnette sections are especially helpful. Collectors who have costumes or dolls with missing pieces can use the book as a reference to complete outfits. If a collector likes 1950s Ginny dolls, this book offers a wealth of information and is known to collectors across the country as the "Bible" for Vogue collectors.



4. My doll friends and I use this book daily! Especially love the 'Herstory' section where there are plenty of vintage photos showing the factory sewers and samples, Promotional events, and store displays! Book is interspersed with actual catalog photos and many, many color photos of dolls from private collections. Great to see a variety of Vogue dolls all in one book, too!



5. This Book is great and is written so the reader can find about everything that is necessary to start a Vogue Doll collection!!! There are a couple important things I want to mention to eveyone about this book that are very helpful..The way the dolls are put in YEAR ORDER and when a doll is not pictured in this book the Authors make sure it is mentioned with the NAME OF THE DOLL and in detail what she should be wearing for that year, No doll is left out. PHOTO'S ARE GREAT!!
   This Vogue book is a must for the Vogue doll collector with a wealth of information. I learned so much with this book and could not be without it! It has all you need to help you in your quest for Vogue doll collecting.

5 comments about Ladies' Vintage Accessories.

1. BOOK WAS IN CONDITION DESCRIBED AND SENT IN A TIMELY MANNER. WOULD USE VENDOR AGAIN.



2. This book was put together very well, there is so much to see and the pictures are all nice and clear.



3. This book is the generous sharing of Ms.Johnson's passion of 25 years - the collecting of vintage clothing and accessories. With overviews of all of a woman's favorite accessories, the book can easily serve as a basic primer for those with a new-found interest in vintage pieces. The information on documentation, age determination, and worth accessment is both helpful and inspirational. The numerous close-up photos of a wide variety of accessories, along with drawings, illustrations, and ads from old periodicals will delight both new and experienced collectors, as well as those simply interested in the past - for fashion, as always, tells us much about culture. Ladies' Vintage Accessories is written in a personable style and is full of both information and food for thought. Highly Recommended.



4. This book follows the current trend in vintage clothing books, in that it consists of photos of items belonging to one collector, presented as an identification and price guide. There are brief captions and a little explanatory text. The author has photographed her items flat or on stands, thus avoiding the jarring effect created in some other books by the use of very modern-looking live models. Most of the items represent everyday, easily purchasable vintage accessories rather than spectacular or rare collectibles. There are also many black-and-white period advertising pictures, possibly to atone for the relatively small number of pre-1900 items photographed from the collection. The prices (unfortunately!) seem low for the current market, and I found no indication of how they were derived. Unlike some other books, most of the time the author avoids gushing about her collection. However, she does follow the current trend of giving comparatively little practical information on how to restore and use vintage accessories (which many collectors want to do), on the grounds that they are "too precious." In fact, most of the items pictured in her book could be worn and enjoyed without much risk of damage.



5. LaRee Johnson-Burton's book, Ladies Vintage Accessories, is outstanding. The photographs were stunning, and the information imparted about the value and description of the collection was exceedingly valuable. Quite frankly, I feel this book is a must-have, not only for the serious collector of vintage accessories and garments, but for writers of historical fiction, who can use this guide to bring them back in time and make certain that their characters are properly adorned. From cobalt blue Victorian parasols to 1920 gold mesh bags, this is a valuable and beautiful crafted book, packaged impeccably by Collector Books, and written by an author/collector who is clearly knowledgeable and passionate about her field. --Karen Plunkett-Powell, author, Remembering Woolworth's

5 comments about Kovels' Dictionary of Marks -- Pottery And Porcelain: 1650 to 1850 (Kovel's Dictionary of Marks).

1. great for anyone with an odd collection of antique porcelain trying to deciper the makers mark. Easy to use.



2. Exactly what I was expecting. A bit difficult to understand at first, but once you understand the layout it really makes it easy to use for reference.



3. Overall it is helpful. I am really just getting into this, so it is great to have something I can refer to to get an idea of where the item I have comes from.



4. As with the Kovels other books, this reference is very exhaustive and complete. There are, perhaps, some mistakes, but given the volume of information here that is to be expected. I find I reach for this book first when I'm trying to identify a piece of this age group, and usually find what I'm looking for here. Easy to travel with, from antique shop to auction. A good buy.



5. Rather coplete book but-alas-full of mistakes in entries concerning German and Austrian porcelain.Take for example the Meissen porcelain:the authors put together in one large pile Meissen proper,Thieme factory,Fr.Hirsch,Helena Wolfsohn and other factories,though these are absolutely different things.The authors should make a bit of research before starting the project:What amazes me is that this is the 46th edition of the book and nobody ever corrected those mistakes.

5 comments about The Gun Digest Book of .22 Rimfire: Rifles·Pistols·Ammunition.

1. I wanted to learn about guns and shooting sports.
   I thought to start with a .22 cal weapon, rifle or pistol, because it appeared that .22 ammunition was the cheapest, most available ammo by far. I didn't know whether I would like the shoorting sports.
   This book was an EXCELLENT introduction. Starting with the basics of history from a gun and ammunition point of view. What an education in basics of ammunition in general and the .22 LR Rimfire and its like (.22 WMR, .17 HMR, etc). You learn WHY a rifle has to account for sights 1.5 inches above the muzzle center and so much more.
   The author's experiences and recommendations are just like sitting down with your Uncle who was a former instructor in the Marines... For the uneducated, this book will help you look at ammunition effectively, and guns - various rifles and pistols - with new found understanding. I hope this author has done a book for some other calibers so I can get the same understanding once I get some more experience with my 10/22 rifle.



2. This book has almost the same title as one written by John Lachuk and published in 1978. Since I consider John Lachuk's book to be the best written on this subject, it makes for a good reference and source to compare to. In my opinion James House has done a very good job writing this book. It is sort of an updated version of the 1978 book. Very informative with lots of information on past and current 22's with test firing results. There isn't an area that James House doesn't touch on. Even though he has written other articles and books on weapons, I did not know of Mr. House before this book. Don't let that fool you. This book is well researched, well thought out, well laid out and well written. It might not overtake John Lachuk's book as the best on the subject, but I'd hate to have to live on the difference. Highly recomended.



3. An excellent all round review of what modern rimfire sport shooting is all about if you are interested in getting aquinted with that, and I would have given it 4 stars if it gave a more comprehensive review of past rifles and handguns manufactured since the cartridge evolved. But it succeeds 100% as an introduction for laymen starting out.



4. For background, I am a rifleman of sorts as well as a ballistician.I also have a Ph. D. James E. House has a Ph. D in Chemistry and his extensive technical background is evident all through this work. This book is encyclopedic in scope and I have found no significant errors in it. I would observe that he does not discuss nor explicate ballistics tables from which ballistic coefficients are derived. I would have preferred that at least some of his more accurate rifles were tested using ten round groups at 50 yards but his use of five round groups is reasonable (multiply five round group size by 1.414 to estimate ten round group size.) I also wish he had devoted (more) attention to rimfire bench rest competition. This may be a bit more detail than the beginner will wish but for anyone with a serious interest in rimfire cartridges and shooting, this book is a must-have. Doc D.



5. I am an avid .22 rimfire fan. I've bought books on the .22 rimfire years ago and have been waiting for something more current. Good book covering some of the .22's out there and ammo testing along with info on the new .17HMR and .17M2 calibers. The author repeated himself over and over across several chapters the same information. A lot of the photos were reprinted across several chapters. This book could have been about half the size if the author had not repeated information throughout the book. Most of the guns covered in the book were from the author's own collection and did not really cover the various manufacturers offerings. Several good chapters on sighting in and ammo ballistics but overall I was disappointed in this book. If you are looking for a "little new" information on the .22 rimfire there is some here. If you are looking for more in depth information you will have to wait until someone else comes along and writes a better book.

5 comments about Button Button: Identification and Price Guide.

1. This was a great book for photos and history, price guide would have been extremly useful, learned a bit about buttons, yet having the prices laid out in front of me would have been a great benefit.



2. I have always been drawn to buttons, but didn't know very much about them. This book has very clear photos and descriptions. There are many "museum quality" buttons that are wonderful to see, but I was especially excited to see everyday buttons that I am more likely to find.



3. For a beginner, who knows nothing of buttons, I'm impressed with the depth of knowledge in this book. It's a must for collectors, or for those wanting to learn more about buttons.



4. I bought this for my mother who started collecting buttons that she was finding at yard sales and flea markets. She absolutely loved the book. It is very complete in terms of providing information on all sorts of materials and subject matters. There are lots of examples, great pictures, so you can compare your buttons with the ones shown to get an idea ofthewir history/origins as well s some pricing info. Definitely the best book I've come across for buttons as I was looking for this gift for my mom and she's gotten great use of it. (Now I get to hear from her about "oh and this button..... and that button..." It's fun :)



5. I needed to price and identify over 100 pounds of vintage buttons with very little background in the subject. This book taught me everything I need to know in a very short time. Excellent photos and examples. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Jan Foulke's Guide to Dolls: A Definitive Identification and Price Guide (Jan Foulke's Guide to Dolls).

1. Whether you have an antique china head doll or a vintage GI Joe, this Guide to Dolls is an identification and price guide that's worth having. It seems to replace the Blue Book of Doll Values that Jan Foulke has become known for. (Her last Blue Book was the 16th edition.)However, don't let the name of the book fool you, it is just as comprehensive as the Blue Books and is still packed with a lot of photos to help you identify your existing dolls (or those you may be considering purchasing). The first few pages cover doll collecting in general -- what to look for. Ms. Foulke then provides a few brief suggestions for buying and selling dolls at auction before getting into the meat of the book--the price guide.
   
   The book lists dolls by manufacturer and by mold number in case that's all you have to go by. Each doll or type of doll includes a reported price or price range for a doll in good condition.
   
   Whether you are an avid doll collector or someone just trying to clean out the attic, you may want Jan Foulke at your side before buying or selling your dolls.



2. 
   I was very pleased with Jan Foulk's latest book, "A Guide To Dolls", her first identification and price guide since the last Blue Book she and her husband edited. She is so talented, and our Doll Club, locally, always looked forward to the Blue Books. I have them all in my library.
   
   Also, I am so pleased we have Amazon to help in our searches on any subject.



3. Each author and each doll book has a personality of its own....... I found this specific book very helpful, very realistic, and prices and values leaning a bit towards the lower range value in many cases, which is a good thing... I recommend this book. My sister is now rapidly becoming a doll collector and has a good eye for quality dolls.. She will find this book very helpful and will be surprised at Christmas when she opens this gift......... I also found new doll makers in this book mentioned.



4. A must have for collectors. Foulke is well-known in the doll world. This latest guide is clearly organized and contains information on a variety of collectible dolls.



5. Any collector who works with dolls knows there's a wealth of guides for specific types and brands on the market and not a few general guides, but JAN FOULKE'S GUIDE TO DOLLS is better than most: it packs in one of the most comprehensive coverages we've seen, including an antique and modern section of details, covering composition and factors influencing collectible prices, and including histories and even doll clothing prices. It's billed as a 'definitive collection and price guide' and doesn't miss its mark, packing in the details essential to proper pricing and identification.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

No comments about Washington Quarter Folder 1948-1964 (Official Whitman Coin Folder).