2 comments about Complicated Watches and Their Repair.

1. I don't agree with the last review. This book has to be viewed as a complement, a second volume, to Practical Watch Repairing of the same author. You have to read the first book to fully understand it. If you look at this book as a second volume of the classic Practical Watch Repairing, it deserves 4 stars. It does not cover new automatic movements from the 70s and 80s, but every automatic system used by the industry is documented. Well, if you can repair an ETA or Omega from the 50s or 60s, you can repair a movement from the 80s and 90s. That's my point of view.



2. Not a very up to date book on watch repair. There are also very few pictures/diagrams available. For those wanting to buy a book about watch repair at a beginners level, I'd suggest you look elsewhere.

5 comments about McKeown's Price Guide To Antique & Classic Cameras 2005-2006 (Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras).

1. This is a great book, the best about cameras. You can find almost any camera in it, with lots of pictures(b&w)and the orientative prices in dollars and many of them in euros too. It is a must-have book for any camera collector.



2. This is great! It has more information than you could ever want in it. Great reference for camera lovers everywhere!



3. If you have some old, vintage and classic Cameras, This book (ALL WHAT YOU WANT) to start.. [Highly Recommended]



4. This book has awesome coverage of makes and models although the amount of information given of a particular classic (e.g., Hasselblad) seems thin. I guess I'm saying an encyclopedia is needed.



5. McKeowan's Guide since its first issue has been, and still is, a fantastic tome which is a must for every camera collector. I was astounded many years ago when visiting Leningrad to see that a camera vendor selling old Russian cameras from a small table on the pavement had made a full photocopy for his use! To me it is the best catalogue of cameras ever published and I will continue to buy each update as they become available.

3 comments about Men's Fashion Illustrations from the Turn of the Century (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. This must be one of the most extraordinary publications on men's dress history available even if it only covers the Edwardian period in American. The sheer imaginative depth displayed in the subtle details is quite stunning. The illustrations were intended for use by customers to show to his tailor to draught a pattern off them. As a result, details of construction are shown, usually from front and back.
   
   Sack Suits: Differing from the British lounge suits by the lack of a dart in the coat, they were starting to gain widespread acceptance as business wear in this period. The rather conservative illustrators takes pains to show them being worn only at the seaside and country resort. Striking variations in the cut are shown, often much more daring and tastefully imaginative than anything seen today.
   
   Cutaway Coats: Every conceivable variation of them is shown as a more stylish town wear, although it was still being worn as a more informal alternative to frock coats which were the standard form of daytime 'full dress' for the period.
   
   Full Dress: in the form of evening dress coats as well as frock coats for daytime wear are all displayed. Fascinating variations such as casual frock coats with check/plaid fabrics are on display along with tail coats with shawl lapels - fascinating if you know anything about men's dress.
   
   Overcoats: Some of the cuts shown are truly stunning to behold for sporty day wear, day time full dress and evening full dress. The most fascinating thing is the profusion of overcoats cut with a waist seam including overfrocks, as well as variations on the Ulster overcoat and Inverness cape.
   
   Footwear: even this is shown in some detail. Button boots are ubiquitous as are the occasional pair of Oxford boot, and riding boots in the country equestrian scenes.
   
   Accessories: cravat, ties, cravat pins, hats, riding accessories, as well as walking sticks are all shown - each example a shining example of how a well presented Edwardian dandy would dress.
   
   This is a treasure trove for anyone with an interest in dress history or Edwardian/ late Victorian period costume, but it is more than that for the dashing cuts of many coats make the cuts of modern menswear seem dreadfully uninspired and mass-produced by comparison. Any tailor will tell you that the level of skill required to realise some of the more difficult styles is extremely high.



2. Anyone who does costuming knows that there are plenty of pictorial resources for women, primarily drawn form Harper's Bazaar. What has been lacking is a comparable resource for men. This book fills that need nicely.
   
   Since these are period illustrations, they show not only the main articles of clothing, but also good detail of accessories, such as shoes, stickpins, collars and cuffs, hats and canes. The style is fairly realistic, with a wide variety of clothing types, from formal to casual. Since the poses are intended to be natural, they are more useful that period photos, which are frequently only of formal wear, and always stifly posed.
   
   The only thing that keeps this from being a perfect resource is that these are drawings, and may not exactly reflect actual colors and clothing details (showing construction and finish). They do an admirable job of showing fabric patterns and finishes, however, and is the most useful refernce work for this subject that I've found.



3. What would designers and collectors ever do without Dover Publications? This book is a little gem for costumers because it consists of "repro" fashion plates that are very rich in visual information. The plates are of Edwardian gentlemen modelling all the appropriate clothing for conducting business, strolling, motoring, and even cycling. Also included are overcoats and formal dress. Best of all, because the illustrations were originally intended as an aid to tailors, they clearly show such details of construction as pocket placement, lapel styles, pleats, and darts. Furthermore, the outfits are accessorized impeccably with ties, gloves, hats, collars and even canes. Although it covers a rather brief period in men's fashion (1900-1910) and depicts only the most affluent men of the time, this book could be a great resource for a costume designer, costume shop, or fashion enthusiast. And since in my estimation books on menswear are rather scarce, it is all the more valuable. Don't pass it up.

2 comments about Aurora Slot Cars (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This book delivers exactly what it promised. It could have a little bit more information since it was similar to a reproduction with updates of a book from the 70s.



2. I use to buy all the Graham's books and I'm always very satisfied. Great pictures,many interesting details about the firm and the models,so I can state that he is the best writer of models book and this book too desereve great interest from ani model collector.
   Roberto Ruggeri

5 comments about Crystal Stemware Identification Guide.

1. This is a very nice book for identifying crystal glassware. I like the black and white drawings of the glasses, because it makes it easier to see the pattern. I just wish it had values.



2. I purchased this book based on the reviews that were published. I thought they would also have ways to identify different crystal company signatures. I was just expecting more than a picture guidebook.



3. I think the book is good in the sense it has a lot of pictures even though they are not in color they are still clear enough to make out the pattern. Besides, most stemware is clear anyhow. The stick figure patterns are also helpful for some of the harder to find items and besides they do give a written description as well. I recommend it as a must have. home-of-china



4. I thought this would be a great addition to my library as I enjoy stemware and was very disappointed that most of the "images" are just line drawings and there is no history of lines or anything. I couldn't even find my stemware in the listings and I have several old sets that I have bought over the years. Stick with Gene Florence if you want a really good book on identification. Very lackluster!



5. Lots and lots of phots and makers. Very good even has unknown photos.Worth the money for a glass person

2 comments about Queen Mary's Dolls' House: Official Guidebook.

1. For the builders of dollhouses as hobby, it's a must to read this book and to discover what can be done.



2. I must tell the reader that I have never seen the actual doll house, nor have I seen the other catalogs, so I cannot compare them, but this is a fascinating book. It is hard to believe that one is actually looking at miniatures, the detail is so fantastic! In some ways, this is probably better than, or at least a wonderful supplement to seeing the original. Tiny things are photographed in a detail that may not be possible in viewing it, and one can linger as I imagine one cannot at the real exhibit. The text explains that one views the actual dollhouse in cross-section, one side at a time. This book is organized more as if one was walking through the house, beginning with the Entrance Hall on the Ground floor and then climbing to the top.
   
   The book has close to 90 photographs, almost all of them in color. The ones not in color are mostly historic. There is a floor plan, and a lengthy introduction explaining the history of creating the house.
   
   A marvelous book that should interest anyone who likes dollhouses and home decor.
   
   I was so enchanted by this book that I ordered Queen Mary's Dolls' House by Mary Stewart-Wilson simply because the cover shot isn't in this book, and I figured (correctly) that there would be other unique pictures. A very few of the shots are in both, but not enough to make them redundant for the person who wants all the information they can get. To compare and contrast the two, the Mary Stewart-Wilson book, with photographs by David Cripps, is longer, has more pictures, particularly more closeups of the tiny furnishings, etc., and is a hardcover. I am charmed by Cripp's method of showing scale: he poses the tiny cricket bat next to a regulation cricket ball, and the little golf clubs next to a real golf ball. Without considering price and availability (the S-W book is currently out of print) I would say that it is the better book. If you just want something to jog your memory or give you an idea of what the house is like, either would be adequate. If you are really interested, I'd recommend both: I think the Royal Collection book is a pretty good buy. I'm certainly not considering giving up my RC book now that I have the S-W. This book frequently shoots the rooms at an angle, giving one another view. I actually think the angled shot maintain the illusion better. To compare the shots of the Queen's bedroom, the Stewart-Wilson shot shows the entire bedroom. The Royal Collection shot, at an angle , reveals some additional details such as the fire screen and the chinoiserie cabinet, but cuts off the exteme left-hand side of the room. (Her Majesty has apparently been rearranging her decorative items since the S-W book.) Parts of many of the other rooms are cut off as well, but at times the view of what is shown is better. The S-W detail of the 18th century pietre-dure table concentrates on showing the design on the top. The RC detail shows more of the table and the objects normally on it. The historical sections, revealing how the house came to be built are the most different, and the RC book has more pictures of people who participated in creating the doll house and of the room in which it now sits with the Phillip Connard mural. The captions are overlapping, but not identical, and so one gains more information by having both.

1 comments about Zenith Radio, The Glory Years, 1936-1945: History and Products (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. I have to start by saying I have been a collector of antique radios for over 25 years, so this book is right up my alley.
   
   I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Harold Cones at a radio swap meet several years ago, and heard a talk about the research that went into this series of books on Zenith.
   
   Zenith radios are some of the most collectable antique radios. From the radio made famous (and expensive) by the Walton's Television series, to the more common table radios, and the large console radios with the big black dials and funny green "Magic Eye" tubes. This is from an era where worldwide communication was not instantaneous, and television was but a dream.
   
   These authors had the opportunity to go through the archives of the Zenith Radio company prior to its dissolution. Zenith was the last American radio and televison manufacturer. It was eventually purchased by LG Electronics of Hong Kong.
   
   The radios of the mid to late thirties seems to be the culmination of both the woodworking art and the art of hand made electronics. This book focuses on the story behind the company and the people who designed and made the radios.
   
   There are some beautiful photographs of many of the Zenith radios made during this period. Each photograph is accompanied by a rarity value and an estimated value range. The photography is exceptional.
   
   In addition, the book has many reproductions of advertisements of the time, and many other documents that give insight to the company during this ten year period.
   
   One section that I found very interesting was composed of several drawings of possible designs for radios that were never made. These were provided by the family of the designer (Mr Budlong), and I see these designs from the early 40's look like the designs of the late 50's and early 60's, indicating that he was way ahead of his time.
   
   All in all, this is a great book for anyone who has ever had or still has a Zenith radio, or is just interested in the story of a great American company that has since faded into history.

2 comments about Standard Catalog Of Ducati Motorcycles 1946-2005.

1. This book is full of information and is a great reference for anyone who loves Ducati or restores them. All bikes to 2005 are covered. Great pictures! Would love a hard cover edition.



2. Very well written; I have several books by Falloon and enjoy them all. Great pictures and interesting data. Some of the tables are a little hard to decipher, but with time and patience it can be done. I would recommend this book to any Ducatisti or Ducatista and any follower of Falloon. Great service from the Book Rack also.

5 comments about Fine Indian Jewelry of the Southwest: The Millicent Rogers Museum Collection.

1. Nice read about a very interesting woman and her exceptional collection of Native American art. I look forward to viewing the collection next time I am in Taos.



2. If you like Indian Jewelry but can't get to the museum in Taos this is a great first book on the subject. If you do go to the Millicent Rodgers Museum, this is the book to help you savor that grand experience for many years to come. And it's a great reference work if you are contemplating investing in Zuni or Navajo jewelry.
   
   Wilford's Trading Post
   Gallup, New Mexico



3. This is a glorious book of Southwest Indian Jewelry with interesting info on Millicent Rogers, who herself was a work of art.
   
   A must-have for collectors of Southwest Indian Jewelry.



4. I HAVE ORDERED SEVERAL BOOKS FROM AMAZON AND THEY ARE EXPEDIENT AND HAVE A GOOD BOOKS AT A GREAT PRICE. AVAILABILITY GREAT. I WILL CONTINUE TO DO BUSINESS WITH AMAZON AND THEIR SERVICE. THANK YOU, BECKY DYER



5. Painstakingly compiled and with an expert, knowledgeable commentary by Shelby J. Tisdale, Fine Indian Jewelry Of The Southwest: The Millicent Rogers Museum Collection offers an impressively informative history and survey of the southwestern Native American jewelry that is represented in the collection of the Millicent Rogers Museum as the result of art patron and passionate collector Millicent Rogers who assembled a spectacular collection of Navajo and Zuni silver and turquoise, Hopi silverwork, and Pueblo stone and shell jewelry during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Of special interest is the chapter devoted to "The Origins of Indian Jewelry in the Southwest". Profusely illustrated and a very strongly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Native American Studies reference collections, Fine Indian Jewelry Of The Southwest is enhanced for scholars and non-specialist general readers alike with the inclusion of a glossary, references, and an index.

No comments about Gnomeland: An Introduction to the Little People.