2 comments about Contemporary American Doll Artists and Their Dolls.

1. Kathy Witt knows dolls! Her pedigree in the world of writing about dolls and their artists speaks for itself. This book is a wonderful example of how an interest that might seem narrow can be broadened for the masses. I enjoy dolls, but I've never been a collector. However, I've always enjoyed READING about dolls and their histories, and who designs them. Previously, I paid more attention to antique dolls, but CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN DOLL ARTISTS AND THEIR DOLLS opened a window on what's going on in the doll world today. This book is a beautiful addition to any doll lovers' collection! Excellent job, Ms. Witt.



2. I felt like I really knew the 25 doll artists in this book after reading their profiles. I enjoyed learning how Jamie Williamson began making polymer clay dolls, where Monica Reo gets her inspiration and why Anna Puchaliski favors making dolls that are a bit on the "dark side." The September 11 chapter was beautifully and sensitively written. Be prepared to shed some tears when reading the profiles on Karen Williams Smith and Kim Jelley in this chapter. This book is a must have for any doll lover.

2 comments about Collecting and Investing Strategies for Walking Liberty Half Dollars (Strategy Guide Series).

1. This is a real handy book to have. It is filled with improtant information and facts that any collector of the walking liberty half dollar will like. It is a little more geared towards the high end buyer but there is still pleanty of information for the rest of the collectors. For the guys that are getting ready to make an investment in this coin this is your book. If you collect this coin at all or want to get started then this is the book for you.



2. The Walking Liberty Half Dollar is a work of art from the United States mint. "Walking Liberty Half Dollars" is a complete and comprehensive guide for coin collectors looking to focus their collection around this charming piece. Examining every detail of the coin such as luster, auctions, and how many are left in today's circulation, "Walking Liberty Half Dollars" is a top pick for hobbyists and for community library collections seeking their patronage.

2 comments about Van Patten's ABC's of Collecting Nippon Porcelain: Identification and Values.

1. I bought this book to help me value a number of Nippon items I had in my inventory. If that is what you are looking for, find another book. I believe the cheapest item I found in the book was for $100, and most were well above the $500 level, in fact, many in the $1000's. I know my items are not worth anywhere close to this! Apparently the author chose to picture only the most expensive items.
   
   This is an informative book, however. The opening is history, culture, and FAQ's. It has an EXTENSIVE list of backmarks, and points out numerous fake markings with very good line drawings showing the differences. There is a full chapter picturing pieces that are fake, reproduction, or fantasy pieces. Unfortunately, no prices for these pieces, which would have been helpful as long as they are pictured.
   
   The rest is a lavishly pictured run through the ABC's of possible items, for example, Bird scenes, black collectibles, children's items, dolls, hunt scenes, etc. Pictures generally show individual items, with prices underneath -(convenient). However, as beautiful as the pictures are, they show only a tiny smattering of the possible designs or items availble under each category. Thus, a great book showing the beauty of especially the top end of Nippon items, but not functional for identifying and pricing the majority of items you probably have in your possession.
   
   An informative book introducing Nippon and some gorgeous pictures. For pricing your collection, you'll have to find other sources.



2. It was what we were looking for and met our expectations

2 comments about Eighteenth-Century French Fashions in Full Color.

1. A lovely collection of 64 period fashion plates from Galerie des Modes. The plates cover the years from 1778-1787 and give a good representation of French high fashion in the years leading up to the French Revolution. The plates include court gowns, undress gowns, stays, day ensembles, riding habits, children's frocks and more. Complete with translated descriptions of each outfit and a decent glossary of terms.
   
   Drool-worthy does not begin to describe in the goodies contained within. This lovely and inexpensive resource is a must for anyone interested in late century fashions. Get one for research and one to take apart and frame for your sewing room walls.



2. Stella Blum has selected plates of 18th century fashion from the Metropolitan Museum's collection and reproduced them here in full colour.

   You certinally don't get all the plates produced in the 18th century but what you get is a helpful and representitive selection. This is one of the few books where you can see actual colour plates all reproduced in a sequence like this.

   If you have any interest in 18th french fashion this book is both [inexpensive] and invaluable.

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

1. 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



2. 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.



3. 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



4. 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 Antique Trader Collectible Paperback Price Guide (Antique Trader).

5 comments about Costume Through the Ages: Over 1400 Illustrations.

1. This was purchased as a gift for my 11-year-old granddaughter who is very interested in historic costumes. She immediately, on Christmas day, sharpened the special hard-lead colored pencils I bought to go with it and proceeded to submerge herself in the detailed illustrations. Seemed like a successful gift to me.



2. I love to use this book as a quick visual reference while working on shows. When helping a customer, or explaining something to an assistant at our shop, this book is the easiest way to do so. It is so great to have a book where I can flip to a certain date, and have pages full of pictures grouped together to show someone what exactly I am thinking of. We have to work at a fast pace, and this book saves me lots of valuable time.



3. They say up front that they (the authors) purposely did not put in any writing to as not to sway our view of the clothing. Alas, that means if one does not know period clothing from LOTS of different periods, one will not be able to identify items. Still, lovely drawings. It will make a fine adult coloring book! (Yes, I'm serious) :-)



4. This book consisted of black and white 2D scetches that lacked any real depth or detail. They are basic and generalised in presenting each period and contain nothing new that you would not have already seen or known about that decade.
   I do not recommend it to anyone who has a intrest in costume or design, but think it would be better suited as a childrens colouring in book.
   Don't waste your money.



5. This is quite simply a fabulous book, and a very useful one too! I am an author who writes historical novels, and when I need to know what the characters I'm writing about would have been wearing in any given year from antiquity through to modern times (1930s), I turn to this book. Fortunately, it's not cluttered with text, but merely contains drawings, pure and simple and straighforward. It's the quickest, most accurate reference book I own, aside from my dictionary, of course.
   
   My only qualm is that it doesn't contain anything about undergarments, such as bustles, knickers, petticoats, crinolines or girdles. But then, the pictures in this book are sourced from historical paintings, sculptures, mosaics, illuminated manuscripts and so forth, which probably never showed such things, as they might have been considered indecent or irrelevant. (I suppose not too many people throughout history wanted to be painted in their underwear!)
   
   If you're a writer, an arts student, a costume designer or just someone who has an interest in the history of fashion, I would highly recommend this book to you.

2 comments about Chinese Furniture: A Guide to Collecting Antiques.

1. For those interested in learning about Chinese furniture, this is a very useful book. It is well written and illustrated and gives a good over-all survey of the field. It isn't written for experts, but for the "lay" person who wants to know something about the field either for personal interest or because he/she is beginning to collect.



2. Hi,
   Have not yet recieved the book from Amazon com. It was ordered 11/22 2006. Date today is 01/09. Maybe the delivery from Amazon to Sweden is not working??

No comments about Antique Trader Radio & Television Price Guide.

4 comments about Spirit of the Wild.

1. This is a great book. Everyone should own it, and then give one as a gift. Beautiful photos!



2. Yes this book has the most amazing photography, but it is about much, much more than just great photography. I truly believe that EVERYONE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD should read this book. Everyone who reads this book will get something different out of it. It encourages us to stop and think. It helps us to see the true reasons for existence. It removes all the superficial trappings that we get caught up in on a daily basis and shows us and nature as we really are... or perhaps as we have become and as we should have been. It makes us stop, think and reassess our values and our purpose. It simplifies life by focusing on the small things which are, in truth, the great things. It helps make us see that we really are just running around chasing our tails and slowly spiraling out of control. It shows us that we are missing the point if existence... of just 'being' sometimes and of 'contributing and enhancing' rather than 'taking'.



3. I discovered this fantastic photographer on an outdoor exhibition in Stockholm. The large scale pictures of beautiful animals in wonderful poses affected me so much that I immediately went home and ordered this book. Though the pictures in the book are much smaller then those outdoors, they are still amazing and express the talent of Steve Bloom. I must say though, that some of my favourite pictures from the exhibition are unfortunately not included in this book and that lowers the grade.



4. Steve Bloom is by far one of the best animal photographers! The pictures he captures are incredible. Spirit of the Wild is a great (though small) collection of awesome pictures. The pictures and pages in the book are all high quality. Well worth the money.