5 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll 2008: Identification & Values (Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Collector's Editions).

1. if you want to buy dolls you need to know what you are doing especially here on Amazon where some of the Barbie prices are three times what they should be . so you need advice from an expert who isn't trying to run prices up on his own stuff he has for sale. Michael is both expert and honest. You can't hope for better than that!



2. I just love this book! everything is great....
   I love looking at all the dolls.......



3. I found this book to be very helpful in that I have a BARBIE COLLECTION and needed to find out the value of my 200+ collection for insurance. Although not all of my dolls were in this book I still found many of the values that I needed.
   Great value for the money spent



4. J. Michael Augustyniak's COLLECTOR'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BARBIE DOLL COLLECTOR'S EDITIONS 2008 is a 'must' for any Barbie collector or any collection catering to doll collectors. It packs its pages with the latest values and updated color photos, including descriptions, notes on special collections and Barbie attributes, and more. If only one Barbie doll collector's comprehensive reference were acquired for a general lending library, it should be this one.



5. This is a collector only. Its not a price guide for all Barbie's ever made, like it makes you think.

4 comments about Masters: Gemstones: Major Works by Leading Jewelers (Masters).

1. If you LOVE looking at jewelry, the editors of this book have done a fine job of curating a remarkable collection of work. The pictures are clear and close enough to see the smallest granule, some of the work featured in this book is truly jaw dropping. I love this book.



2. as a jewelry designer and craftsperson I was very impressed by the variety and quality work of my peers in this publication. Great book to have



3. Good representational body of work for 20 contemporary jewelers. Excellent photography. Decent commentary. Multiple mis-identification of gems. Many excellent ground-breaking jewelers omitted.



4. This book is incredible! It follows the same format as the lark 500 series - but with more! There are profiles of the masters showcased in this book with info about them, thier work, sometimes how they got started etc. Then this is followed by a selection of pages of thier work. Its beautifully done and its inspiring to the very last detail. This is not a project book. Its a gallery of masters, as its title implies, and its inspiring for jewellers, collectors and anyone interested in jewellery. It focuses, obviously, on gemstone use - but this doesn't restrict it to one type of jewellery - there are incredible examples of metalwork, mixed media, gem carving, setting etc. Its just beautiful. I'm blown away by it. It arrived a few days ago and I still can't put it down. Been carrying it around with me! If you like the 500 series, any of them, one of them or all of them, I feel sure that you will love this book. Its very well done and a lot more effort has gone into this new "masters" series that lark are planning to do more of (yey) than with the general 500 series - which is just a call for submissions. This book has collected masters together and written about them and thier work some - so its insightful, especially to other jewellers/metalsmiths. I highly recommend it.

5 comments about Collecting Costume Jewelry 202: The Basics of Dating Jewelry.

1. In "Collecting Costume Jewelry 101", Julia Carroll provided a guide to the main makers of (American) designer costume jewellery, which would allow a beginner to get some idea of what is on offer before going out into the market. In the sequel to this book, "Costume Jewelry 202", Carroll starts by assuming that her readers have already started their costume jewellery collections and then proceeds to give advice on how to date this jewellery.
   
   According to Carroll, there are six main methods of dating costume jewellery: using the maker's mark; using patent information; by reviewing vintage advertisements; by the style or design of the piece; by using books and the internet; and by provenance. Carroll then provides as much of this information as possible to her readers to allow them to date their own jewellery using these methods. For each of the major designers whom Carroll has selected (and there are a lot of them), she provides tables of patent numbers and descriptions, pictures of vintage advertisements, tables of maker's marks and information on style. Much of this information I have not seen in any other book. Extra space is devoted to Coro, Vendome and Trifari jewellery. Readers of "Costume Jewelry 101" will recall that in this book Carroll recommended that beginners start by collecting jewellery by Coro, Kramer, Trifari and Weiss, so this is somewhat consistent with that. Although, I feel that she should have also devoted extra space to Kramer and Weiss jewellery to be fully consistent.
   
   As with the previous book, this book is filled with numerous colour photographs of the jewellery, with 2007 values given for each piece. Please note that this book focuses on dating costume jewellery produced between 1935 and 1980, so if you are interested in dating jewellery that is either earlier or later that this, this book may prove inadequate.



2. This was a wonderfully informative book with information that dozens of other books on this subject do not cover.



3. This book held my attention for days (not just hours!) because it took hours just to get through it --- which I still haven't!! It is a must for anybody who loves jewelry the way I do. It is a must for the true collector. The photos are fantastic! Enjoy!



4. This is one of the better jewelry books around. I had a copy and gave it to my sister who is learning about jewelry. Then I bought another copy to replace it. It is chock full of jewelry manufacturer information as well as patents. Perfect for researching jewelry. This book will become dog-earred just like my first one-I use it that much.



5. The way this book is set up is not useful to me. Interesting but non-functional.

5 comments about Greenberg's Guides Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 2008 (Greenberg's Pocket Price Guide Lionel Trains).

1. An excellent publication. I've used this book over the years and always get the latest update for the information it contains.



2. Very happy with the quick delivery, I paid for that! But disappointed in the binding of the guide. The first 57 pages were cut that you could not read the entire page. Prices were cut or model numbers.



3. The item was a gift and the receiver found it very useful for his train collection.



4. When it comes to concise and easy to use price guides to Lionel Trains I have always found Greenberg's Guides to be invaluable. It breaks the catalogue numbers down into eras or distinct ranges of years of production and lists price ranges based on condition in a very orderly fashion. If you sell or buy on eBay this is a valuable tool. Greenberg's Lionel Trains Guides and publications are all first rate and come highly recommended.



5. Greenberg's Guides Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 2008 (Greenberg's Pocket Price Guide Lionel Trains)
   
   This is the ultimate guide for pricing Lionel trains.

5 comments about Anchor Hocking's Fire-King & More: Identification & Value Guide, Including Early American Prescut And Wexford (Anchor Hocking's Fire-King and More).

1. Nice pictures that is about it. Some pricing information, pages away from items, very confusing. Could not even find pricing on some items. As a collector, way too much time spent looking things up and looking for pricing. Very frustrating, personally would not recommend this book.



2. The book has a lot of beautiful pictures.It is a good book to know about Fire King items, however I found the price on the book is lower than the one that I see at antique stores these days.



3. This book was very informative. It has wonderful pictures and is a must for any Fire King collector.



4. I recently started collecting Jadite. I found this book to be a valuable resource. Great photos. Good price guide and full of valuable information.



5. This is a great resource for any new collector of Anchor Hocking. I find myself fasinated with this book and it's contents.

5 comments about The Art of Juliana Jewelry.

1. This delightful book is a joy to read, as well as a feast for the eyes of the most beautiful rhinestone jewelry created by William DeLizza and Harold Elster. The creativity and design of the jewelry is amazing, as well as the wonderful combination of colors, and variety of stones. Each piece is truly a work of art. Their jewelry from 1947 - 1967 bore no markings. From 1967 - 1990 the pieces were given a hang tag with the "Juliana" name on it, most of them have been removed over the years. Therefore it is important to understand the usual construction of their jewelry to help identify their pieces.



2. This is a true stunning and elegant depiction of the beautiful Juliana Jewelry. The colors and design show the true appreciation of the style. The opulence of each and every piece is truly remarkable. If you enjoy beauty and design you will enjoy perusing this lovely book. As an artist I can see myself just admiring the color and composition. It is to Ms. Musetti's credit that the lavishness and boldness of every piece is depicted in such an inviting way. You will not only appreciate the jewelry but the passion that exudes from these pages. It is truly a wonderful and welcome addition to anyone's home.



3. Katerina Musetti's wonderful gift to us, The Art of Juliana Jewelry, is by far the best and most beautiful book on Juliana Jewelry making I've yet to discover. The exquisite pictures alone speak volumes for the artistry and passion of her jewelry making. Simply gazing at the spectacular constellations of color and beaded form are enough to transport even the most modest admirer to new heights of inspiration. It is no exaggeration to say that my breath was taken away by the sheer loveliness and beauty of jewelry so beautifully photographed in this book. Still, the book does not stop there. Ms. Musetti and Frank Delizza unselfishly pull back the curtain to reveal the greatest details of construction and form. They not only provide intricate and precise instructions on the jewelry's fabrication but provide yet more useful photographs of the jewelry's backs. They truly share all the secrets for success in this wonderful book. I wish I'd had this book years ago. I not only found it informative in my own crafting but deeply helpful in identifying and evaluating pieces I plan to purchase. This is a must have book for the creator and admirer alike.



4. This book is truly amazing! The photographs are outstanding, not to mention the wonderful information provided on Juliana jewelry. It was wonderful to see a book that displayed this jewelry so beautifully. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves the gorgeous glitzy jewelry made by DeLizza & Elster. Thank you so much, Ms. Musetti, this will be one of my most treasured jewelry books that I know I will use over and over again!



5. What a gorgeous book! It is simply spectacular. The color photographs of incredilble Juliana jewels are enough to turn anyone into a collector. I had a difficult time picking a favorite because they were all so beautiful. Ms. Musetti clearly knows her subject and the information included in this book is comprehensive and well organized. There are 21 chapters in this book including how to identify Juliana jewelry, dating, repair and restoration, the history of the designers, and storage and care. But it is the pictures which will delight the casual and serious collector. The quality of the photographs is excellent. The cover is an eye-popping pink to die for. Photographs of women wearing the actual jewlery, including Ms. Musetti and Renata Tebaldi in perfomance, are a special treat. I highly recommend this book; it is a book you will open again and again.

5 comments about Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the Eighteenth Century (Metropolitan Museum of Art).

1. An incredible array of beautiful photography with amazing detail. Along with the exquisite clothing, we're shown some wonderful pieces of furniture and how they both worked for or against you in society. Recommended for all interested in the 18th century,fashion history, and wonderful photography.



2. This book is a great resource for the Rococo period. Seeing the actual garments on mannequins in situ is lovely. I also like the supporting portraits, prints and quotes.



3. This is a fabulous insight into 18th Century French society. As a costume designer, I found the inclusion of paintings from that period, intermixed with the museum settings to be of particular interest. The close-up photographs of details were also wonderful. The text was fascinating and very enjoyable reading. It's very often tempting to take things out of context according to one's own interests. This publication opens up an intricately woven world where fashion and furniture play an equally important role in the mores of a society.



4. When I'm looking for visual resourced books to help inspire my costuming I would have to say this one is one of my favorites on the shelf for 18th Century clothing.
   I like to have books that have heaps of historical content to help construct my costumes but I also value the 'picture books' to help the creative/visual aspect of desgining costumes! This is one of those :)



5. Great text and pictures. I only wish there were more details of the fashion.

3 comments about Women, Art, and Society (World of Art).

1. I was very pleased to see the GREAT condition that this book was in. It looked BRAND NEW. Thank you for the great product at such a low price!



2. The information in this book should be in every Art History 101 text book, but unfortunately it isn't! It does read like a good text book and there are lots of illustrations (although there could be lots more). Chadwick is in expert in her field. Anyone interested in Art History should know what this book covers...



3. This book does conatain some truly valuable information, unfortunately it is also full of so much useless information that you become completely overwhelmed.

5 comments about 2008 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901-2000 (Standard Catalog of World Coins).

1. I ORDERED A "USED" BOOK (I YEAR OLD) ON COINS OF THE WORLD AND IT MORE THAN SUIT MY NEEDS...BY ORDERING A USED BOOK, I PROBABLY SAVED AT LEAST 90% OFF THE NEWEST EDITION...BY SUBSTITUING NEWER VALUES, ONE CAN GET A PRETTY GOOD IDEA WITHOUT A NEWER BOOK...THANKS



2. The paper quality is very low and papers are very thin so the print images are not clear like they should be... Cheap high-quantity production obviously. Telephone books are better...



3. The 2008 Standard Catalog of World Coins has everything that any coin dealer or collector could want. This edition covers the era from 1901 - 2000 and includes all legal tender regular and commemorative issues of almost all countries and territories.
   An invaluable resource for anyone interested in selling, buying or collecting coins from any country in the world. I utilize my copy almost each and every day.



4. Very good book for reference. Has all the coins in it with actual sizes of the coins for easy reference.



5. Probably the best on world coins, and rather comprehensive. However, it takes some getting used to the cataloging system, and not all coins are listed per country, especially some commemorative coins are missing.

5 comments about Collector's Guide to Pez: Identification and Price Guide, 3rd Edition.

1. Shawn Peterson's Collector's Guide to Pez is filled with useful information on prices and availability of almost every Pez dispenser ever made. Along with wonderful, colorful photos and great details, Peterson has included great information for both beginning and advanced collectors of Pez products. His information on convention, collectors groups, and bargain hunting are particularly useful as a resource. In a hobby as fun and varied as Pez collectiong is, a great tool is needed. Peterson's text is the Bible for lovers of Pez both young and old. This is the only book you need whether you are a new collector or an old pro. It is definetly worth the money and will be a great addition to your growing Pez collection.



2. Many people like myself collect Pez dispensers. It is a wonderful hobby to have because it is virtually impossible to find every variation of every dispenser there is. Sometimes there are many different variations of a single dispenser, for example the colors that were made. This is where this guide comes in handy. In here you will find colorful pictures of almost every known dispenser made, along with pictures of some different variations. This helps you know what you are looking for when you want a certain dispenser. Listed also are estimated values of the dispensers, which is also helpful in giving you an idea of what that certain dispenser will cost you normally. Also pictured in this book are different inserts from the packages, different displays that were available, different flavor packs that have been packaged with the dispensers and even Pez with unique or foreign packaging. This is a great book for collectors and even those who are a little interested in Pez dispensers. The pictures and information make it easier to know what you are looking for, so if you are looking to collect Pez I recommend this guide as it will be a big help to you.



3. Although it's not a highly competitive category, this book takes the top spot in Pez guides.
   Being the newest, it has the most up to date pictures, prices and products.
   The extended section on candy packs, and Pez paper products/inserts is helpful, as other books lacked in that departement.
   Overall it's a solid price and picture book, with accurate estimates and such. It's the best of what's out there, so it's worth a shot.



4. Being a personal friend of Shawn Peterson would probably leave you with the notion that I have a biased opinion. Having known him for a number of years and knowing his passion for collecting PEZ, I assure you that a significant amount of time, effort, and research went into this book. In reading a couple of, what I feel are unwarranted, negative reviews of this book I'd wholeheartedly disagree with their assessment. This is an outstanding book of reference with excellent photography and informative narrative. I recommend it to anyone in the hobby, or anyone simply wanting to reflect back to their childhood and reminiscing about a much simpler time in life. He's done an outstanding job in assembling an historic perspective of the company, rare and unusual dispensers, as well as common variety and new offerings. Buy with confidence and enjoy!



5. Buy something else with your hard earned money,my friend.I have been involved with Pez since the 50's and I am tired of the constant profiteering.Ed Haas must be turning over in his grave,my friend.