No comments about Antique Trader Collectible Cookbooks Price Guide.

5 comments about 300 Years of Kitchen Collectibles.

1. Just received my second copy (replacement copy) of "300 Years of Kitchen Collectibles" and it also is missing pages 401-432 and has duplicate pages 433-464. That makes two books missing the same pages.
   Otherwise the book has a lot of information.



2. I bought this book about a year ago, I saw a lady using it at an auction bidding on kitchen items. The next day I ordered this book and it has been my guide ever since, with so many kitchen items out there, fakes and repros, it's good to have a helper to guide you thru a maze of online auctions and fleamarket finds.
   The description are accurate, there are plenty of pictures, the index and glossaries are very well organized, it also gives marks, how the items have changed over the years, who made them, where when and how they were used. I love it.



3. This is packrat Linda Campbell Franklin's fifth edition...for many good reasons!
   
   What first seems like a hodgepodge of items to a beginner-collector or student, has a certain logic or shorthand to those in the know, and to those getting acquainted with kitchen collectibles, it's an eye opening education! All sorts of pointers, reproduction alerts and historical notes are placed throughout the book, to avoid being duped by many fakes.
   
   Yes as one reviewer noted, there is scant information on items less than 75 years old, and that's just fine with me..these 890 pages are going to keep me interested and learning for quite a while! The little color section isn't terribly helpful...more smaller photos of items could have been placed in these expensive pages. Still for most of these mechanical items, color is not the key in identification. I'm just tickled to be able to recognize what a peculiar gadget is/was used for! So if someone realistically wants more black and white pictures/drawings, bring them on..and yes there could be sharper photos of some blurry items taken for better clarity in a future edition-it's not a problem for me!
   
   She lists many references for those seeking more information, and addresses to contact specialized collectors or clubs. Well worth the price of admission, alone!
   
   This is a delightful "must have" for the "kitchen curious" and beginning collectors!



4. Seldom is a reference book an entertaining read. Seldom is a good read easy to reference and find information quickly. This book does an excellent job of bridging both worlds. For the casual auction hound or dealer this book is invaluable.

   I liked the book so much I was wondering what to give my mother for mother's day. She's one of those people who either has everything she needs or goes and gets what she needs when she wants it. The idea of giving her this book struck me as a good one. Reluctantly I gave her my copy. She clearly has enjoyed it, she allows me to look at it when I'm visiting. She hasn't been willing to loan to me though.




5. The 300 years of Kitchen Collectibles is sorely lacking in information about the last 75 years of kitchen collectibles. The majority of the book covers what I would call primitive kitchen items. The photos are grainy and lack detail. If you have a kitchen item that you need to identify..this book might prove useful.

4 comments about Hot Wheels The Ultimate Redline Guide: Identification and Values 1968-1977 (Hot Wheels the Ultimate Redline Guide).

1. This is the very finest volume on the subject -- bar none. Each and every car has a one- or two-page listing, complete with description, history, variations, and values by color. Photos are large and lavish. Hot Wheels playsets, accessories, and collateral merchandise are covered as well. Plus, the book is published in a sturdy library binding. It's well worth the price. You will not need another book about Hot Wheels Redlines.



2. This book is huge! About 400 pages in full colour.Where do you start? Every model and every colour variation is shown in this book and it just brings your memories flooding back.I dont even remember half of these toys.Its all in here.Each model,each variation,gift sets and so much more.
   
   This has to be THE ultimate book on these series for sure!
   A huge book,superb quality and good value make this book a legend.To the authors who put this book together,you guys are champions! Thank you.



3. Finally!!! An accurate price guide for Redlines. Don't waste your money on Tomarts. This is the book you need!



4. This book is a must have for any serious Redline collector. It is a beautifully presented hardcover book of almost 400 pages; jam packed with photos, facts and figures for all Hot Wheels models from 1968 to 1977.
   
   Each model has its own page listing colours, variations and values for loose and packaged cars from Hong Kong and the USA. The book also has special sections on Gran Prix, Heavyweights, Sky Show, Spoilers, Carry Cases, Displays, Gift Sets, Playsets, Track Sets, Merchandise, Collector Buttons and more.
   
   I own the Tomart guide, the Schiffer guide and several others and none of them come close the detail and accuracy found in this book.
   
   In a word, "Indispensable!"

5 comments about Answers to Questions About Old Jewelry 1840-1950 (Answers to Questions About Old Jewelry).

1. Another GREAT book from this author! Wonderful pictures and information. This book has already helped me to buy and sell on eBay and has paid for itself. I have lots of jewelry books and this one is not a re-hash of other old books, as so many out there are. I am a very satisified and happy customer.



2. Yet another excellent jewellery book by C. Jeanenne Bell. This book is primarily a pictorial pricing guide to jewellery dating from 1840-1950, but the photos are interspersed with detailed pieces of information on topics such as jewellery makers, precious metals, imitation gemstones and the historical context of the jewellery, all of which are likely to be of value to most jewellery collectors.
   
   The main criticism I have of this book is that it is extremely cheaply produced. With the exception of two sets of color plates, the majority of the pictures in this book are in black and white. Furthermore, even though I always handle my books with extreme care, and my copy of this book is only about a year old, the color plates have started to come adrift from the binding. The index is also very brief and not detailed enough for my liking.
   
   This is an excellent book and would be a valuable addition to any jewellery library, but make sure you handle it with care.



3. Book was not put together very good. It was also very boring in alot of areas. The middle section that has pictures...fell completely out of the book and into my hands. Very bad binding job and cheaply made book. Would not recommend this book to anyone.



4. Didn't provide the type of information I was looking for but had some helpful hints.



5. I have serveral of J. Bell's books and I enjoy them all. This one is informative and I love the quality pictures.

1 comments about Jim Beam Figural Bottles: An Unauthorized Collector's Guide.

1. We have purchased previous editions of this book , and Molly Higgins is the best when it comes to the most complete Jim Beam Library. This book has really helped my husband and I to enjoy our favorite hobby of beam bottle collecting. Thanks to Molly Higgins we know exactly what we should be paying for a bottle. We also know when someone is trying to pull a fast one. Thanks again for a great book!

5 comments about Center-Draft Kerosene Lamps, 1884-1940: Identification and Value Guide.

1. Any kerosene lamp collector will need this reference book. The discount price just makes the book all the more worth getting.



2. J.W. Courter's CENTER-DRAFT KEROSENE LAMPS, 1884-1940 packs in black and white photos of lamps, along with values and in-depth discussions of manufacturers and production differences. Its chapters hold many keys to both value and makes and operational differences.



3. I found the book not only helpful in identification but also I had a good learning experience. It was very informative.



4. The previous review can be taken with a grain of salt. With a little research this reviewer would have found out that 99% of center-draft kerosene lamps are made of metal. And that the books by Catherine Thuro cover glass kerosene lamps.
   
   Also, note that this book does not cover Aladdin lamps manufactured by the Mantle Lamp company. These are covered in Courter's, Aladdin The Magic Name in Lamps.
   
   In Center-Draft Kerosene Lamps, Courter provides information on lamps made by dozens of companies. From the well known, i.e. Bradley and Hubbard, Edward Miller, Plume and Atwood, etc. to the obscure, Meriden Malleable Iron Company, S. Elwood May, etc.
   
   There is a history of each company with numerous picture of lamps. Actual lamps are shown and also pictures from old catalogs, trade magazines, newspaper ads, etc..
   
   Also illustrated are the lamp parts, with illustrations of burners, flame
   spreaders, wick raiser knobs, oil fill covers, etc. Courter provides patent numbers and dates for these items. He also list the original finishes for the lamp. All valuable information if you are trying to determine if a lamp is authentic, or one that somebody stripped the finish from so it looks shiny, or one that is a hodge podge of borrowed parts.
   
   Finally, Courter provides average prices for many of the lamps.
   
   A great book.



5. I was very disappointed to find that there were very few examples of glass depression lamps. The book was comprised mainly of lamps that were made with metal. I have a large pink depression lamp that I was hoping to identify. The book was of no use in my search and contained just a few glass examples.

5 comments about Luckey's Hummel Figurines and Plates: Identification and Price Guide (12th Edition).

1. These prices are not only inflated, they are downright lies. It's as if they didn't take the internet into account at all! The only redeeming quality of this guide is that it helps you identify the names and the pics are nice, but as i found out, nearly all the information you need is already located on the bottom of your hummel. If you want truth, do some completed auction research on ebay or contact a site like vintagerarestuff. google it :-) You may not like what you'll hear, but at least you will know what you will get for your item and what you can count on! My advice? Save your money and contact someone who will tell you the truth.



2. This book is very helpful if you are buying or wanting to know the retail price of a hummel or if there are any markings you should be looking for. Luckey's does give some extra information on some hummels that Miller doesn't have in his book. One thing that would be helpful is to have color pictures of the figurines since many times a figurine's color determines it's age.



3. This book holds all the information any collector will need. I found it to be very useful.



4. I was hesitant to purchase Luckey's 12th Edition Price Guide because I have always relied on Robert L. Miller's No. 1 Price Guide in the past. However, curiosity got the better of me and I'm glad it did. It's a great reference, and a very good companion to Miller's guide. The main advantage Miller's 10th Edition No. 1 Price Guide has is all figurines are now shown in color... but the images are smaller than in previous editions. Since Luckey's guide (updated by Dean Genth) is presented in a larger format, it has larger images and text, which makes it easier to read. It also displays more images of the older trademark figurines to show the differences between the older figurines and their current production versions a bit better. This was important to me because I generally prefer to collect the older, more rare figurines.
   
   Figurine pricing is now essentially the same between the two guides, which isn't surprising considering Dean Genth owns Miller's Hallmark in Eaton, OH, the home of Robert Miller.
   
   For the average collector, or one that usually tends to purchase the newer released items, Robert Miller's guide is now more up to date. However, for the truly serious collector, Luckey's guide has more or different information on some of the more rare figurines such as those made in white overglaze and sold only in Belgium in the early days. Since I own several of these figurines, I found the information contained in Lucky's guide very useful.
   
   Highly recommended for both the novice or serious collector... but don't forget to purchase Miller's book too.



5. A absolute must have resource - well organized, descriptive, and easy to use. It has served me exceptionally well each time I have had to use it!

4 comments about Collecting Lladro: Identification & Price Guide (Collecting Lladro).

1. The book was exatly what I was looking for, a very no hassel transaction which makes it a real pleasure. We have found Amazon to be a very honest company. Nothing else to say. Cheers Chris



2. As a Lladro collector of more than 25 years I found this book to be most informative. Even though I have read much about Lladro there were topics covered that were new to me. A new addition would be most welcome.



3. Good book to read about Lladro porcelains but it's pretty outdated and doesn't contain samples of the newer Lladro pieces. But then again, Lladro related books are so rare, this itself is a jewel. Majority of the pictures shown here are the 'official' photographs of piece by Lladro themselves. It would have been great to see pictures taken by the author or owner as it would give a different angle and view of the pieces. I'm an avid collector and was thrilled to see many of the older pieces and read a short history about them in this book. Perhaps the author would consider to publish a newer edition?? And also source out Lladro examples from a more varied selection of collectors. A view of how they are stored in display cabinets at individual homes would be great too, to give a more personal and homely touch to the pieces. This is a great book and I'm sure it took a lot of effort to come out with it.... I would recommend it to anyone and hope that new editions will be published in the near future.



4. For anyone who is interested in learning more about Lladró, the company, the history, the incredible artistry, "relatives" such as NAO and Zaphir, collecting and becoming better at collecting, and how to care for your collection, this book is fantastic and I highly recommend it! Peggy Whiteneck is truly an expert in this field, and has a passion for collecting Lladró that shows in every page. This second edition includes updates and new information as well as even more photos. Lladró collectors will not want to miss this!

5 comments about Collecting Costume Jewelry 101: The Basics of Starting, Building and Upgrading (Identification & Value Guide).

1. Brief Description of Book
   This book lives up to its name and is a great gift for someone you may know who is just getting hooked on buying vintage costume jewelry. It would make a great companion gift to a fabulous vintage piece. This book Collecting 101 is a bit basic for absolute beginners only.
   The core thesis of the book is G-U-I-D-E an acronym that stands for:
   * Is the piece in Good condition?
   * Do U Like it?
   * Is it a good investment?
   * Is the piece designer signed and is it well designed?
   * Are there extras that make it more interesting?
   These questions are posed to help the buyer select good pieces at whatever price point they are starting to collect at. The author explains her GUIDE concept quite concisely and uses it throughout the book.
   
   The author suggests four designers that beginners should collect Trifari, Coro, Kramer and Weiss. She recounts a little history about each of the companies, shows photos of their marks and recommends pieces to purchase. For example she suggests Trifari from the 50's and 60's because it is plentiful, available in excellent condition and not too expensive. The author uses a lot of photos to illustrate these sections
   
   The next portion of the book is arranged the alphabetically and cameos 130 designers. Each profile contains a little company history, marks, signature look of a designer and recommendations of pieces to buy.
   
   In the next chapter there is a section called "Marked by Style" on identifying unmarked jewelry. A little more than a beginner skill in my opinion but an interesting section to ponder nonetheless. She focuses 75% of her energy on Juliana, the remaining 25% on Eisenberg, Dorothy Bauer, Hattie Carnegie, Goldette, Haskell, Hollycraft, Sarah Coventry, Schauer, Schreiner and Weiss.
   
   The remaining chapters cover:
   * Upgrading your collection
   * Repairing and Cleaning
   * Cataloging a Collection
   * Storing and Insuring a Collection
   
   Over all the advice is quite sound, the G-U-I-D-E principle should be followed it will really help anyone avoid unfocused buying.
   
   Quantity of Illustrations:
   There are more than 750 total illustrations in Collecting Costume Jewelry 101. There are color photographs, original advertisements in color and black and white. The photos are clear and focused.
   
   
   Quality of Illustrations:
   
   Comments: The items selected are not riveting I think that they are pedestrian. Maybe that is because this book is pitched at beginners. However I feel that the selections should be inspirational and exciting. This is why the top shelf pieces in a book such as "A Tribute to America" are always fun to look at. I felt the items pictured were what the author could get permission to use. Which leads me to the inclusion of Christmas tree jewelry! There are too many Christmas trees in this book. And I like Christmas tree jewelry.
   
   I have one very pointed example that illustrates my low score on the illustrations. The author devoted 3 pages to Miriam Haskell. In my opinion these are not good representative pieces, they are what was available to include. There is one pair of beaded earrings, a necklace with gold chain and a wood pendant that looks like it was made in shop class to me, several strings of beads, a pearl necklace that is not photographed close enough to generate any excitement and a pair of gilded earrings. I may sound harsh here but the wow factor of buying Miriam Haskell is not expressed in these photos. Feel free to disagree!
   
   As a final note on the illustrations, I am reviewing the first edition of this book. According to the publisher Collector Books a second edition should be available soon. They promise 200 new photos and updates on the price guidelines that are included in the first edition.
   
   
   
   Quantity of Information
   Range of Information offered:
   For the most part this is a good concise book to check for information. If you are looking for in depth information on a particular designer you should probably look at a more specialized book. For example there are entire books on Haskell, KJL, D &E, to name only a few designers.
   
   Is the information thorough?
   The information provided seems to be thorough and remember this is a book for beginners.
   
   Values Listed (Prices) Yes
   Are they helpful or realistic? The prices are being updated for a new edition
   The prices are based on what one might hope to get in an e-bay auction.
   Comments: Based on the prices sometimes I want to be buying and other times I want to be on the selling end of the transaction.
   
   
   User Friendly:
   Is the book easy to read and follow? yes
   Is there a table of contents and index? yes
   Is information easy to find? yes
   
   
   Is this book a must have? Only for your friends who are just beginning to collect costume jewelry. I think Costume Jewelry 202 is a vastly superior book and I would recommend that (again).
   
   Overall comments
   If I had this book many years ago I would have avoided buying stuff I just didn't need. I would have made wiser purchases and would have a better collection today.



2. I actually bought her 2nd book (202) before buying this one (101) and while I treasure my 202 guide much more than this first one (because I'm not a beginner) - I think it is a fabulous book to have for those starting out. With a lot of fake WEISS and other great designers' jewelry being reproduced and sold as the real thing today (especially on eBay), it's a good guide to have that shows a fair amount and variation of these favorite popular designers' pieces. This will help the beginner collector possibly know a fake when they see it. Not all that shines and sparkles means it is the real thing or that it's collectible. I believe both her books should be bought together but the 202 Guide is definitely the very best there is (because it shows so many patents). I particularly like the fact that both of these books are done in sturdy paperback because if they were hardbound, they would be so heavy given how big they are. Lots and lots of colorful pictures! Well done!!



3. Found this book to be very helpful at my jewelry shows. Has lots of pictures and information on vintage jewelry and numerous designers. Does not go into great detail, but gives enough good information to be helpful. Because the information is listed in alpha order, my customers find it helpful when looking up specific designers or styles. This book is great for beginners and old collectors alike.



4. This book along with the "202" book by the same author are "must have"s for costume jewelry collectors, buyers and sellers. I can't rate them highly enough.



5. I learned many of the basics overtime and searching the internet. It is great to have so much information in one book. The photos are excellent and I would recommend this to anyone starting a collection. Great do's and don'ts.

No comments about Gem Identification Made Easy: A Hands-on Guide to More Confident Buying & Selling.