3 comments about Painting the Maya Universe: Royal Ceramics of the Classic Period (Duke University Museum of Art).

1. As anyone who owns books on the ancient Maya will probably attest, they have a habit of becoming out of date rather rapidly; yesterday's Copan is today's Xukpi and yesterday's King 18-Rabbit is today's Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil. Don't get me wrong, I think this is a good thing. Unlike the vast body of scholarship that Egyptologists can only hope to add a sentence to here or a footnote to there, Mayanists are faced with a field where every turn of the spade yields material that is likely to keep them busy for decades. That is the exciting thing about Mayan studies; every year sees yet more exciting discoveries by both "dirt" archeologists and by "armchair" or more correctly "keyboard" scholars. Every new book on the Maya is welcome and if they are as well written and lavishly illustrated as this one, they are doubly welcome.



2. I've read much of what has been written about Mayan ceramics and can say with confidence that this is the best book on the subject ever written. The essays in it, by top professionals, discuss the forms and functions of the ceramics, the meaning of their calligraphy, their basic themes and the places particular styles of ceramics come from. Indeed, if you read it carefully and more than once, you too will be able to decipher the principal inscriptions even on pots that are not in the book. There are hundreds of full-color photographs of Mayan ceramic vases and plates in this book. These vases are decorated with pictures of formed the greatest Pre-Columbian civilization. These ceramics depict Mayan textile design, Mayan hair-dressing, Mayan head-dresses, Mayan ceramics (within the ceramic paintings), Mayan concepts of design and of the other worlds below this one. From them we learn of Mayan myth,Mayan ritual, Mayan daily life, and Mayan art. Leaving aside the great monumental art of sculpture and stucco that adorned major structures, leaving aside the structures themselves, and giving credit for a host of varieties of artistic representations ranging from the Tsimshian to the Moche... I think it is an absolute fact that the art that appears on Mayan ceramics is the best that America ever created prior to Columbus and arguably the best... period. This book discusses, describes, depicts and defends that incredible artistic legacy better than any other ever did.



3. This handsome book covers a wide range of Maya ceramic imagery, and is filled with stunning photographs. The imagery is also broken down by catagory, and is supplimented with explations of glyphs. The accessible text that explores the mythology, culture, iconography, and hieroglyphics on and related to the ceramics. The information is thorough without being overly specialized.

No comments about Vintage Feed Sacks: Fabric from the Farm (Schiffer Book).

5 comments about Navajo Rugs: The Essential Guide.

1. Excellent Book on Navajo Rugs. Great for the collector, giving some history and what to look for, as well as for the Navajo Rug Weaver. Good, basic information to help you make sure you're buying a genuine rug woven in the Navajo way. I enjoy reading about the history as I do weave Navajo Rugs and find everything I can read of interest. This is not a how to weave a Navajo Rug Book. There are many other weaving books out there on How to Weave Navajo Rugs. The Navajo Rug Collector/Historian would enjoy adding this book to their library.



2. Pretty much useless - unless you literally have never laid your eyes on a Navajo rug before. I needed values and how to tell the difference between Zapotec and Navajo, I got neither.



3. This book is a direct to the point, easy to understand guide on Navajo rugs. Works like a practical handbook, and a must own for connoisseurs and enthusiasts of Navajo rugs.



4. I have recently started to purchase different types of Native American rugs and blankets. This guide has been a tremendous help in identifing Navajo rugs.



5. This is a must have book if you are interested in collecting and purchasing Navajo rugs as well as learning about the history of these items. Easy to read and full of essential facts. I plan to order 2 more copies for friends who are very interested in the Navajo weavings.

1 comments about Doorstops: Identification and Values.

1. One must first be able to get past the problems that this is an old book with out of date values and poorly focused, washed-out photography. But its value lies in the fact that there are very few books on this subject and it has some pieces and color variations not found elsewhere.

3 comments about Automobiles of the Chrome Age: 1946-1960.

1. Have autos looked any better than Michael Furman's stunning photos, I doubt it. These vehicles look just perfect with liquid looking bodywork and perfect chrome, in fact they probably look better than ones just off the assembly line. This is fine art photography and if you wonder how the 'Furman look' is achieved there is a clue on his website. Click on BIO and you'll see a shot of his studio with an amazing looking light panel hovering over what looks like a very small car. It seems to me that his controlled lighting source is the key and when digital images are printed on quality paper with a 200dpi screen you'll see the perfect picture as on these pages.
   
   The choice of cars seems rather arbitrary, classics like the 56 Austin-Healy, the 58 Ferrari Testa Rosa or the 59 Cadillac Eldorado are a few page turns from possibly the ugliest chrome grill ever of the 51 Hudson Hornet or the bubblegum styling and color scheme of the 56 Ford Crown Skyliner. As well as whole cars there are plenty of lovely close-ups of logos and styling features, the fins of the 48 and 59 Cadillacs, a Buick 49 Dyna-Flow trunk handle or the hood ornament of a 57 Oldsmobile Super 88. Furman's photography can make any vehicle sparkle.
   
   Awe-inspiring as all these photos are I was very disappointed with the book because it is the wrong shape. There are seventy-one side shots of cars and they clearly don't fit an upright page. They rightly have generous margins left and right which means they are even smaller still on the page. If the book had been turned sideways into a landscape format it would perfectly complement these profile photos so instead of being small and surrounded by too much white space the existing ones would be three or four times larger. Another advantage would be to avoid the middle of the book splitting those shots that do extend over a spread. Also, for a lavish photobook it has the usual conceit of placing all the captions on back pages but because of the wrong shape there is plenty of white space on each page for the captions to be set in some elegant typography.
   
   Michael Furman takes beautiful auto photographs and it is unfortunate that this book does not give them the exposure they rightly deserve.
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.
   
   
   
   
   
   



2. This book is another loving tribute to those classic autos that can send shivers up your spine sometimes, they're so cool. I simply cannot see how Mike's photography can be improved upon in any way, shape or form. Buy this; you won't regreat it, promise.



3. Micheal Furman created an amazing collection of car photography. You're taken by the beauty of the different design of the era. Excellent gift for any car enthusiast.

5 comments about Smithsonian Baseball: Inside the World's Finest Private Collections.

1. I purchased this as a gift and the recipient was thrilled with it. I did sneak a peak before giving it away and enjoyed it immencely.



2. A very well done book. Big glossy pictures of some of the greatest Baseball artifacts in America. Probably the closest I will get to seeing these in person.



3. As a lover of the old days of baseball (prior to the 1970's) , and with an interest in various types of artifacts pertaining to the old days, this book wonderfully broadened my horizons. The sections on baseball cards was especially fascinating for me as i do some collecting to add to some as i had as a kid (50's-60's).
   would recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in the old days of baseball or collects baseball memorabilia.



4. Stephen Wong has created a drop-dead gorgeous look at some of the game's great artifacts, and many will be surprised to learn that they are not at the Baseball Hall of Fame nor even at the Smithsonian (despite the book's title). The game's artifacts extend way beyond the cards and gimcrack collectibles sold at the ballpark, and Wong has deftly toggled his focus from collectible to collector and back again, providing a memorable prose portrait of the lively game played off the field. I cannot recommend this brilliantly conceived book highly enough.



5. This beautiful book belongs in every baseball enthusiast's library, but it would be a mistake to keep it on the shelves. Author Stephen Wong has partnered with the Smithsonian to publish the most stunning book on baseball on the market. It deserves to be on your coffee table not only because of its wonderful photographs but also due to the wonderfully rich way he presents the history of the game. Wong gained remarkable access to the sport's foremost collectors, combing through hundreds of images and memorabilia items. The payoff is tremendous for anyone with an interest in baseball or, for that matter, in American history and culture. Readers will learn the essential facts about the game, and the fascinating tidbits, such as the origins of the curve ball. They then get to see remarkable shots, some most unusual - from folk art statues to Don Larsen's enshrined shoes from his perfect game to the bricks of former stadiums. In fact, this book should be placed in the Hall of Fame!

5 comments about Standard Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass Price Guide (Standard Carnival Glass Price Guide).

1. The book title is a bit deceiving. The cover does say, "Standard Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass". What part of 'encyclopedia' did I miss? This is nothing more than cheap paper with a long list of designs. If you ever hope to identify anything, this is not the book for you. Personally, I thought an 'encyclopedia' might help me identify, but not a single picture. My book now resides at the paper recycling dump. It really is that worthless.



2. From tumblers and bowls to advertising pieces, specialty items from glass workers, and notes on manufacturing credits and oddities, Standard Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass, eleventh edition is an outstanding survey of carnival glass makers and their products. Identification of pieces is the focus here; each piece accompanied by a small yet clear color photograph, and a separate price guide offers no photos but plenty of pricing details. A superb choice for collectors of carnival glass.



3. The cover on the books says it all. It is a price guide but I was looking for a picture book.



4. I had no problem finding any of the patterns that I was looking for. Having only been collecting carnival glass for about three years, I found the book to be informative and a great referance to fall back on if I was unsure of something. This book was one of the best purchases that I have made when it comes to referance books.



5. This book is useless if you do not know a lot about carnival glass. I was very disappointed, it was a waste of money for a beginning collector!

2 comments about The Winterthur Guide to Caring for Your Collection (Winterthur Decorative Arts Series).

1. This is a small book that gives the readers a basic understanding of how to care for any collection. Broken down into collection type (textiles, photographs, porcelain, toys, glass, etc.), the use of pictures and easy to understand principles has served as a quick reference to let me know what kind of preservation care would be needed for a certain item. Of course, the book is not designed to be the ultimate reference on detailed preservation care, but unless you're an expert and can access the detailed information you need from your own shelves, this serves as something that gives correct information without overwhelming those of us who might care for a personal collection or who have come across an item we are unfamiliar with. Very useful and one of my favorites!!



2. This is a great book and I have used some of the info provided to care for some textiles that I have.

2 comments about Pictorial Guide to Christmas Ornaments and Collectibles: Identification and Values.

1. If you love vintage Christmas ornaments you will love this book! This is the best book I've seen on the topic. It definitively covers Dresden ornaments, and ornaments made of glass, paper, fabrice, metal, wax, and more. It contains thousands of photographs of mostly pre-war ornaments, a wealth of information and a price guide to help value your collection. Even if you are not an ornament collector, you'll find this book contains collections that will absolutely amaze you. This book will remain in my library forever.



2. If you love vintage Christmas ornaments you will love this book! This is the best book I've seen on the topic. It definitively covers Dresden ornaments, and ornaments made of glass, paper, fabrice, metal, wax, and more. It contains thousands of photographs of mostly pre-war ornaments, a wealth of information and a price guide to help value your collection. Even if you are not an ornament collector, you'll find this book contains collections that will absolutely amaze you. This book will remain in my library forever.

No comments about The Tractor in the Haystack: Great Stories of Tractor Archaeology.