5 comments about The Gentleman & Cabinet-Maker's Director.

1. Book is well illustrated, with lots of good information on period furniture.



2. Excellent service and book as good as or better than originally thought to be. Would definitely order from them again.



3. This book is a classic and all the other reviews are right-on. If you're interested in woodworking--especially creating antique reproduction designs buy this book. It's cheap. Now if you're a woodworking novice, you'll likely be intimidated at the design detail saying "how can anyone ever carve that!" and you'll be tempted to throw it on the shelf and forget it. That's OK. If you keep doing woodworking, you'll find yourself coming back to look at Chippendale. You'll go to antique shows and museums and see the real thing and eventually gain the confidence to give it a try. The book is inspiring in its design. You should own it if you're interested in finewoodworking because over the years, your comfort with it will be a measure of your own woodworking maturity.



4. The ball and claw foot is perhaps the one thing most commonly associated with Chippendale, but it is omitted entirely since it had gone out of fashion by the time he wrote the book. Instead, he includes Rococo, Chinese, and Gothic designs. The Rococo designs are extremely heavily ornamented, and fashioned in the most outlandish curved shapes: if you ever thought Pablo Picasso and "modern art" was too far out, take a look at these! The ribbon back chairs struck me as a particularly interesting design. The Chinese designs are far more subdued, and most have a bit of a swastika motif built into them. The editor for the modern version has added an appendix with several photographs of original Chippendale era furniture (not necessarily built by Chippendale himself), including several chosen to show that it really was possible to build the more elaborate designs. This is perhaps the single most historically significant book on furniture design ever written, and no furniture library would be complete without it.



5. This large catalog style paper back book is an excellent reference for architecture, furniture and design. Black drawing on newsprint paper, this book was a catalog of Thomas Chippendale's furniture shop in England and gives detailed motifs for the antique dealer and cabinet maker alike.

1 comments about The Wit and Wisdom of Will Rogers: An A-to-Z Compendium of Quotes from America's Best-Loved Humorist.

1. This book is clearly the best one that Alex Ayres has written and compiled. My brother gave me this book in December 1993, and it has been with me ever since then. The bibliography listing is first rate as well, since they list the authors in alphabetical order. This way, the reader can track down a book that is related so that they can check it out.

   Make no mistake, this book is jam-packed with more than 2,000 quotations from the Cowboy Philosopher. Readers will definitely get their mileage worth with this book--plenty of quotations to read, a timeline of events, and an excellent bibliography listing (3 pages long), with a total of 43 books listed, and 8 pages of additional subject references for the quotations that are listed in each category. 5 of the books in the bibliography are from Bryan/Frances Sterling

   This is not a bad assortment of quotations from a multi-talented cowboy from Claremore--however, the book overlooked one main event: 4 years after the plane crash in Alaska, a statue was unveiled in the nation's capitol (Washington D.C.), on June 6, 1939. The statue is located next to the entrance of Statuary Hall.

   The quotation that I really liked was the one on dogs. (as in "I love dogs", "He does nothing for political reasons"). In this book, I came across lots of quotations and even uncovered a book in the bibliography section that I plan to check out this weekend.

   I can clearly see exactly why that if it hadn't been for the Cowboy Philosopher, there would have been no way that Americans would have been able to get through the New Deal/Depression 30s without a good laugh--and to look on the bright side for a silver lining during the New Deal/Depression era. A solid accomplishment for a multi-talented cowboy that made the transition from Wild West Shows to Vaudeville to the Ziefgield Follies--and then, eventually, film (71 films in a 17 year career)--from 1918-35.

   As I have said before, check this book out--it's a book worth looking into from Alex Ayres with the spotlight on the Cowboy Philosopher. Worth reading--and worth checking out from Amazon.com online.

   From cover to cover, you get an excellent introduction, more than 2,000 quotations, a bibliogrpahy, and additional subject references in addition to a chronology of events. This book is clearly worth the wait--and it's worth checking out!

5 comments about The Comprehensive Guide to Chocolate Molds: Objects of Art & Artists' Tools.

1. I absolutely love The Comprehensive Guide to Chocolate Molds: Objects of Art & Artists' Tools. It has beautiful photographs of molds with their values. This was of great interest to me since I have a mold collection. Also I use my molds for chalkware and have for more than 15 years. It was exciting to see photos of other chalkware artists' work. In all I love the book and hope Wendy comes out with Volume Two as there are many more molds to cover. Thanks, Carol



2. I have enjoyed the book on chocolate moulds and it is very informative for the antique moulds. I would recommend this book and am happy that I ordered it. It has many pages of information and pictures.



3. Wendy Mullen found her first chocolate mold over fifteen years ago and loves writing about chocolate. She has published articles about chocolate molds and this book displays a wide array of antique chocolate molds that include everything from Easter eggs to cats and angels. There are molds for butterflies, bunnies, frogs, turtles, goats, roosters, pigs, lambs, dogs, elephants, teddy bears, deer and just about any other animal you can think of including storks, seals and stylized dolphins. Fairy Tales are also featured and you can may enjoy seeing a Hansel and Gretel house, Red Riding Hood and Snow White Scenes.
   
   All the prices are included so you can have an idea of how much you want to spend if you go looking for these molds. All the main holidays are represented, as are unique items like the the Krampus mold familiar in Austria. Neptune also appears and then there are may pages of Santa. If you love collecting Santa items, there is page after page. Christmas takes up at least one fifth of the book and is perfect for getting ideas if you make chocolates for Christmas. There are snowmen, angels, Christmas ornaments and even manger scenes.
   
   Even if you don't want to go looking for a three hundred dollar scallop shell, at least you can get ideas for what you want to go find online. Many of these molds seem to be useful for candy making and for making soaps.
   
   Additional creative finds at the end include hearts in a postcard style which are very beautiful once painted or if you use three types of chocolate. There are castles, temples, crowns, shoes, cars, boats and even hot air balloons.
   
   A special "Collector's Tips and Closing" section shows how to purchase antique chocolate molds, explains how they must be cleaned and handled to prevent rusting.
   
   From the information in this book, you could actually buy a new chocolate mold that looks antique. Additional information on suppliers is briefly discussed. To find most of the molds, you only need to do an Internet search because all the items have collection information and the names of the specific items.
   
   As a coffee table book this is highly entertaining, but the usefulness factor is especially enjoyable because of the way the book is organized. A lovely gift or a research tool for your own journey of chocolate art.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



4. this book was well worth the money, it was well done. very informitive, unique and happy to own it



5. Wendy Mullen's The Comprehensive Guide To Chocolate Molds: Objects Of Art & Artist's Tools more than just a collector's price guide, Wendy Mullen, chocolate maker for 15 years, delves into the history of antique chocolate molds and their design and production, packing over 1300 photos of such antiques with discussions of all kinds of molds. Topped by an interview with the great-granddaughter of one of the best German mold specialists in history, Anton Reiche, The Comprehensive Guide To Chocolate Molds is unparalleled in depth and detail: there's simply nothing like it on the market, past or present.

5 comments about Blueprints of Fashion: Home Sewing Patterns of the 1940s (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. this is one of the great fashion books. very well put together, interesting...unlike most fashion books (in terms of text) and classy and LOTS of images. Both of Laboissonniere's books are great.



2. As a dealer in vintage patterns, (...) Wade's book is an indispensable resource in accurate dating of my pattern inventory. This in turn helps me to better serve my customers. Wonderful color examples of all the catagories, styles and companies.



3. This book begins with a lot of information about sewing pattern companies, sewing in the beginning half of the century, and fashion changes during the forties that are worth the price of this book. The second half is all reproductions of the fronts of pattern envelopes which provide inspiration for design as well as pointing out how much more advanced the average sewer seemed to be in the forties compared to today.



4. This is a wondreful look at a time in fashion when looking your best when in public or private did matter. The fashions are an inspiration to those who love classic design. The only statement being made by these fasions are upbeat ones. Thanks for a great book that any sewer will treasure forever!!



5. I was amazed to receive this book. I learned about how rationing during WWII affected clothing and fashion. I saw how fashion evolved during a decade that began with war and ended with Paris reviving their Haute Couture.

   I think that the one aspect of Blueprints Of Fashion that caught me completely by surprise was the nostalgic feeling that looking at home sewing catalogue illustrations returned to me. I remember spending hours browsing through catalogues with my Mom during the 60's and 70's. I noticed the change of illustration styles, and the use of more photography, throughout those 2 decades of the big 3--Simplicity, Butterick/Vogue, and McCall's. In the 40's there were many more brands and that much more variation in illustration styles.

   Mr. Laboissoniere has done a great job of grouping the pattern face cards into a journey through the fashionable 40's. Even though he meant this as a guide for collectors, there are so many facets to his research that he has created something truly extraordinary.

1 comments about The Care of Fine Books.

1. I wish everybody had the enthusiasm for caring for books that Jane Greenfield does. Too many are classic, valuable tomes thrown into used bookstores and decimated over time. This book is an excellent guide to caring for your books, and making them valuable over time.

3 comments about Furniture Restoration: Step-by-Step Tips and Techniques for Professional Results.

1. This is one of the best book on antique furniture restoration. It covers the major problems that one encounters with older furniture and offers practical approaches to solve them. The sections on color matching are better than I have seen elsewhere. I am a beginner, so I am not just attempting the easy stuff. Detailed chapters on gilding, etc. will be of interest to more advanced refinishers. Lots of very clear pictures. Beautifully printed too. Five stars.



2. Furniture Restoration step by step Tips & Techniques for professional Results was too much aimed at antiques. We just wanted to learn how to re-upolster a simple sofa.



3. this lovely book is filled with incredible examples of fine furniture, as well as step by step instructions, with specific tools and materials for restoring, rehabilitating, or recreating the pieces.
   a wide variety of styles and techniques are presented here, and these are applicable not just to furniture but to panels, walls, and other substrates. an inspiring, must-have book for the decorative artist!

5 comments about Collector's Guide To Ideal Dolls: Identification & Values (Collectors Guide to Ideal Dolls Identification and Values).

1. I found this book to be very useful in identifying the age of dolls and their value. It has a lot of information in it for the collectors !



2. A MUST-HAVE book for any serious doll collector or dealer. Great and varied photos and description guidelines.



3. This is a very good refence guide to use to find out information and value of all Ideal dolls. Lots of nice pictures!!



4. I am a Shirley Temple Collector. I use this book all of the time to identifiy valuable dolls and outfits. I have learned so much from this book. A must have for anyone who collects dolls.



5. Judith Izen has hit another homerun with this excellent book for collectors of Ideal dolls. There are literally hundreds of wonderful color photos throughout the book. It is a pleasure just to leaf through the high quality, glossy pages. Even if you are not a collector, it would still be interesting to have the book as a conversation piece. Anyone who ever had a doll when they were young would love to look through to see if their favorite dolly is here. The book is also very well written with plenty of information about individual dolls and the different types of dolls. The 5 stars are well deserved.

1 comments about 2008 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue: Countries of the World J-o (Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Vol 4 Countries J-O) (Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Vol 4 Countries J-O).

1. Good basic catalogue for any stamp collector. However, valuations of many stamps currently on the low side.
   
   I also feel that Scott's traditional method of listing countries in their catalogues in alphabetical order is somewhat outdated. I wonder if there is any philatelist in existence who collects world countries in alphabetical order.
   
   That said, catalogue is easy to read and contains a wealth of philatelic information. As printed in color, pleases the eye too.

5 comments about The Pearl Book, 3rd Edition: The Definitive Buying Guide: How to Select, Buy Care for & Enjoy Pearls.

1. As the title states, "The Pearl Book" is the definitive book on pearls. This 198 page book tells you everything you need to know about pearls, starting with a history of pearls and then moving on to descriptions of the different types of pearls, and advice on the selection and care of pearls. Of particular interest to me was Section 5, in which famous jewellers speak about pearls. The only drawbacks of this book are that the photos (with the exception of some colour plates in the centre) are in black and white, and being published in 2002, it is now slightly dated (the pricing guidelines are now irrelevant and the reference list does not include any web addresses). Nevertheless, this is an interesting read and a valuable addition to a jewellery library.



2. If you are interested to learn more about Pearls, this is a must read book. It provides you a complete understanding on how to distinguish a quality pearl versus others.



3. I bought this book for our store reference. My staff became hooked, the information is solid and written in a way that reads like a book built for leisure. One critique; There could be more pictures in her book, although a cliche - a picture is worth a thousand (descriptive) words. I will buy more books from Ms Matlins, she has established herself as THE DEFINITIVE WRITER for gems and pearls. Thanks for the great reading material. Veronica, Ali'i Jewelry - Hawaii



4. If you love pearls--or just want to learn more about them--this is the #1 book to buy. I have Matlins 'Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide' which is very well worn from use, so I decided to start learning more about pearls with this book.
   
   Wow! Talk about bursting with information! Matlins covers everything from history and lore to famous pieces, moves on to explaining the differences/types of pearls, how to evaluate them, *and* what to look out for... she provides estimated value lists, gives advice on how to buy, wear and care for pearl jewelry. Whew!
   
   Did you know a drop of salad dressing can ruin a pearl? I didn't!
   
   The author also interviewed many pearl industry professionals and their thoughts are informative as well as (at times) entertaining. In fact, the entire book could be described as "conversational". It's not textbook in style, yet provides so much information it could be used as one!!
   
   Do you sell pearls? The information Matlins provides can help you better understand and describe the charecteristics (and value!) of the pearls you sell. Are you looking to invest in pearls or start a collection? Add this book to your shopping cart--you might save hundreds or thousands in the long run.
   
   But if you simply have a passion for pearls and want to learn all you can about them, this book is a "must have" for your library. It's comprehensive, loaded with tips, and easy to read. There aren't pages & pages of photos. It does have some good compare/contrast photos, as well as others of important or famous pieces. You may find yourself wishing there were more of the "educational" sorts of pictures, but overall that's a small nick in an otherwise glowing treasure. No doubt the binding will become worn from frequent use.
   IN SUMMARY:I highly recommend 'The Pearl Book'. It's truly worth every penny. You'll know what to look for if you get this gem.



5. This book covers everything anyone needs to know about pearls. It's filled with information that helped me finally realize what's important in selecting nice pearls, and why some are so much more expensive than others. I was so confused about them after talking to different jewelers that I wasn't sure what to buy (and they are too expensive to make a mistake). This book was a godsend. And I love the pearls I finally bought...and know they will stay beautiful! Also, I never knew there were CULTURED abalone pearls, but I plan to look for them for my next treat to myself!

1 comments about Cartoon Toys & Collectibles Identification and Value Guide: Identification and Value Guide.

1. This beautiful 224 page book features over 800 full color, large, sharp photos and estimated values. Major categories include: Disney, Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera, Cartoon Character Hall of Fame and resources. There is a complete history of each major category where you'll find interesting and useful information. A welcome addition to your library.