2 comments about Flea Market Trader.

1. What a great book to have when out shopping for antiques and collectibles. It's small enough to carry around and full of information that I need right at that time. A great combination. Mary Jo



2. The sixteenth edition of FLEA MARKET TRADER is also a top pick for any serious collector or libraries catering to collectors: it offers an all-in-one volume packed with thousands of items with current values, from cookie jars and comic books to depression glass and flashlights. Virtually any popular flea market item is displayed in a handy take-along tote.

1 comments about Rare Finds: A Guide to Book Collecting.

1. Since David Bauman represents the pinnacle of commercial rare book dealers I expected a bit more from this all too superficial book. He describes various types of rare books from different times and places which is certainly interesting for someone just thinking about collecting rare books, but I would have liked to hear more of his own experiences with some of the extraordinary volumes he's come across. Bauman's weekly add in the NY Times Book Review, while just a tempting little more than a listing, nonetheless has always struck me with a palpable sense of how books are a valued (often very highly valued) part of our culture. You get a liitle of this from Rare Finds and certainly some nice pictures, but just not enough of the human side of what these books mean to someone like Bauman and, in turn, what they should mean to us as collectors. How does he acquire such valuable works? How are they stored? Who buys a signed First Edition of Tender is the Night for $75,000? What do some great private libraries contain? and why? Unfortunately these and similar questions aren't addressed. Instead, Rare Finds is a rather brief, pedestrian tour of book collecting in general with little to excite the reader.

5 comments about Omega Watches.

1. This book should be sub-titled: " - an illustrated history". It is an extremly well illustrated book spanning almost the entire history of Omega from early pocket watches to recent Speedmasters from 2005. On every page there is a full-page detailed photograph of an Omega model with some minimum written text on Model name, Caliber and sometimes year of production. Though the text is minimal the photos are all in colour and in large format enabling details of each watch/model to be easily picked out. Not only many variations of the better known models but also less well known time-pieces, clocks, stop-watches and so on give a well rounded presentation of the brand. As such it is invaluable for collectors or anyone interested in Omega watches. For the quality of its photos and spectrum of models covered it gets 5/5. The minimal text brings that down to 4/5. Nevertheless I thoroughly recommend it.



2. if you are an omega lover this is the quick guide direction for you to be the collector



3. Gave this as a Christmas gift and the receiptient was so thriled to get this product! Great Picutres



4. A very well written book. The price is high but it has great quality.
   Over 200 pictures. Not the best of quality on all, some are a lttle light but good information.
   A slight problem is that the book will soon date, it does not contain much history of the brand but good detail on different models.
   The author has done a great job to keep the book flowing form page to page.
   However much to my surprise no metion at all the Omega is owned by the Swatch group.



5. I recieved this as a gift and was really pleased. Its beautifully done. You should know its mostly pictures and captions. it seems to be a broad overview. I am just getting into watch collecting and like Omegas so this book was a fit for me.

5 comments about Wristwatch Annual 2007 (Wristwatch Annual).

1. This is book is great. It lists a lot of world high-end watches from 2007. Although I don't have money to buy them now. At least I can look at it as a gallary book.



2. I bought this just to see all the awesome watches out there. Some of these are in the hundred thousands. Wow. Great pictures and company info. If you enjoy watches in the least you must own this catalog its huge and has hundreds of pictures of watches you will never own, unless you have a few hundred thousand sitting around.



3. Great pictures, a must for any watch enthusiast. Side note. Some of the actual specifications are not accurate.



4. The photography alone of these world class timepieces brings out the male urge to splurge. It's like being a kid in a candy store, you want one of everything! I've read the '05 and '06 editions and this one does not disappoint. Nice feature: a guide to the pronunciation of all those Swiss, German and French names. Even if you don't speak any of those languages you can say the names like a native. Any watch aficionado will spend many delightful hours soaking up all the facts, figures and history presented here.



5. I really like the format, usually get the new one when it's released.

5 comments about The Doorstop Book: The Encyclopedia of Doorstop Collecting (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This is an excellent reference book with more pictures, more information, more everything than the other doorstop ref books I have. Worth the money!



2. This is one of the most informative and detailed doorstop books to date.



3. The BEST Doorstop reference book ever!! We own two copies--one for the car and one for the house. TONS of information-- history, foundries, designers,catalogue pages, plus over 1000 fabulous clear LARGE pictures. My wife and I can't put it down--we just love it. These authors have done their homework for sure!



4. HIGHLY INFORMATIVE. SUPERB PICTURES. KUDOS TO THE AUTHORS ON A JOB WELL-DONE. GREAT REFERENCE FOR ALL CAST IRON.



5. The book is appropriately sub-titled "The Encyclopedia of Doorstop Collecting" It covers a vast amount of information, history, general information, with well photographed examples--over 1000, most I had never known existed. I am thrilled to have this in my library.

5 comments about Detecting the Fakes.

1. Covers basic information on detecting fakes. If the pictures were in colour it would help a lot more as some fakes have different colours. Overall an alright book for beginners. There are a lot more higher quality fakes out there that this book doesnt cover.



2. Great tool for collectors. After the book I found out I had at least one fake. Great help when look for other pieces for the collection. Pictures and diagrams and explations what to look for is a must.



3. Since there is no other book on the market which provides such essential basics to becoming a knowledgeable collector I rate this book very high. If you intend on getting into the fun of collecting Nazi era memorabilia this is the first book you should get your hands on. Don't buy anything until you read this book. Chances are if you take this book with you when your looking for Third Reich Militaria you will at least end up with an original and not a fake. Without this book it's buyer beware.



4. If you are going to collect 3rd Reich militaria this book is a must. The biggest drawback is the lack of short glossary explaining some of the terms and how to determine certain kinds of metal. For example: if an item is made out of "tombak" how do I differentiate that from zinc or aluminium. All photos in B&W, color would have been nice. All this aside this book seems to be the best book on the market on the subject.



5. This book is a very helpful guide for helping to separate the fake items from the real ones out there. The hundreds of pictures included in the book wonderfully illustrate the points made in the text. The "Miscellaneous Regalia" section could have been larger and more inclusive but what is included gives good examples of how far people will go to forge items, especially written documents. The book should be very helpful to anyone who purchases it and will be indespensible for the beginning collector.

5 comments about Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths: From 1868 to the Present.

1. The book is a very good collection of historical and research material. It covers a rather short period of time; however, sword production during this period over shadows all other periods combined. If you are doing research on a particular smith the chances are you will not find much, but from an overall historical perspective the time period is well documented. Overall, the publication will be a good addition to your collection.
   Dan



2. Art historians have long recognized Kondansha as one of the premier publishers of books on Japanese art and artifacts, and this publication lives up to their excellent reputation. As a long-time Japanese sword collector and enthusiast, and owner of every known book in English on the Japanese sword, I was delighted that this book contains a wealth of information I didn't previously know. That in and of itself makes it a valuable treasure. I was moreover pleased that the book starts at the beginning, providing excellent background and references to help the beginner. I strongly recommend it to all my sword students, and to anyone interested in collecting, and more important, understanding the modern Japanese sword (Gendaito). The book, while very well written, does have several redundancies and a few circular references that are no doubt in part due to it being a first edition. But in most cases it is simply because the authors have a specific purpose in mind: the unabashed promotion of the traditionally-made modern Japanese sword as an object of art. The book takes a strong stand, contrary to the thinking of much of the sword-collecting world, that only Koto swords (mid Heian to 1596) have true artistic and collectible value. The book presents a powerful case for the value and craftsmanship of the modern Gendaito, set against the context of the history of Japanese swordmaking and backed up by trusted and incontrovertible sources. Of course, it does not exhort modern machine-made mass-produced blades, but rather it explains (in detail) how many thousands of WW II and modern blades were made in the traditional way, and clears up many misconceptions about what is a true and valuable Gendaito blade. While many of us will still delight in finding Koto and Shinto era blades, now we have a context for appreciating equally well the finest Gendaito. This is certainly required reading for anyone who intends to collect Japanese swords, and especially if you prowl eBay!



3. While my library of Japanese swords and blade smiths is meager, I would highly recommend this book as a MUST HAVE!!
   
   This book makes a great reference book about modern blade smiths from 1868 to the present. Many of these artists have turned out beautiful swords.
   
   The authors who wrote this book did a fantastic job.
   
   I highly recommend this book.



4. Very good book, easy to read and full of comprehensive information, a good starting point in the Japanese sword world.



5. Hey all!

   This is definately a book for the library! If you're looking for a good resource on researching all those showa-to and Gendai-to then look no further! This book has everything you could want and more! No Oshigata, but tons of useful info about tang markings, hot stamps, showa blade characteristics, MFG. practice, and things you never even thought of! So, you think your "star stamped" Gendai is "traditionally made"? Think again! Buy this book and you'll see what I mean... Wonderful book that has already saved me $$$

5 comments about Wayne Goddard's $50 Knife Shop.

1. I bought this because I'm thinking I may want to make a few knives in the future, and I wanted to see what could be done in a low-commitment way.
   
   The $50.00 limit is a bit arbitrary, and perhaps outdated. It really depends on scrounging a motor and making your own grinder/sander. That sounds like more trouble than it is worth, to me.
   
   Other than that, I found the minimal equipment list a useful reference for any future excursions into this craft.
   
   The book has a lot of information about Damascus-style blades made from steel cable; although an interesting concept, I don't care for the look of the blades, so I found that information of less value than the rest of the book.
   
   The procedures for hardening and tempering, on the other hand, made me feel that this part of the process was actually accessible. Before reading this book, heat treating in general was an intimidating mystery. Now, it is just something that requires care and practice.



2. Even though he has not been able to buy an anvil yet, hubby has re-crafted several knives using the methods described in this book. It is only a few months old, but is already very worn and tattered. When ever he gets quite (no metal grinding or scraping noises), I know he has sat back down with his book for more inspiration or a bit of clarification.



3. My best basic book,will answer all your questions,and will get you started and on your way,if you are not new to knife building it will reinforce you knowledge even more..



4. I was hesitant on ordering this book, I've read or bought almost everything I can find relating to bladesmithing or blacksmithing. I got the book, and read it from front to back, then read it again. This book not only offers insight on how to make needed equipment, but also explains how to make knives of both stock removal, forging and wire damascus. I've never read a book on this subject where it felt like the author was talking directly to me, explaining things that I was thinking. This book is definitely one for the beginner smith.



5. I got this book last night and have read it cover to cover. Wayne gives great confidence to the beginner. Just the simple fact that you don't have to go broke to make knives is very fullfilling. Some great shop tips and good ways of looking at shop problems.

   Buy this book and David Boye's book, and you are well on your way.

No comments about Antique Trader Collectible Paperback Price Guide (Antique Trader).

5 comments about Christmas Ornaments: ReCollections.

1. The knowledge the authors have on Christmas collectibles is massive. They are historical,and humorous. I bought the first book when I started collecting pixies and learned so much more from them about trim, authenticity and why people started decorating the way they did from the early 1900's through the 60's. This book is lovely, but their other book is better. I hope they write a third.



2. This is a such a fun little book! Warm holiday memories, lots of humor and beautiful photography. I thoroughly enjoyed every page! The best gift book you will ever find for a vintage/antique ornament collector.



3. Even if you're not particularly sentimental about Christmas, the images and recollections of the authors are a delightful experience. The photos and graphics are charming and magical, obviously done by people who truely love the Christmas season. Anyone can appreciate the vintage flavor of this little gem.



4. Charming and nostalgic, giving us a glimpse into the history of holiday adornment. A great stocking stuffer!
   
   Debbie Elliott



5. This book brings back so many great memories of Christmas and decorating the tree. It was so much fun reading and looking through every page for ornaments that we might have had on our trees over the years and seeing the many different kinds of ornaments. It is a book that I will spend much time reading and viewing for many, many years.