2 comments about Warman's Pattern Glass (Warman's Encyclopedia of Antiques & Collectibles).

1. I had no idea how many types of Early American Pattern Glass there were. This book has a section on history, manufacturers and reproductions as well as listings with drawings of glassware in this category. Like the previous reviewer, I felt photos would have been better than drawings because the drawings are too small to pick out details to help identify specific patterns easily. Maybe a combination of drawings with photos would be nice, however, I am sure finding examples of all the glassware could be rather difficult! Many of us see older glassware and think "Grandma had that", never realizing that Grandma's grandmother actually had it first! This book would be an excellent addition to a reference library on Early American Pattern Glass, but definitely don't use it exclusively to identify glassware of this type.



2. This book was organized in a very concise easy-to-use fashion, giving manufactuers' and other pattern names for each design illustrated. The only drawback that I found with this book was the fact that the illustrations were not always as accurate as a photograph would have been.

3 comments about Fifty Years of Collectible Glass, 1920-1970: Easy Identification and Price Guide, Stemware, Decorations, Decorative Accessories.

1. I purchased volume II of this publication and there are only 4 pages (front & back) in color. Many of the black & white photos are like looking at bad Xerox copies. I think I'll find it very hard to identify patterns from many of these small photos. Otherwise, well-laid out and organized.



2. This interesting new 282 page softbound volume's major topics include: Stemware, Decorations and Decorative Accessories. It features more than 800 nice black and white photos (and some in full color), and year 2,000 values. You'll find animals, knops, nudes, sculptured and twist stemware, baskets, birds, flowers, and wheat decorations, and candlesticks, candy jars, figurines, vases, smoking items and much more pictured, described and priced. A complete index permits easy location of the items. There's plenty of informative text about each topic. Also included are many illustrations of original catalog pages. Collectors are sure to use this book often.



3. What a wonderful surprise I found in my mailbox today! Volume II is another super book by the Bredehofts. Stemware and decorative accessories galore! Good, clear photos; great old catalog and sales literature; and exceptional descriptions for the novice collector. I really liked the arrangement, by shapes and patterns, rather than by pattern alone, or color or by manufacturer. Much easier for attempts to identify that unknown piece. And I really appreciated the simple definitions of the parts of stemware. This book will be well-used; a super addition to my reference library.

No comments about Miller's: Popular Glass of the 19th and 20th Centuries: A Collector's Guide (Miller's Collector's Guides).

No comments about Candlewick: Colored And Decorated Lines (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1 comments about The Best of Modern Swedish Art Glass: Orrefors and Kosta 1930-1970.

1. Friedman's love of glass Swedish comes thru very clearly. A labor of love, the book is a must for collectors of Swedish glass.

3 comments about Murano.

1. I collect glass and books on murano glass. This book offers no new images or knowledge. It is not for the serious collector but would be fine to give a novice as a hostess gift, stocking stuffer etc. It is nothing more than a mere bagatelle. I would suggest paying more and buying a more useful book on the subject of Murano glass.



2. I believe that Mark Doty is one of the world's best poets, and have bought most of his books and memoirs. I bought this for my former wife as a birthday gift. She is not a poetry fan, but loves this book. She keeps it on the table in her waiting room with some other reading materials and tells me she has had eight or ten patients ask where they could buy the book. A treaure trove of stunning photographs and words side by side. Being a published poet, I would call Doty's words beautiful musings on the island of Murano, glassmaking and life. A little gem!



3. I'm not sure what to make of this little book. It is certainly printed well, a requirement for an art book. The closeups of the Murano glass are beautiful. I wish the smaller photographs of the same glass objects in the back of the book were bigger. I got no real impression as to what the glass actually looked like. There must be bigger, more comprehensive books on Murano glass, if you cannot take a trip to the J. Paul Getty Museum, where these treasures are, or in the best of all possible worlds, go to Venice and Murano and see glass until you cannot look at another object.

   The poem "Murano" though beautiful is not my favorite Doty poem. Written for his deceased poet friend Lynda Hull, the poem contrasts the permanence of Murano glass with the stench and death often associated with Venice. "Is this what becomes of art, the hard-won permanence outside of time? A struck match-head of a city, ungodly lonely in its patina of fumes and ash? Gorgeous scrap heap where no one lives, or hardly anyone."

   There is no need to combine pictures and poetry. One usually dominates the other. First class poetry does not need to be illustrated. (I certainly think Mr. Doty is a first class poet; his poems often bring me much pleasure. I'm also of the opinion that poetry should be read, rather than explicated. The good poet always says what we cannot explain very well.) Fine art does not require commentary. Books like this are difficult to pull off and seldom satisfy completely. This one is no exception.

No comments about Vetri Veneziani: Ohira.

No comments about Mazorca: Objects Of Common Ceremony.

No comments about Gijs Bakker and Jewelry.

No comments about Royal Doulton Animals: A Charlton Standard Catalogue (4th Edition).