5 comments about Christopher Radko Ornaments: Value Guide 1986 Thru 2000.

1. I've found the overall picture layout of the book and the indexes very helpful and well thought-out. However, it is not by any stretch a complete cataloging of the Radko line, as some of the ornaments I'm aware of were omitted. And I'm certain there must be more. Also several pages of the book were improperly cut in the binding process creating short pages. The proofing of the book prior to publishing is also suspect since I've found several problems. Most of the secondary market values are not representative of values I've tracked in the past 6 years in that they way too low.



2. The book itself is fabulous, my mom was totally happy to get it Christmas morning. The book condition was poor. The book was $55 and was in a flimsy package when it arrived. It had dents all along the edges. Also, though there was a huge storm in the Pacific NW, the shipping took an extra 5+ days (without a single e-mail notification I might add.)



3. One of my fondest memories of Christmas growing up in the 60's and 70's was decorating the Christmas tree with the wonderful glass ornaments that my parents had. My mom would constantly remind me and my brothers to be careful with them because they were very delicate, and very old, passed down to her from my grandmother. I got the most reminders because I was the youngest. Now these were not Christopher Radko ornaments of course, but Radko has produced many ornaments that look like exact replicas of the ornaments we had thirty, forty years ago. My wife and I still have many of those ornaments although sadly, many were damaged in a basement flood some years ago.
   
   The Radko ornaments have captured the hearts and imaginations of many baby boomers like myself as their popularity and collectibility grows every year. Bangzoom publishers have met the demand of collectors with the first of two volumes covering Radko history. The first volume covers 1986 through 2000, and a second volume, due next year, will cover 2001 through 2006. The book begins with a Radko 101 introduction to the ornaments. What makes them so popular and so collectible is the sheer variety of lines. There are limited editions, various series', charity ornaments for causes such as the fight against breast cancer, special event pieces, store exclusives, as well ornaments geared towards various cultures and ethnic groups. It is this diversity which provides something for nearly everyone who wants to collect the Radko line.
   
   The 300 plus page book is packed with thousands of color photos of the ornaments for each year of release. The guide lists the name of the piece, the size, style number and two prices which reflect the value of a single, loose ornament, and a second value reflecting the price for the set. The book also notes how many of a particular ornament came in the set. The first piece that caught my eye was the first page of the 1986 line with the large, round ornament called "Checkers". This is exactly like ones we had those many years ago. It's so simple in its design yet still so beautiful. There are many great examples of those reflector type ornaments. Those are the ones that have a sort of pushed-in indentation with silvery or other color paint that shimmered and reflected light.
   
   As you page through the book, you'll start to see Radko get more bold with his designs as there were more figural ornaments produced. The line got bigger and bigger with each new year. It has never ceased to amaze me at how much care and detail go into these pieces and go into making them look like they may have been made in the 40's or 50's. The first 236 pages display the regular, year-by-year release before getting into the special series lines like Disney, Sugar Frost Follies, and garlands. The book concludes with a comprehensive index. It's a simply gorgeous book from cover to cover. If you're a Radko collector, or want to start a collection, this book is the place to start.
   
   REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON



4. This book is beautifully done. There is an alphabetical index as well as a numerical index, so one way or another you can probably find what you are looking for.
   The ornaments are divided into "chapters" by year and are listed alphabetically within each year. There are special sections for finials, garlands, and Disney. The original price, the Radko product number and a "secondary market" price are listed under each ornament - which is helpful to a certain extent. Nowadays most people are unwilling to pay the "secondary market" price, so it is just there to make you feel good if you own a special ornament (for example the Partridge in a Pear Tree).
   If I had to list one personal disappointment with this book, I would have to say that I was unable to find some Radko that I own which should have been in here! I was hoping to find a name or number for them but couldn't.
   If you like Radko, and collect it - buy this book!



5. A terrific reference book for anyone who collects, or just enjoys Radko vintage ornaments. Great pictures and just a treat to look through. Good info on each ornament, and this book has helped me quite a bit in evaluating my collection, and pricing some of it for resale. I feel you get alot of information for the money. Can't wait for Volumn Two in September!! Kudos to David Olsen!

1 comments about Collectible Glass Shoes: Identification & Value Guide (Collectible Glass Shoes).

1. This is an extremely comprehensive guide to glass shoes. I love that the pictures are so clear, and the descriptions make it easy to identify important distinctions among the various shoes presented.
   
   I'm boycotting Amazon because I just learned (after purchasing this book) that they're the only online bookseller left that is selling dog fighting and cockfighting magazines and videos. These magazines advertise the sale of fighting animals and cockfighting weapons -- sales made illegal by federal law.
   
   I understand freedom of speech, but although I find those products "objectionable" (Amazon's word) and disgusting (my word), the issue is that the First Amendment doesn't protect companies advertising illegal contraband, and that's exactly what the magazines sold by Amazon are doing. I urge you to contact Amazon and ask them to stop selling these products. Thank you.

5 comments about The Definitive Guide to Colorful Insulators.

1. This is a must have for insulator collectors. My husband loves this book and is constantly showing it off to folks who have no clue about insulators. Many nice photos of unusual models/styles. If anyone you know collects insulators, this would make a great gift.



2. This book is perfect for the insulator collector. The guide contains many
   high quality photos in color. The only listings missing are the CD number
   designations that accompanies each photo. otherwise the description with each photo are complete, including price guide. Well-known collectors in the hobby have contributed their unique pieces to make this an informative
   guide for both the beginner and advanced collector.



3. Great book at a great price. Full of good pictures of insulators with clear descriptions and prices. Good for the beginning collector of Insulators.



4. I bought this for my son who is an avid collector of insulators. He is thrilled with the book, the quality of the pictures, and the information it contains. I would recommend it for any serious collector.



5. When we started buying insulators we had no clue how to tell what colors were what and so on this book has great pictures and information about the insulators pictured.

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

1. 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.



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



3. 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.



4. 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.

2 comments about Fenton Art Glass 1907-1939: Identification & Value Guide (2nd Edition).

1. This is a extremely valuable and complete book on my new hobby.
   The pictures of the art glass are perfect for help and the information on the Fenton family is very interesting. The book has helped identify Fenton glass perfectly.



2. This book provides an excellent history of Fenton. The photography and guides are very helpful for identification purposes.

   Explanations of the Fenton evolution in glass making provide insight into glass making. Excellent for the novice or seasoned veteran. Nicely done!

2 comments about Fostoria Stemware: The Crystal for America (Fostoria Stemware).

1. This is one of the best general books on Fostoria I have been able to locate thus far. Well organized and useful. Great pictures.



2. If you have stemware and need to identify it, this is the book for you. There's a goblet index in the back which refers to the main book by numbers. I have found it invaluable for quick reference. Having ounces and height given really helps to identify which pieces one has. Each pattern is given production dates, and if it was made in several colors, production dates are given for each color.

2 comments about Bud Hastins Avon Collectors' Encyclopedia: The Official Guide for Avon Bottle & Cpc Collectors (Bud Hastin's Avon and Collector's Encyclopedia).

1. I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE BOOK I PURCHASED FROM AMAZON.COM THIS BOOK DID GIVE ME ALL THE INFORMATION I WAS LOOKING FOR. AND DOING BUSINESS WITH AMAZON.COM WAS VERY GOOD, AND THE PRICES AND SHIPPING WERE VERY SATISFACTORY.



2. As a whole it is fantastic. But, by not listing the men's by name, such as "Leather"; it caused me a lot of time and trouble trying to find it.

4 comments about Oil Lamps II: Glass Kerosene Lamps (Oil Lamps).

1. Wonderful photographs of rare and not so rare old lamps along with a great education on their production. A real "must" for those collecting full sized kerosene lamps!



2. Just starting in the business, it's been a great source for information and pricing.. Thanks!!!



3. This is Ms. Thuro's companion book to Oil Lamps I. The focus here is on rare cased glass, colored glass and composite kerosene lamps and in combination with Oil Lmaps I, is a valued addition to a complete study of the kerosene lamp. 1998 Price Guide



4. Only one week after purchasing this book I spotted an Oil Lamp in an antique shop in Bournemouth, England and I bought it at a bargain price knowing from reading this book that it was a 1904 German "Bismark" Lamp!

2 comments about Warman's Glass: Values and Identification (4th Edition).

1. A detailed reference book for many types of glassware. If you are a collector you will find this book very informative.



2. Now in an updated and expanded fourth edition, Warman's Glass: A Value & Identification Guide compiled and edited by antique glassware expert Ellen T. Schroy is an superbly presented and illustrated price guide to more than 200 types of American and European Glass. Offering histories, references, clubs, and museums, Warman's Glass is accessibly structured in alphabetical order, and consists of entries offering brief and succinct descriptions of various individual pieces. Warman's Glass is an excellent catalogue and a reliable resource recommended for antiques dealers, auctioneers, hobbyists, and collectors.

4 comments about Murano Magic: Complete Guide to Venetian Glass, Its History and Artists (Schiffer Art Book).

1. Gorgeous photographs. Most pieces of glass you would only see in a museum. I wish there were more.



2. Having recently returned from Venice, I wish I had this book before I left. Mr. Gable's meticulously researched volume offers so much valuable information, any glass collector or any tourist interested in a deeper perspective of the glass art of the city should read this book. The author's grasp of the nuances of the various styles is masterful and gave me a whole new appreciation of the experience I had in Venice.



3. "Murano Magic" is a terrific volume to own if you love collecting Venetian glass as much as I do. Or if you want to learn the ropes. This exhaustively researched (and yet surprisingly easy to read!) book tells you everything about the big glassmaking families and their works. (I especially liked the historical perspective the author gave to discussing the different glassmaking houses.) And the photos are outstanding. Many glass books I've seen just don't have enough photos to show examples of all the different kinds of Venetian glass (there are literally thousands of styles). "Murano Magic" has wonderful photos and lots of them. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in Venetian glass.



4. It is almost a crime that Amazon is listing this book with "No Photo Available," because it's a real eye-catcher of a volume, with stunning photographs on every page. But don't be fooled by its beauty; this is no mere coffee-table book. Rather, it's an encyclopedic guide, exhaustively researched and engagingly written. I have been fortunate enough to visit Venice several times, but Murano Magic made me see the city and its art with new eyes and a deeper appreciation. I would recommend the book to anyone, but especially to those who are planning a trip to Northern Italy.