No comments about Hatpins and Hatpin Holders.

2 comments about Jewelry & Gems at Auction: The Definitive Guide to Buying & Selling at the Auction House & on Internet Auction Sites.

1. Antoinette Marlins has many other gemstone guides to her name and is an expect on gem identification and sales, making Jewelry & Gems At Auction: The Definitive Guide To Buying & Selling At The Auction House & On Internet Auction Sites a 'must' for any serious collector. From distinguishing auction buying techniques from other types of gem purchasing to bidding on different types of gems, understanding jewelry periods and designs, and avoiding common auction pitfalls, Jewelry & Gems At Auction is simply packed with valuable tips.



2. There are more in-depth books on buying and selling at auctions and online auctions that readers will want to consult. This briefs you on gemstones at auction. The publisher, Gemstone Press, has comprehensive guides on diamonds, pearls, etc. that are more in-depth as well. Convenient to have it all in one book, but keep in mind these limitations.
   Excellent color photo section, helpful drawings, great charts. Probably a good starting title for this area, but I'd want to read more books before venturing into buying and selling gems at auction.

1 comments about Treasury of the World: Jeweled Arts of India in the Age of the Mughals.

1. If you can't see this exhibit, this catalog is the next best thing. The photographs in this book glow almost as brilliantly as do the Mughal items in the exhibit at Houston's Museum of Fine Art. The only, more amazing exhibit that I've seen was at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Like at Topkapi, this Mughal exhibit features the dazzling glitter of thousands of gemstones set in gold, overwhelming me to the point of gaping at each item. I spent so much time studying the items themselves that I took scant notice of the exhibit's cards. This book provides the leisure to study the story behind the artistry. Little wonder that metal and gemstone workers were prized by Mughal rulers who enjoyed lavish gift exchanges. My friend took a look through the catalog and made a beeline to Houston to see the exhibit for herself. I'm sure that this catalog will inspire you, as well.

1 comments about Totems to Turquoise: Native North American Jewelry Arts of the Northwest and Southwest.

1. Totems To Turquoise: Native North American Jewelry Arts Of The Northwest And Southwest is a lavish artbook filled cover-to-cover with full-color photographs not only of beautiful Native American jewelry, but also portraits of the individual artists crafters who create it. Brief descriptions of each piece and broader essays enlighten the reader as to how and why these visually stunning articles were created, and the symbolism underlying their design. Many pieces feature short commentaries by the creators themselves. A truly well-rounded treasury and a welcome addition to contemporary Native American art shelves.

1 comments about Figurative Cast Iron: A Collector's Guide (A Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. A useful book because it covers both doorstops *and* doorknockers, bookends, banks and other cast iron ephemera. The photographs are dark and the pricing is out of date, but there are very few books on cast iron collectibles, making this a valuable addition.

4 comments about Watches International: Volume VII (Watches International).

1. While this book is heavy on pictures (and just heavy), it lacks some interesting brands and it doesn't have prices (even suggest retail helps establish a base line). There are better books on watches on the market but the price is low enough to make it (for me) not all bad.
   
   You can do better - keep clicking !



2. How about some new information? And lately, it seems like this collection is nothing more than the same as last year, with a few pages of what's popular this year added in. Where's a comprehensive book?



3. to be honest the book is filled with wonderful color pictures and descriptions of the watches.this is a good book to have for reference. I do perfer wristwatch annual as they include the prices. but for the money tis is a good book for someone who either collects or appreciates fine watches. a very nice overview



4. This book is a very comprehensive volume of today's finest watch brands and timepieces. There are at least two major brand omissions, including my favorite watch brand, Omega.
   
   There is not a single mention of Omega or Blancpain in the entire book. This leads me to believe that the book is really a pay to play advertising vehicle and these brands either chose not to participate or were intentionally left out. For me, with Omega missing, the book became a disappointment.

3 comments about Hattie Carnegie Jewelry: Her Life And Legacy.

1. The author of this book missed a great opportunity. This should have been a definitive history and a comprehensive illustrated survey of Hattie Carnegie's jewelry production. Instead, it's poorly written, scattershot and incomplete. Virtually none of Carnegie's fascinating and highly original 1940's designs (identifiable by the "HC" mark) are represented here. Almost all of the pictures are of 1950's and 1960's jewelry. The vast majority of pieces pictured in the book are ordinary and uninteresting - simple, plain and all-too-often trite goldtone designs of no particular distinction or style. Virtually none of Carnegie's most distinctive designs and spectacular jewels are illustrated in this volume. A serious author would have contacted dealers and collectors to obtain pictures of pieces that truly illustrate Carnegie jewelry's history, style and range. Much better Carnegie designs are pictured in GENERAL guides to collecting costume jewelry. To add insult to injury, what should have been a well-researched biography of Carnegie and narrative history of the company is instead a patchwork of miscellaneous tidbits strung together in a virtually incomprehensible style. Compared to the superlative books devoted to other jewelry designers (such as Miriam Haskell and Joseff), this book is a disgrace. A reader who knew nothing about Hattie Carnegie before reading this book would come away wondering why Carnegie was considered a great designer and fashion maven or why anyone would ever bother collecting her jewelry. If you are a serious collector of designer costume jewelry, you will be most likely be disappointed by this book. Who needs a Hattie Carnegie book that contains only a handful of her most inspired and creative designs buried among mountains of drek? It's truly a shame that the author wasted the opportunity to meaningfully document the career of such an important figure in the history of great American costume jewelry.



2. This author clearly loves Hattie Carnegie jewelry. The history is informative with some excellent research sources. The pictures are nice and give some idea of the style. I would have liked more detail on how the jewelry was constructed, the types of findings and a better idea of what was the true Carnegie style.
   
   The pricing was not helpful. Ranges like $95.00-$225.00 and $225.00- $525.00 do not help determine the true value. A collector would not be able to value a collection with this book.
   
   The pictures mix less and more expensive items all together and does not explain what key characteristics to look for to justify the higher price. I am not sure what to look for to distinguish the better pieces from the lesser. I have about 40 Carnegie pieces in my own collection and not one of them is shown in the book so it leads me to think that there are a lot more pieces out there that are not pictured so this is by no means a definitive representation of this designers jewelry.
   
   This book is not for the beginning collector because it is too general and it really is not a book you will refer to over and over because it needs more detail.



3. Until I read this book I had never collected any costume jewelry or even particularly liked it. I bought it because a friend wrote it. However, I have spent hours poring over the gorgeous color photographs and from now on will be alert for the Hattie Carnegie markings when I go to flea markets and antique shows. The book is not only a catalog of the more collectible Hattie Carnegie's pieces including estimated values, but also a well written entertaining biography of Hattie Carnegie. For a collector it must be a treasure.

1 comments about Platinum by Cartier: Triumphs of the Jewelers' Art.

1. An extensive collaberation of Cartiers most beautiful Platinum works. Many beautiful photographs and historical facts about Cartier jewelry making. A must for any Cartier or fine jewelry collector.

2 comments about Bakelite Jewelry: Good * Better * Best.

1. This is a very good book for collectors of bakelite. There are lots of pictures of unusual and creative bakelite jewelry that is so hard to value. The pictures are big and easy to see and most include dates which is so important. I especially like the big collection of crib toy brooches that are not often seen. Most of the pieces are from the 1920's, 30s and 40s. None are from the more modern bakelite designers. Still, it is a rich reference for early bakelite jewelry.



2. I am a total novice who is just starting to learn about Bakelite jewelry, and even though this book is expensive, it's the best one I've seen and well worth the money. (I also have Tony Grasso's book but don't think it's quite as helpful.) Not only does Wasserstrom's book have loads of beautiful color photos (hence the high price), but it is VERY clear and answers every single question that has occurred to me about Bakelite. It is just loaded with valuable and easy-to-reference information. (Like charts about which styles correspond to which dates, the differences between Bakelite and other types of plastics, etc.) My only tiny complaint is there's no index (true of the Grasso book also). If you're interested in learning about or collecting Bakelite, buy this book!

4 comments about Oak Furniture - The British Tradition.

1. This is an invaluable reference book on early oak furniture, which is neccessary for anyone who wishes to have an understanding of the subject. It is both full of expert knowledge explained in a clear concise manner and also contains numerous photographs of the furniture which is depicted in an organised chronogical order that clarifies the text.



2. This is a great book, it has so many photos I could not count them, then has them all in the index - a photo of each item, making it easy to locate any specifically. My only complaint is the photos are not colour but it would cost 4x as much (but perhaps would be worth that price).



3. This is the most informative book I have seen on all subjects of wooden furniture and does not limit itself to only oak. It describes in great detail the facts on why varying woods were used in each time period due to availability and why only certain trades were allowed to do specific work due to guild laws. The descriptions and photos are amazing, ( WARNING, you will be spellbound for hours looking at these...:) ), and the index at the back of the book uses the best system that I have seen by far, each picture is displayed in thumbnail size pictures and arranged by catagory. Simply look at the index section for chairs, see the thumbnail photo of the one you seek and the page location is written underneath. Family and friends borrow this book so much that I have often contemplated buying a second copy just to be sure of having it around all the time...:) This book will never go out of date. If you only ever buy one book on earlier woodworking, this is the one you must see. Would also make the best coffee table book I've ever seen.... Its BIG, its impressive and its the best, what more could you wan't?



4. if you have an interest in the development of early furniture . . . and how to recognize real pieces that are still on the market . . .and still surprisingly available . . .this is perhaps the definitive book out there . . . it is highly recommended despite how costly it is . . .