1 comments about A Collector's Guide to Anchor Hockings Fire-King Glassware.

1. The book I am reviewing is the Kilgo-Wilkins book titled "Fire-King Glassware", volume II, (1997), a 200 page bright red hardcover with a jadite collection featured on the front cover. This book is especially helpful to EAPC collectors as it has a marvelous 10 page section on Prescut featuring a timeline listing what pieces were made each year, 1960-1978. In my opinion if this book had been published a year or two later when the EAPC craze really took hold and if it had some reference to EAPC in the title that could have been picked up by a search engine, I wouldn't be the only guy out here waving his arms around. An excellent resource for other Fire-King glassware also. Good close-up photos of most of the Anchor-Hocking labels, good explanation of Anchor-Hocking Company logo evolution. Prices tend to be somewhat out of date as with most reference manuals of this sort. If you're a serious Fire-King or EAPC collector you must go find this one!

1 comments about The '50s & '60s Kitchen: A Handbook & Price Guide.

1. I simply don't see the point of creating a book such as this one. I've purchased many research/reference books, and have a particular love for all things 50s/60s, but the selection of items shown, and the almost total lack of editorial and research information, left me extremely disappointed. I don't know what the criteria was for choosing the items to feature, but I don't find them to be representative of the era, or even the best or most classic examples. The 50s and 60s were FUN! This author didn't bring any of that fun to her book.

No comments about Pattern Glass Mugs.

4 comments about Py Miyao Fun Kitchen Collectibles: Reference & Value Guide.

1. The author of this latest collectible guide, Belinda Euans, did an outstanding job putting this book together. Collectibles are a work of art and knowing as much history as possible makes them even more special. I was delighted to find that this book not only contains beautiful, colorful pictures of these special, whimsical, and unique collectibles, it also includes a comprehensive section including the history of the Miyawo Company and distributors. I especially enjoyed the photographs of the Miyajima family, WWII, and the factory then and now. Ever wonder why so many ceramic items were produced after the war and how Japanese manufacturers and United States buyers conducted business? Answers to these questions and others can be found in this reference book.

   This new, professional guide is very easy to follow. Pictured page after page are a wide variety of treasures from salt and pepper shakers, planters, teapots, wall pockets, vases, plates and more. It will likely keep a reader interested from start to finish and could even leave some collectors desiring more because it's so much fun to look at. I was amazed and surprised to see many items I never knew existed before. I believe many of them cannot be found in any other books on the market and are pictured here for the first time.

   I feel collectors and admirers of ceramic kitchen collectibles will wish to add this reference and value guide to their library. I plan on purchasing multiple copies for Christmas presents. Thank you, Belinda, for your efforts and dedication in obtaining this information for interested fellow collectors.




2. What a wonderful guide for PY collectors. I am a Rooster and Roses collector and have searched for information on different pieces and their values, but to no avail until the PY/Miyao Fun Kitchen Collectibles Reference & Value Guide was published. I always wondered about the history of the pattern. The book even peeked my interest in the anthropomorphic line of PY. Belinda Euans not only captured my interest with the beautiful photos and the pricing guide, but answered all my questions regarding the origin of the pattern and history of the company. Kudos for a job well done. I recommend this book to anyone with any interest in the PY, UCAGCO, Early Provincial line.



3. Belinda has done a fabulous job cataloging and pricing my favorite collectible, Roosters and Roses. The color photographs of the various items are beautiful and really show off the pieces wonderfully. I don't collect any other PY items but I found the rest of the book delightful with the whimsical photos and wealth of information. Hats off to Belinda! My husband and I now have new Roosters and Roses "horizons" to conquer thanks to her.
   Grateful readers,
   Alexis and Bob Stone,
   Florida



4. This is an excellent book. It is a great book for collectors of Rooster & Roses, Fruit Faces, Veggie People, & Flower Girls. It is very interesting & quite knowledgeable for both old & new collectors. High fives to Mrs Euans for a terrific book. We will be looking for more of the same in the near future.

No comments about Viktor Schreckengost Designs in Dinnerware (Schiffer Book for Designers and Collectors).

1 comments about Yellow Ware - The Transitional Ceramic (Revised Edition).

1. This book is helpful in identifying pieces, and learning some early history, but of course the prices are very outdated. The photography isn't of the best quality, and in some cases, unprofessional looking for a book, but still interesting and helpful. There were some inconsistencies in the text and errors with Pottery names, but I think it's worth owning if you are a yellow ware collector.

2 comments about The Book of Griswold & Wagner: Favorite Piqua, Sidney Hollow Ware, Wapak : With Price Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. Being a collector, dealer and trader with my own online cast iron business..., this the what most collectors call the Bible of Griswold or the BLUE book. It is well laid out with great pictures. The author, Dave Smith, is friendly and easy to approach with questions and is very knowledgeable. It is the first book I go to.



2. Finding the author online and then finding his book. What a great book for the first time collector, the continuing collector or the expert. Precise information presented in and easy to read format. Great pictures and lots of neat little notes. A sample of the pricing of any and all. Includes a short history of most of the companies that have made cast iron cookware, and other items in cast iron.

3 comments about Knives '99 (Knives).

1. The book contains spelling errors and is marred by pictures overlaying other pictures. The paper used is so-so and will yellow like it's previous versions. As a resource to the custom knife industry, it is valuable however.



2. I use this book for one reason. If I find a custom knife I am interested it I use the directory in the book to find out where the maker lives, their contact info and price range. That alone is worth the price of the book though Ken could improve upon it by providing page numbers in the directory that would show you examples of a maker's work instead of flipping through the book trying to find them. I would recommend for next year Ken try to get at least one photo per maker.



3. This book is a review of trends happening in the past year for the cutlery enthusiast. Pictures are B&W but the paper this book uses is so-so.

   This particular issue lacks the maker photo index and is marred with misspellings. Also pictures were overlayed on each other which makes seeing some of these fine handmade knives difficult. Articles are informative.

5 comments about The Complete Cookie Jar Book.

1. I have a Cookie jar which isnt listed in the book.
   Any way I can find out more about it?



2. As of July 2007 cookie jar values have plummeted on Ebay. I would estimate people are willing to pay 50 % or less than in 1999 or 2000. The cookie jar collecting bubble burst. Examples-- A Hull Barefoot Boy did go for 200 easily. One recently started at 79 dollars and received no bids. A Shawnee Smily or Winnie dressed up in Shamrock or Chysanthemums (sic) etc was about 200-225 in 2000. I got each for about 100 DOLLARS this summer.
   If you like cookie jars-- the time to buy is now. For folks that bought jars in the late 90s, your collection is worth 50-60% less.
   Point-- this book's values are way out of date and using them will result in your paying way too much. Better to go on Ebay and watch for awhile or look at what jars you want went for recently via Searching History.
   The pics are great-- but as i said in late 1999, the coverage is not comprehensive of all makers-- focusing mainly on McCoy and American Bisque



3. This book helps price cookie jars before you buy, plus it gives you ideas on what you would like in your collection. Well worth the price of the book.



4. Now in its fourth edition, The Complete Cookie Jar Book by Mike Schneider is a 312-page catalogue and price guide of collectible and antique cookie jars. Filled from cover-to-cover with full color photographs illustrating each of the more than 2000 cookie jars featured, The Complete Cookie Jar Book is a superbly organized, expertly informative, and inherently fascinating resource for collectors and curiosity seekers with an interest in this traditional piece of kitchenware.



5. Mike Schneider has provided an invaluable service to cookie jar collectors everywhere. Mike was the first author to include the dimensions of the cookie jars and to shoot the cookie jars from the top of the finial. With all of the reproductions out there today, it is hard for beginning collectors to know which cookie jars are original and which ones are reproduction.

   Mike's innovative approach to photographing the cookie jars from the top of the finial gives collectors a whole new perspective on what the cookie jars look like and I think this is important.

   Other authors of collectibles books owe Mike a debt of gratitude. His detailed descriptions of cookie jars, including their dimensions, make his cookie jar book the standard by which all collectibles books should be written. I find that many authors miss the small details when it comes to writing about their collectible of choice. Information pertaining to the year of production and the dimensions, along with the color variations it was produced in, are the key to educating collectors. Mike Schneider delivers all this and more in his book.

   This is one book that no serious cookie jar collector should be without.

1 comments about Turn of the Century American Dinnerware, 1880s to 1920s: Identification and Value Guide.

1. This is not a book on dinnerware - it's a book on pottery; the lowest form of food service next to the paper plate. There is no mention of the great china factories: Lenox, Syracuse or Pickard. The book should be renamed Diner Ware.