3 comments about Warmans Kitschy Kitchen Collectibles Field Guide (Warman's Field Guides).

1. Nice book but it is just too small. It would be much better if it was larger in size. But all in all it is ok



2. This guide covers items such as 1960's tin decorator kits and other garage-sale items. They are overpriced as well. Don't waste your money.



3. Just a warning to anyone buying books on kitchen collectibles--this field guide is made up of the exact same pictures and information as the book Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles, also by Brian S. Alexander. I didn't realize they would have exactly the same content and ordered them both, much to my chagrin. Thank goodness for returns! Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles iseasier to look at due to its larger format but if you want a smaller version to read on the go while thrifting or yard saling, the Warmans Field Guide will do.

5 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass.

1. VERY HAPPY WITH THE DETAILS AND INFORMATION ABOUT DEPRESSION GLASS. I HAVE ABOUT 300 PIECES AND AM NOW ABLE TO IDENTIFY MORE OF MY COLLECTION.



2. anyone interested in finding out what they have or what to look for, as far as depression glass or collectible glass, Gene Florance is the person to look for. I've got most editions of his books. and my parents also swore by his books. every edition has a little something extra, different or new. easy to follow and excellent pictures!



3. A must have book for begining collectors of depression glass -- good pricing - if you don't buy on e-bay - if you go to the glass shows gives you fair prices for most items -- e-bay buyers - GOOD LUCK, most everything is WAY, way over the value of the item you want.



4. Best book out there for dealers of depression glass, but they forgot a usable index or table of contents. To make matters worse, some patterns are alphabetized as No. ###. No index of alternate names (some patterns have 3 or 4 commonly used names). The table of contents is the same as the alphabetical listing by page, totally useless. The official company name is the pattern name it is ordered under, regardless of the popularity of other names.
   
   Pictures are great. Many prices have been reduced in this 2007 version, bringing pricing into line with what you should pay/charge. Common pieces (cups, small plates, etc.) can be got on eBay for about 1/2, but more in demand pieces (cereal bowls, dinner plates, serving pieces, tumblers) go for just about what is in the book. Verbiage for patterns normally indicates the marketability of the pattern, but wish there was a prominent "popularity score" above each color the pattern comes in. Some colors in some patterns have absolutely no buyers, which is an extremely valuable piece of information. Would recommend using --,-,+,++.
   
   They use a purist definition of depression, so you'll have to also buy the 40s 50s 60s book to complete your reference of what is commonly known as depression glass. There are pictures for about 1/2 of the pieces available, and generally a larger closeup for pattern identification. Success of pattern identification is probably 95% (best we've seen).



5. Like many people who collect depression glass, I stumbled into it while breaking up housekeeping in my grandmother's house last summer. As we went through her cabinets and packed up the things she couldn't take to her assisted living facility, I found numerous pieces of pretty colored glass that I took simply because I enjoyed the various colors and patterns. When my mom suggested that some of it was depression-era glass, I went to the library and found a previous edition of the Florence's book and went nuts when I saw what these pieces were worth. My grandma did too! Later that fall, the book was indispensible when we were cleaning out my great-grandmother's house to put it up for auction. I found 5 large boxes full of glass. This book was very useful in helping catagorize what I had, and how much to insure all of it for.
   
   This edition of the book is great because of it's photographs of each pattern. It makes it very easy to identify a lot of pieces just on sight. It also contains extremely useful information on reproductions which is fantastic to have when looking for glass, particularily at flea markets, estate sales and online where a lot of people mislabel patterns. The pricing is also helpful so you can see when people are simply trying to make a huge profit, rather than asking a reasonable amount.
   
   The reason I only gave this book 4 stars, though, is because there are many patterns that are not included in this edition. In the foreward, it's stated that not all patterns are contained because it would cause the price of the book to increase. However, by excluding several patterns, you are forced to purchase another book which means spending more money as well. The book is also difficult to bring along to antique stores because of it's size--most stores won't let you bring in a large purse or bag. But overall, if you are a new collector or looking to become one, this is an important book to have in your library.

1 comments about Victorian Houseware, Hardware and Kitchenware: A Pictorial Archive with Over 2000 Illustrations (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. Although interesting for the idle reader, this book is a valuable resource for those writing in the period setting, with its detailed descriptions and illustrations of items considered mundane in this era but no longer in use today. Also a priceless resource for the reenactment community.

3 comments about The Epicurean Collector: Exploring the World of Culinary Antiques.

1. Beautiful photographs explaining the antiques in relation to use! Very nice as a coffee
   table book.



2. Patrick Dunne is one of, if not the, leading experts on food-related antiques in America, and French antiques in general. His shop on Chartres street is one of the best-kept secrets in New Orleans. This book lists "et al" as additional authors of The Epicurean Collector, but don't believe it: without Dunne, there is no book. This stunning book is a fascinating look at lovely pieces and Dunne's excellent prose. If you love antiques related to food, own this book and be very happy.



3. This ravishingly beautiful book is also a highly entertaining and informative jaunt through history. Patrick Dunne writes with great wit and intelligence. Whether discussing the unusual "sugar nipper" or the ordinary egg, he succeeds in bringing alive whole worlds. This is a wonderful book.

5 comments about Fiesta: The Homer Laughlin China Company's Colorful Dinnerware (Schiffer Book for Collectors.).

1. This book as some interesting info but not great. The book is 97% Fiestaware, most of that being the vintage pieces.
   
   Being a collector of the post 86 Fiestaware, the book didn't do much for me.



2. I don't care what Martha Stewart says. I love her show and all... but this book stinks and was the worst recommendation she has ever given!
   There are just not really good books on fiesta ware out there. T

   All this book was to me (i returned it as well) was a nice picture book with beautiful color representations. If I didn't care about the rip of price of [cost] I would have laminated it and given it to a baby as a picture book.

   Outstanding photography and color accuracy just don't make up for the lack of valid information. I read the book cover to cover and I just missed the reference part of the book aside from a list of prices. It is full of errors and distorted information. When you do find something reference about the book it is mostly confusing or plain wrong.
   Things are mislabeled... etc.
   This is more of a coffeetable book than a reference guide.

   Overall [the price] is too much for picture book.




3. I am not sure exactly how I feel about this book. On the one hand, it's got some excellent photos, beautifully lit, lush with color. On the other hand it is not in any way an exhaustive reference of Fiesta, as one would expect with a collectible as popular as this. I like the fact that photos are shown of the various backstamps (marks), but I'm not wild about the lack of organization and skimpy table of contents. I'd like to see more examples added, categories more organized, and prices more accurate (mind you, prices in reference books these days are hard to pin down, due to the affect of online auctions on collectibles). Long on nice visuals, short on information (and a bit too expensive for what one gets!)



4. If I had gone by the first reviews I would have left this book alone and that would have been a mistake. If the text had errors in the past they are long one. The images are fantastic, the text is informative and very readable, the prices are right on target. Particularly good for those new to the field but of use to anyone. Maybe old reviews should be removed now and then. This is a great book!



5. I love this book!! I think that the photos are great very useful information.

No comments about Cake Stands & Serving Pieces.

No comments about Depression Era Dime Store Kitchen Home.

No comments about Art Deco Interiors.

5 comments about Fiesta, Harlequin, & Kitchen Kraft Dinnerwares: The Homer Laughlin China Collectors Association Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This is the definitive text on Fiestaware®, Harlequin® and Kitchen Kraft. It was written for collectors by collectors (the combined efforts of the Homer Laughlin China Collectors Association.)

   The book has insightful, smart and readable text that was reviewed by experts for accuracy. Each piece is illustrated with gorgeous, professional full-color photos, scale line drawings and details on its manufacture.

   Homer Laughlin gave the authors unprecedented access to the original journals of Franklin Rhead, the original designer behind Fiestaware® and Harlequin®, and it shows.

   This is more of a textbook than a guide. I find myself using it constantly. For Fiesta and Harlequin® collectors there is no equal.




2. This book, by far and away, is THE BEST for the collector of Homer Laughlin colourware. It has an amazing amount of detail and answers almost every question a person could ask about the dishes named in the title. Measured line drawings are an invaluable help for both the novice and seasoned collector. And it is quite a treat to see photos of nearly every piece in all glaze colours. I found the price guide to be a major improvement over most, as each piece is priced individually by colour.

   Readers are treated to a wonderfully accurate history of the dishes. Several rumours that have circulated among the collecting community over the years are laid to rest. The fact that the authors had access to both Frederick Rhead's journals and the HLC modeling logs resulted in a book that is sure to become "The Fiesta Bible".

   It is quite refreshing to be able to consult a reference for information, and know that it is factual and free of some author's prejudice and innuendo. This particular book sets a new standard for what collectors' books should be. A MUST BUY!!!




3. This is a fine quality coffee table type book, with heavy paper and nice color reproduction. If you are an advanced collector who owns every book about Fiesta as well as every piece of Fiesta, you will want this book.

   If you are a new collector who has absolutely no idea what any thing is, have no assortment of Fiesta to look at as you read and have no spatial visualization skills, you will want this book because it very pedantically gives every measurement every which way so that you can figure out that your plate that measures 9 5/8 inches is ... surprise commonly called the 9" luncheon plate, and not some "rare, unknown, experimental" due to that extra 5/8". In fact, if you are given to such flights of imagination, especially when pricing your items for sale, please buy this book.

   If you are the average collector who falls in the middle, who has seen a set or two of Fiesta, or owns some already, who knows the difference between a bowl and a cup, the tried and true Huxford book, also out at this time in a new edition at about ... and in stock at ..., is the more standardly used alternative, and the one that all but the most novice collector would probably find the better value.




4. Given all the hype that has been sounded off about this book, I guess my expectations were far too high. I expected something that would make me throw away my Snyder book for the pictures, stop constantly using my Huxford for the information and become enraptured with this one... sorry folks. I found the "one item to a page" thing a little too overdone and self important. Really, MORE information on LESS pages at a LOWER cost would have been much preferred. At 39.95, it is unlikely that I will buy the next (inevitible) edition...- I mean, just how many photos of a single item, followed by a line drawing of the same item, do you need to see?... Huxfords have always kept prices at around $20 per each edition update.... at $40 I would rather buy a piece of Fiesta than (a second edition of) this book. If you can, buy it used or borrow it.



5. If you are a beginning collector of Fiesta, Harlequin or Kitchen Kraft, this book will be an excellent source of information, particularly with regard to colors, dimensions and marks, the most commomly asked questions. If you are a more advaned collector, there is still a wealth of information to be found in this reference. The inclusion of dimensions for each piece is a subtantial improvement over most collectors guides to dinnerware. An absolute must own for the Fiesta or Harlequin collector!

No comments about Counterfeiting Antique Cutlery.