2 comments about Beckett Price Guide to Hot Wheels, 2008 Edition.

1. I purchased this book thinking that it was a collection of all the hot wheels from the beginning. The fine print of 2006-2008 was difficult to see on the cover.For those who are only interested in those years the book was filled with great pictures and information,but for the vintage collector, this is not helpful!



2. It's good if you started collect in the last few years, If you have older cars I would recommend Lee's Toy Review. Lee's put's out Toy price guide every month.

5 comments about Pocket Ed. Jackson's Hallmarks.

1. There are two books on English silver hallmarks available on Amazon, the other being English Silver Hallmarks, and although both are excellent books, in my opinion, this is the lesser of the two. Both books are almost identical in content: both provide illustrations of English, Irish and Scottish silver, gold and platinum hallmarks, and illustrations of the more important makers marks, which allow for the dating of silver, gold and platinum items. However, this book omits Sheffield plate marks, which are included in "English Silver Hallmarks", and it is harder to find what you are looking for in this book.
   
   The periods of time covered by these two books are slightly different. This book gives hallmarks for the period from 1300 to 1991, whereas "English Silver Hallmarks" covers the period from 1554 to 2004. If you are wishing to date very early pieces of silver, then, clearly, this is the book to buy. However, as I have never had any need to date items made prior to 1554, and most of the items that I have dated have been more recent items, I find the period of time covered by "English Silver Hallmarks" to be the most appropriate for my needs.
   
   Although both books are very useful and both are likely to satisfy the requirements of the average silver collector, if you are only going to buy one of these books, then "English Silver Hallmarks" is probably the book to buy.



2. Unless you are extremely experienced with Silver and Gold items and what / where their origin may be, this book is probably not for you. The chances of being able to find what you are looking for reminds me of looking for a needle in a haystack. The marks are illustrated in VERY SMALL 1/4" black and white diagrams, column after column, put in tables with time period or comment in print that is even smaller than the diagram. Several (bordering on too many) of the marks look very much the same and after looking at 170 pgs of extremely small and not necessarily clear diagrams and images, I feel I should of spent my money elsewhere for info on silver ID.



3. Not easy for any beginner to use. Unless you knew exactly what kind of silver you were trying to identify i.e. English, Scottish, Irish... etc, it was a bit confusing. Marks are black & white, some not showing very good clarity and everything is in extremely in small print. If you just want to sort through tons of marks and dates, this may be for you. If you want information about your piece, pass it up.



4. This is a great little book!
   Easy to use to look up maker's marks while out antiquing, or at auctions, or what-have-you.
   I just wish there was a section of Russian Silversmiths Marks. But other than that... A+!



5. This is a great little book to take antiquing with you if you collect English silver. Although not exactly pocket size it can still fit in your bag or you can hold on to it without it getting cumbersome. Unlike many of the other silver ID books the hallmarks shown in this book are large and clear enough that you don't need your glasses to decipher them. A nice plus is that it reviews selected makers of Georgian through 20th Century silver and offers a little comment on their work.

2 comments about Fishing Lure Collectibles: An Encyclopedia of the Early Years, 1840 to 1940.

1. Another lure book, if you like fishing (or even better if you are an addict like me) you will find this book interesting. It will send you to sleep if you don't like fishing or the history associated with the ways and means of catching fish. Like other companion books, these are beautifully presented with nice photo's and informative text. Sorry I haven't done a book review since high school.



2. Any collector interested in antique fishing lures and the history of fishing lure production will find all the answers in Fishing Lure Collectibles, a clear guide to a notoriously difficult collecting hobby focus. Two experts provide clear details in Fishing Lure Collectibles: An Encyclopedia of the Early Years, 1840 to 1940. Each manufacturer's items are surveyed along with history, individuals who purchased patent rights from companies, changes in bait quality and production standards, and more. Not to be missed.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

5 comments about Visions of Mary.

1. I am not Catholic, but became interested in Mary after observing in society, and within my own heart, a longing for the divine feminine. The vivid accounts of her visitations around the world and the beautiful artwork are both fascinating and comforting. This gorgeous volume is a feast for the eyes as well as the soul.



2. She is the Mary of Jesus as well as she is everyone's Mary. See her here in all colors and incarnations.



3. Finally, a lovely and loving book about the numerous apparitions of the Virgin Mary over the past several centuries. This volume will be a welcome addition to the library of any Marian devoté, as well as an informative primer to those unfamiliar (or misinformed) about the nature and varieties of both the apparitions themselves, as well as those who experienced them. The authors also show how the visions continue to be of interest and value to modern-day persons. An excellent selection of photos of many home-made shrines is included, demonstrating how the Virgin Mary attracts even the most lowly. What most of the shrines lack in artistry, they more than make up for in charm. Another nice addition is the variety of cultures depicted. Even though I am a very well-read Catholic, there were several apparitions that I had never heard of. I really enjoyed this book. I only wish it were longer and more comprehensive.



4. In their new book Visions of Mary (Harry N. Abrams, December, 2004, hardcover, 144 pages) authors Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua have collaborated to present a stunning look at the image of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Moving beyond the trite "coffee-table art" approach, DiPasqua and Calamari share an eclectic and broad ranging composition of pictures, ranging from statues of her international apparitions to simple home shrines. As a compliment to the outstanding photography and artwork that fill its pages, Visions of Mary includes comprehensive reference material written in an engaging style.



5. This is an extraordinary book. It's gorgeous, beautifully written, and both moving and entertaining, and it has taught me many things I never knew about the Virgin Mary. For instance, I'd never heard of Our Lady of Knock, who appeared in a country church in Ireland three times in 1879 and 1980 with a crown on her head and a rose under the crown as stunned villagers prayed before her. She effected more than three hundred cures, starting with a young girl born deaf whose hearing was restored and including the Archbishop of Toronto. The book presents the full richness and variety of the cult of Mary through profiles of dozens of such officially recognized apparitions and through a rich trove of color photographs of everything from pious graffiti on a New York slum wall to Our Lady of Salette, the patroness of France.
   
   I plan to give this to several of my friends, because I believe it will appeal equally to the deeply religious, the historically curious, and lovers of art. Wonderful!

No comments about Collectible Playing Cards (Collectibles).

5 comments about Pokemon Collector's Value Guide: Secondary Market Price Guide and Collector Handbook (Collector's Value Guides).

1. Just like the title for this review. No more, no less.



2. I am pleased to say that this excellent guide has brought much information about the incredibly popular Pokémon trading card game, and much knowledge about the Pokémon merchandise. Checkerbee Publishing has made a incredible value guide, considering that they included transalations for the Japanese poket monster trading card game, pictures of the cards, and such information is included in American Pokémon card game which is also featured in this book. Though this book has it's pros, it also has cons. No estimated prices are given about the American Fossil Cards, and few people are sure that the Japanese transalations are 100% accurate. Though, that should not stop you from buying this stupendous guide. I am very sure this will satisfy thous who are in need of Pokémon information.



3. i bought this book because it looked cool. but i read some of it there was alot of misprints!



4. This book is a really good source if you want to know how much your pokemon cards are worth. This book has the values of rares, commons, and uncommons. And it even has the values of japanese cards. If you want to get a pokemon price guide, i suggest you buy this one.



5. IF you can't under stand you japanies cards fear no more. This book tells you what it says.

1 comments about Beckett Unofficial Guide to Yu-gi-oh 2007 Price Guide (Beckett Unofficial Guide to Yu-GI-Oh Price Guide).

1. This guide is up to date with current rules. It contain's all sets through Cyberdark Impact and Tournmanent pack 8. The only thing it didn't cover was the championship packs. This guide included several deck building lists. It also included the forbidden and limited rules for Standard Format; Advanced Format rules not found in this guide.
   This guide contains price guides for every card set including japanese ones. Included in the price guides are Dungeon dice monsters, minatures, ect. This is a must have guide for any Yu-gi-oh! TCG player or a fan. This guide is mainly lists. Picture are very few.

No comments about Beckett Unofficial Pokemon Price Guide #3 (Beckett Unofficial Guide to Pokemon).

3 comments about The Fred Arbogast Story: A Fishing Lure Collector's Guide.

1. Scott Heston's THE FRED ARBORGAST STORY: A FISHING LURE COLLECTOR'S GUIDE is for any avid collector of fishing lures: it surveys both cataloged and uncataloged lures, providing good-sized color photos of both lures and packaging and blending design history insights with values. Any sports or fishing collectibles collection will want this.



2. Excellent book, has lots of great info about the Fred Arbogast Company and the lures and items that are collectable. The print quality of some of the pictures could be better, especially the color charts, but that aside, thanks to Scott Heston for putting it together.



3. This has to be THE best collectors guide I have ever purchased on ANY collectable, EVER! Even better than his book on Ohio fishing lures. I am so glad I bought this guide. I recently found an old tackle box full of old lures at a yard sale, one of the lures were still in it's box, both in incredible condition! (not gonna mention which lure...but it is valued at $200 in the box)...this guide helped me to recognize what an outstanding deal these lures really were at the price...I paid only $5 for the lot and was able to make quite a tidy profit off of them on eBay. The eBay tips on picture viewing (or in my case, taking) helped me to show the lures off to their best advantage...Thanks Mr. Heston!!!

No comments about Collecting Playing Cards: Identification And Value Guide.