2 comments about Voyage: On the Edge of Art, Architecture and the City.

1. This is an amazing book, full of imagery and energy. It possesses a reality that supercedes the problematic disposition of a city, an instead offers a new reality. Thanks nadim.



2. This is an amazing book, full of imagery and energy. It possesses a reality that supercedes the problematic disposition of a city, an instead offers a new reality. Thanks nadim.

No comments about The Persistence of Craft: The Applied Arts Today.

3 comments about The Continental Prophecies (The Illuminated Books of William Blake, Volume 4).

1. This wonderful volume contains what are referred to as Blake's Continental Prophecies. They are: "America", "Europe", and "The Song of Los". The last has two sections called "Africa" and "Asia" and is by far the shortest.

   They are all beautifully illustrated and the first plate in "Europe" is probably the most famous image from Blake's illuminated works - the bearded white man kneeling and reaching down out of the sun with the measuring compass. "The Song of Los" is also full of beautifully colored images. The "America" plates are monochrome although a couple of colored plates are shown in the supplementary plates.

   Since "America" has 18 plates and "Europe" 17 and "Los" 8, it follows that most of the volume's 367 pages are filled with commentary, notes, and supplementary material. This helps a lot because these prophecies are part of Blake's rather opaque personal mythology. Scholars have filled shelves with conjecture about what it all means and they do have some good notions, but it is tough sledding without the background material to ease the way. This is a great edition and will be a treasure on the bookshelf of all who love the works of William Blake.




2. Blake's work must be read in reproduction. An engraver by trade, Blake revolutionized book production with his "infernal method" of engraved illumination, hand-crafting each book. In the Continental Prophesies, Blake revolutionizes historiography; _America_'s retelling of the American Revolution, for instance, juxtaposes Washington and Paine with Orc and Urizen, fact with myth, to produce something that powerfully transcends the dull round of history. The accompanying illuminations cannot be omitted-- they do not simply illustrate the text, but ILLUMINATE it, supplementing and counter-pointing. And Blake's art is awesome. The Blake Trust's series is superb, conveniently transcribing the handwritten text of the engraved text on the adjacent page, offering important visual variations between versions of the book, and amply providing comprehensive glosses (in seperate sections, both interpretative and contextual) on each plate/page visually and textually. It is expensive to buy the entire series, but one MUST have Blake's illuminations, and Blake is an author for whom one needs all the notes one can get (Blake's allusions are extremely complex, so one must at least recognize them on the most basic level). One cannot say enough about the the visions of Blake presented in these books, but this is too much; you must SEE.



3. I recommend that any fan of William Blake buy this volume and the other 5 in the series. The books are beautiful, large, and handsomely bound. Each book is reproduced in full color, using a six-color printing process rather than the standard four. The pages are heavy, opaque and have a gorgous lustre indicating very high quality paper. The text of each book accompanies the color reproductions in standard typeface with very competent commentary to boot.

   A must have!

No comments about Ketubbot: Marriage Contracts from the Jewish Museum.

3 comments about Mccoy Pottery: A Field Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This is a very useful guide to McCoy pottery. The photos are wonderful, the text provides detailed and accurate information on the design and manufacturing process not to be found elsewhere ... and much else. The book is well organized and easy to use. The pricing is fair. The author interviewed the McCoys themselves and has written about many different pottery lines. This is a good book. But don't take my word for it. Check it out for yourself!



2. This book contains many photos and names or pieces and lines to help a novice collector recognize McCoy.

   I love McCoy collecting - but I suspect the information found in Mr. Snyder's book reflects knowledge of an author and not a seasoned McCoy collector. The book contained little new information and several errors including the unique spelling of Mr. SIDNEY Cope's name which should read SYDNEY.

   A good collector's reference needs more than pictures and guesses at pricing and needs to do more than reiterate (whether accurately or inaccurately) the history of the items. It needs a depth of current knowledge found only by being an active collector who networks with others; subscribes to newsletters; attends reunions and auctions and above all, is familiar with the topic of the book!

   This book values a stoneware leaves and berries plate at when last summer one sold for. I suspect that had there been input from other geographical locations beyond PA and Ohio, some of the pricing and information might have been more accurate.

   Disappointing to say the least - but there are other very informative McCoy books to fill the holes left by this one.




3. Generally inferior to the real collector books on McCoy--the Nissen Hanson volumes, Sanford volumes, Huxford and the original Coates books. Pictures not as detailed, poor organization, incomplete reference for this prolific pottery.

5 comments about Layley.

1. This is nearly a really good book. Yes the model is a very attractive young lady and that's always a guaranteed good start to getting great images. The settings etc are all really nice and generally the composition etc is good and makes nice images. Where this book lost me a little though was on two points-
   
   1. Some of the shots were more than just glamour, were lightly sexual, (phallic representations, touching her clitoris and vagina, nipple clamps and clothes pegs etc). These shots were potentially powerful and really good but in all but one or two images in the book Leyley was looking into the camera, even in these shots. This made it seem she was modelling the goods rather than the "Oooooh God Yes, Yes, Yes!!" expression that shots implying stimulation deserve. After all, these should be shots that capture the abandon to the moment and the energy, not a sex toy catalogue shot.
   
   2. Yes, she is a very attractive woman and with spectacular legs that should be captured on film so that when she is an old lady and her beauty is the wisdom of her years rather than the freshness of her youth and smooth beauty she still has a record of the earlier years. However a portfolio such as this book provides is only big enough to justify one or maybe two shots from low angle with a very wide lens to make those lovely legs look to go on forever. What we have here though is a feeling as if every time there was indecision what image to include next the default was `pick another long shot up her delicious legs with a short lens'.
   
   What I do love about this book is that, for me, it is a great example of worshipping an individual with a beautiful collection of shots for posterity.
   
   I may use this book as a `have a look at this then' sort of book for people (men, women and couples) as a suggested sort of thing they can create for their own posterity and memory, as an example of what people should have of themselves as a treasured possession in a top drawer somewhere that always bring a warm sense of celebration, beauty and even stimulation.
   Cheers
   
   Lloyd



2. Thank you Layley and John Deonegan for 150 pages of one of the most incredible erotic photo books that I have had the pleasure of owning! First, the quality of the printing is outstanding. You will not be disappointed. The B&W images are pin-sharp and John's technique for consistent skin tones throughout the book is amazing. It reads like a visual diary as Layley poses in numerous settings, both indoor and out. Layley is an extremely beautiful and sensual young lady whom is obviously quite comfortable with her own body. Throughout the book she explores her sexuality through the use of various props and explicit poses. Yes, this book does often show her genitals, but in an artistic erotica manner. John has also incorporated a generous amount of bondage gear into the book that will definitely leave a lasting impression on you! Layley poses as the ultimate sex kitten strapped spread-eagle with clothes-pins located in all the right places - ouch! As a professional glamour photographer myself, I give this book and Layley two thumbs up for the wonderful and creative work that each put into this book. Truly a classic that will last throughout the ages of photo-eroticism. A "must own" for collections of this genre.



3. John has done a piece of beautiful work in this book. He took a fresh unknown girl and created some stunning pictures that everybody who loves good photography will enjoy.



4. This book is truly a work of art.
   The quality of the pics of this book is good, but repetitive.
   It makes a wonderful gift or addition to a collection.
   Recommended.



5. The book is presented as a long colaboration between model & photographer.
   This is just a lie, what we see here is just 2 or 3 photo sessions, taken from the same period: some very cheap and uninteresting shots, very boring in fact.
   At least, the pictures are color shots turns into B&W, and the job is terribly done (and so is the printing of the book)
   If you're interested in young woman sexuality(i mean discovering their sexuality) i suggest you keep an eye on Natasha Merrit's work, far more interesting, or even on the Suicidegirls publication.
   Pardon my bad english.

1 comments about Collecting Royal Copley Plus Royal Windsor & Spaulding: Book 2 (Collector's Guide to).

1. A very handy 144 page reference book featuring hundreds of small, full color photos of Royal Copley, Royal Windsor and Spaulding items. This Book II has no repeats from the previous Book I. Major chapters run from Royal Copley-Still Going Strong, The Truth About Royal Windsor, A Warm Experience at Spaulding, to Labels, Bibliography and Source Material. You'll find this handy purse size volume useful as you attend auctions and antique shows.

1 comments about Illustrated Dictionary of Ceramics.

1. This is quite the best specialist dictionary for collectors and dealers, and for translators like myself, checking that the English expression means what we hope. But there is a danger. Look up one expression and you find yourself reading several other entries as well, just for the fun of it. A most entertaining and erudite work. I know of nothing else to match it.

2 comments about Shawnee Pottery: The Full Encyclopedia With Value Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. Everything you ever wanted to know about collecting this fine pottery is in here. Very impressed about the history and how complete it is. Pam did an EXCELLENT job in researching. Easy to follow with great pictures. You will never regret getting a copy of this book. It is WONDERFUL.



2. This book is a must for any Shawnee collector. The information and pictures are extensive and laid out in easy to read chapters. She covers all Shawnee, from cookie jars to ashtrays. I take this with me on all Shawnee excursions. It is large and somewhat heavy, definitely not a "pocket guide".

No comments about Spaghetti Art Ware: Poodles and Other Collectible Ceramics.