No comments about Classic Japanese Porcelain: Imari and Kakiemon.

1 comments about Ceramics from Islamic Lands.

1. This is a splendid book, helpful in so many ways if you are interested in pottery, history, or arts. With sufficient technical material to be useful for the serious potter, it is still accessible for someone just interested in the styles and beauty of pottery.

5 comments about Comprehensively Clarice Cliff.

1. One of the most definitive pictorial and historical records packaged in a very handsome, large volume.



2. This is an extraordinary achievement, leaving for dead most of the previous publications on Clarice Cliff. The research is the culmination of years of research through the Wilkinson archives, the pictures are sumptuous, and there is clear and logical indexing and referencing, which is often a downfall of books on collectibles. The flow-chart on page 19 is an invaluable tool for identification.



3. I find this book to be an incredibly valuable and easy to use reference to Clarice Cliff and Wilkinson pottery. It is 'comprehensive' and so far I haven't been stumped by a pattern that I couldn't find an example of in the book. The background information is comprehensive as well and I can now put shapes and styles into an overall perspective easily without having to browse through 20 difference catalogues and books. In the last 12 years I have purchased every book on Clarice Cliff that I could and they pale into insignificance in comparison with this. The information is not a repeat of other guides available and, in my opinion, the indexing and browsing references are so good that this book should win an award. I eagerly await any further publications by this author. I also think that the price for this book was very reasonable and about half what other references of the same calibre cost.



4. I am a US collector of Clarice Cliff and was very much looking forward to this book. The positive: you can find almost any pattern and the dates they were designed and fired. If you need to find a pattern or shape, it should be in this book
   The negative: Difficult to discerne the valuable from the run-of-the mill. The color photos are excellent and the application of paint comes alive on many of the objects. There is some controversy whether all the designs listed are really Clarice's. But after reading so many books about her and since she was so reticent about giving information, it is more difficult to argue who designed what and when.
   I use the book as a reference, not as a guide for what is the collectible. Since I believe CC's work is very hard to find in the states, it does serve as large enough range if I should ever come across a piece I must have!



5. Publishers have a habbit of regurgitating these guides
   I should know!

1 comments about Glass Etching: 46 Full-Size Patterns with Complete Instructions.

1. If you are just beginning to learn glass etching, this book is a must. Wonderful and easy to follow instructions and great patterns. I made some beautiful pieces with this book.

1 comments about Days of Intimacy.

1. This book features just one model, Stephanie, on one B&W picture per page. She's sometimes clothed or covered, at least in part, but most often appears wearing only Stephanie. It looks really good on her.
   
   Karsten catches her in many moods. Sometimes, her simple, subtle form suffices (p.42, 100, 137). Sometimes it's her smile (p. 136, 25, 35, 40) or a more ambiguous expression (p.15, 26, 55, 111). Other times she's raw and elemental (p.131, 72, 86) or delicate and fragile (p.21, 46, 90-91). In any case, Karsten breaks through the fallacy of the invisible camera. We see Stephanie as we do because of Karsten's involvement (p.44, 56-57, 156-157).
   
   Another one-model book of figure photo came out recently, and couldn't be more different, even ignoring this book's enticingly larger format. The models are both lean, young, with long straight hair, and even show a little facial resemblance at some angles. Karstsen's book is almost wholly about Stephanie, and she seems truly happy in herself and in sharing herself. Donegan's model, on the other hand, often seemed like just another prop (albeit human) among his other fetish gear, or a perfunctory display of body parts - and she never smiled. Any viewer who truly likes the whole woman, not just the evanescent gift of youth, will know the distinction that sets Karsten miles ahead.
   
   The small amount of writing is in German, which I admit to be among my lacks. The intro is translated into English, and I generally found it missable. The one or two other pages of text may have added something for a German reader, but only a little.
   
   //wiredweird

No comments about Perpetual Glory: Medieval Islamic Ceramics from the Harvey B. Plotnick Collection (Art Institute of Chicago).

2 comments about Designed & Signed: '50S & '60s Glass, Ceramics & Enamel Wares by Georges Briard, Sascha Brasto (Schiffer Book for Collectors With Value Guide.).

1. I am quite surprised to see that there are not more reviews on this fabulous book. Not only is it beautiful and chock full of fabulous photos and estimated values, but it seems to be the only solid reference for Georges Briard and his equally talented peers. Expect to find nearly every pattern that Georges Briard ever designed and also some wonderful photos and information on: Higgins, Sasha Brastoff, Marc Bellaire, and even a few photos towards the back for Couroc, Fred Press (one of my faves), Ned Harris, Gabor, Gay Fad, etc...I probably refer to this book every other day! A must have for the mid century collector and especially for the fan of Briard and his designs. Thank you, Leslie Pina, for putting this book together!



2. This is the only book I have been able to find on George Briard glassware. Chapter 1, over 50% of the book is devoted to George Briard collectibles. Chapter 2, about 20%, is about Sascha Brastroff. Chapter 3, about 10%, is about Marc Bellaire. Chapter 4, about 15%, is about Higgins. Chapter 5, about 5%, contains more designers and a section showing all of the artists signatures. Each chapter includes the history of each designer. The pictures are absolutely fantastic and include a price range for each item. I have been able to identify and purchase many of the items included in this book. Obviously, this is one of my FAVORITE books. I highly recommend it to any one collecting 50s & 60s glass.

4 comments about Staffordshire Spaniels: A Collector's Guide to History, Styles, and Values (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This book is for lovers of these beautiful dogs or those interested in their beginnings. Very informative book,and lots of colored pictures to help with ones selection of a spaniel. I recommend as this be number 1 book of choice about these Staffordshire dogs.



2. This terrific book traces the history, manufacture, and various styles of the traditional Comforter Spaniel made in Staffordshire, England during the 19th century. It is a comprehensive study with substantial text and beautiful illustrations, and it is written in a style that keeps the reader turning pages. As a collector and dealer, I have found this book to be extremely useful - I can't keep enough copies in my store, and I keep it at the top of the stack on my coffee table at home. This is a perfect reference and a perfect gift for anyone who appreciates the primitive beauty of the well-known Staffordshire Spaniel. Be sure to check out its companion text, Staffordshire Animals, by the same author and publisher!



3. This book, the only one I know of that deals specifically with Staffordshire Spaniels, is an invaluable reference for collectors and dealers alike. It offers a wide range of over 285 superb full-color illustrations, descriptive captions, and suggested values that reflect various market and regional trends. The book is packed with important historical and production information. Sections on reproductions and tips for collectors round out this comprehensive and informative study. This is NOT just another Staffordshire picture book or boring catalog of image after image. This specialized book offers so much more. The author's writing style is reader-friendly and touched by the sense of fun that Staffordshire collecting is meant to be. Synonymous with Staffordshire figures, Spaniels are the quintessential Victorian decorative accessory -- no Victorian interior is complete without at least one pair, and no collector or dealer's library is complete without this book! Enjoy!



4. This book contains nice photographs. However, the prices of pieces are unrealistic. Some quotes seem extremely low and other extremely high. The author doesn't mention the condition of the piece when quoting prices The greatest factor the effects the price of pottery is the condition of the piece. A price should never be given without a discription of the condition of the piece. The book would be a nice reference for a novice collector. But price information should be ignored.

No comments about Ceramics in America 2003 (Ceramics in America).

2 comments about Nymphettes.

1. First off, some people need to be able to know what is and isn't an elf. Pointed ears usually means the character is an elf. Round ears, they aren't.
   
   Work is mainly pinups. Many characters from Blairs other 'Elflord' and 'Sapphire' series appear here, including the brief 'Bianca' series in 'Sizzle'.
   
   Fairly tame erotica for this artist. Wonder when we might see v2?



2. It was an enormous thrill for me to provide a review of "The Erotic Elfin Art of Nymphettes" by Barry Blair and Colin Walbridge. Barry and I go way back, almost twenty years. We've never met, never even spoken by phone, but when I put out my fledgling fanzine "Alter Limits" back in 1986, Barry's comic company Aircel was one of the most helpful independent comic companies to a young writer, supplying me with review copies, artwork, even paying to advertise in my little zine and I've always appreciated it. I've been an admirer of his work ever since he first produced his legendary fantasy comic, Elflord. Influenced by both Wendy Pini and Wally Wood, with a touch of Anime, Blair has carved out a nice little niche for himself and garnered a legion of fans with his comic works over the past two decades.
   
   This 48 page over-sized book feature Blair and his partner Colin Walbridge presenting an extraordinary collection of full-color paintings of erotic and sultry Elfin art, all with the wily and spry humor we've come to expect from them. One thing I love about the book is that the each piece is titled. I wish this was done more in art collections. Blair and Walbridge use colors that are as bright and feisty as the characters they illustrate.
   
   Dark Elves are popular character in fantasy fiction these days and one of the standout paintings in this collection is "Rosehawk" featuring a dark elf female, clad in contrasting red leather, holding a sword and ready for battle. In "The Lynx and the Serpent Lagoon" a beautiful red-haired elf battles for her life against a monstrous sea-serpent. Showing off their wry humor is a piece called "Now you will tell me" depicting an elf buried in sand up to her chest as a female pirate waits for her to spill her secrets.
   
   "Unexpected Visit" is an aptly named painting. A cute elf is lounging in a refreshing bath when she's suddenly startled by the appearance of an unwanted companion in her bathtub. And in a nod to playful pin-ups of days gone by, "Bad Bianca" shows a pretty little elf on the receiving end of a good spanking while several other elves laugh and giggle in the background. It's a superb collection by one of my favorites from the "golden age" on independent comics. Well worth checking out for fans of fantasy or erotic art.
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson