4 comments about Extraordinary Exhibitions: The Wonderful Remains of an Enormous Head, The Whimsiphusicon & Death to the Savage Unitarians (Broadsides from the Collection ... from the Collection of Ricky Jay).

1. This book is a fascinating collection of antique advertisements for entertainment acts ranging from the whimsical to the bizarre. The broadsides themselves are surprisingly readable and Jay's commentary illuminates the subject matter in a way that sheds light on multiple facets of the social context the broadsides existed within. It's an art book, an intriguing work of history, a compendium of the bizarre, a chronicle of advertising techniques, and a unique stage door view on just exactly what humans will define as "entertaining".



2. If you ever have a chance for a collector to show his collection, you run the risk of being terribly bored. Unless you yourself collect stamps, coins, thimbles, Hummel figurines, or Corvettes, you are unlikely to sympathize with the delight the collector takes in his hoard. Ricky Jay is a fascinating man; he is a master magician, a historian of show business (especially of novelty acts), and an actor in David Mamet's movies. He collects something few others do: showbills for the jugglers, magicians, animal acts, ventriloquists, and other eccentric and novelty performances through almost four centuries. Don't worry, it is far from boring. Around eighty of his specimens are on display in a large format book, _Extraordinary Exhibitions: The Wonderful Remains of an Enormous Head, the Whimsiphusicon & Death to the Savage Unitarians_ (Quantuck Lane Press). The broadsides are funny and beautiful, and Jay's learned and enthusiastic commentary about each one is on the page facing each specimen. It is all thoroughly entertaining, and like any show advertising, the posters make you wonder if the acts are really as described. There is so much verbal and graphic hyperbole on display here that a bit of incredulity is only sensible, but still: who, if confronted by an announcement for Signor Cappelli and his Learned Cats, with assurances that after he introduces his cats to the audience, they will "beat a drum, turn a spit, grind knives, strike upon an anvil, roast coffee, ring bells, set a piece of Machinery in motion to grind rice in the Italian manner with many other astonishing exercises", who, I say, would let incredulity overcome a wish to get a peek at the show?
   
   Let me just take the three displays mentioned in the subtitle. "Wonderful Remains of an Enormous Head" were on display in London around 1840, and it was, if the description is to be believed, truly enormous, eighteen by seven feet, and weighing 1,700 pounds. What the head was, we do not know; one observer said it was likely that of a whale, and another said it was an obviously gigantic bird, fish, or lizard. The Whimsiphusicon had one of those fanciful names showmen of the 19th century enjoyed. It is advertised on a playbill for the ventriloquist Christopher Lee Sugg in 1816. Jay says, "Sugg, like a number of early magicians, was a proponent of theatrical neologism used to entice, or more likely confuse, the public." Indeed, Sugg explained on the playbill that the device was also dubbed "The Wandering Melodistical" and was a "Pill to Banish Melancholy," but it is safe to say he didn't give any secrets away until the performance. "Death to the Savage Unitarians" is on an Argentinean bill from 1842, and does not refer to the members of the religious sect, but to the country's Unitarian political group who favored a liberal rule of law and a strong central Argentinean government. They opposed the dictator Juan Manuel Rosas, and probably the phrase was included by the publicist who had drawn up the bill to ensure it would not offend the dictator. It caps an ad for "Robert and His Wife" who did magic and juggling, including "the new trick of the ceramic plates that will very much please the spectators" and "the lovely balancing act of the two dogs dressed as a Marquesa and a Marquis."
   
   There are scores of other playbills for acts in this beautifully produced book that shows some astonishing curiosities, well annotated by the erudite collector himself. It is full of jolly whimsy, for every act depicted is shown at its best, even though it might be promising more than it could actually produce. There is a taint of regret, here, though, on every page. As the playbills frequently remind us, the like of these productions will never be seen again. Oh, how I would love to see Daniel Wildman, for instance, the first and foremost equestrian apiarist of two hundred years ago, who rode his horse standing up while five swarms of bees covered his face, swarms which would thereupon alight on specific locations the performer designated by his command.



3. This is a wonderful book by a truly genius author. Also, make sure you put Ricky Jay's other books on your list. He has a great mind and his books are phenomenal!
   Harry Monti
   Society of American Magicians
   National President 1999-2000



4. Ricky Jay is a national treasure. He's the head curator of a continuing collection of the curious, marginal, sometimes macabre but always compelling congregation of entertainers who have slipped through the trapdoor of time's stage. His newest masterpiece, Extraordinary Exhibitions, is a catalogue of broadsides heralding some of the strangest performers that ever graced an auditorium or a sidewalk. You'll meet Pietro Stadelmann, a seventeenth century armless dulcimer player. As well as the nameless 27 year-old Angolan "Famous African Hermaphrodite". And a South American trio whose huge excrescences extruding from their chins gave them their stage moniker "The Monstrous Craws". You can sit at the feet of Joice Heth, the 161 year-old former nursemaid of Little Georgie Washington, the marvelous showman P. T. Barnum's first client. There's singing mice, educated fleas and a Rabbi whose demonstrations of his prodigious memory were endorsed by the Pope himself. To paraphrase the immortal Charles Fort, you'll see a procession of the damned of showbiz. And thanks to the wonderful Mr. Jay, they'll walk (and bark, tumble, juggle, catch bullets, arm wrestle, rope dance and eat stones) again.

5 comments about Inside the Worlds of Star Wars, Episode I - The Phantom Menace: The Complete Guide to the Incredible Locations.

1. This is a great visual aid if you wonder how everything is made and works in the world of Star Wars.



2. An excellent book! I have all of the titles in this series and plan to purchase Inside the Worlds of the Classic Star Wars as soon as it comes out. I think that they could have gone a little bit more in depth with this book, but you're talking to a Star Wars freak who could never get enough. I also think that The Attack of the Clones edition could have been longer, but overall, a wonderfull book of detailed maps and explanitory paragraphs.



3. An indepth review of the Episode 1 locations which are quite impressive, such as the Mos Espa arena and the Theed royal palace. An extention of the Pictorial Directory and Cross Sections, this book really explains alot of how why and where things happened in this first chapter of this tail.



4. Finally, a cross-sections that gives the audience a look inside the buildings of Star Wars! Why they waited so long to release it is anyone guess, but the wait is over. If you've read my reviews for the other cross-sections books then you know how much I love cross-sections. That said, Inside The Worlds Of Episode 1 breathes new life into The Phantom Menace. Particular favorites of mine include Otoh Gunga, Watto's junkshop, the Galactic Senate building, and the Jedi Temple. Not only does the book talk about particular locations in the movie, but also the very planets that the movie is set on: Naboo, Tatooine, and Coruscant. Inside The Worlds Of Episode 1 is full of wonderful illustrations and is packed with amazing information. Indeed, it's the chosen one...of cross-sections books, that is.



5. I just saw this book yesterday. I don't think it was marketed as much as the other books. That's a shame because it's magnificient.

   I am truly blown away by the content and pictures of the locations from Episode I. The art is unbelievable. The detail level is extreme and it must have taken an enormous amount of time for these two artists to complete this work. Every detail you could possibly want is here.

   This is a lot like the Star Wars Cross-Section books of the ships only it is not as technical. Imagine those books but for the locations and you have a pretty good idea of what this is.

   What's really great is how you get to look at things from angles that the film doesn't show you. The long shots really put everything into scope. You also get to see areas that you can't in the movie such as this place Watto can fly up to above his countertop in the junk shop. I can't wait to study this book some more and then rewatch The Phantom Menace again. I believe I'll look at it in a whole new way.

   My fingers are crossed for an Episode II version. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

5 comments about Inside the Yellow Submarine: The Making of the Beatles' Animated Classic.

1. I'm a Beatle fan from way back. Love them, will forever! As such, I buy every book about them, I have for years! A couple of years ago, this Hieronimus non-book came out. What a DISSAPOINTMENT!!! So BORING! Over and over again... the same info. It was like the author, Hieronimus (Bosch?) was some kind of street reporter, getting reactions from people who wanted to do nothing but sing their own praises. What a BORE! I couldn't believe such a trashy book would in any way start to explain how such a classic picture came to be, and it certainly didn't!
   
   And then to top it all, something I've never seen before in a book, advertising in the last pages!! The entire book is a study in bad taste, and that muddy cover which is hard to believe was done by Heinz Edelman.
   
   But there is good news!!! Last spring, another book came out on the Making of the Yellow Submarine. It's called UP PERISCOPE YELLOW by Al Brodax and it's just FANTASTIC!!! For one thing it's AUTHENTIC, written by the producer who was there, and knew the Beatles for a long time, he also produced their TV cartoons. It's clear that the wonderful stories he tells in his book (Al Brodax) came out of the close relationship he had with the Beatles. There are pictures in the book of Brodax and Segal working on the script, (Brodax was one of the co-writers) with Ringo playing the piano for him and Eric, with Brodax arguing with Paul about the script, etc... He knew them well. UP PERISCOPE YELLOW-WHAT A READ.



2. "Inside the Yellow Submarine" is a marvelous compendium of first person interviews with the Sub's chief creative officers.

   Anyone interested in learning about the design and creation of the Yellow Submarine, as well as the adventure we the crew had in the Sub's construction, is well advised to buy Dr. Bob's intricate and dedicated chronicle.

   As Dr. Bob has mentioned, the untold story behind this unique motion picture intrigued him, as it has many of YS's fans for decades.

   During those decades I firmly believed somewhere, someday, someone with the necessary energy, determination, organizational powers, breadth of insight and boundless curiosity would investigate the entire 'back story'.

   This is Dr. Bob's first volume about a voluminous subject, and what he has achieved here is a hurculean work in unearthing the answers to many 'lost' mysteries about the film's genesis.

   This seminal book has served not only to open dialog and solve many mysteries about Yellow Submarine, but it has happily led to locating and reuniting many of we crew members.

   Following our completing production, we all dispersed across the globe, many going on to launch our own animation studios and animation training schools.

   The tremendously original creative splash Yellow Submarine made at the time (1968), sent out such graphic tsunami waves worldwide, it influenced pop art culture itself; resonating undercurrents and surface highlights from YS are discernible in today's digital animation productions.

   YS was a trailblazer opening new graphic directions for mainstream animation entertainment, just as the Beatles did musically.

   Dr. Bob's book is far more than an excellent collection of remarkable first-person interviews, it sheds much needed light on many facets of the creative genius and innovative spirit involved in the film's creation, by a team of artists who, in the words of the late director, George Dunning, "Were brought together from all over the world and who seemed to be at a peak in their creative powers". (Chuck Jones/PBS 1980's memorium to George Dunning).

   If you're at all interested in animation, its history, trends and processes--and particularly if you've wondered about the creative people involved in it's construction and launching, this book (and hopefully subsequent volumes yet to come!) is a 'Must Have' for your reference shelf; be it innovative animation or inspiring creativity.

   Addendum:

   Apparently YS has found an entirely new audience today among children. A creation of the '60's consciousness and regarded somewhat askance by the so-called 'Establishment', with secondary references and meanings ascribed to it (like 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'Alice in Wonderland'); today it's being enjoyed as what it essentially is: a bright, colorful, musical fairy tale with hilariously funny villains, and a happy ending.




3. I've always been curious about this film and what the people were like who were behind the curtain. It's been well documented elsewhere that The Beatles didn't make this film, but I never read much about this crazy group of artists in the swinging London of the 1960s who did. Finally, in this book, we get to hear what these creative people thought about while they developed the revolutionary ideas that went into this film. And unlike many other authors of Beatles-related books, who tend to focus on the glamour of The Beatles' personalities instead of the work itself, Dr. Bob Hieronimus does not skimp with the quotes from my new heroes, the struggling artists who brought Yellow Sub from concept to screen. The book reads like a communal diary from all the participants. The absorbing style is largely comprised of first-hand accounts from the film's creators, organized in such a clever way, with just enough commentary between, to allow readers to reach their own conclusions of who among the film's creators were Blue Meanies and who were Pepperlanders. I, for one, wouldn't want to miss one word of them. It's about time they had a chance to tell their own story and be given a stage to do so.



4. "Yellow Submarine", in its day, was a remarkable achievement in animation. While not exactly a Beatles movie, more inspired by their songs than anything truly related, it spun a lovely fairy-tale and used the spirit of the group members as heroes. More than 30 years after its release, the story of how it was made remained fascinating to fans of classic animation.

   So it was with some disappointment that I slogged through this book. The author has certainly done his homework. He's turned over every remaining stone and then some, found virtually all living participants, documented every step of the way to the screen for this story. And he's turned the story of one of the most imaginative movies of the 60s into the dullest book on the planet.

   It's not that what he has researched isn't in itself interesting. It's just that he can't tell what's real important information and what isn't. It seems like he collected masses of information and interviews, typed it all up on 3x5 cards and simply pasted it together into a book. Minutiae are treated as revelation; no detail is too minor to be included, and repeated. Redundancies abound; he has three participants telling the same story, one after the other, with little new between them. He repeats similar items 4 chapters beyond the first mention. Order and organization? Hardly. It just goes on and on and on.

   I can't fault the material that he's come up with, and in fact I applaud it. But what this author desperately needed was an editor, someone to assist him in crystallizing the material into a narrative that best told the tale of the creation of this landmark film. Instead, this "author" has simply assembled his notes into a word processor, and left it to the reader to sort it out. That's not scholarship - that's clerical.

   Nonetheless, it's all that's out there and the information throughout is valuable. If you've got the patience to sit through it.




5. With INSIDE THE YELLOW SUBMARINE, Dr. Robert Hieronimus has fashioned a captivating adventure that will appeal to far more than just Beatles completists or animation fans. I was thrilled at the inclusion of many, many pre-film design sketches, which I'm pretty sure have never been seen anywhere else before! As for the other reviewer on this site complaining about the color section, I read an interview with the author in a UK publication called "Record Collector" saying Apple did not want him to use any previously unpublished artwork, for reasons of their own. Maybe we will see an official coffee-table style "picture book" from them in the future! If so, there's still no way any other book will ever come close to containing the extraordinary detail that Hieronimus has compiled into INSIDE THE YELLOW SUBMARINE. This book does not suffer in the least from a lack of illustrations. There is one on almost every page and they are all large and well reproduced. I for one was very pleased to learn who the faces were behind this film, and thanks to the extraordinary effort of Dr. Robert Hieronimus, they are no longer anonymous!

4 comments about DK Readers: The Story of the X-Men, How It All Began (Level 4: Proficient Readers).

1. I got this for my son who is currently on a Marvel kick. He really likes non-fiction books, so he reads this one like it is a biography/history book, memorizing facts and being fascinated by the back-story stuff. A lot of fun for an early reader book and plenty of info/fun.



2. In one very special way, I had a wonderful childhood. My parents shopped at a small grocery store that had an extensive rack of comics. The owners were very nice people who allowed me to read the comics while my parents bought groceries. Since my father also bought his mother's groceries, I had plenty of time to read (devour) them all. Therefore, I was able to read the original issues of most of the superheroes that erupted from the fertile mind of Stan Lee at Marvel Comics. When I opened this book, I recognized the cover of the first issue of the X-Men series.
   The early sixties were a time of great political uncertainty and scientific advancement. Lee used both of them to great advantage in developing the idea of the mutant with great powers. By developing the character of Professor X who gathered together many mutants at his school, a crime fighting team known as the X-Men was developed. The group has changed a great deal over the years, both in appearance and in membership. This is a history of that group and young readers can also learn something about the world. For example, it is noted that the bones of the winged X-Man Angel are hollow, just like those of real birds. Other relevant science facts, such as details about water freezing in the section about Ice-Man relate the powers of the X-Men to the physical laws of the universe.
   I strongly recommend this as a book for young readers. The topic is one that they will find of great interest, it is very well written at the appropriate level and they can learn something about the world. Perfect for the young mind.



3. This easy to read book aimed at young readers serves as a perfect introduction for those unfamiliar with the original X-Men team: Cyclops, Marvel Girl, the Beast, Iceman, and Angel all studying under the tutelage of Charles Xavier, aka Professor X. The book also talks about Magneto and the first adventure that the X-Men took part in. The classic team has taken many changes over the years, but few teams will rival the original. Great introduction to the original X-Men team.



4. This is a great book for any X-Men fan or someone who just became interested in them. It tells how Professor Xavier, Magneto,Cyclops (Scott Summers), Marvel Girl (Jean Grey, also known as Phoenix, Beast (Hank McCoy), Angel (Warren Worthington III, also known as Archangle) and Iceman (Bobby Drake) came to become the first X-Men. It also gives some info about other X-Men like WOlverine and some of their recent and former enimes like Juggernaut, and Quicksilver. One thing I enjoyed about this book is it had a lot of pics. from old and recent comics. Overall this is a pretty good book!

5 comments about Official Price Guide to Star Wars Memorabilia.

1. I'd like to begin by noting that this isn't a bad book for the price. It contains some interesting and worthwhile information, and parts of it were fun/interesting to read. I particularly liked the chapter that dealt with reproduction weapons and other fake items (though it would have been nice if it included a few example photos). There were also solid chapters dealing with the history of Star Wars collectables, as well as vintage and new figures, trading cards, comics, etc..
   
   My two main concerns about this book were the quality of the rating system and the price guide (both seemed somewhat misleading). For example, on page 25 he shows a picture of a vintage R2-D2 figure that is in TERRIBLE condition, but gives it a C6 rating. However, I think most collectors would give it a much lower rating (and many would probably just throw it away it's in such bad shape!). Further, if anything, the price estimates provided in this book seem too low! For example, the price guide says a mint/complete loose blue Snaggletooth sells for $55 (but, I've never seen one go for that little anywhere). So, if the author is selling his mint/complete blue Snaggletooth at that price, I'll take it!
   
   Other minor concerns include a price guide that is more confusing than most, and calling the book an "official" price guide when there doesn't seem to be any formal connection at all (I didn't see it stated anywhere, but it seems this is just a name the publisher uses for all their collectable books).
   
   In sum, most of the information provided in this book is not new and is also available elsewhere (by far the best option being John Kellerman's Star Wars Vintage Action Figures: A Guide for Collectors). Though you'll probably pay more for many of these other books, most will contain a lot more photos, be in full color, and be printed on high quality semi-gloss paper. By contrast, this book contains only a modest number of photos, is 98% black and white, and is printed on newsprint. For all of these reasons, I give this book 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 stars because even an average book on Star Wars collectables is still pretty good).



2. its was okay not as good as the field guide but it had info that the field guide didn't have .



3. This book is a fantastic way to learn how to price items. Since markets fluctuate, and price guides become outdated very quickly, it was a great read that informed me of what to look for when both buying and selling. With the information in this book, you can compare your item with those on the market and it will help you adequately critique and value you're collectible. If you are in a market to get quick numbers for pricing items...this is not the book for you. But if you want to learn what makes items valuable, and how to preserve those that are, this is definitely the book to get.



4. The title of this book is misleading. It should be called "Official COLLECTOR'S Guide to Star Wars Memorabilia". That's because it's really more of a guide for collectors who want to know the history behind many collectible items. It discusses aspects such as bootlegs, production errors, preserving and storing your collectibles, how and where to buy, and so on.
   
   What it DOESN'T do (at least not thoroughly enough for me) is list the going prices for all Star Wars memorabilia. I have a collection I'm looking to sell piecemeal, so I wanted a resource that would tell me what a fair asking price is for my items. This book has a surprising lack of depth when it comes to price listings, however.
   
   For instance, there is no listing of prices for common collectibles such as posters! I also could not find a price listing for the Burger King glassware sets, and various other items that I have in my collection. And even the items that this book does list often have "N/A" for the original retail price and the MISB (Mint In Sealed Box) price.
   
   What it DOES have that might be of interest to a collector is a reference number that you can use to look up the item on the web site database www.rebelscum.com/swdb. Even so, I perused that database, and while it has some great photos and details on Star Wars collectibles (it actually lists the text written on the back of those Burger King glasses!) it does not offer an online price guide, which is what I'm in need of.
   
   So for the serious Star Wars collector, I give this book 5 stars. But as a "price guide" -- which is what it bills itself as -- it falls far short so I have to take back 2 stars.



5. What makes this price guide worth the money is the 225 pages BEFORE the price guide.
   
   If you're new to collecting, this book has practically everything you need to become not merely COMPETENT at it, but SKILLED, even for non-Star Wars related items. It extensively covers terminology, grading, and even online auctions.
   
   If you're a veteran collector, it covers vintage Star Wars items, variations, prototypes, protecting your collection, and even trading cards and comic books.
   
   This is more than merely a list of items and prices. It's truly a "guide" to collecting.

No comments about The Compleat Talking Machine.

1 comments about Collecting Movie Posters: An Illustrated Reference Guide to Movie Art-Posters, Press Kits, and Lobby Cards.

1. Useful place to begin your collection. Teaches the history of movie posters, lobby cards, press books, and other movie memorabilia. Can help you not get taken.

5 comments about The 3rd Edition Blue Book of Guitar Amplifiers.

1. Though this book looks nice, and has lots of pictures, seems to be dud in my case. It does not list the one amp that I was hoping to find...a Pignose Crossmix 150R. This is a vintage amp designed by Paul Rivera in 1980 or so. It's not even mentioned.
   
   Other than that, the book is okay I guess. The layout is a little confusing to work through, but eventually you can find most things you are looking for. It might be helpful to me one day. But for now, it's probably going to be a coffee table book.



2. This a rehash of the first edition with little change. If you have the 1st edition don't waste your money. 2003? How about a new one?!



3. This book is a companion to the Fjestad's Blue Books of electric and acoutic guitars. Hundreds of different amplifier models, their wattages, tube complement, features and prices are discussed. The entrys are simple to understand and also contain a short history of each amplifier brand. While Marshall and Fender are the two most famous brands of amplifiers that come to mind, this book also covers lesser known brands and rare brands such as Carr and Dumble.
   
   This book is a must for the Guitarist and amp collector. This book has given me amny insights into my amp collection which consists of a 1965 Fender Bandmaster, a 1969 Fender Twin Reverb, a 1980's Fender Vibro Champ, a Marshall Mercury, a Marshall JCM 900 combo and a tweed Fender Pro Junior. This book includes interviews with Paul Reed Smith and Mike Soldano.



4. I would have to say that I will definatley be looking foward to the 2nd edition of this book. It was well written, easy to read, and to understand for those out there who do not possess a great deal of knowladge about amps. Zach Fjestad, a new and upcoming author, definatly shows that he has what it takes to put out a sucessfull book. Watch for other things by him in the future.



5. Oddly enough, before this new 1st Edition, no such manual ever existed for the vintage amp market. Over the years, buyers and sellers alike have had to possess either a gurulike knowledge of the market, or, as is more frequently the case, rely on conjecture and guesswork to determine what different amplifiers are worth.
   So it's with a great sigh of relief that we welcome the Blue Book of Guitar Amplifiers - this guide boasts more than 300 pages and features interviews with experts, a glossary of amp-related terms, a full color photo gallery, concise manufacturer histories, and most importantly, current real market values of innumerable amps, from Acoustic (remember them?) to Zapp (no, I've never heard of them either). Of course, this 1st Edition provides the going price for virtually every mode of Fender, Hiwatt, Marshall, Supro, and Vox, and boasts a section devoted to speaker cabinets. Pretending you know what you're talking about has never been easier!

No comments about Traditional Japanese Music and Musical Instruments (Yamaguchi Kan Series).

2 comments about How to Sell Music, Collectibles, and Instruments on eBay... And Make a Fortune.

1. How to Sell Music, Collectibles and Instruments on eBay
   and Make a Fortune
   A book review by Frank Dobrowolski
   May 12, 2005
   
   by Dennis L. Prince and William M. Meyer
   Published by McGraw-Hill/Osborne
   ISBN 0-07-144570-6 2005 268 pages
   List price: $14.95 On Amazon: $10.17 +S/H
   
   This book is a quick, short introduction to using eBay for buying and selling music and related collectibles and instruments, [one of the "How to Sell ..... and Make a Fortune" series]. It appears to be aimed at those who would rather learn by doing and need only a brief tutorial on the process. This objective is met quite admirably. Those who find they desire more detailed discussions or want information on the ancillary sectors of eBay can find other books that meet these needs.
   
   As to the "Make a Fortune" part of the title, the recommendation essentially is the familiar mantra of retail operations - Buy low, Sell High, Generate High Sales Volumes, Know the Product and Understand the Customer. The difference here is that eBay is the base of operations rather than a store and operating on eBay opens the operation to a potential audience of million. While few make a fortune in retail at this level, the book does offer much information and lists a wealth of reference sources.
   
   The potential market is very large. According to this book 54% of U.S. households have at least one musical instrument player. And, retail music is a stable product category with staying power and sales potential.
   * Over 745 million audio CDs were sold in 2003 for $11 billion
   * Over 35 million concert tickets were sold in 2002 grossing $2.2 billion
   * Music products [instruments, performance gear, etc.] sales in 2002 exceeded $6.9 billion
   * Vintage music products and memorabilia generates tens of billions of dollars every year
   
   Those selling in this field can be either: experts in a narrow, low volume market with high profit margins; or broadly interested in a wide, high volume market with low profit margins. Whichever part of this field one chooses to follow there are many sources of information provided in this book.
   
   Memorabilia refers to items like t-shirts, ticket stubs, programs, etc. Once these items were considered to be disposable. However, their presence on eBay has created an expanded, eager collector base. So more items are being valued and the values are increasing.
   
   According to this book there usually are over 650,000 music-related items listed in eBay's categories and over 500 sub-categories for Music, Musical instruments [grossing $500 million a year] and Music Memorabilia [ with 75,000 Rock-n-Roll listings every day] categories. This book claims to be the only one focused on these three areas. Some data the book presents on eBay's sales in the music categories:
   
   * Music - 500 categories
   * 700,000 listings each day
   * 150,000 records listed
   * Musical instruments - $500 million/ year
   o 50,000 guitars listed - $1.1 B in 2002
   * Musical Products - $350 million/year
   * Rock-n-roll memorabilia - 70,000 listings
   
   Chapter 2 is entitled "The History of Selling Music". This information helps one start to develop a background in the field to better understand the items being sold and to prepare for updates and changes. The chapter points to two areas of concern: Fraud and Competition.
   
   The book states that fraud and misrepresentation are widespread, especially with Memorabilia. It is estimated that 99% of the Beatles signature items and 75% of Rock-n-Roll autographs are fake. The book recommends that such items have rock-solid appraisals from recognized specialist appraisers and a written, lifetime guarantee of authenticity.
   
   Competition relates to the various levels of marketing, particularly of musical instruments and related equipment, The mass marketers [Wal-Mart] lower prices and make business difficult for music stores. The Internet also competes with the music stores. Fraud is rife and prices are lowered mercilessly [in the eyes of store-based merchants] In fact some instrument manufacturers forbid the sale of their instruments on the Internet and impose pricing protection for the stores.
   
   The book discusses each sector in the music categories, addressing source information, market, current pricing and the more popular items. Pages 45 to 63 lists many information sources, sub-dvided as by instrument or type of memorabilia.
   Chapter 5 discusses the necessary Business Plan focusing on marketing and sales strategies and on the financial aspects.
   Chapter 6 covers building and maintaining an inventory. Chapter 7 discusses acquiring and holding on to customers and keeping them happy to generate return business. The book addresses the tasks to use eBay for selling - Listing, Payment, Shipping, etc. Chapters 10 to 12 cover the elements of becoming a music specialist in one of the categories and sub-categories. It outlines the knowledge needed and the means to keep the customers happy, and advised of one's available inventory.
   
   The book is well-written, easy to read and has enough illustrations to convey the needed message. I would recommend this book for beginners or novices in using eBay for buying and selling music-related items on eBay.



2. This in-depth book covers the topic of selling music products on eBay, using a lot of practical examples plus a dash of humor. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to start selling CDs or instruments on eBay, giving real specifics on how to position your music merchandise effectively. It's a solid guide that's bound to generate real sales. Also, it includes excellent first-hand testimony from some of eBay's best music sellers. Highly recommended.