No comments about Warman's Political Collectibles: Identification and Price Guide (Warmans).

2 comments about 200 Years of Political Campaign Collectibles.

1. I really enjoyed this book, but I am biased towards it. I noticed that I was mentioned in the acknowledments and appear with Tim Hagan and his actress wife, Kate Mulgrew on page 121.
   As always, Mark Warda, out did himself. Keep the books coming.
   Kurt Hurner



2. My principal collecting interests are British and US political collectibles. 19th Century political cartoons, modern satirical itemes, glass and ceramics in particular. For examples see:
   
   http://mysite.verizon.net/vze48sdz/
   
   Roughly 1 page is devoted to non US items - this book is otherwise dedicated to the US. The page that is there is very superficial.
   
   The book provides examples of many types of campaign items (e.g. posters, ceramics and toys), the area covered in most detail is campaign pins. Official, unofficial and anti (anti Bush, Clinton, War .... etc). The books coverage of pins is very comprehensive. To me, pins are the least interesting of campaign items. I was a little disappointed when I first flicked through the book.
   
   On reflection I changed my mind. Why five stars?
   - scope of book is ambitious, it dooes provide examples through 200 years.
   - valuations of items are current.
   - handy reference. All canditates/parties are listed for each election.
   - illustrations are high quality.
   
   There are very few books dedicated to collecting political collectibles. I will find this book of great use.

5 comments about Splendors of China's Forbidden City: The Glorious Reign of Emperor Qianlong.

1. It is rather unfortunate that such a wonderful book has too small pictures.In some pictures one can hardly see the fine details of the pictures which are described in the accompanying text.



2. This book is the companion piece to a traveling art exhibit, with a pompous biography of a glorious chinese emperor. There are precious few pictures of the forbidden city, and no comprehensive map. And of the famous emperor, who was comparable to Louis XIV in his lavish spending, his development of culture and arts, and longevity, there is only one portrait. The book is poorly composed, not comprehensive, and worth checking out from the library, but not purchasing. And it definitely is not about the Forbidden City. Lastly, I was disappointed and have tried to understand this Chinese trandsliteration system, but the book gives one no clue as to how to pronounce "Qianlong" In Enlish, Q never occurs without a U following it, and is a K sound. So is it Kianlong? or Shianlong or Chianlong? Another great example is the grand dowager empress Cixi. How would you prononunce that? Sixy? Well, turns out it's more like Tsu-tsi. The only thing to recommend this book is the photos, but a very poor compilation.



3. Splendors of China's Forbidden City: The Glorious Reign of Qianlong is a marvelous work of art in and of itself. Splendors is published to coincide with the special exhibition of the same name currently being held by Chicago's Field Musuem that is set to run until the first week of September, 2004. The book, like the exhibit, is very well done and contains the only published photographs of the objects featured in the exhibit, making this book an extremely rare resource as photography is prohibited in the actual exhibit. These objects have never been publicly displayed in China, so aside from attending the exhibition yourself, this book is your only opportunity to view the the collection that Emperor Qianlong amassed throughout his reign. The book is not, however, simply a catalogue for the exhibition, but features wonderful commentary that gives great insight into the political, religious, and cultural tides of Qianlong's reign. It is the only book of its kind to be published in the English language. As a lover of art and literature, Qianlong himself would be quite pleased with the content of this work.



4. China's Emperor Qianlong (1736 - 1795) is remembered for many reasons, not the least of which is the priceless collection of treasures which he amassed during his 60 year reign. Now, a number of these stunning objects are presented in this volume, many of them seen for the first time. All bring forth gasps of astonishment and pleasure. Paintings, sculptures, furnishings, armor, and, yes, clothing, glitter and glow in unmatched opulence.

   To leaf through this book is to experience an unprecedented view of the Chinese court during its golden age. Included is a towering (six foot high) Buddhist stupa, fashioned entirely of gold. Through this collection life is seen as it once was inside the Forbidden City.

   During his day Emperor Qianlong headed what was then the world's richest empire. Today we are the beneficiaries of his acquisitiveness and taste.

   Published in association with Chicago's Field Museum, "Splendors of China's Forbidden City" is a treasure in itself.

   - Gail Cooke




5. This must be one of the most beautiful book that I have ever come acrossed. The cover is very imposing and impressive with the portrait of the Emperor Qian Long, the 4th emperor of the Ching Dynasty. The book contains wonderful history about the rise of the Manchurians and how they replaced the Ming Dynasty in the 17th century A.D.

   In this book it discuss the origins of the Manchurian and where they originated from and how they ascended the imperial throne of China and ruled over a nation with the largest human population of their time. A country that has been known for its inventions and a long history dating back to early beginning of Chinese civilization.

   This book talks about the Emperor Qian Long and the reign that brought China prosperity and peace. The centuries before that, relations between the Han Chinese and the Manchurians were a little bit unstable. However during Qian Long's reign the country became stable. The country prospered, the relations been the Han Chinese and the Manchurian wasn't as much strained. There are wonderful photographs of robes and jewellry worn by the empror and his wives and family members. Also sections talk about traditions that were Manchurian and others that were created through generations like the wearing of triple earrings by the women. The large headdresses worn by the Manchurian court ladies and the emperor's wives, princesses etc... which in the beginning weren't even of Manchurian origin that has become part of a iconic tradition often associated with the Ching Dynasty. The dragon robe worn by the emperor and the long queues kept by Emperor and the Han Chinese subjects were made to conform to practice which became the stereo type associated with the West in regards to the Chinese.

   The book also talks about the private lives of the Emperor Qian Long and his wives and also day to day business and affairs. There are so many artifacts that belonged to Qian Long like his own personal things like brushes, ink stone, wooden lacqured screens, throne, and crockery as well as gold and silver utinsels used by him when dining.

   The information was vast in book and who can ever get bored reading it. Each page I turn it gets more interesting. From the personal life through to the day to day business affairs etc... The book contains wonderful collection of paintings and also a few old photographs of the imperial residences before the turn of the 20th century. This is a lovely book even though its a little bit bigger than most books and a little bit more heavier. However its guaranteed that its worth while too to have a look and have a read in regards to one of the great rulers of Chinese history.

5 comments about Season's Greetings from the White House: The Collection of Presidential Christmas Cards, Messages and Gifts.

1. People my age were taught citizenship in school and were taught to respect the President. I have always been fascinated with the personal lives of the Presidents and the folklore of the White House. This book does not disappoint if you like the "behind the scenes" information on the White House and its past residents. I also recommend the one written for children by the same author. This puts politics aside and restores some pride in the institution of our Presidency and their families.



2. Season's Greetings from the White House is an excellent source of presidential Christmas/holiday items from the early part of the twentieth century to the present. Each President's holiday greetings along with staff gifts are shown. Mrs. Seeley has written an superb book which continues to grow with each new edition. The quality of photographs and the amount of them in the book make it worth the price. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has an interest in not only presidential items, but for anyone who has any interest in the holiday season.



3. 
   Mary Evans Seeley is an expert on Christmas celebrations in the White House. Several years ago, she decided to share her knowledge and research dealing with personal First Family recollections and the result is the wonderful book "Season's Greetings from the White House."
   
   It is a book for historians, Americana fans, Christmas collectors and art lovers. More than just behind-the-scenes stories, this richly illustrated volume shows, in full color throughout, the actual cards, prints and other Presidential gifts of sterling silver, pewter, glass, wood and leather. Most of the gifts were designed for distribution to White House staffers.
   
   Seeley, who resides in Tampa, Florida, shares with the reader, the personal experiences of the wide variety of artists whose works came to grace Presidential cards and gift prints. To bring in historical color, the author interviewed a number of First Ladies and children of First Families.
   
   The book's frontispiece displays the magnificent Neapolitan Baroque crèche in the White House East Room in 1963. The photograph was selected by President and Mrs. Kennedy for their Christmas card scheduled to be sent in December. Less than 30 were personally signed by both the President and First Lady prior to their fateful Dallas trip. These dual-signed Christmas cards are among the rarest of all Presidential Christmas memorabilia.
   
   The photos of Seeley's historical collection of White House Christmas cards offers an interesting glimpse of our nation's culture and its values through the years.
   
   It's no matter if you look upon the book as a major scholarly effort or simply a beautiful insight into the traditions of our First Families, "Season's Greetings from the White House" makes an excellent gift for the holidays and is a wonderful reference book for historians who are seeking the human side of Christmas in the Presidential Mansion.



4. All White House Christmas books will be measured by this one in the future. It is incredible. A must for all collectors of White House Christmas memorabilia. Every home and office should have this book on display during Christmas time.



5. Anyone who has ever been interested in Christmas and what it means to the residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue MUST get this book. A treasure that will be loved forever....a history that is important to America! Mary Evans Seeley has it all here! Thanks! Chis Allen

3 comments about Cultural Revolution Posters & Memorabilia.

1. I fully agree with the comments of "Collector". To be a useful reference/guide book for the general collectors, techniques on how to distinguish authentic and new reproductions are of great importance. But this book obviously fails to do so. Besides, offering a reference price for the collectibles are always misleading in particular for the volatile cultural revolution relics market. A "star" system according to the rarity of the items would be much more useful in this respect. If you are not interested in collecting CR relics, you may still buy this book to enjoy its colorful pictures though. No harm at all but no gain either!



2. Another wonderful book from Schiffer!
   
   Wonderful photos and good printing in a hard cover format. My favorite part of the book was the research of the authors in the communist symbolism of the items, described with a very intelligent and neutral approach and presentation. Their comments make you think, understand and get familiar with many details, peeking inside the party intrigues and describing this difficult and controversial time in Chinas history. A good book about art does exactly that - helps us understand the importance of a time period and how the art fits in.
   
   Additionally, the book gives a general orientation about the price of these CR pieces. Although the subject matter of some of the items is troubling, I take them as a combination of kitsch and historically interesting items (the balance of those two in the eyes of the beholder).
   
   The book has a big value, not only because gives information about the prices from the ex-communistic world, but it reminds us of the value of unique items and shows things from China that are not just mass-produced products offered in Wal-Mart for dirt cheap.



3. Over the past few years I have started to see more and more cultural items from China appearing in the United States. The Buddhas and other religious artifacts are familiar to me, but I have noted other items from time to time, such as propaganda posters or statues depicting some sort of Chinese scene that didn't make any sense to me. This book has provided me invaluable information on what those items mean, both in isolation and in the context of Chinese history.
   
   
   
   I am glad that I bought the book before I saw the review by "Collector". His/her criticisms suggest that he/she did not read the entire book, or not carefully. The authors are careful to point out that there is a large problem with fake Cultural Revolution items (the Chinese have proven adept and making replicas of Ming vases that fool the large auction houses, so that's no surprise) and that because even the authentic ones are of recent vintage so it is very difficult, and perhaps impossible, to know for certain that a particular item is authentic.
   
   
   
   I thoroughly enjoyed the book, both the pictures and captions that describe each item and the text that provides historical context on their meaning and contemporaneous events in China. I did not expect the book to be an exhaustive guide to how to determine the authenticity of items, and enjoyed the overview of Chinese history and the item explanations immensely. I finished the book immensely informed, and I will recommend it to my friends and no doubt consult it in the future when new items pique my interest.

1 comments about Hake's Guide to Presidential Campaign Collectibles: An Illustrated Price Guide to Artifacts from 1789-1988 (Hakes Guide).

1. Over the past year I have been very interested in campaign collectibles. This is the perfect guide. There are fifty categories ranging from buttons and pins to fans, clocks, banks, pennants, and postcards. Over 1700 items are catolouged in this guide. Each category has an introduction describing the items in general with a brief history. Each individual item in the book is presented with a photograph, the size of the item, year produced, and worth in dollars of the item. The book tells you how to pick out reproductions from real vintage items, and contains campaign materials from George Washington to George Bush. There's also a checklist, glossary, and list of campaign slogans in the back. I highly recommend this book.

1 comments about German Medals and Political Awards, the Satellite States.

1. A nice book for the beginners, gives limited but still worthy information about medals and Orders of the satellite states of Germany.

No comments about Monuments And Memorials of Washington, D.c..

1 comments about Jackie's Treasures: The Fabled Objects from the Auction of the Century.

1. This book is cool just for its value as a historical document. I am not personally impressed with any of the items that were up for auction, but the pictures of the items on Jackie or in the White House are well worth it

2 comments about Collecting Lincoln (Schiffer Book for Collectors & Historians.).

1. BEING A LINCOLN SCHOLAR FOR MANY YEARS I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!IT CONTAINS EVERYTHING A FAN OF LINCOLN WOULD WANT.IF YOU ARE AN ADMIRER OF LINCOLN LIKE I AM THIS BOOK IS A MUST!!!!!!!



2. This is the way that the world saw Abraham Lincoln. The photos, the statues, the hundreds of items produced after his death. Besides a book for collectors, this is a socialogical study of the diefication of a man. Recently, hundreds of thousands of people turned out for Princess Diana's funeral. When Lincoln died, a greater percentage of the population turned out for the many funeral processions. Lincoln's body was takend from city to city to satisfy the public's need to mourn. The variety and volume of items commemorating Lincoln is incredible.