1 comments about Fragile Diplomacy: Meissen Porcelain for European Courts (Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design & Culture).

1. This handsome book concentrates on the gift giving habits of the princes of Saxony. It was common practice for royaly to bestow gifts to foreign courts with the aim of gaining favour and influence. Meissen porcelain, after its initial manufacture in 1710, was highly prized and fabulously expensive. It thus served as a highly desirable gift.
   
   I approached this volume as someone with a general interest in porcelain. This publication is really intended for the specialist in European history as well as those with a more profound knowledge of porcelain. The historical and gift information provided is extremely dense and detailed; far too much for the general reader but surely very satisfying for the expert.
   
   There are numerous illustrations, mainly of porcelain and other types of gifts. The quality of the photography is generally though not consistently of superior quality. Invariably the illustrations are small in size; this reduces the pleasure of viewing and makes detail difficult to appreciate. I often felt that less historic detail might have freed up more space for the photographs!

No comments about Royal Austria Porcelain: History and Catalog of Wares.

2 comments about Miller's Pocket Fact File: Pottery & Porcelain Marks: Including a Comprehensive Guide to Artists, Makers, Factories and Forms.

1. I was rather surprised to read the negative review of this book for several reasons. The first is that the guide is so detailed and logical. The Format is divided into different reference points so that you can quickly find the information you need. They are: 1) Single Letters; 2)Initials; 3) Monograms; 4)Written Name & Signature Marks; 5)Letters and Devices (symbols such as Crowns, Shields, Birds, etc.); 6) Devices (symbols only); 7) Staffordshire-type marks; 8) Name and Initial marks; 9)Chinese Marks (back to the 1600's) of the Ming Reign and Qing Reign Mark; 10) Additional Information, which includes: a) Spotting Fakes and Copies; b) Maps (locations of manufacture); 11) Appendices with assorted information on Great Britain and France, which includes Patent Office Registration Marks (Great Britain)and for Derby, Minton, Sevres, Wedgwood and Worcester, the name of each artisan (personal name of those working for Derby, along with their time of employment and the artists creatively drawn initials); 12) Glossary; and 13) Reference for additional reading.
   
   This book would make a great starting point for those who want to learn about Pottery and Porcelain, more importantly it is a great reference book for those wanting to pursue this art form for profit.
   
   I can only conclude that the reviewer, who left a negative review was not committed to learning the details of this subject but perhaps was searching for specific works in their region.
   
   Having dabbled in collectibles off and on for the last 25 years, I think of the Miller's Series to be one of the most thorough books on any topic; their books are great for studying and they don't tossed aside after a first read.



2. I wouldn't bother with this book. Difficult to find marks. Go on the internet and google what you nee and fine superior pages showing pottery and porcelain marks. Just make copies, stick in a binder and go off shopping for antique china!

1 comments about Department 56 Village Collector's Value Guide: 1998 (Collector's Value Guides).

1. I thought it was a wonderful resource - has current and original values & pictures of every SV piece to date, including this years!

1 comments about Illustrated Catalog of Chinese Coins, Vol. 3: Gold, Silver, Nickel and Aluminum.

1. This is an excellent book for the collector. It contains all of the known fakes and fantasy coins, meaning coins that were minted, but not circulated,. The detailed information in the 3 volumes is great for the beginner.

3 comments about PRECIOUS MOMENTS by Enesco 2000 Collector's Value Guide.

1. While I'm very glad I got the book, I was also very disappointed in the quality of photographs -- and the surprising number of "photo not available" captions.



2. This new 2000 edition is a fastastic guide for all Precious Moments collectors. It is concise and contains all the necessary that a Precious Moments fan asks for. However, I am disappointed with the quality of the pictures in the Guide. If you compare this 2000 edition with the 1999 edition, the 1999 edition's pictures were much better in term of the sharpness and the colour quality.



3. I am very exciting on it. I am collecting the figurines of precious moments. If you love precious moments, don't miss it!

No comments about Miller's Collecting Porcelain.

No comments about The Cultural Aesthetics of Eighteenth-Century Porcelain.

No comments about Blanc De Chine: Divine Images in Porcelain.

1 comments about Illustrated Catalog of Chinese Coins, Vol. 2: Gold, Silver, Nickel and Aluminum.

1. I found this book to be very helpful in establishing authenticity of some Chinese coins I had. I gives good detail and contains most of the variations, along with sizes and weights of the coins.