No comments about Scandinavian Ceramics & Glass: 1940S to 1980s (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

No comments about Royal Doulton Jugs: A Charlton Standard Catalogue, Eighth Edition (Charlton Standard Catalogue).

No comments about Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate Wares in the Collection of the Seattle Art Museum.

2 comments about Meissen Collector's Catalogue: Collector's Catalogue.

1. I agree with another reviewer and was disappointed by the book. There is very little information about marks, periods, maker's marks (no pictures at all) and ninety percent of the photos of Meissen ware are in black and white and are not of the best quality. It definitely isn't a collector's catalogue as most of the pieces are unavailable to the public (unless they have a lot of money). As a new collector it did not help me at all. There is a book by Jim and Susan Harran called "Meissen Porcelain Identification and Value Guide" which has amazing photos and gives far greater detail on the products, the background, the marks (and forgery's) of this fascinating maker of porcelain.



2. I was deeply frustrated, by the quality of paper, the poor print quality, lack of sharpness of colors and the fact that, the great majority of the plates are in black and white. I felt deceived...

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 Cats in English Porcelain of the 19th Century.

No comments about Directory of European Porcelain.

No comments about Coalport Figurines (2nd Edition) : The Charlton Standard Catalogue.

No comments about Solid-Colored Dinnerware: Depression to Mid-Century (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

5 comments about The Arcanum: The Extraordinary True Story.

1. Porcelain, the ceramics world's equivalent of gold, is among humankind's most celebrated and beautiful inventions: the perfect porcelain item is translucent, and infinite variations of usage exist for it. It was notoriously expensive because for centuries it could only be obtained overland, through China - some thought it was created by magic, and even among educated people despaired that the sands and clays necessary to make it would be unavailable in the West. All until a rather mad semi-conman, who had already been chucked out of one royal house, lucked upon the patronage of the Elector of Saxony, and then lucked upon the winning formula, thus bringing the art of porcelain-making to the West. For about a generation, Dresden had the monopoly on porcelain manufacturing; following that, industrial spies were able to sell the secret to France (Sevres) and various other European capitals. Nevertheless, Meissen porcelain is still celebrated as Europe's best. Gleeson's story is an excellent recapturing of the strange conventions of the seventeenth and eighteenth century economies and the strange means by which one might make one's fortune under the ancien regime. She is also blessed by some truly colorful characters: Bottger the fortunate (if not accidental)inventor; Herold the painter (who found a way of decorating and tinting the porcelain), and the Elector himself, who was ruthless enough to hold Bottger prisoner until he yielded the formula.



2. Janet Gleeson is not a storyteller. This becomes apparent as she pops between explaining the arcanum, porcelain making, political strife and the lives of the people involved. The subjects are so compelling, however, that you will not mind too much. It is apparent, too, that she has a passion for the subject of porcelain making, and she does manage to infuse the reader with her interest.



3. There were many advances during the rennaisance era in Europe that are far reaching. You would think that something so ephemeral as a luxury item wouldn't have much impact, but history demonstrates otherwise. Deception, espionage, war, and even treason were common occurences in 17th and 18th century Europe. All that in pursuit of the secrets for making porcelain is conceptually challenging to say the least.

   When one alchemist searching for the legendary philospher's stone performs one illusion too many, he finds himself a "guest" of Augustus the Strong until he provides him with the gold he needs to pay for his extravagantly decadent life style. Fortunately, for the alchemist, he's bright and talented, and just may provide the king with another type of gold to keep the executioner at bay.

   The Arcanum, is well written and researched with an extensive bibliography. I was very impressed with the level of scholarship exhibited by Ms. Gleeson. Considering the subject matter, and my preconceptions, I was suitably suprised and impressed at what I learned.




4. If you enjoy splendidly written historical stories, this is a must read. I must admit that the story started to lose its lustre around the time that Meissen loses its lustre; but, in its entirety, the book is a must read. If you've read The Professor and the Madman, this story is equally enthralling.



5. Today, porcelain, china, and dinnerwares are common items in a household. This was not always true. Once, hard paste porcelain, the world's best, was literally as valuable as gold. But only the Chinese knew the formula, and they kept their secret from Europeans for nearly 1000 years. So it is fitting that the person responsible for discovering the Chinese's secret was an alchemist, whose true quest was to find the secret for making gold from other less expensive metals.

   This swashbuckling tale of adventure, double-dealing, and final victory, is a basic manual for porcelain collectors and dealers, and it is a must for antiques enthusiasts, no matter where their interests lie. Porcelain and its history touch every collecting area to some degree. The knowlege contained in this short history is a must for anyone who aspires to a full education in the decorative arts.