No comments about Chinese Whispers: Chinoiserie in Britain 1650-1930.

5 comments about Blue Willow Identification And Value Guide.

1. Updated prices, fabulous photos and easy to use. I would like to see more about pieces most of us find on the market today. The rarer pieces in the book are probably in collections and we will never run across them.



2. Very pleased with the condition the book we ordered came in and the delivery was very quick. Thanks and would buy from you again.



3. This book contains interesting information about the origin of this design style but little detail about any of the many varieties that were/are being made. It is about 2/3 taken up with photographs of various styles but with only one or two pieces of any given style and no details about each or any idea of what the variety of other pieces within each style look like, so it is nearly impossible to truly identify the style you have or want. I was interested in the information, but found little guidance in my quest to discover more about the pieces that I own. Even the prices given are merely a recount of the price paid for each piece; but not when the purhcase was made or under what conditions or whether this is a reflection of the relative "value" of a given style of the blue willow design.



4. The book "Blue Willow: Identification & Value Guide" is an excellent reference book. Not only does it give a better understanding of all the different Willow patterns out there, it also contains beautiful, very clear illustrations. The quality of the paperback edition is excellent, using glossy, very good quality paper that enhances the photographs. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Blue Willow dinnerware. I bought the book for my husband who knew nothing about Blue Willow before this purchase. He is now much more knowledgeable on the subject and is confident in his purchasing. As a novice, it has helped my husband greatly.



5. I bought this out of curiousity brought on by the possession of two subtley disparate pieces of Blue Willow ware about which I was curious as I was under the impression that the patterns were all the same. This book immediately disabused me of this notion which is, in big part, why this is such a great reference: Because it shows and describes a myriad of different vessels, wares, designs, and manutacturers in FULL COLOR with information that is relevant and helpful to both the novice and the professional.
   If you thought you knew quite a bit about the Blue Willow pattern, I guarantee that this book will humble you because the author presents such a broad range of items (with a present day price range) from USA, China, the UK and Japan, ranging from plates and saucers to cups and pots to spoons and utensils to platters and chargers to egg stands and vases that only the most serious collector can hope to have seen as much different material as found here. There is also a helpful section on, believe it or not, reproductions. I think that you will be quite happy with this book even if, like me, you do not collect the stuff.

2 comments about Collecting Oyster Plates (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. I am new to collecting oyster plates and from what I can find there are only 2 books in current publication on collecting them.
   "Collecting Oyster Plates" by Jeffery B. Snyder is loaded with large, clear beautiful pictures and has adequate information on most of the plates photographed. Since plates are being manufactured to this date and forged as antiques books like this one are desirable if you want to be sure as you possibly can you are not buying a replica.
   The book has chapters on manufactures marks and how to date plates with said marks. Covering too registrations of marks.
   This book covers different ceramic forms used for oyster plates. Oyster plates come in a wide variety of of colors and motifs. This book helps coordinate the colors and motifs to the regions from which they come from. I found this to be a very interesting chapter.
   This is really a lovely book and I would highly recommend it for those who are considering collecting oyster plates.
   It is quite complete from what this beginner has found.



2. As a resident of Apalachicola, Florida "oyster capital of the world", this seemed a fitting coffee table book. Arrived in great shape and timely.

5 comments about The Collector's Encyclopedia of Homer Laughlin China: Reference and Value Guide.

1. I bought this book quite a while ago. At that time, this was about the only book on the HOMER LAUGHLIN subject.
   
   It all started when I had inherited a beautiful set of Homer Laughlin "Georgian" fine china, and I wanted to know more (& get more pieces). Unfortunately, fifteen+ years ago, there weren't too many H.L. china collectors and/or identification books on this subject, (aside from the avid FIESTA WARE collectors).
   
   Needless to say, I never did find more pieces to my H.L. china set, since the H.L. Georgian pattern had sooooo many various flower styles (ie: since the early production of the 1940's Georgian pattern).
   
   However, the thing that I did find most helpful from this book was that it gave a nice history of the company. I was very excited to get any information on the early history of this china company.
   
   But as far as finding a H.L. book with all the patterns and styles, that never came about. Even the later re-prints of this book did not have all the flower styles of many of the H.L. fine china patterns.
   
   (By the way, REPLACEMENTS INC, has no early H.L. chinas either.Thus, the older pieces are definetly hard to find).
   
   Anyhow,if you are interested in a Homer Laughlin book that gives a nice history of the company, then you might find this book helpful.
   
   But if you have inherited a specific early H.L. china pattern, as I did, then you may be out of luck in finding more information about it.
   The reason being, is that H.L. changed their flower patterns so often and also it really depended upon the store that carried the H.L. fine chinas. (FIESTA was a different story though, since FIESTA was issued for many years. And plus, there are so many other books specific to just FIESTA, that this book only touches on the FIESTA subject, but mainly focuses on H.L's history and various other H.L. china patterns).



2. After my aunt's demise several years ago, I was the recipient of some odd pieces of old china. I wondered as to the age of the pieces, and so I went to the Internet. What do you think I found. You're right, my china was listed in the book that I purchased through Amazon.com.
   Thank you very much.



3. DISAPPOINTED THAT THE BOOK DID NOT GO BACK TO THE EARLY HOMER LAUGHLIN. LITTLE INFO ABOUT VARIOUS MARKS. NOT COMPLETE ENOUGH FOR THE PRICE.



4. I recently aquired some Homer Laughlin china and was unable to identify the patterns. This book helped me tremendously! The pictures and descriptions were very useful. Also, there is alot of trivia about the company and some of the designers. I highly recommend this book.



5. This is a very well organized reference for those collectors of Homer Laughlin who enjoy the "other" HL pottery (other than Fiesta, of course). Jasper has put a great deal of effort into categorizing the various patterns, and includes hundreds of photos. Each pattern has a little history that goes with it, and often the backstamp (mark) will be shown alongside. She includes an extensive history of the pottery, discusses the difficulties in identifying certain patterns, and includes pages from some of the old catalogs. All in all an admirable work and well worth the purchase price.

No comments about The Penny Bank Book (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1 comments about R S Prussia & More Schlegelmilch Porcelain Featuring Cobalt.

1. this is a beautiful full colored 310 page book, copyrighted in 2006, although this book features colbalt blue porcelain, the most of the book is the entire range of r.s.prussia, in all the other examples, and colors that prussia was produced in. all examples are given a suggested price. 1. the introduction starts with relating the authors travels to europe in 1990, and the wealth of information learned [3 pages] > 2. some pointers on 'categories and themes' [2 pages] > 3. marks,& fakes [3 pages] > 4. history & dates of interest [5 pages] > 5. photos of the trip, buildings of interest, [24 pages] this book does have a lot to offer, MANY, MANY pages have photos with 10 to 20, and sometimes 30 examples per page. this book will help round out any r.s. prussia reference library. a very wortwhile reference.

5 comments about At Home with Wedgwood: The Art of the Table.

1. This book is a gift that I will give this Thursday. I have not read the book but, being a Wedgwood collector, I'm sure the person to whom it is being given will enjoy it.



2. If this is a subject you are interested in you will be very happy with this book. The text is very readable, the pictures clear and well done, and it's interesting without being over-powering.



3. A beautiful book for fans of Wedgewood. Sadly no example of the fairyware shown (even though not created for the table, still could be used as a decorative item).



4. Lovely photos of unusual patterns in beautiful settings. Anice tribute to Wedgwood for their 250th anniversary.



5. The lovely lyrical language, coupled with classically gorgeous photography make this a wonderful book to own, and show off to others!
   I really love Catherine Calvert's literary style.
   Not just a coffee-table book!

1 comments about Signs of Our Past: Porcelain Enamel Advertising in America.

1. GREAT DESCRIPTIONS AND PICTURES. WIDE VARIETY OF INTERESTING PORCELAIN VINTAGE SIGNS. VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO THE COLLECTOR!!

3 comments about Decorative Plates.

1. I am not a collector but I am building a library on porcelain and glass that I find visually enjoyable. I had doubts about this book until I got it from the library. Contrary to other books, including some on Limoges, this one had clear photos. Arranged from 3 to 6 per page the smallest are 2.5"x2.5" and the largest about 3"x4". The American section covers 1880-1930 in 13 pages; the English 66 pgs 1800-1930; French 45 pgs 1870-1920 including Limoges; German 60 pgs 1880-1950; other European 29 pgs 1760-1960; Oriental 18 pgs 1830-1920. A wide variety of shapes, designs, colors, and styles show off the artist's talent. Several plates have enlargements of the detail. Histories of the country, maker, and styles are informative. Each photo is labeled with maker, time period, size, price, and mark. I am waiting to view other books by this author. The plates that were chosen to be in the book have geometric designs, portraits, animals, birds, flowers, fruit, and scenes in a variety of colors. I have gotten bored looking at some books with the variations limited to changing the color or person in the portrait. As a person more interested in craftsmanship, I just keep coming back to turn the pages and be awed. I bought a "like new" copy at a steep discount and am very satisfied. I looked at Mary Frank Gaston's Limoges Encyclopedia but I prefer this book. I viewed Debby DuBay's Limoges Boxes to Vases and found too many dark or out of focus examples. Her book is good for those who only are interested in that area's porcelain but Decorative Plates has better photos and variety of scenes on plates.



2. I inherited 166 new in the box collectible plates. Norman Rockwell, Vickers, Zolan, and many others, American, German, Italian, French, etc.. The last REAL price and identification guide that was published was in 1999. When I saw this and read the description and review I thought it was about time for an update. WRONG!!! This is useless for any of the mail order plates in the 70's, 80's and 90's. Not one plate I have was in the book. Its an impressive looking book but that's it. Thank goodness I didn't buy a new or B&N copy.



3. Collections strong in specialty identification and values guides need DECORATIVE PLATES IDENTIFICATION & VALUE GUIDE, a survey of English, German, American and other European plates which includes notes on their marks, makers, and changing values. Excellent detailed color photos pack a survey strong in both history and values, appealing to any library catering to collectors.

4 comments about Iznik: The Artistry of Ottoman Ceramics.

1. This is the authoritative work on the magnificent ceramics and tilework of 16th century Ottoman Turkey, one of the high points of Islamic art. Beautiful photographs; informative, readable text.



2. I have been a collector of pottery for years. I own several pieces of Iznik pottery because I find the artistry superb.
   
   My husband gave me this book for Christmas and I have been learning so much more about the pieces I own, the culture behind them, the motifs, etc. The photos in the book and the quality of the print process and binding are fabulous.
   
   I am now proud to display this book on the table beside my pottery collection.
   
   If you are a lover of beautiful art, a student of Ottoman culture or just a fan of gorgeous books... Do not think twice. This book s a wonderful publication!



3. The book tells a fascinaing story,accompnied by beautifully presented colour plates of work done by skilled 16th century craftsmen. Some of the pieces and tilework can still be seen in Istanbul today.



4. I'm not a fan of art or religion, I'm a practical sort of girl. I took a class on Islamic art though, and found myself fascinated by Ottoman ceramics. Finding this book in the library, I sat down and flipped through it, and to my surprise, found myself crying. Crying, because everything in this book was so beautiful. I've never done that before. I have to buy this book. I must own this. I've never felt so moved by anything my whole life, and I don't say that lightly. The photographs are exquisite, the details visible are finer than the unaided eye can see. The colors are beyond words. The historical context presented is well-written, interesting and exciting. I told my teacher after the class that she'd opened the door to a whole new world for me, and this book just blew that door off its hinges.
   
   Buy this book.