5 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia of R.S. Prussia: Fourth Series.

1. This is an excellent book! I teach an antique porcelain class and found it useful to gain expertise quickly. This book is successfully used by appraisers, dealers, collectors and teachers. I have read many porcelain books, and this one was one of the easiest to read and understand. It was well organized and contained a good variety of the styles and characteristics of RS Prussia.

   All four volumes are needed to identify pieces, although Ms. Gaston provides a shape guide to help date pieces not pictured.

   What I'd like to see in the next book is 1) clarification on how the marks were made, i.e., printed over or under glaze, 2) the types of glazes used (and were pieces refired) 3)repeat of history with changes incorporated, verses the new and updated info section. The history only appears fully in the ist volume.




2. Okay- I admit it. I did not have a room full of R.S.Prussia china to reference when I bought this book. I just loved the pictures and had to have it! I can dream a little dream and imagine finding a portrait bowl or vase at a small town flea market for next to nothing...and then I can look up its worth and smile as I place my prize in the china cabinet ( a coveted possession NOT for resale!).



3. Wonderful book with full color pictures. Also pictures of the marks. Great price guide! Will use this over & over.



4. As a new collector of R.S. Prussia I found this book to be an excellent reference. It's detailed description and beautiful pictures of the different molds, decorations and marks was very helpful. I know there are a lot of "fake" pieces on the market and this book is proving to be an invaluable guide for me. The history was very interesting also. Thank you Ms. Gaston! A really beautiful book and very informative.



5. This book was very insightful for me. I was searching for a particular "mark" on a piece that I own. This was the only book that was of help.

No comments about Manual of Pottery and Porcelain Restoration.

5 comments about Haviland China: The Age of Elegance (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. While the written information contained within is remarkable in its' breadth and detail, and the publication certainly has a good "hand" on the current market, the publication fails sadly in its' photographic quality.
   
   Certain patterns colours are corrupted in the printing process. A notable example of this is on page 181, Figure 390 "Dinner Plate Chambord Pattern". This plate in fact has a soft green tinge to the entire plate and the edge is a teal / blue. It is not a red pinkish colour, which is how it is represented.
   
   This is a significant misrepresentation of the appearance of the article and there are a series of errors in the publication of a similar calibre, and it reflects badly on what is fundamentally a good publication.



2. Nora Travis is one of the leading experts on Haviland. I love the quality of her books, and have found the photographs professional, and the content informative and interesting. While researching my book: LIVING WITH LIMOGES by Debby DuBay, I again sought out Nora Travis' work for information on Haviland Limoges. She is an expert in the field of Haviland and I recommend this book to all who need information on the subject or for those who enjoy beautiful coffee table books.



3. I don't consider myself a collector of Haviland; I bought this book to get a toehold in this world while searching for replacements for my mother's turn-of-the-century pattern.

   This book is organized in such a way that someone new to this area can understand the basics types of pieces, identify the various markings and get some idea of reasonable values. Did I mention that it also looks good on the coffee table?




4. Nora Travis' book includes photographs of the usual and unusual pieces of Haviland porcelain which makes it a well rounded book for the amateur and serious collectors. It contains many beautiful "art" pieces, and the values are right on target. A lot of work went into this book, and it shows. The photos are really great as well. We, Keith and Thomas Waterbrook-Clyde, are the authors of a book on Limoges porcelain, The Decorative Art of Limoges Porcelain and Boxes.



5. Haviland China, one of the most collected Limoges producing companies, comes to life in this very informative book. Not only does Ms. Travis includes a Haviland family tree in this book, but also a history of this wonderful family legacy.

   Beautiful color photographs enable us to enjoy some of the very rare pieces produced beginning in 1895. The price guide for these pieces are right on the money, and the signature guide makes piece identification easy!

   As a serious Haviland collector, I never go to an antique store or show without it!

1 comments about Warman's Hummel Field Guide: Values and Identification (Warman's Field Guides).

1. THE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM OTHER REVIEWS WAS VERY HELPFUL AND I
   CANNOT IMPROVE ON THEM THEY ARE VERY HELPFUL AND CORRECT !!

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.

1 comments about Shelley China (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. Great book for collectors with plenty of pictures of shapes and patterns in Shelley China as well as prices. Covers all collectors items i.e. cups, saucers, plates, vases,tea pots, coffee pots, souvenir pieces etc.etc. I would recommend this book to serious and not so serious collectors. Shows beautiful and rare pieces that I have not seen before (but would love to have) and explains how to recognize fake, repairs and flaws as well as giving you a history on Shelley China. Overall this book by Tina Skinner and Jeffrey B Snyder is an insight into everything 'Shelly' - a great buy at a great price.

1 comments about Kovels' Depression Glass and Dinnerware Price List, 8th edition (Kovel's Depression Glass and Dinnerware Price List).

1. Great resource for depression glass as long as you can identify by written description and not picture. Few close-up pics and those in black and white are not enough to help in close ID situations like the Sandwich pattern. In comparison, Warman's book has a great section with a pie slice of each pattern shown that is very helpful. This book is excellent for accurate written information but not as good for visual identification.

1 comments about Encyclopedia of Universal Potteries.

1. David J. Chorey's ENCYCLOPEDIA OF UNIVERSAL POTTERIES provides a fine reference to Universal Potteries product lines, pairing fine clear color photos throughout with values, company history, patterns, descriptions and background. Any library strong in pottery collecting will find this a large, popular line and thus the ENCYCLOPEDIA will have an especially high lending interest level.

2 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia of English China: Identification & Values.

1. Mary Frank Gaston's English China provides identification and values for enamel, oriental themes, and other decorative themed china works. The color photos prove an invaluable aid in the identification process.



2. Collector Books did not live up to its generally fine quality of productions in this guide to English ceramics. The text is awkwardly written, confusing or contradictory in places, and colorless, lacking enthusiasm. Worse, a very large number of the illustrations are seriously shadowed, a most annoying flaw in an identification guide. On the plus side, the range and selection of objects discussed is ample, and the illustrations of marks are helpful.

5 comments about Post 86 Fiesta: Identification and Value Guide.

1. Great learning tool about fiesta dishes. Good pictures showing colors and their names. Quality book.



2. I'm both a collector and a bibliophile, and this is the first time I've ever thought it necessary to this say about any collector's book: In my opinion, this book stinks. A shame, as it's clear that the author has in-depth knowledge to impart. Unfortunately, it's clouded by the author's apparent dislike of dealers, fellow collectors, and the Homer Laughlin China Company itself.

   The book designer's work is exuberant and cheerful, much as is Fiestaware; however, the author's text is mean spirited. I don't think I've ever seen an odder combination. I hope for better things from the obviously knowledgeable author in the future.




3. The idea for a book dedicated to Post-1986 (P86) Fiestaware® is a terrific idea and I was pleased to order it.

   What a poor execution! Racheter's attempt is inconsistent, sophomoric and diseased with his unceasing attacks on Homer Laughlin China Company. (Who cares why he hates Homer Laughlin? Not me!)

   The (little) new information and price guide for some P86 colors - the book's innovative features - are overshadowed by the pointless commentary.

   Unfortunately the book isn't worth keeping for the pictures either... Don't buy this book!...




4. This book is a good start, but so much has changed in post 86 Fiesta... items, colors added and discontinued, prices. An update is desperately needed. Also a bit less "filler" as far as stories and dramatic exposition and more emphasis on actual introductions and discontinuations in the new line. Also, so many competing lines are similar... a back of the book section showing other contemporary dinnerware lines that currently compete with Fiesta.

   My biggest suggestion would be a chapter showing comparison of old versus new items to show the evolution of design...1.e. the old casserole versus the new one, old cup next to new one. Many collectors of the new do not appreciate where the design evolved from

   Also, the only decaled ware shown is...well.. the less said the better about what is shown... where are the artistic and popular patterns like Sunporch, Happy Pumpkin and Moon Over Miami?




5. This book is better than the Collector's Encyclopedia of Fiesta. So save yourself about $... and buy this book instead if you want informations on POST 86 Fiesta.
   It is full of pictures and has easy to use information boxes with every mold/piece. You know what colors they came in, mold and item numbers and lots of detailed informations.
   The downside to this book is that you only find one picture per item (mostly) limiting your view by only offering one angle.
   The price list is extensive enough to not leave colors out.
   I personally enjoy the authors style of writing thoroughly with his light humor. Mocking Martha Stewart a little, because he seems to think that she's a stuck up snob that only wants the Super Old stuff and abominates the new colors for the most part. He tells funny stories about TV and where he's seen fiesta. However, a little more history and facts would sometimes be nice. I assume, people buy this book for information not funny short stories.
   I thoroughly enjoy that fact that he includes uses for some odd pieces. Looking at some candle holders they could be anything. He explains what the item was meant for and what else it is commonly used for.
   LAst but not least... unfortunately it seems like this author was not given the same acces to limited pieces and photographs in is therefore lacking some details on limited ed. pieces.