No comments about Martin Parr: Parrworld.

No comments about The Stamp of Fantasy.

5 comments about Halloween: Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear Postcard Book.

1. This book provides terrific postcards from "back in the day" (WAY back). These can be used as is or to give one inspiration. Lots of fun any way you use them.



2. I see from a previous review that the title of this collection is confusing since it seems to indicate that there is information on Halloween customs in the book...I think this is arising from the fact that this is a companion book to the ACTUAL book (by the same author) called "Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear". If you take this one as an extention of that book (to give people the art as a separate, usable item) it makes more sense. I love it as the little vintage window it is.



3. Customs?...what customs? This is just a collection of tear-out postcard reprints with no comments, far less writing, to go along with them. On top of that, none of the "notable" ones are shown (Schmucker, Clapsaddle, etc.). Another "why did I buy this?" item to put on the shelf.



4. I love vinatage/antique Halloween ANY THING! These cards are excellent. You get 15 wonderful post cards! I plan to frame some for decoration. I won't even use these to mail they're so pretty and elegant! Great, ...price for a wonderful item. Recommend highly!



5. A small collection of Halloween related postcards. It could have used a few more in it, but its ok for the price.

No comments about A Year in Japan.

3 comments about The Postcard Price Guide, 4th Ed., A Comprehensive Reference (Postcard Price Guide).

1. It's been over 7 years since this has been updated, and a lot has happened in the world of postcards. I'd say that the vast majority of prices quoted in this book are much higher than prices realized at traditional and online auctions, and many retail sales. So, if you just found a shoebox of postcards in your grandmother's attic and are planning on selling them, don't expect to realize prices anywhere near most of the prices you see in this book. That said, there are exceptions - and condition really does play an important part in pricing, but as the Internet opens up dealers to a worldwide audence it appears that many cards that were in demand 10 years ago are no longer that scarce.



2. This book gives you a good feel for the value of postcards. Beginners will definitely get their money's worth from this guide before buying from a dealer or an online auction.
   
   Keep in mind that Mashburn is a dealer as well as a collector and author. He devotes way too much space to the categories he collects and sells...origional art. I estimate that he devotes a measley 25% of the book to photographic postcards.



3. This guide provides prices for over 10,000 cards and will be useful for collectors, dealers, and novices. The book highlights the most collected categories, and the artist-signed chapter covers over 250 pages. The 900 postcard images, though reduced and in black and white, are useful; my favorites included the Krampus cards, Alligator border card, and the Halloween cards are a real treat. Mashburn provides short biographies of some of the artists and publishers (and even an introduction to Krampus). Although Mashburn does present some useful guidelines on topical, views, and roadside America I thought those chapters were too short in light of the vast number of cards available. Mashburn also includes references for more specific topics also.

4 comments about Collector's Guide to Post Cards.

1. Absolutely useless. Waste of money. Not worthy of its description. This is NOT A REFERENCE BOOK. This is a (poor) photographic journal of a collection, with speculative values based purely on opinion.



2. Horrible prints, can hardly see details, blury pictures in black and white (a very few colored). Set up is okay, but again, pictures are horrible and crammed into the page. A waste of money!



3. The title "Collector's Guide..." led me to believe that there would be informational text about dating, printing techniques, and other descriptive information about post cards. The book is entirely illustrations of post cards in various categories and their prices...fine for long-time collectors, but useless for someone seeking historical information.



4. This reference book for postcard collectors is entirely given over to images of the cards themselves, with no history, grading guide, or other information. That being said, it has thousands of photos of various kinds of postcards, well organized by subject (but I wish the reproduction were clearer). The prices are dated, and do not reflect the impact that Ebay, Amazon, and other online auction houses have had on postcard availability. All in all it's a nice pictorial reference, but not a must-have.

No comments about Christmas Merrymaking.

2 comments about Geisha: Women of Japan's Flower & Willow World.

1. I have a ton of Geisha related books in my personal library -- both antiquarian and new, including a lot of "must have" volumes from amazon. This is my favorite. It is a perfect combination of the best of late 19th century and early 20th century photographic images -- mostly from the ubiquitous real-photo and collotype postcards of the day -- combined with an enjoyable text that seamlessly brings together accurate historical descriptions and informal anecdotes. Enjoyable to read, pleasant to look at. The entire package is is further enhanced by high production values -- the art direction and layout can hardly get any better for a book such as this. While the Geisha in Japan today continue on in small numbers as a disconnected, living anachronism (or a cultural decoration adored by visiting photographers), this book faithfully takes you to the heart of the Meiji-era, when the Geisha really were an integral part of the social mechanisms of the country. I recommended this book to anyone wanting a huge gallery of beautiful and representational images, along with meaningful and accurate commentary skillfully culled from the best sources.



2. a prized book to add to my geisha book collection. HOwever it is filled with OLD black and white and coloured photos of geshia in the oldern times so if you dislike that type of giesha picture try other books.

1 comments about Spring Lake, Revisited: A Portrait of the Victorian Era at the Jersey Shore.

1. a very pleasant and informative pictorial of spring lake. a bit short on history, but worthwhile nonetheless. Interesting usage of post cards as reference.

1 comments about Rockaways, The, NY (Postcard History).

1. Emil is a true historian. The lifetime of work he's put into charting the Rockaways' early years, brought to life from the pages of the contemporary newspapers of the ages come alive in this work.
   
   If not for the thousands of images saved during the postcard craze of the last century, this first generation of development would be lost to memory today.
   
   A great book from a fellow historian!
   
   - Ed G.