3 comments about Wood-Fired Stoneware and Porcelain.

1. After doing much searching and researching, I've found that this book, along with F. Olsen's "Kilns", is an excellent resouce for those of us who have spent much time working with kilns from a pedestrian level, but little time investigating the construction of them. Jack Troy's writing is clear and enjoyable and his knowledge obviously exhaustive. The first place to go if you are considering the merits of woodfired work.



2. "Wood-Fired Stoneware & Porcelain" is a great resource for potters interested in this alternative style of firing. The book contains substantial information on kiln design, clays, glazes, stacking, and firing wood kilns. Troy adds in details from his own considerable experience, and the photos and illustrations will make you anxious to get to the studio (or your local brick supplier...) The only drawback is that the majority of the photos are in b&w; however, the color plates that are included are great. A nice historical section, and lots of work by and info on contemporary potters. Most likely a good book to have on the shelf, and a great companion to his book on Salt-Glaze.



3. Jack Troy is a very good and entusiastic writer. This new book is very much worth it's price and if you can get your hands at the old one, Salt Glazed Ceramics, that is a trofee.

2 comments about The Collector's Encyclopedia of Fiesta: With Harlequin, Riviera, and Kitchen Craft (Collector's Encyclopedia of Fiesta).

1. So what sets this book up to be any different than any other collectible book? "The Laughlin story" We came real close to calling this Shakespeare pottery. Just the history and the changing technology is worth reading about.
   
   After that is my favorite. "That Radioactive Red"
   
   As the title implies there are sections with stories on Harlequin, Riviera, and Kitchen Kraft
   
   In the back there are suggested values and a list of Collector Books for further reading.
   
   One major item, the pictures are in color.



2. Whether you have 2 pieces or 200 pieces of Fiestaware, this is the best handbook around. The Huxfords explain Fiestaware's history thoroughly. The collector will also be grateful for the many beautiful pix and credible pricing guidelines. As my dog-eared copy can attest, the guidebook will become your best friend when Fiesta shopping!
   I give this book a 10, but I hope the next edition - which is rumored to be out in 1998 - will address the new Fiesta line as some colors are now very collectible.

2 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia Of Made In Japan Ceramics: Identification & Values (Collector's Encyclopedia).

1. The book has clear vivid photos and a overview of all the catagories of Made in Japan collectibles but while she has the marks listed, far too many of them are not identified. There are 189 marks shown of which 101 are not identified. But nice pictures and well organized.



2. Rich in illustration, a mind boggling output of work from Japan which seems well documented and categorized.

3 comments about Chinese Porcelain: Art, Elegance, and Appreciation (Art of China) (Arts of China).

1. Kelun Chen has provided a wonderful essay and overview on Chinese ceramics in this rather tiny volume. The best thing about the book how it demonstrates ways to think about China and its porcelain products from antiquity through the end of the Qing (Ching) Dynasty in 1911. One learns to think of porcelain secondarily in terms of period, but primarily in terms of kiln sites, clay, glaze and color. This is much the opposite of the beginner's or American antiquarian's (my own) typical tendency. The brief 80-page text is rich with details and insights, many of which are sparsley but adequately illustrated in the accompanying photographs in color and black & white. A book such as this must be evaluated (and "starred") in terms of what it intends to be: in this case a thoughtful overview in limited space, not a reference text. There are no indices of markings or summary observations, and the photographs occur with widely varying proximity to the related text, which fails to indicate the illustration under discussion. It takes only modest effort to find them. But the book still delivers an intelligent and thoughtful discussion that a person can go back to and refer to over time, while studying more advanced, ambitious and comprehensive works. A real bargain, and not necessarily a beginner's book. It will stay in my library on ceramics. For a tiny volume, it is really a five star work, and rated at four here only because of the limitations of space provided by the publication series.



2. A very interesting book. Only drawback for me was that I was hoping to get greater information on actual marks of chinese pottery.



3. A beautiful and informative book for the library of the connoiseur of Chinese Porcelain.

No comments about Pueblo And Navajo Contemporary Pottery: And Directory of Artists (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

No comments about Persian Ceramics: 9th - 14th Century.

4 comments about Warman's Red Wing Pottery.

1. This book has helped identify Red Wing pottery, each type is in a separate area and the back includes a 'find by number' list.
   There are some items that aren't in this book, but it would help a person get a general idea of what items are worth.



2. This is a very comprehensive treatment of all categories of Red Wing production. Rare, seldom reviewed pieces are included. I appreciated not having to refer to an index for prices (they are provided with each listing). Nice photos. Excellent general reference for Red Wing collectors.



3. Excellent examples of the difficult to find items. I thought the photography was excellent! Fair and not inflated prices....Thanks!



4. This guide has a little bit of information about all areas of Red Wing pottery. Unfortunately, it tries to do too much and in doing so doesn't do justice to any of the subjects. I believe new collectors will be confused by its organization. The good news is there are already lots of good books available on Red Wing pottery.

2 comments about The World of Wade Figurines And Miniatures (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. I'm not a Wade collector but needed to research a 1950's figurine given to me by my aunt. I couldn't find anything like it on eBay, so I ordered this book. Within minutes of opening it I had found my piece and enough information about it to list it successfully for sale. As with any reference book on antiques and collectibles, the values must be treated with skepticism since prices change with shifts in collectors' interests. But for basic background information, including illustrations and dating of backstamps, it is excellent.



2. I love the Wade Whimsey figurines, but I was flying blind until I got this book. I am now a much more informed collector. I highly recommend this book to any collector.

No comments about Vintage Christmas Ceramic Collectibles: Identification And Price Guide.

No comments about Postmodern Ceramics.