No comments about Collector's Guide to Porcelier China.

4 comments about Blue Willow: Identification & Value Guide (Blue Willow).

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



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. 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.

1 comments about Parlor Cats: A Victorian Celebration.

1. This has to be the most eye appealing book for anyone who loves cats, especially if the cat lover is also into antiques. The antique "scrap" images are so numerous and varied that everytime you look at this book you find things you missed the time before. The design is very decorative and colorful and is a beautiful coffee table book. I recommend it highly!

5 comments about Collectors Encyclopedia of Nippon Porcelain: Identification & Values (Collector's Encyclopedia of Nippon Porcelain).

1. This book is well documented, thorough and the pictures are excellent. In addition, this book discusses the Nippon history, provides an excellent chapter on marks and backstamps with a short commentary on the different mark colors and their meanings.
   
   I particularly liked the glossary, and cross-referenced price guide index which is placed in the back of the book yet neatly references to pages and plate #'s. Because of the extensive patterns in the Nippon history, every pattern is not in the book but I was able to identify particular shapes of pieces which I could check against marks/backstamps and the price guide to get a reasonable value range.
   
   Any collector or dealer will suit their library well by having this book for education and reference to Nippon.



2. Joan Van Patten's Nippon Porcelain focuses on Japanese porcelain, from painted vases and stamps to plates and smoking pieces. Gorgeous color photos abound.



3. As part of the 5 series volume, this series contains some updates. From my previous reviews of the collection series, I've mentioned that if you are beginner, a keen buyer/seller, or an experienced collector/trader of Nippon items, then you need to have this book, along with the other series. Like the previous series, this book contains information on Nippon porcelains. It provides actual photos, and price ranges for each items featured. Nippon porcelains have their disctinctive mark, based on the year and place they were manufactured, so this book gives you what to look and watch out for, in order to identify the authencity of the item.



4. Like the series 2 book, this is part of the 5 series volume. If you are beginner, a keen buyer/seller, or an experienced collector/trader of Nippon items, then you ought to get this book, along with the other series. The book contains a lot of information on Nippon porcelain collections. It provides nice photos, and price ranges on each items featured. It also gives you the marks to look and watch out for, in order to identify the authencity of the item.



5. I bought this book as part of the 5 series volume. If you are beginner, a keen buyer/seller, or an experienced collector/trader of Nippon items, then you ought to get this book, along with the other series. The book contains a lot of information on Nippon porcelain collections. It provides nice photos, and price ranges on each items featured. It also gives you the marks to look and watch out for, in order to identify the authencity of the item.

2 comments about Franciscan Hand-decorated Embossed Dinnerware.

1. Excellent reference book and also very interesting. This book answered all my questions. Highly recommend.



2. I love this book. I have known James for about 10 years. He has been collecting Franciscan dishes and patterns like Desert Rose and Apple and Ivy for over 25 years now. This is the best book for a Franciscan California Pottery or dinnerware collector.There is information on Catalina Ceramics and Art deco. There are unique bits of information that only a seasoned collector would know.

3 comments about Bauer Pottery.

1. This is an excellent beginner book for lovers of Bauer pottery. Mostly a picture book, but a good one!



2. This is a MUST READ for anyone interested in Bauer Pottery. It is a shame that the last book about Bauer, written by Jeffrey Snyder, didn't use this book as a reference. Mitch Tuchman did extensive research on the subject and no inaccuracies are found. The pictures by Peter Brenner do the colorful pottery justice.



3. Bauer: Classic American Pottery, by Mitch Tuchman a detailed account of the Bauer family business, from its nineteenth century roots in Paducah, Kentucky, until the close of its Los Angeles plant in 1962. This chronicle is punctuated by large, beautiful photos both old and new. The second half of the book features pictures and brief descriptions of the collections of several people. In all, it makes a pleasant read. The only things one might ask for are a suggested values list, something appreciated in most collector's books, and more detail conerning the shape and colors of each of the lines, to help with identification.

No comments about Miller's: Pottery & Porcelain Marks: Pocket Fact File (Miller's Pocket Fact File).

3 comments about The Collector's Encyclopedia of Gaudy Dutch and Welsh.

1. Received book promptly and in excellent condition. Needed book for research on family heirlooms.



2. Not only is this book very reasonably priced, it offers a wealth of clear color photos to aid you in identifying your Gaudy Welsh and Gaudy Dutch dinnerware. If you collect or deal in Gaudy Dutch or Gaudy Welsh this book is a must have for your collection.



3. An invaluable aid to understanding two very different types of china manufactured in England. Wonderful historical information, colored examples and close-ups make for accurate identification. Prices are volunteered for varying shapes, patterns, and sizes. A significant contribution in this field and a must-have book for any collector!

5 comments about Oaxacan Ceramics: Traditional Folk Art by Oaxacan Women.

1. I know little about Oaxacan ceramics but was immediately drawn to this book by the unbelievably beautiful photos. many of the shots are done outside using natural lighting and it gives the pieces a lifelike feel that I find wonderful. And the creativity of the pieces themselves! A wonderful introduction to one type of Mexican craft.



2. This is a fantastically colourful & inspiring book...and of the many, many ceramic books I own this is definitely in my Top 5. Lots of beautiful & detailed photos and interesting text. The only downside is that there isn't really any "how to" section in the book to show you how to make the wonderful folk art featured.



3. I love this book. I have been to Oaxaca several times and have visited most of the potters in the book. On my last trip, I asked each of the women to sign my book near her picture. This is now one of my most treasured posessions along with my memories of Oaxaca. The photographs are great and the stories are beautiful.



4. Born and raised in México and having a deep appreciation of its diverse and rich folk arts traditions, and guided by the reviews, I bought this book. What others say is true- this softbound book is lavishly illustrated and is a wonderful introduction to the contemporary ceramics covered, as well as the six women potters dealt with. Thise with a love of Oaxacan ceramics will likely love this book as well.

   There is but one, very significant problem: the title is, to me, completely misleading. The book actually covers two villages- Octolán de Morelos, and the reigning family of potters, as well as Santa María Atzompa and two of the many potters who work there. San Bartolo Coyotepec and the creator of world-renown black pottery, Doña Rosa Real de Nieto, and her descendants, for example, have no coverage in this book, nor do older more traditional forms.

   Oaxaca is an incredibly beutiful state, with many traditions and crafts. This book covers a small fraction of them- and in my opinion misleads with a title implying it covers all the ceramics of Oaxaca. With that caveat, I highly recommend (and give a restrained five stars to) this book, within the scope of its limitations.




5. Having been to Oaxaca approximately ten times in the past 20 years, I can appreciate the quality and beauty of this fine book. The reasonable price of this "paperback" belies its perfect format/size and its gorgeous photography, text and printing quality.

   I've rarely been satisfied with "crafts" books, but this one has been so perfectly written and executed, that it makes me want to jump on a plane and immediately fly to Oaxaca, to find and meet the fantastic artists presented here.

   I met one of these women several years ago (Angelica Vasquez), and this glorious book will create an urge in many of its readers to meet her and the other artists that are included here.

2 comments about Ceramic Form: Design and Decoration.

1. This is another excellent book by Peter Lane. A good all round reference for design and decoration with a collection of work from many leading artists. The variety offered in this book will keep your inspiration going for many years.



2. I'm just involved in ceramics and I am more interested in homelife ceramics. This book gives me much ideas of vessel forms and decorations, it's very helpful, especially in the chapter 6 "forms in profile"!