2 comments about A Passion for Metal: Reflections and Techniques of a Metal Sculptor (Schiffer Art Book).

1. This book is very readable, not just a look at the pictures. There are many techniques used and discussed, with a new fluxing tool I'd never heard about. I've actually read most of it because of its interesting writing style. The work is high energy and enthusiasticly made.



2. A Passion for Metal is truly an apt title for this book. Mr. Harvey writes with wit and a clarity of thought about his 30-plus years as a sculptor. The book is part instruction manual, part art criticism, and part philosophy text backed by truly beautiful photographs of the work from Harvey Gallery on every page. You can sit down and read it from cover to cover or open it up to random pages and get enjoyment out of it.
   If you are a sculptor, an art lover, or just want to know what life is like as a professional sculptor in the present-day, this book is for you.

2 comments about Sterling Silver, Silverplate and Souvenir Spoons With Prices.

1. This would be a very informative and valuabe addition to any ones library of silver reseach. The book has crisp and accurate black and white drawings of many hard to find patterns with a fair market value for the date published. The text is readable,the size is portable and easy to carry along on antiquing trips.



2. The book is a lot of fun to look through. If you have already purchased several books on Victorian sterling and plate this would be an interesting addition to your library. If this is the only book you will be buying on the subject your needs would be better served by another book. This book conisists of turn of the century catalog reprints. The reprints are sharp and they are interesting to look at but there is not a whole lot of information.

5 comments about Bringing It Home: England: The Ultimate Guide to Creating the Feeling of England in Your Home (Bringing It Home).

1. This is a very TRADITIONAL (and Classical) English decorating book. It is not an "how-to" book at all, but rather, a visual journey throughout homes that are all decorated in the "Traditional" and/or "Classic" English style (in other words: this book is not about "modern" English decorating at all).
   
   I own two other books by this outstanding author (Cheryl MacLachlan) and she always does such a nice job at taking readers into the world of European decorating, by showing a variety of homes in the various styles... as stated in the book's title.
   
   If you own any of the Henrietta Churchill's books (ie: her books on decorating a 'la "English classical style") then you are probably familiar with Classical/Traditional English decorating. If not, browse through this book and/or Henrietta's many decorating books, and you will understand the English "classical" style a bit better.
   
   One difference: The homes in this MacLachlan book are homes that are probably owned by middle-class English families, and are NOT owned by upper-class English families , --- such as all of Henrietta's books show. Therefore, if you want to decorate your home in English style, then this MacLachlan book is more doable & relavent to you. Personally, I like both author's books (MacLachlan's and Churchill's books) because together they show all the possibilities when incorporating Classical English decorating in your current home(s).



2. A warm and wonderful volume for any hopeless Anglophile. Great gift.



3. Author Cheryl MacLachlan writes "...'English style' refers to the unique constellation of elements - homegrown and foreign - that the English have taken as their own". This book shows you how to create a beautiful, charming English atmosphere in your home, and in your life.

   My bedtime ritual now includes sitting down with a steaming cup of tea while browsing through every page of this book. After collecting and borrowing dozens of books on this topic, I find this one to be the most comprehensive and inspiring resource for the lover of anything English.

   "Like a house, Bringing It Home - England is divided into rooms"...The book's chapters cover the following topics:

   (1) The Substance of the English Style: common threads that unite all English homes, walls, motifs, graphics and everything out of the ordinary

   (2) The Living Room: how to arrange furniture, select fabrics, and my favorite topic: how to create the look of a traditional English drawing room

   (3) The Bedroom: creating a "cozy sanctuary", creating the romantic look (I can attest to the fact that her advice in this section works beautifully!), how to create the English look in your bath, and there is even a section on creating the look in a nursery!

   (4) The Dining Room: special emphasis on creating a "tailored, handsome" look. Includes information on English china, porcelain and crystal. There is even a guide to selecting tables and chairs.

   (5) The Garden: No book about English style would be complete without information on creating a traditional English garden. Includes a primer on the art of flower arrangement.

   )6) The Kitchen: The floors, cabines, furnishings and "cooker" are all covered in this section as well as my very favorite subject on the pleasure of "taking tea". Oh, life is grand!!!!

   (7) A Resource section which includes information on all the "English-style" essentials and where to find them. Includes a reading list and travel ideas.

   The information is practical and inspiring, as are the beautiful photographs. I feel this is the best book on this topic anywhere.

   5 Stars. Enjoy.




4. Being a lover of all things English, I have several books and this is the very best of all. This book is chock full of information on how to achieve the style, what makes it "English" and the photographs are fabulous. I have never read a book of this style that had so much research that went into it. I also enjoyed several receipes that were included and the section that dealt with the meaning of words and how Americans and British differ in their usage.



5. I like this book because it addresses a diverse range of topics on how to achieve the English style. It describes the origin of each decorating tradition, offering an explanation or rationale for why something is characterized as "English," rather than just laying out a blueprint to follow. I also liked that cooking was incorporated into the book, and several appealing photos of food and recipes are provided.

2 comments about Four Centuries of Silver.

1. As a Chinese studying in US, I collect old Chinese silvers for years. Before buying this one, I have several reference books from China and Taiwan. This is the best one in terms of the quality of writing. The collection shown by the photos is also very comprehensive, although I expect the photos to be larger. Overall, a great book for silverware collecors and those who love Chinese folk culture.
   By the way, does any one know how to contact the author?



2. I used this book to train myself in judging the quality and authenticity of Chinese silver last year in markets throughout China (especially in Beijing). The book really teaches you what you need to know to understand the symbolism contained in the objects you encounter and it is really a book rooted in Anthropology. The examples in the book range from typical examples of things up to museum pieces . The photography is first rate and far better than that in Chinese books on the subject. The time and effort which went into writing this book as well as the collecting of these objects is clearly a labor of love . If you want to understand Chinese Silver this book has no equal . And even if you don't collect silver this book may be the best available analysis of typical Chinese Symbolism regardless of its focus on silver .

5 comments about American Sterling Silver Flatware 1830's - 1990's: A Collector's Identification and Value Guide.

1. I bought this book along with Sterling Flatware by Tere Hagan. I find it difficult to use and poorly organized. She has a lot of information on certian patterns and makers but little on others. There is no index and information is incomplete. I use it as a back up to Hagan's book as she sometimes will have a pattern that Hagen dosen't have. Neither book is complete and this book has some information and a couple of Manufactures that Hagan dosen't cover still both books are valuable but even together not complete. I still have quite a few unknowns in my collection.



2. The 1880s to 1990s American Sterling Silver Flatware is a reference guide to 23 of the major American Sterling Silver Flatware makers and their production. It provides an overview of the patterns and the individual pieces produced in this 100 or so years time frame. For someone who loves silver it is lovely to look at. Some of the images are, just as they are on the front cover; beautifully photographed images. Others seem to be poor quality computer scanned images that produce, in many cases, barely acceptable illustrations or examples of the pattern.
   If you know the name of the company you will be able to find the name of the pattern, the date of issue and an approximate price for four components. Not necessarily the basic four components of a place setting, as I understand it to be, i.e. a Dinner Knife, Dinner Fork, Dessert/Salad Fork and Tea Spoon. One also has access to a list of pieces that were originally produced. Here again, the guide could offer so much more. It does not provide insight into the difference between a Master Butter Knife and a Butter Knife nor does it include the measurements of different pieces, which I would have found invaluable. It is very useful to know that a Place fork or Luncheon Fork might be slightly less than 7 inches in length and that a Dinner Fork may be 7 ½ inches. And just what does an Orange Knife look like, or Strawberry Spoon an as compared to an Almond Spoon. More importantly, how does a Five Oclock Spoon differ from the more Basic Tea Spoon and those, which are mentioned as Full Size Trade Tea Spoon, Full Size Regular Tea Spoon, Full Size Heavy Tea Spoon, or Full Size Massive Tea Spoon. Again, the weight of different items would have been useful. While this book is a very valuable guide to American Silver Pattern, which does have a place in a collectors basic library, I feel it falls short of its possibilities as an Identification and Value guide.



3. I was simply much too impatient for quick and easy answers the last time I wrote a review for this book, and I am a bit ashamed of myself for having been so negative and hypercritical. After much more time and education on the subject of American Sterling flatware, I realized that Ms. Dolan's approach is actually rather pragmatic and useful (organized alphabetically, by manufacturer, with hallmarks being displayed before each section). I would have appreciated an entire section devoted solely to identifying hallmarks, a wider range of American manufacturers, and an index, but this book has indeed proven useful for me, regardless (even though I am only able to reference between 50 to 60% of the patterns in any given pile of mixed antique American Sterling flatware, using solely this book - but still). Though by no means a complete reference in itself, Ms. Dolan's book should indeed be included in any collection of American Sterling flatware reference material, and seems to fill some of the gaps in other existing reference guides.



4. This book purports to be for the identification and value of American silver flatware. It is woefully incomplete. Where is Tiffany & Co.? Where are all the patterns that I would like to identify? Why is the layout so reader-unfriendly? And who cares that "Baltimore City lies 200 miles from the Atlantic Ocean..."?



5. As a collector, I have some sterling flatware purchased for daily use. However, I was unable to find one pattern in this book that matched the 50+ pieces I have. The photos and drawerings, however, are clear and detailed. Hopefully, someday I will be able to match a piece with the book!

1 comments about American Art Deco: An Illustrated Survey.

1. This book is an unabridged re-publication of a Depression era book titled, "Annual of American Design 1931 by the American Union of Decorative Artists and Craftsmen".
   
   Right off the bat, the most negative thing about this book is that it is a Dover Publication Reprint. This means the quality of the publication is mediocre. Both the paper and binding are cheap. The photo quality is decent. This is no museum quality monograph on American Modernism. If you have the money and interest, try to find the original publication. I am sure that it is highly collectible.
   
   The book is divided into nine chapters dealing with such fundamental decorative building blocks as, "The Shop", "Halls, Walls and Fittings" and "Graphic Arts in Advertising". The text for these chapters were written by some great American Modernists of the 1930's. There are short manifestos by such important artists as Kem Weber, Paul Frankl, Frank Lloyd Wright and Edward Steichen. These short texts give the reader great insights into the American modernist mind of the 1930's.
   
   The second strength of this book is the large number of black and white photos that illustrate the text. The creations of such modernists as Von Nessen, Deskey, Rhode, Bel Geddes and Karasz are lovingly photographed.
   
   This is a valuable book for anybody trying to gain a deeper understanding of American modernist thought in the 1920-30's. This is a great second tier book for people who have read most of the contemporary books on the American take on Modernism such as "Depression Modern" and "American Modernism". If you are not sure, at $14 a copy, you cannot go wrong by purchasing this book.

1 comments about Understanding Antique Silver Plate: Reference and Price Guide.

1. One of the best books I've seen on antique silverplate. Lots of information on history, techniques, and how to recognize old Sheffield pieces. Plenty of beautiful photos. A great book for anyone interested in learning about old silver. Prices are given in British sterling, which makes it harder for the US reader to relate. Would be nice for a US version to be published with prices reflecting American market values.

5 comments about Sterling Silver Flatware for Dining Elegance: With Revised Price Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. EXCELLENT customer service provided for this very informative book. Helped identify many very unusual pieces.



2. This book is full of absolutely beautiful photos of (mostly old) American sterling place and serving pieces. Its strength is to help identify unusual pieces that people today don't have a clue about. Not very useful for identifying patterns, unless you happen to stumble across a photo of a pattern whose name you are seeking. Patterns are not indexed, but types of pieces are. The price guide (e.g., $30 to $85 for a teaspoon) is absolutely useless. Interesting form to photocopy to use to keep track of pieces you acquire.



3. I could not be more pleased with this book. It contains page after page of beautifully photographed flatware and contains the history of numerous popular patterns and the great number of pieces available in the various patterns, including the rare and unusual pieces.



4. I could not be more pleased with this book. It is 204 pages of excellent photographs and descriptions of many patterns, along with a history of the unusual pieces and their original uses. The price guide is just *one* page in this book and is meant only to provide a range. Such a guide would be out of date as soon as published, and it is not realistic to expect it to be current or definitive. (It may have been better left out!) This is the finest book I have seen for a serious silver flatware collector.



5. Lovely pictures and good descriptions for use of various pieces of flatware.

   The "Price Guide" is totally useless! Examples: "Dinner Forks $45-110" "Teaspoons $30-85" "Macaroni Servers $295-1250"

   All pieces are priced and listed just this way. Listing such a dollar range with no patterns or manufacturers mentioned, makes the price guide of no value.

5 comments about Faberge Eggs.

1. Gratefully this very well written and designed volume 'Fabergé Eggs' by Susanna Pfeffer is back in circulation. It celebrates the fantasy of art for the particular audience of Czarist Russia from 1885 to the decline of the Czars, but as with all true art the legend and the art lives on.
   
   Though most everyone knows about the creations of Peter Carl Fabergé of the House of Fabergé who created the first Russian Easter Egg in 1885, few will have seen the extent of the genre as published in this book. Susanna Pfeffer provides an informative introduction about the history of the first Egg and then follows the prominence of the strange and beautiful art form through the awards bestowed at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris where the Imperial Eggs were on display for the first time outside the palaces. She then follows her survey of Russian history with full page color photographs of forty of the eggs accompanied by a brief but interesting capsule of history of each egg's creation and meaning. The Eggs themselves are shown in dazzling color with some of the eggs 'inner secrets' shared on separate pages: fold out screens of military conquests, small crowned hens of gold and rubies, portraits etc) allow the reader to know more about each egg than the casual museum goer.
   
   This book is well designed and on fine paper and is the best of the 'affordable' books on this fascinating interplay of art and politics! Worth scouting around to find a copy before they disappear again. Grady Harp, January 08



2. The information contained in this book was easily accessed and was straight-forward in its content. This book is lovely and displays nicely as a coffee table book. The only problem I found with it is that some eggs were omitted. The one coming to mind is the Military Egg. I have seen this egg and though it is unusual in its lack of jewels, its simplicity deserves mention. I believe that there is one, maybe two more omitted, but as I am writing this, I am unable to bring those to mind. This is a beautiful book, but is not definitive as the best book to answer questions regarding the Faberge eggs.



3. As an egg artist of Fabarge style egg art, I highly recommend this book to other artists as well as those who are not interested in actually making this type of art. You will still be moved.



4. Having just recently been in the Armoury at the Kremlin and seeing the Faberge Eggs they have there and being absolutely blown away by them I was very pleased to be able to purchase this book even though is was the 1990 edition.
   The book shows the eggs in close up often with the fancy inside shown in more detail and a small essay on each one, how it was made and the significance of what it portrays.
   They are the most fabulous things not neccessarily because of the jewels involved (which are just wonderful) but mainly because of the incredible workmanship involved in the mechanics of them I can never forget the Trans Siberian Egg with the little solid gold five carriage and engine train which goes by clockwork!
   The book was just great especially showing eggs I haven't seen if you are interested in these extraordinary eggs I recommend it to you wholeheartedly.



5. This book is worthwhile whether the reader wants an introduction to Faberge easter eggs or is already familiar with these masterpieces. It provides a history of Peter Carl Faberge and his works. It includes photographs of forty easter eggs, most of them being the Imperial easter eggs which were gifts from Alexander III and Nicholas II to their wives or the dowager empress. Other less well known but also spectacular eggs are included. The photographs show the eggs and surprises to their best advantage. The corresponding descriptions provide information about the significance of each egg. There were some eggs in this book that I had never seen in other books, including Imperial easter eggs that apparently have not been part of recent museum tours. I first bought the Christopher Forbes book in paperback, but returned it because I was disappointed with it. I will be keeping this one.

No comments about Creative Variations in Jewelry Design (Schiffer Design Book).