5 comments about Answers to Questions About Old Jewelry, 1840-1950 (Answers to Questions About Old Jewelry).

1. Another GREAT book from this author! Wonderful pictures and information. This book has already helped me to buy and sell on eBay and has paid for itself. I have lots of jewelry books and this one is not a re-hash of other old books, as so many out there are. I am a very satisified and happy customer.



2. Yet another excellent jewellery book by C. Jeanenne Bell. This book is primarily a pictorial pricing guide to jewellery dating from 1840-1950, but the photos are interspersed with detailed pieces of information on topics such as jewellery makers, precious metals, imitation gemstones and the historical context of the jewellery, all of which are likely to be of value to most jewellery collectors.
   
   The main criticism I have of this book is that it is extremely cheaply produced. With the exception of two sets of color plates, the majority of the pictures in this book are in black and white. Furthermore, even though I always handle my books with extreme care, and my copy of this book is only about a year old, the color plates have started to come adrift from the binding. The index is also very brief and not detailed enough for my liking.
   
   This is an excellent book and would be a valuable addition to any jewellery library, but make sure you handle it with care.



3. Book was not put together very good. It was also very boring in alot of areas. The middle section that has pictures...fell completely out of the book and into my hands. Very bad binding job and cheaply made book. Would not recommend this book to anyone.



4. Didn't provide the type of information I was looking for but had some helpful hints.



5. I have serveral of J. Bell's books and I enjoy them all. This one is informative and I love the quality pictures.

No comments about Bradbury's Book of Hallmarks.

No comments about A Handbook of 20th Century U.S. Gold Coins: 1907-1933.

No comments about American Silversmiths and Their Marks IV.

No comments about How to Invest in Gold and Silver: A beginners guide to the ways of investing in precious metals for safety and profit.

2 comments about Jewelry Handbook: How to Select, Wear & Care for Jewelry.

1. Another well written, fantastic book by Renee Newman. This book is profusely illustrated with wonderful color photographs and the author writes very clear and informative advice on how to wear and select jewelry. Very useful tips on how to properly care for jewelry are a must to learn. Before acquiring more jewelry, reading this book would greatly help to understand jewelry in general, along value and fashion trends. Truly a great book!



2. Respected gemologist and the author of eight outstanding guides on the subject of gems and jewelry, Renee Newman combines her years of experience and expertise with a gift for writing to provide both jewelry professionals and interested non-professional general readers with an informed and informative guidebook and manual on selected just the right jewelry to match a lifestyle, a budget, and even a body type. Profusely illustrated throughout with color photography, the "Jewelry Handbook: How To Select, Wear & Care For Jewelry" lays out clear, concise, step-by-step instructions on choosing jewelry that flatters and which will endure in both value and tenure. Readers will learn how to properly decipher stamps on jewelry mounting, how to make jewelry versatile, how to care for, clean, and protect jewelry, and perhaps most importantly, how to get good value for the money invested in the purchase of jewelry. The "Jewelry Handbook" covers both the benefits and the drawbacks for various setting styles, mountings, chains and metals (including gold, silver, platinum, palladium, titanium, tungsten, and stainless steel). Before buying their next piece of jewelry, readers would be very well advised to read and rely on Renee Newman's "Jewelry Handbook".

No comments about The Brueghels.

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.

No comments about Silver Hollowware for Dining Elegance: Coin & Sterling (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

2 comments about American Silverplate.

1. Some useful information, but really poor organization. When I found Middletown Plate company it was one page from where the index said it was. This turned out to be the case when I looked up several other companies. Once the error was two pages.
   According to the table of contents the preface was on page 12. Page 12 was blank. Instruction in how to use the book would have been helpful.
   Rainwater, Rainwater and Felger seem to know their field, but I found the book thinner on detail than I would have preferred.
   Lastly, the language is at times intrusively mannered and cultured. It is irritating and breaks good communication.
   The book gets a three. The authors know what they're talking about, but it's a slog finding their knowledge in this book.
   DM, Syracuse, NY.



2. If you buy or sell silverplate, this is one of the must have reference books. This is a complete history of silverplate in America, with the companies and the lines they produced. Contains many photos taken from catalogs. Figural napkin rings or holders, butter dishes, mechanical jewelry boxes, candlesticks, many different holloware forms and the companies who made them. It is additionally a cultural history that reflects the lifestyle of Americans through their silverplated products. Carefully researched, this is the third edition, an indication that it is a useful book that has remained in print. A chapter on care and restoration. Five stars!