5 comments about Madame Alexander 2007 Collector's Dolls Price Guide (Madame Alexander Collector's Dolls Price Guide).

1. This book was very helpful in pricing several dolls that I was interested in buying. Without this resource, I would have paid too much.



2. I got this for my daughter who collects dolls, especially Madame Alexander dolls. She uses the book frequently and likes it very much.
   I recommend it although it doesn't have every doll made by Madame Alexander.



3. Linda Crowsey's MADAME ALEXANDER: 2007 COLLECTOR'S DOLLS PRICE GUIDE #32 is an updated collector's price guide no Madame Alexander doll collector should miss. It packs in an A-Z listing of the dolls and their latest values, and while it includes some small color photos, its value lies in the latest updated prices collectors need to make informed buying and selling decisions.



4. I was hoping for more pics of antique Madame Alexander Dolls, but it is good information.



5. This is by far always one of the best reference books around for Madame Alexander Doll Collectors. It gives you a great guideline for what your dolls are worth as well as exquisite photos of dolls that you may never have the opportunity to own or even see in person. I will be a yearly buyer for as long as they keep puplishing!

No comments about Catalogue of the Byzantine and Early Mediaeval Antiquities in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, 2, Jewelry, Enamels, and Art of the Migration (Dumbarton Oaks Byzantine Collection).

No comments about German Porcelain Dolls, 1836-2002.

No comments about Miller's: 20th Century Design: Buyer's Guide (Buyer's Price Guide.).

2 comments about How to Sell Music, Collectibles, and Instruments on eBay... And Make a Fortune.

1. How to Sell Music, Collectibles and Instruments on eBay
   and Make a Fortune
   A book review by Frank Dobrowolski
   May 12, 2005
   
   by Dennis L. Prince and William M. Meyer
   Published by McGraw-Hill/Osborne
   ISBN 0-07-144570-6 2005 268 pages
   List price: $14.95 On Amazon: $10.17 +S/H
   
   This book is a quick, short introduction to using eBay for buying and selling music and related collectibles and instruments, [one of the "How to Sell ..... and Make a Fortune" series]. It appears to be aimed at those who would rather learn by doing and need only a brief tutorial on the process. This objective is met quite admirably. Those who find they desire more detailed discussions or want information on the ancillary sectors of eBay can find other books that meet these needs.
   
   As to the "Make a Fortune" part of the title, the recommendation essentially is the familiar mantra of retail operations - Buy low, Sell High, Generate High Sales Volumes, Know the Product and Understand the Customer. The difference here is that eBay is the base of operations rather than a store and operating on eBay opens the operation to a potential audience of million. While few make a fortune in retail at this level, the book does offer much information and lists a wealth of reference sources.
   
   The potential market is very large. According to this book 54% of U.S. households have at least one musical instrument player. And, retail music is a stable product category with staying power and sales potential.
   * Over 745 million audio CDs were sold in 2003 for $11 billion
   * Over 35 million concert tickets were sold in 2002 grossing $2.2 billion
   * Music products [instruments, performance gear, etc.] sales in 2002 exceeded $6.9 billion
   * Vintage music products and memorabilia generates tens of billions of dollars every year
   
   Those selling in this field can be either: experts in a narrow, low volume market with high profit margins; or broadly interested in a wide, high volume market with low profit margins. Whichever part of this field one chooses to follow there are many sources of information provided in this book.
   
   Memorabilia refers to items like t-shirts, ticket stubs, programs, etc. Once these items were considered to be disposable. However, their presence on eBay has created an expanded, eager collector base. So more items are being valued and the values are increasing.
   
   According to this book there usually are over 650,000 music-related items listed in eBay's categories and over 500 sub-categories for Music, Musical instruments [grossing $500 million a year] and Music Memorabilia [ with 75,000 Rock-n-Roll listings every day] categories. This book claims to be the only one focused on these three areas. Some data the book presents on eBay's sales in the music categories:
   
   * Music - 500 categories
   * 700,000 listings each day
   * 150,000 records listed
   * Musical instruments - $500 million/ year
   o 50,000 guitars listed - $1.1 B in 2002
   * Musical Products - $350 million/year
   * Rock-n-roll memorabilia - 70,000 listings
   
   Chapter 2 is entitled "The History of Selling Music". This information helps one start to develop a background in the field to better understand the items being sold and to prepare for updates and changes. The chapter points to two areas of concern: Fraud and Competition.
   
   The book states that fraud and misrepresentation are widespread, especially with Memorabilia. It is estimated that 99% of the Beatles signature items and 75% of Rock-n-Roll autographs are fake. The book recommends that such items have rock-solid appraisals from recognized specialist appraisers and a written, lifetime guarantee of authenticity.
   
   Competition relates to the various levels of marketing, particularly of musical instruments and related equipment, The mass marketers [Wal-Mart] lower prices and make business difficult for music stores. The Internet also competes with the music stores. Fraud is rife and prices are lowered mercilessly [in the eyes of store-based merchants] In fact some instrument manufacturers forbid the sale of their instruments on the Internet and impose pricing protection for the stores.
   
   The book discusses each sector in the music categories, addressing source information, market, current pricing and the more popular items. Pages 45 to 63 lists many information sources, sub-dvided as by instrument or type of memorabilia.
   Chapter 5 discusses the necessary Business Plan focusing on marketing and sales strategies and on the financial aspects.
   Chapter 6 covers building and maintaining an inventory. Chapter 7 discusses acquiring and holding on to customers and keeping them happy to generate return business. The book addresses the tasks to use eBay for selling - Listing, Payment, Shipping, etc. Chapters 10 to 12 cover the elements of becoming a music specialist in one of the categories and sub-categories. It outlines the knowledge needed and the means to keep the customers happy, and advised of one's available inventory.
   
   The book is well-written, easy to read and has enough illustrations to convey the needed message. I would recommend this book for beginners or novices in using eBay for buying and selling music-related items on eBay.



2. This in-depth book covers the topic of selling music products on eBay, using a lot of practical examples plus a dash of humor. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to start selling CDs or instruments on eBay, giving real specifics on how to position your music merchandise effectively. It's a solid guide that's bound to generate real sales. Also, it includes excellent first-hand testimony from some of eBay's best music sellers. Highly recommended.

3 comments about Classic Colt Peacemakers.

1. A big disappointment. I own nearly all of R.L. Wilson's books, and bought this out of love for such things. Nowhere NEAR the quality of other books in my collection, it was a big, big disappointment. Not only are the photos not up to par, but the text is horrid. Doc O'Meara apparently writes to make a quick buck -- not for the love of the subject like Wilson.



2. If you like to look at pictures of very pretty Colt SAA's that are way too expensive for the average person to acquire, then by all means read this book--or perhaps I should say "look" at this book. There's not much to read. The author only skims the surface of what I would consider a very in-depth subject regarding the history of Colt Firearms and the "Peacemaker". The rest of the book's pages are filled with full-color photographs that really don't make for a captivating experience. The experience of this book was like having a good friend show you pictures of his/her vacation; the first few photos are interesting, but after awhile it becomes more of the same and interest is rapidly lost.
   
   If you're looking for a very good in-depth history of Colt Firearms I would recommend "Colt: An American Legend" by R.L. Wilson. For a good historical reference on the Single Action Army specifically, I would check out C. Kenneth Moore's "Study of the Colt Single Action Army", although it is out of print and very expensive to buy. A well-stocked library should have it.



3. This pictures alone make this book worthwhile. Very nice color plates with excellent detail. O'Meara doesn't stop with the pictures though. He gives the reader a very well researched history of the Colt company and the development of the Single Action Army.
   Since the book deals with classic Peacemakers, O'meara educated himself on the art of gun engraving and discusses it in a way that will hold the reader's interest.

   Highly recommended.

1 comments about Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual: current Values on : Today's Collectibles, Tomorrow's Antiques (Garage Sale and Flea Market Annual).

1. I'm no avid garage saler or flea marketer, but I picked this book up from the library to see what some of my stuff might be worth.
   
   The author first gives some tips on how to buy and sell goods, what to look for condition-wise, and how to learn more about a certain type of goods. Then the book lists types of collectibles in alphabetical order, giving a short history of the company or collectible, with values of some of the more valuable examples of each type listed.
   
   Of course, such a book can't be completely comprehensive, but this one does give lots of resources (both books and individuals) for further study in each type of collectible. It seemed very heavy on pottery and dinnerware companies, but did have a good mix of other items (toys, Coca-Cola items, political buttons...). It's not really the type of book you should browse through from front to back, as I did, because it's just so overwhelming! But I did learn a little that probably stuck with me.
   
   The word nerd in me had to smile at all the misspellings and bad grammar throughout the book, but it's a minor point.
   
   If you're into the collectible scene, but just starting out, this would be a good starting point for you.

1 comments about Whimsical World Of Boyd's Bears: 25 Years and Counting.

1. This book just puts a smile on my face everytime I open it. The bears are just wonderful and my grandkids just love sitting and looking at them. I also enjoyed reading about the history of Boyd's Bears and the founders, as a collector there were many things I didn't know. Great buy, very entertaining!

No comments about The History and Origin of Horse Brasses.

1 comments about Christmas Past.

1. I found this book most helpful in identifying true vintage ornaments as well as their value. It covers in great detail why specific materials were used for a given time including the color variations. It also contains stories and cuts from celebrations long ago which I found very informative. I came away with a great deal of knowledge and will carry this with me on all my hunts. Highly recommend!