1 comments about Personal Antique and Collectible Inventory.

1. An important book that has a place for photos, descriptions ( such as markings, history, when and where acquired, cost, etc. ) for your own reference and/or insurance purposes. Unfortunately, it is now out of print and hard to find !!

No comments about Beckett Baseball Almanac #12 (Beckett Almanac of Baseball Cards and Collectibles).

1 comments about Standard Catalog of World Coins Spain, Portugal and the New World: Spain, Portugal, and the New World (Standard Catalog of World Coins Spain, Portugal and the New World).

1. Contrary to what is stated in the editorial review, this catalog does not include Philippine coins during the spanish colonial period. In fairness to the authors it is stated in the foreword that this catalog deals with Ibero-American coinage. Aside from that omission, this book is worth buying in the sense that if all you collect is Spanish/Portugese Colonial Coins you won't have to buy the Other Standard Catalogs that are divided into centuries as this catalog spans the entire timeline.

1 comments about Insider's Guide to Doll Buying & Selling: Antique to Modern, Insider's Guide (Insiders Guide Series).

1. I think Jan Foulke is the leading authority on doll collecting. This is a great book for beginners. It gives great advice on what to look for in a quality doll. The dolls condition can be just as important as its rarity etc... This book is not thick, but has great tips and advice. I would recommended any book by Jan Foulke. She also sells dolls on Ebay.

2 comments about A Passion for Collecting: Decorating with Your Favorite Objects.

1. Perhaps I'm too much of an American, but the preponderance of human(?) skulls, animal skeletons, and taxidermied animals freaked me out. Still I have to give the author points for not just including the usual collected suspects. There are small knitted sweaters, used paint palettes, and brightly colored Tin Tin posters. Some of the interiors look quite ugly to me (turquoise paint with gilded trim), but entertaining nonetheless.
   
   I hated the organization of the book or rather the lack thereof. The same collections can appear in three different chapters. The repetition made me nuts. The redundancy really annoyed me.



2. If you've ever wanted to start collecting anything, as a hobby or as an investment or for any other reason, and you weren't sure of just what to collect, the amazing number of color photographs of collections from around the world will surely whet your appetite.

   The author of this book has broken down the subject of collecting into 9 loose categories of collectors: The Antiquarians (descendants of Renaissance and 18th century collectors), The Explorers (those interested in ethnic and curious pieces from all over the world), The Perfectionists (those who only want the best in its field), The Naturalists (those who collect natural objects of minerals, flora or fauna), The Utilitarians (who collect practical things), The Inheritors (those who receive existing collections from other people), The Enthusiasts (those who collect anything that pleases them), The Decorators (those who collect for the purpose of decorating) and The Miniaturists (those who are fascinated with things that are tiny).

   Just browsing through this book and looking at the great collections people have put together is a breathtaking experience and shows how wide the variety and how personal the tastes. There's plenty of descriptive explanation that goes with each of the nine categories and the photographs are grouped accordingly to make it easy to skip to the styles that most interest you.

   My only major problem with the book is that, while the photographs are absolutely beautiful, and the collections are phenomenal, the photos makes one think that these collections are well arranged and displayed. The majority are not! The displaying of these collections often appears to have been thrown together without much regard to how to display them in such a way so they will attract attention and enhance the room as well.

   It's one thing to create a great collection. It's quite another thing to feel compelled to display every single piece all at the same time. When you get into that, it's just overkill and the collection ceases to be that interesting and becomes a burden to try to absorb. Better to put out a few pieces here and a few there and store the rest and exchange what's out for what's stored periodically, rather than put everything out at the same time. Doing so is more a matter of the ego of the collector and less of a desire to enhance the collection with an attractive display.

   I recognize that a sizeable portion of these collections are from all over the world and displayed in homes where their owners reside, still there are display concepts that should be universally used if you really want other people to appreciate your collection. In this case, less would definitely be more!

3 comments about The World of Beer Memorabilia: Identification & Value Guide.

1. This beautiful, 184 page deluxe, laminated cover hardbound volume will be enjoyed by every beer memorabilia collector. It contains 184 pages, 8 1/2 x 11", with more than 200 full color, gorgeous, sharp photos, many full page in size. It has '97 pricing. It is loaded with information on this collectable, with very complete item descriptions. Major topics range from early history, brewery company art, signs, trays, brewery beauties, statues, reverse glass, mugs, cans and more. It does not include every item available, but a good representative of each category. A beautiful deluxe library volume. Enjoy, enjoy.



2. Book has an extremely limited amount of content. Only the rarest trays are and signs are listed with prices. If your looking for prices for most of the trays you see this is not the book for you, also not a beer can price guide at all. If your expecting to look up Kruger, Ballentine, etc. companys trays to find prices, your not going to find it here.



3. Herb and Helen Haydock are the most successful collectors of American brewing artifacts ever to engage in the hobby. Over several decades, they have amassed (and have now donated to Miller Brewing Co. for safekeeping and display) an astounding array of breweriana including cans, trays, back bar breweriana, paper goods, giveaways, etc. Many of these rare and unique items are displayed beautifully in this book, which features finely detailed color and black and white photographs of items in their collection. The book concentrates on full size trays, but does hit on all areas of the brewery collecting hobby. Of note is the Haydocks' specialized interest in the old Potosi brewery. The only criticism I have relates to the estimated pricing of the artifacts - based on my own experience, I would argue that the prices here are at least 30% lower than you would actually pay to acquire the item, and in several cases less than half of what you could reasonably expect to fork over. Aside from that, this is a wonderful trip through time at some items that most of us will only be able to see in this book.

3 comments about Collectibles Price Guide 2007 (Collectibles Price Guide).

1. This book is fantastic! It has many, many pictures and has become a wonderful asset to me. I highly recommend it!



2. Outstanding from page one! This book is expertly researched, photographed, designed and provides the reader with the most current vaulations of some of today's most sought after collectibles. Judith Miller and her entire team have taken the "art" of antiques and collectibles quite seriously and it shows with each and every book.



3. it had most of the info i like . I am getting a lot of enjoyment out of it I found all her books give plenty of scope to want to find out more

1 comments about Comics Values Annual 2005: The Comic Book Price Guide (Comics Values Annual).

1. Every year, when this time comes around I'm happy for two reasons. First it is Spring, and we can stop wearing all those heavy winter clothes, and second because the new CVA is in (or is it the other way around?)
   
   CVA is easily the bestest, most organized, and fully realized comicbook price guide on the market. It is assembled by a crack team of professionals dedicated to the project, and thoroughly respected in the field of comics and collectibles.
   
   This one far and away beats the competition. Always with great articles and/or interviews, as well as easily organized into "company" chapters, which makes finding specific titles much simpler.
   
   Yes boys and girls, this one is - most definitely - the cat's meow!

No comments about Early Twentieth Century Lighting Fixtures: Featuring Gas & Electric, Ceiling, Wall, Table & Art Glass Fixtures.

5 comments about Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money: 1928 to Date (Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money).

1. much more detailed than other books I have bought. Well worth it if you collect small size currency.



2. This edition was updated significantly since the last one came out. More serial numbers and star notes are listed.
   
   Still it need more listing and better explanations of grading/pricing for each series. Also the values seem high, although not as bad as previous edition.



3. An incredible book if your looking for a complete reference book to use on a daily basis. This reference book is updated every year which is very important to any Small-Sized U.S. Paper Currency collector. I find this book gives spot on values for each and every small-sized U.S. note that anyone could have an interest in collecting. I use this reference book like I use my right arm so that should tell you just how important this reference book is to my collecting. I purchase the revised book every year without question. No collector should ever be without this book. Well lets say any serious collector should never be without this book !!!



4. I agree with many of the reviewers comments. This is a very useful book, it is a must for the serious small size currency collector. Quality control is a major problem however. There are just too many errors which cause confusion. I am surprised that KP books can't do a better job. These errors run through all of the editions 5, 6, and now 7. These errors cause one to question some of the pricing information. A typical example is in the 7th edition, 2004 A Atlanta star listing. 96,000 sheets? What does that mean? It has been widely reported that there was a printing of 9,600. I suggest Oaks, Schwartz and Lindquist take special care with the 8th edition and perhaps find a new editor.



5. I personaly collect Star Notes, I have been hording GL's and GF star notes. I was waiting on the book release for value's, just to find they have incorrect figures for printings. They have 96,000 for the unbelievably low 9600 print of the Atlanta(GF) $10 star notes.
   So, I as well as 3-4 other collectors wait again till next years release for the correct numbers and therefore guide on value. Maybe the mistakes are how they sell new editions? Guarantee sales?