5 comments about Inside the Jewelry Box: A Collector's Guide to Costume Jewelry: Identification and Values (Inside the Jewelry Box).

1. This is a fabulous book on vintage costume jewelry! Beautiful colored photos, prices, loads of information and FUN. The author shares her own stories, talking with you as if you are an old friend, and by the time you finished the book you'll wish you were.
   
   Anyone who has a passion for vintage beauties will love this book. It appeals to collectors on every level. Don't hesitate to buy. You will not be disappointed.
   
   The author's first book on vintage costume jewelry is also a must have!



2. Ooops, I meant, not your OTHER jewelry book. I liked the first Inside the Jewelry Box so much, it was worth buying what I thought was just a second edition of it. But this is an entirely new book, with all new everything: information, subjects, photos. Great job once again by the talented Ann Pitman, who covers yum-yum subjects from fruit salad to Juliana and Lily Dache ... and exotic hard to find extras such as an Italian Ornella boot and a snazzy Calvaire purse. This is one of those books that keep on giving: you keep finding wonderful things you didn't see before, no matter how many times you look. Great job ... on an all-new book!



3. Beautifully written and the photos are stunning! If you collect costume jewelry you won't be disappointed. Only problem is now I have many more pieces to covet!!!



4. Inside the Jewelry Box: A Collector's Guide to Costume Jewelry Identification and Values, Volume 2 is a full-color catalogue of an amazing array of costume jewelry pieces. Each piece is presented with one or more photographs, a recommended price, and the name of the collection from which the sample piece was selected. From charm bracelets to artful plastics to necklaces, earrings, and rings, as well as special sections dedicated to well-known brand designs such as Eisenberg and Bettina von Walhof, Inside the Jewelry Box is a singularly gorgeous compilation and a joy to page through simply to savor the photography. The text offers the occasional sprinkling of historical information, comments, or insights about costume jewelry as well. A highly recommended treasury for collectors.



5. If you are a jewelry lover this is a must have book for your collection.
   Ann does a wonderful job with the pictures and the information. She is very knowledgeable in the costume jewelry field

3 comments about Pocket Guide to Depression Glass & More 1920s-1960s (Pocket Guide to Depression Glass & More).

1. This book was recommended to me by a dealer specializing in depression glass at a glass show, and I was not disappointed. Clear color photographs with company names, dates, color range, and prices listed in a small size book that is easy to tote around. My favorite part is the section on reproductions in the back of the book, not found in some of the other glass books I own! This is the second copy I have purchased (it comes out every two years) just to keep abreast of the reproductions, since it is sold at such a great price!



2. This book came with much needed information. Definitely great for identification purposes of almost all there is was out there!



3. This book has almost 200 different patterns of depression glass and price lists for them. The pictures are excellent and the size makes it perfect for throwing in a bag or backpack while browsing at flea markets or yard sales. The author, Gene Florence does refer to another of his books which is larger and more in depth if you need more info, but this is my first book on depression glass and I find it has what I need at this point. Of special note is his section on reproductions and how to spot them - very helpful. I highly recommend this book.

1 comments about Madame Alexander 2008 Collector's Dolls Price Guide #33 (Madame Alexander Collector's Dolls Price Guide).

1. The 2008 price guide to Madame Alexander dolls updates information with the latest values, offering the information along with small color photos and an organization by type of doll, then maker name. While casual readers may find it doesn't hold the photo-packed identification value of other Madame Alexander doll books, it's not intended for identification but as a reference providing the latest values, which do change immensely: any serious doll collector's library needs this.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

5 comments about Warman's Depression Glass Field Guide: Values And Identification (Warman's Field Guides Depression Glass: Values &I Identification).

1. If you are interested in depression glass you will enjoy adding this book to your collection of reference books.



2. This book is a fantastic take-along for going to antique stores and garage sales and the like. It contains several helpful sections to help you identify patterns including a catagorized section of borders (birds, floral, art deco, etc.) and a shape guide which is primarily useful when looking for plates and serving pieces. All of the photos of actual pieces are in color. This book also contains several patterns that Gene Florence's Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass does not.
   
   One thing about this book that needs to be mentioned is the large discrepency in value for many pieces between the Warman's guide and Florence's guide. I don't know if this is because this edition is already 3 years old or what. You may feel like you are getting an incredible deal when you are actually not. This book also doesn't contain much information on each pattern except for the basics and it doesn't have much good information on reproductions.
   
   This is a great field guide for glass, but it's good to have a back-up, more recent guide for values.



3. Lovely descriptive book. Found several of my pieces immediately. Will be a great reference book for my collection.



4. this is an excellent book. received it promptly and in new condition.



5. I love this book and recommend it to any collector of depression glass, especially if you are anovice. The thumbnail guides are easy to use and great for identifying just about any pattern. This has become my bible for identifying and valuing auction buys and yard sale finds. I hope Warmans considers another volume to acccomodate some of the patterns not covered in detail in this book.

5 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia of Pendant and Pocket Watches 1500-1950: Identification and Values (Collector's Encyclopedia).

1. I was disappointed with this book. There appears to be no organization and the information does not appear to be accurate. I expected much more and this book did not deliver.



2. My 22 year old son is starting a collection of pocket watches and he has enjoyed this book. He uses it when he goes online to fine new treasures.
   It helps him know what to look for.



3. Great pictures,but I have aspected more from this book about movement's and calibres explanation.If you have just started to collect pocket watches,than this book is for you.If you need some details for movements and calibres you will be at the start of your expertise !!!



4. Here's an example of a book that should never have been produced. The author is obviously misinformed and quite frankly, ignorant, regarding watches. The book is riddled with incorrect information regarding watch descriptions, including blatantly wrong jewel counts, movement descriptions, and the repititious "very fine and rare", "fine and lovely", "very fine and very rare", ad nauseum. The author constantly includes "micrometric regulator" in descriptions of pocket watches, that have NO micrometric regulators! The book is attractive, and has some excellent photographs, but, at best, this is a book that needed an author with some watch "smarts".



5. The book is divided in 5 chapters, each one covering one century of watch development. Each chapter deals with case, movement and decorative procedures development. In the end of each chapter you will find a full range of color fotos of watches of that period. The pictures are very beautifull, but not unique: you will find them in The Sandberg's Watch Collection Book. I think that the book should earn just 3 stars, just because it does not have "unique" pictures. However, the pictures were unique for me, since i don't have sandberg's book.

2 comments about Scott 2007 Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue: Countries of the World: P-SL (Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Vol 5 Countries P-Sl).

1. I was delighted with this stamp catalogue.The layout is fabulous and stamps are in colour so much easier to catalogue.I would highly recommend this product.Price was terrific and delivery speedy what more could a person want.



2. It was very informative. I really like the color photographs of the stamps. it is much easier to identify the stamps.

5 comments about Flea Market Decorating: Creating Style with Vintage Finds (Better Homes and Gardens Books).

1. I enjoyed reading the book, it has several good photos of ideas used. It validates my decorating scheme!



2. I agree the rusty chair/furniture and hospital guerny are not very appealing. This book is good for little tips and odds and ends but not as good as Better Homes "Cottage Style" book which I have to say is THE BEST. I am glad I checked it out of the library before I bought it. It went a little to over the top on the shabby chic/flea market look for me not very elegant. The pictures are good because of professional photos but I bet if you were in a home filled with some of this stuff it could end up looking a little too flea-ish. Check it out first at the library.



3. As a graduate design student, I am impressed with the quality of the rooms shown in this book. Very chic yet simple. Unlike some books on this topic, this one is filled with smart, chic, sensible, stylish ideas for how to repurpose flea market finds. There's nothing junky or throwaway about the ideas in this book.



4. I should have checked this out at a bookstore before I ordered it - I saw the 5 stars and went by that.
   This book has nothing new to offer. And I do not see the attraction of using a hospital gurney for a bathroom vanity or stacking your towels on a rusty old garden chair. Actually, that is disgusting.
   Yes, the photography is wonderful. But I've seen much better information ...
   Save your money, or at least check it out a bookstore first.



5. This book was written for me. When the weekend comes, I'm in my car looking for flea markets in our region. The last thing I want is to buy all our furniture and accessories from regular stores. Decorating this way is fun because it gives me a chance to be ME and create a home that isn't some Pottery Barn lookalike. This book is so fresh and current. I love it so I know my friends will. We're all just starting to get settled and buy homes, so this is one of the books that I often give for showers and housewarmings.

5 comments about Barbie Fashion, 1959-1967 (Barbie Doll Fashion).

1. I must admit, I'm not as crazy about this book like everyone else seems to be. I gave it four stars for the beautiful photos, and descriptions.
   But I think some things could be improved. The index lists everything by page number, which is fine if you're just leisurely looking through the book. But if you're looking for one particular outfit, it would be much more convenient to have an alphebetical listing. I wouldn't mind seeing the price guide broken down to include each individual accessory, since many people put together a complete set, piece by piece. But the thing that REALLY bugs me is that she almost always adds the word 'doll' after their names. For example, 'On weekends, Ken doll liked to take Barbie doll for a drive...', or 'Francie doll was excited about...'. Very annoying, to me, anyway. But, overall, it's a very good book to have.



2. To say something about this book is so so easy - this is THE Barbie collection book. Great photos, great describtions of all the outfits year by year.
   You don't need any other book besides this



3. Great book - a must for any Barbie collector-great pictures with accessories that originally went with each outfit- easy to look up values-great fun to wander through!!



4. A great reference book with great photos and descriptions to keep track of your dolls clothes and your investment.



5. For any serious collector of vintage Barbie doll, this book is the best resource available. I have many other books on early Barbie and her fashions, but this volume is the one that I consistently use. It is an accurate, comprehensive chronology of Barbie doll, her family and friends from 1959 through 1967. The photographs alone are worth purchasing the book. The colors are vibrant and crisp. Each fashion is pictured with all of its original components. This is of great value to the collector in putting together an outfit. I keep this book by my computer for reference when making vintage Barbie doll purchases or bidding on online auctions. I cannot imagine collecting Barbie doll items without it!

5 comments about Signed Beauties of Costume Jewelry: Indentification & Values (Signed Beauties of Costume Jewelry).

1. I was not overly impressed with this book.It did have a list of a dozen or so of what I'd call "THE MASTERS",well know and VERY EXPENSIVE pieces,but none of the lesser ones that you find every day in farmer's markets,auctions,flea markets,yard sales,garage sales,etc.ie NO mention of Sarah Coventry,AJC,JJ,and some others.Okay maybe for a beginners book but mine has been used twice.I've had it for years!



2. If you are thinking about collecting (a sick, sick hobby of mine) this is a starter book. Be careful that you don't let the costume jewelry bug bite you. It costs a fortune and breaks everytime you wear it. My jeweler and I now have lunch every week.



3. This is an excellent resource guide to have. There is so much vintage jewelry out there and details to know. Important for the collector.



4. This book is much thinner than the first volume and there is no table of contents so it is hard to find the companies covered. These are also the less expensive jewelry companies than the first volume. I wish the author had included more companies especially the less known more valuable marks. The author does a nice job with some basic information but this is not a useful for the advanced collector. Beautiful pictures.



5. This book has been a great help to me as a new beginner to Vintage Costume Jewelry. It has helped me to identify and appreciate the values on some pieces of jewelry. It has become an aid for me to value the jewelry I now collect and resell.
   I would reccomend this book to any beginner collector.

3 comments about Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars: 11th Edition (Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars).

1. Just the best book for anyone with G.A.S.(Guitar acquisition syndrome) Has the price for a variety of conditions for most of the acoustic guitars out there. Excellent!



2. When I tried to look up several models of Alvarez Yairi listed on EBay, none of them were in the book.
   When I wanted to determine the value of my Dauphin classical guitar (for which there are plenty of references on the Web), it wasn't there.
   Clearly, while it is good for what it is, its applications are limited



3. This is my first book on guitar prices. I bought it hoping that I would learn more about vintage prices and model availability.
   
   It is a thick and heavy book. Paper quality is average. Also there are little pictures considering the amount of models listed. For some models (which are very special) I would have liked to see a picture.
   I checked a few non-Martin brands and found that a lot is still missing. Gurian is only described very short, one price is given for all models (which is just nuts because they had simple mahogany models up to BRW models or very limited classical guitar models). Hanika (a very good German builder with a similar production size as Lowden) is not included.
   
   I noticed very quickly already that the suggested (Martin) prices are very related to the American market. So it makes it a little harder to use it for the European market. I think that assuming 1 USD = 1 Euro comes closer to European prices for the higher end models. For the lower end models (or models which are less collectable or not so interesting) I would say European prices are twice as high as indicated (so let's say 1 USD = 1.5 Euro). Just my thoughts.
   Back to the book itself: I have looked up numerous Martin models and found it very hard sometimes to find them. The Martin chapter has been divided into the usual series (like Special Edition or Golden Era), but that means for instance that the original OM-28 and the recent OM-28V are listed together but the OM-28 GE is listed under Golden Era section. I can partly understand why they did this, but I found it is typically the point of view from the manufacturer (think in series) opposite to the view of buyer/player (think in a specific model and its variations).
   
   A link to the internet providing updated information is not provided. I assume that if you buy the CD-ROM version there will be the possibility of updates.