3 comments about The Practical Guide To Decorative Antique Effects.

1. Highly educational resource. I bought this book to transform my old white French Provencal bedroom set into something that looks more sophisticated. Looking forward to using the skills and materials that are well outlined in this book.



2. This book haves step by step illustrations and instructions on how to do antique effects. This book is one the best books I've bought to do antique effects for frames, chairs, cabinets, bed frames etc. The book list all the materials and the techniques.



3. This title is an excellent guide for beginners who want to reurbish old pieces or make new, mass produced furniture look expensive and antique. The illustrations are very helpful.

3 comments about Hot Wheels the Ultimate Redline Guide Identification and Values 1968-1977: Identification and Values (Hot Wheels the Ultimate Redline Guide).

1. I have read through many Hot Wheel Guides which speculate values. I have left most books on the shelf, but I had to buy this one. This book doesn't focus on the recent peg hangers and doesn't suggest values that no one in their right mind would pay.

   Instead this book focuses on the Redlines (1968 - 1977 models with the red strip on the tires). There are many beautiful photos of each of the vehicles, documentation on the variations and colors the vehicles, and realistic values for each of the variations.

   I thought about assembling a Hot Wheels reference book for myself as I could not find a book which was detailed, with realistic values, and good photos. I dont have to now as this is exactly what I was looking for.

   So for those of you who get sucked in to thinking about by buying a values guide for the current peg hangers, ask yourself "Is someone really going to pay rediculous prices for something at the local store for under a buck?" Maybe within the first couple months of the release the prices will be high, but then the values go kerplop. Maybe in 15 years the values will climb for these current peg hangers.

   The redlines are the way to go, and this book is all you need.




2. Collector Books has finally gotten their wish. After many years of looking, they've finally found an author to assemble a Hot Wheels price guide for them. (...Well, actually two authors.)
   Jack Clark and Robert P. Wicker have assembled The Ultimate Redline Guide, a 352-page full-color extravaganza of which Collector Books thought so highly as to make it a hardbound edition. (Edition listed on Amazon.com is in paperback.)

   Add this book to the six other Hot Wheels price guides currently on the market. Is there room for a seventh? In this case, yes, without a doubt. The Ultimate Redline Guide focuses on Hot Wheels from that era before Hot Wheels were considered collectible, and are now therefore the most highly prized.

   Redline, for those of you just returning from a pre-Seventies alien abduction, refers to the red stripe on early Hot Wheels tires that distinguishes them from later models.

   This book offers year-by-year color-coded pages of those important first ten years of Hot Wheels production, in large, definitive photos and sumptuous supporting text. Each page is devoted to a single model and its variations. This book is the definitive guide to the earliest and most valuable Hot Wheels.




3. I knew the moment I held this book it was the only one I would need for Hotwheel Redline information. This book blows the other guides to shame. It's a hardback and will withstand the constant page flipping it will get. The years and series are set in logical order. There are pictures of every redline made and well shot. Detailed history about the cars, and pictures showing the variations are only half of what makes this book THE Redline guide. If you are a collector of Redlines, or any Hotwheels, this is a MUST have! I can only hope that these authors will release other titles soon.

1 comments about The Complete Price Guide to Antique Radios: Tabletop Radios, 1933-1959 (Machine Age to Jet Age).

1. A good book to identify many radios (though not all are listed). Although it needs an update. Last printing was 2002.

4 comments about Professional Wrestling Collectibles.

1. Overall, a very well researched book by Mr. Pope and Mr. Whebbe. This book does not cover all wrestling collectibles, that would be impossible, however, it does give the collector a good idea of the many areas in wrestling that are out there to collect, although they do have a very in-depth coverage of the action figures and autographs.

   The book also covers some of the history of wrestling and is a great book for novices and long-time collectors. There are great photos of some of the older collectibles that I have only heard about. My favorite chapters were the ones on the action figures, trading cards and autographs, which make up a large part of my 15+ year collection.

   The prices listed are average, however, the value of the items in this market change so rapidly, that its hard to give a set value on some items. 5 stars to Mr. Pope and Mr. Whebbe for tackling such a huge task.




2. Pro Wrestling Collectibles is certainly what this book is all about. Its all the other stuff covered that makes this book so interesting. My favorite chapter is number two (2) "Some Superstars Worth Collecting". The history about many of these wrestlers can be found no where else. The authors did a great job in organizing this "collectible" and putting every thing into perspective. Recommended reading for all wrestling fans!



3. The book provided terrific reference material and continually captured my attention from page to page. The pictures added tremendous detail. The author clearly did his homework.



4. This is a good book filled with lots of pictures and information. It is a good book for anyone but for the hardcore collector it does not cut it. Aloso the prices are a bit off on certain items. Overall the pictures make it a worthy purchase. Reccommended!

1 comments about English Country Furniture: 1500-1900.

1. The book is filled with page after page of pictures of English country funiture. Every type of furniture is covered: beds, tables, washstands, clocks, chairs (lots of chairs), desks, cupboards, sideboards, hutches and lots of other miscellany. The examples are many and they give an excellent feel of the variety and quality of furniture from this period/area.
   
   Most of the photos have a brief description which usually includes the type of wood(s) used and some text that puts the piece in context. All of the photos show the date and location of manufacture.
   
   The text has a great discussion on construction (dovetails, nails, etc.) but the discussion is general; rarely is there a discussion of joinery techniques regarding a specific piece.
   
   Most of the photos are black and white (>80%) with four sections of color plates. There is only one photo of each piece, which is a shame for pieces that have interiors, such as cupboards and sideboards
   
   This book gets only four stars because dimensions are not given for any of the furniture. I really wish that dimensions were provided to give a sense of scale.

1 comments about Powder Compacts (Miller's Collector's Guides).

1. If you are just getting started with collecting compacts, this is a nice starter book. It breaks down the different categories of compacts (e.g., enamels, novelties, Deco) and gives excellent color examples with good descriptions of what to look for in that category. The small amount of examples also gives a new collector a good foundation for learning about the different makers and styles without getting overwhelmed. If you already have all the other compact books, this one is still worth getting for the pictures and its fresh take on what's out there. There are also nice tips on maintaining and caring for your compacts.

2 comments about Teddy Bear Treasury: Identification and Values.

1. Ken Yenke presents a wide variety of his own, personal vintage teddy bears. His format highlights the features of each bear and gives the quality and price range. What makes this book stand out are the history and anecdotes pertaining to each bear and the photos showing each in a unique setting. This is a great book for those who like to look at special teddies as well as a collector's tool for determining identification and values.



2. Ken Yenke has presented a wonderful assortment of antique/vintage bears for the new and advanced bear collector to admire. The information in this book serves as a great guideline to what enhances a bear and specific price ranges to help acquire bears. The pictures give collectors ideas on how to successfully incorporate their bears in charming scenes with accessories, especially in the home. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in seeing and learning more about antique bears.

2 comments about Jeweler's Resource: A Reference of Gems, Metals, Formulas and Terminology.

1. This book is a must-have reference for anyone in the jewelery business, but probably too technical for someone interested in learning about jewelery. Nicely organized.



2. Having been in the industry for several years I found this book an excellent resource. It has tables to review formulas for all types of gold, silver, and platinum. The only thing it is lacking is the specific gravities for different gemstones. It has several pages of the many types of cuts for diamonds. This book is so invaluable that I lost it, and now I'm buying it again.

5 comments about A Guide Book of United States Coins, 2003.

1. I've been a coin collector since I was 6 years old (1961). I'm not hard core like my brother, so I don't buy a Red Book every year, but I have a couple of them lying around the house. I still refer to them for mintage numbers and other technical info from time to time.

   I've seen other coin guides and price lists, etc. and they all pale in comparison to the "Red Book".

   Get this one. It's the best.

   --George Stancliffe




2. Handy, convenient, and more reliable than the internet. Together with a currency guide, this is all most people would ever need. My latest copy was 13 years old, so I figured it was time to break down and get a new one.



3. A good guide to see what dealers will SELL you coins for. This is not what you will get if try to sell your coins.



4. The 58th edition is out, I expected a newer edition than the 54th edition I received.



5. The 2002 edition of the red book is so similar to the 2001 edition, even Amazon's computer seems too pool the reviews together. The casual collector probably should not invest in the 2002 edition if they have the 2001 or even 2000 edition. Regular collectors will want it simply for the updated mintage figures or price guides. I would encourage any new collector to pick up a copy, because it is an excellent reference to have handy.
   The book continues the annual trend of replacing black and white photos with color (particularly in the gold coin section), to generally positive ends. Oddly, the 1797 plain edge half cent photo has vanished. A glaring omission is the absence photos of the 2000 state quarters, particularly given the fact that there are two blank pages set aside for future state quarters listings, and all the 2000 mintage figures are included. Since that the primary value of the redbook is as a reference, Bressett has overlooked an important addition that should have appeared. On a positive note, a very helpful open wreath image has been added for the 1849 gold dollar.
   Some minor modifications and additions exist in the commemorative section, and a great photograph of some gold from the S.S. Central America has been added, which is very appropriate given the magnitude of the find.
   The redbook continues its trend as a very handy reference, but it is difficult to justify the exclusion of five new coin designs, costing the 2002 edition a star.

2 comments about The Book of the Pearl: The History, Art, Science and Industry of the Queen of Gems.

1. This book is the best single reference on humanity's long-love affair with this unique gem: the pearl. Information on the pearl is given by time period (up to the early 20th Century) and by pearl producing region/country.
   If you love pearls (or are in the process of knowing about them), this book is definitely a must have. It has it all: scientific facts, pearl oyster biology and history. Incredibly well written.



2. This book has everything that one would want to know about pearls. It includes the pearl's cultural and natural history, commerce, industrial and medical uses, methods of pearl gathering, lists of famous pearls, ancient legends about pearls, (black and white) pictures of pearls, and portraits of royalty with their pearls.

   Since this book was written in 1906, the values of pearls are outdated, and the pre-metric measurements used are confusing.

   This is the best and most useful resource on pearls that I have discovered.