1 comments about Krause-Minkus Standard Catalog of U.S. Stamps 2000 (Krause-Minkus Standard Catalog of Us Stamps, 3rd ed).

1. Every stamp is pictured (in B&W) and had a short history of the stamp, some just a sentence or two and some a paragraph or two. The informative part is very good.

   The stamp values were based on buying the stamp at retail from a dealer. It included what a dealer would charge for handling, therefore the minimum value for one stamp was 20 cents. About 80% of the stamps in the book were valued at 20 cents. For example, the H make-up stamp which you could buy new for a penny last year is listed with a value of 20 cents used!

   I have had people who want to buy my stamps but I have no idea if their offers are reasonable or not. I still don't know but I do know 20 cents each for even very common stamps would be a pipe dream.

5 comments about Star Wars Collector's Pocket Companion 2000.

1. A very nice pocket size book with lots of basic information about a lot of different Star Wars collectibles (you name it, and it's probably in there). There are even lots of pictures (at least for its size). However, the prices for the action figures and trading cards (that's mostly what I collect) are often far too high. I don't remember buying or selling for such high prices either before or after this book was written. Finally, I don't think you need both this book and the larger 1999 edition by the same author. If you want small, go for this pocket edition. If you want more detail, go for the other larger edition (it actually describes every single trading card... and there are about 1000 of them). But you can't carry the larger edition around in your pocket!!!



2. Stuart Wells is an expert on this stuff. He not only writes about it, but he collects it as well. This book even offers up a chapter on the 2001 Star Wars fast food toys that were given away at Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut. Designed for the fan who attends conventions and checks off stuff as he (she) buys it.



3. For those of us that actually do spend all of or weekends searching for that "Holly Grail" for our collection, this type of price guide is a fabulous idea. While it obviously isn't complete, it's slim design is perfect for bringing to that collectibles show you are going to this weekend. Plus, Wells is such an authority that he really nails it as to what is important and what can be left out (he did a much larger Star Wars guide a couple of years back--but who wants to lug that book to a show?) Having written on everything from comic books to trading cards to toys, Wells sure knows what he is doing, and how to put one of these guides together.



4. If you are a Star Wars fan and love to collect related material, then you'll find this pocket guide very handy. It culls listings from Wells' omnibus "The Galaxy's Greatest Star Wars Collectibles Price Guide" (1999), while adding new items and categories (There is an entire section of fast food toys that is pulled from contributor Robert J. Sodaro's book "Kiddie Meal Collectibles"--to which Wells was also a contributor). The book's slim design make it ideal for slipping in your pocket while on the prowl at conventions.

   Wells and Sodaro are also contributors to "Comics Values Annual 2001" (Alex Malloy).




5. This brand new, year 2000, 320 page softbound, handy 4" x 8 1/2" guide book is ideal for Stars Wars colllectibles hunting. There are more than 4,000 items in this book, with over 600 black and white, and 200 full color great pictures. The book provides a nice introduction to the collectible, and adequate information about each major heading. Topics range from Action Figures, Books, Ceramics, Clothing and Coins, to Model Kits, Paper Collectibles, Recordings, Vehicles and Wall Art. A very complete index is included to make item location easy. The item descriptions are quite complete, and the values appear to be very current and reasonable. A must for Star Wars collector's. You'll use it often.

No comments about Price Guide for Collectible Playing Cards: Non-standard.

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1 comments about Collector's Toy Yearbook: Identification & Values: 100 Years of Great Toys.

1. Any toy collector will find indispensable this survey of 100 years of toys in COLLECTOR'S TOY YEARBOOK IDENTIFICATION AND VALUES, a blend of outstanding, colorful close-up color photos and articles on toy and manufacturer history and toy trends over the last 100 years. Other books focus on pricing alone: this blend of in-depth detail and identification tips offers beginners and avid toy collectors much more and makes for a colorful, inviting reference suitable not just for toy collectors but for any general-interest lending library.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

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No comments about Miller's Collectibles Price Guide 1996-97 (Miller's Collectables Price Guide).

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