3 comments about Handkerchiefs: A Collector's Guide (Identification & Values).

1. This book gives lots of information about companies and patterns. The prices are not really realistic some low some high but the information the book is great.Handkerchiefs: A Collector's Guide (Identification & Values)



2. This collector's guide is full of good information, and the photos are phenomenal! I was looking for more history, I guess, but the book is exactly what the title claims. Well written and fun to read.



3. While I am not a collector, I truly appreciated the artful display and extensive variety of handkerchiefs in this feature. It touched a chord from my childhood of memories of the influential women in my life (from relatives to the good Dominican nuns at school) and the delightful little "hankies" they all seemed to mysteriously keep tucked up their sleeves. How interesting to see the authors track the development of the various types and designs.

1 comments about Plastic Jewelry of the Twentieth Century: Identification & Value Guide.

1. This book is packed with history and Lillian Baker's knowledge which is very good. However, I was most disappointed with the black and white photographs. Bakelite, lucite, and plastics should always be presented in color.

3 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia Of Bookends (Collector's Encyclopedia).

1. I was very impressed with Mr. Louis Kuritzky's 1998 "Collector's Guide to Bookends" I didn't think a collector's guide could be improved until I recently purchased the 2006 "Collector's Encyclopedia of Bookends" Mr. Kuritzky teamed up with Charles De Costa, and together they compiled a wonderful, detailed book on hundreds of varieties of bookends many rare ones included. I love it, this book has it all, it is all you need to know about bookends. After all, that is what the book is about.



2. This book consists of a couple dozen pages of not particularly good writing that offers short histories of bookend manufacturers and designers, plus four pages briefly covering dating, material, markings, sizes, rarity, and "value" or price. There is an eight-page section entitled "Comments on Individual Bookends" where some unusual bookends have a few paragraphs each with more detailed information than is found for most of the bookends.
   
   The remainder of the book - almost 300 pages - is photographs of bookends, typically 7-8 per page, with very brief notations for each bookend. Many of the photographs are excellent, and the paper is high quality and glossy. In some cases, several versions of a bookend are shown and described. The book is less than an inch thick, but quite heavy and has a substantial feel, like most of the bookends it pictures.
   
   The values in the book are usually lower than eBay auction prices and definitely lower than antique store prices, but the information is helpful for comparisons, and the book is enjoyable to leaf through.
   
   The bookends covered in this encyclopedia are almost entirely of American manufacture.



3. Bookends might seem an unlikely object to collect, but take a look at the gorgeous ends featured in Louis Kuritzky & Charles De Costa 's Collector's Encyclopedia Of Bookends: Identification & Values to catch a glimpse of some outstanding productions. Chapters are organized A-Z by subject: children, felines, female figures and each section features small clear color photos, object composition and rarity notes, prices, and dates. A 'must have' reference for any collecting bookends.

4 comments about Fifty Years of Collectible Fashion Jewelry 1925-1975.

1. I was really disappointed I spent the money on this book. All the price references are in the back, which means taking more time to find them when doing research. I rarely use it.



2. The value in this book is definitely for the beginner jewelry collector. Many jeweler names are mentioned, with colored pictures of some of their designs. This book is a good springboard for further detailed research by jeweler name recognition. The book also holds value for crafters, there are many excellent colored photographs, of unique designs. The book I purchased did have updated prices to 2001. I could not use this book to value any of my pieces except one, and that was worth the price of the book, because I undervalued the beads, shown in the piece.
   I would not overpay for this book, at a good deal, add this book to your order. Probably best as a library reference book. Quick read. Value is in jeweler name recognition, list, and for jeweler craft ideas.
   I have many vintage family pieces that I have no information on identifying from this book, and I don't think this book would aid me in collecting either. I think the prices shown are rather low.
   Mistreglo



3. I started collecting vintage jewelry about five years ago and I had no idea what I was doing. This book really helped me identify a variety of items and their value. Pamela D. Blair, Author The Next Fifty Years: A Guide for Women at Mid-Life And Beyond



4. This book was very informative. It gave the information I needed about some collectible jewelry I am accumulating. It gives a more in-depth history of the manufacturing of many collectible brands than other books I have seen. I would highly recommend this book for vintage jewelry collectors.

2 comments about The Winterthur Guide to Caring for Your Collection (Winterthur Decorative Arts Series).

1. This is a small book that gives the readers a basic understanding of how to care for any collection. Broken down into collection type (textiles, photographs, porcelain, toys, glass, etc.), the use of pictures and easy to understand principles has served as a quick reference to let me know what kind of preservation care would be needed for a certain item. Of course, the book is not designed to be the ultimate reference on detailed preservation care, but unless you're an expert and can access the detailed information you need from your own shelves, this serves as something that gives correct information without overwhelming those of us who might care for a personal collection or who have come across an item we are unfamiliar with. Very useful and one of my favorites!!



2. This is a great book and I have used some of the info provided to care for some textiles that I have.

5 comments about Sheet Music Reference and Price Guide (Sheet Music Reference & Price Guide).

1. I was researching almost 100 pieces of late 1800's to 1930's sheet music from my mother's house, and found almost all of them in the book. In addition to listing the titles alphabetically, with prices, there are cross references to performers, composers, cover artists and genres. An excellent resource for the collector.



2. I was disappointed, but maybe that is my fault. Many music sheets were listed, with values. But there was virtually no editorial matter about the hobby in general -- nothing on price trends, determinents of value, reproductions, collecting, storing, arranging, buying and selling, etc. Very little 19th century or high-priced stuff. Mostly a book of lists, which would be useful for many collectors.



3. If you have some old sheet music that you wish to sell, then this is the guide for you! I highly recommend this book!



4. This 320 page volume contains over 13,000 listings of sheet music! There are over 300 full color pictures of sheet music covers and prices updated for the year 2,000. In addition to the alphabetical listing of songs and current prices, there are chapters on Cover Artists, Performers & Composers, Misc. categories ranging from advertising, black face, military, to patriotic, sports and WW I and II. There isn't a lot of back ground information, but a ton of listings, dates and prices. A valuable reference source for sheet music collectors.



5. I'd like to thank all the people who bought my mother, Marie's, book. She died July 25, 1998. Many of you continue to call about the book and she would be very grateful for your continuing praise.She was about to update the book for the 3rd edition but that was not to be. Thank You

5 comments about Antique Maps.

1. This book may be informative but if you are looking for color antique maps, this book will certainly disappoint you.



2. A nice book! Well-writen and there is a lot of substance here. This is a very useful reference book, and although a bit weak in the maps of the 19th century (especially maps of America interest), it is overall worthwhile and a good source of old map information.



3. If you must own one book on Antique Maps, this is the one. Bannister & Moreland bring an insightful appreciation of the subject; both in general terms and for the specicivity of a collector. Filled with important details of the major cartographers ;it executes this with a brevity other resource authors should emulate. The information is crisp,readable, and informative without weighting down in anecdotal ephemera so common to works of this sort. Other resource and academic authorities should note the format when attempting a guide to their subject[s]. Highly reccomeneded. As an ex-retail map dealer it was my bible in aiding authentification and fair market value. An invaluable tool to the serious collector and professional; and a highly organized book on cartography for the general reading public.



4. This is a first class introduction to the subject of antique maps. I have over 700 books on the topic in my personal library and I often return to this book to brush up on a cartographer, region, or a particular map. Bannister is an internationally respected dealer and expert on the subject. Do not get distracted by cowardly comments and reviews by someone afraid to leave their name. I regularly recommend this book to those who want to read ONE book on antique maps.



5. This is a disgrace... don't waste your money

1 comments about Value Guide To Gas Station Memorabilia (Value Guide to Gas Station Memorabilia).

1. B. J. Summers and Wayne Priddy's Value Guide To Gas Station Memorabilia appears in its updated second edition to provide the latest values to signs, cans, maps and more from vintage gas station days. Bright medium-sized color photos throughout compliment chapters conveniently organized by memorabilia type - signs, containers, thermometers, even pumps and globes - to make for quick, easy browsing and reference.

1 comments about The Official Price Guide to Mint Errors, 7th Edition (Official Price Guide to Mint Errors).

1. Somewhat disappointing at first. I expected a "formal" price guide like a Red Book or Blue Book but instead, the pricing is very generic. It lists a type of mint error and gives it "from" pricing such as "from $50 and up". The guide is excellent at explaining the minting process and how errors occur.

5 comments about Alex Stewart: Portrait of a Pioneer.

1. This was of special interest to me since I live near the location of this book. I simply could not put it down until I read it cover to cover.
   
   A fascinating look at our early pioneer families, the hardships they endured, and the genius of their innovations.
   
   A great read.



2. This is an amazing book about Alex Stewart, an Appalachian survivor. It is told from an interview style where Alex explains how he learned to make different utilitarian items that his family and community needed to survive. He also tells stories of how he learned what plants healed people from illnesses, learned the skills to survive the harsh locations of the Appalachian mountains and loved life with every ounce of his body.
   My Appalachian born grandparents read it cover to cover over and over and then had to travel to the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tenn to see the common items they remembered with Alex throughout the book. John Rice Irwin, the founder of the Museum of Appalachia is a gifted historian and this shines through in any of his books, written to remember the people of Appalachia. He also seeks to capture this throughout his living Appalachian village, the Museum of Appalachia. A MUST visit and A MUST read for any Appalachian native.



3. i recently read the book about alex stewart and i have to say that it was so good. i loved it. alex was so talented and as the book stated "he was a national treasure." i would liked to have met him. any craft the author asked him about, he responded that he could make it. what a unique human being. he was warm, endearing, and a very kind and gentle man. he told completely the life of the pioneer to john brice irwin and the book is so well written. it was a joy to read and told in detail of the hardships the people of that era had to indure. i felt by the end of the book the sadness of alex stewart's death and that i had gotten to know him well.



4. I bought this book at the Museum of Appalachia (also founded by the author) on my first visit to Tennessee. The book is almost entirely a transcript of a dialogue/interview between the author and Alex Stewart. At first, I thought this would be a strange format, but as I read on, I discovered that this would be the only way to authentically capture the mind and spirit of Alex on paper.

   If you're not from the South, you might find Alex's dialect charminging unusual. A few times I had to read a passage over and over again to fully understand what words Alex was saying. Here is an example where it took me a while to realize that Alex meant "Lord" when kept saying "Law":

   "They didn't have no men folks, but they had several children. Making liquor was the only way they had of making a living. Law, they had it hard."

   The author cleverly asks questions to get Alex to reveal his pioneer wisdom. More than that, though, the author's selections and chapter arrangements helped to organize the sprawling encyclopedia of Alex's mind.

   By the time I reached the end, I was sad to have the "conversation" over. I felt I had known Alex a bit personally, and I mourned at his passing. It was joyous reading while it lasted and my heart ached to know more of Alex.

   This is a fabulous book I can't recommend enough. 10 STARS.




5. One reason I bought this book is because my Greatgrandmother was Alex's Aunt. I visited Alex as a child with my Parents and Grandmother. Alex was always sending my Grandmother items , such as walking canes. He made my mother a rolling pin, which she still has. Most of all the book gave me many names of my relatives that ive been searhing for.