5 comments about Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles.

1. What a delightful slice of Americana. I'm interested in mid-century America especially suburban living and this book captures a little bit of this so well. Look through the pages and it's clear that the author (and publisher) have taken some editorial effort to produce an interesting book. I was particularly pleased to see that this is not the usual dull looking, badly designed collectors book, full of amateur snaps of objects sitting on a table with several presented on the page as square photos.
   
   The thirty-eight chapters probably include every popular kitchen gadget available at the time (all nicely presented as cutouts though missing light grey shadow effect that really would have completed each image) but nicely there are included period magazine covers, ads, pages from manufactures brochures and other graphics. Another thing I liked about the book is the addition of the packaging the utensils came in showing the design and typography, predictably lacking in any graphic design but showing vibrant colors and in fact anything to catch the housewife's eye while on the store shelf.
   
   An ideal book for collectors and because of the way it has been editorially produced it will have instant nostalgia appeal and interest anyone who wants to know how folks lived a few decades ago.
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.



2. What a great book. Loads of pix of the way things used to be. How many of these items do you remember in your grandma's kitchen? It was just what I wanted as far as seeing what is collectible these days. Values included in the book seem to be realistic. Will look for more like this from the author.



3. I have enjoyed this book very much. It is very informative. I own lots of kitchen collectibles, but was not sure of their use. Now I know. This book has covered a wide range of items and every page is bright and colourful. I'm sure others will enjoy this book as much as I do. It sure takes you back to the "Good Old Days". A great book to browse through and add to your collection.



4. This book is great. There are so many kitchen items featured that it is amazing. It has been really helpful for me.



5. I just recieved Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles and was quite disappointed to find out that it is exactly the same graphics and photographs as contained in the Warmans Kitschy Kitchen Collectibles Field Guide, just in larger format. I saw they were by the same author, but didn't think they'd be exactly the same inside!

No comments about Warman's Antique Jewelry Field Guide: Values and Identification (Warman's Field Guides).

4 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia of Flow Blue China.

1. This book along with the entire series of Flow Blue books by Mary Frank Gaston are vital in Flow Blue identification and history. This book is brimming with photos and identification marks, along with manufacturing dates and makers. There is also a section on 'fakes' and how to look for and avoid them.
   Each book has different photos of the many patterns and shapes Flow Blue comes in. I highly recommend owning a copy of each of Ms. Gaston's books if you are a true Flow Blue collector. You will enjoy these books for years to come. They are well made with high quality color and material.
   Enjoy!



2. I have been seriously collecting only a few months now and have decided to sell. This book is well organized and the best of 3 reference books on flow blue that I have. The hard cover is a good idea since I think I would wear it down to stubs if it had been a paperback!!



3. If you collect, are interested in collecting, or want to identify and value flow blue items, this book is a must. You can look up items by pattern, which are cross-referenced to the manufacturers' names. The book is full of color photographs of makers' marks as well as examples of hundreds of patterns on various types of pieces. The back of the book contains values for the photographed pieces. Another helpful feature is the section on reproductions. This is a great reference book.



4. This is an essential guide for collectors of flow blue china. It features over 400 pieces photographed in color and described in detail.

   For identification purposes, all of the manufacturers' marks on these pieces are shown in enlarged b/w photos. There are also cross-references for manufacturers and their patterns and types of objects other than plates.

   For the collector, there is a history of flow blue, information on collecting methods, a glossary, and market trends including modern reproductions to watch out for. A current value guide is also provided for all the items illustrated.

   The photography is excellent. Captions for each item include maker & pattern, size and reference to the photo of the mark. This will be a great reference for the beginning or advanced collector of this beautiful style.

2 comments about Blue and White Stoneware.

1. Beautiful color pictures throughout. If you are looking for a reference book to take with you antique shopping for blue & white stoneware this is the book for you.



2. This is a great pocket size Identification and price guide for the beginner or immediate collector. I keep this book in my car so that I can have easy access to the well writen and colorful photo's when I'm antiqing or going to auctions. Must have book!

5 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia of Bauer Pottery - Identification & Values.

1. Mr. Chipman did a fantastic job at giving collectors an extensive history and overview of Bauer Pottery; its founders, key managers and workers and customer base. The book is an invaluable reference tool, especially for anyone who does not reside in an area where Bauer isn't "common". One must remember though, that this book was published before Martha Stewart featured the pottery in one of her magazine issues, thereby giving rise to the current popularity and scarcity of ringware. Therefore the prices, though out of date, were at one time quite accurate...new collectors can always dream of finding that rare piece priced by the standards of this text...Some of us were lucky enough to be collecting when the prices were even less than those listed here. Good luck!



2. Great photo shots of the various Bauer products. Highly useful to a novice collector interested in the history and examples of Bauer pottery. Enjoyable as a good read as well as a great guide for collecting.



3. This book is wonderful. I found everything I needed to know. Jack Chipman has done a great job - the text is clear and informative and the photos are especially good as they clearly show the important details . This will have a special spot in my book shelf....



4. I started collecting Bauer Ringwear by accident with a totally random visit to a wonderful shop on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles called Buddy's Art Pottery. Whenever I visited Hollywood, I knew that Buddy would help me choose that single, special, almost-affordable piece of Ringwear and spend lots of his time sharing his knowledge, as if I were a major purchaser. Buddy has, sadly, passed away and his shop is a thing of the past. Living in New York as I do, Bauer is not a common collectible. In fact, most antique dealers do not even know the name and try to steer me to their collection of Fiestaware.

   I am today a more informed buyer and that is mainly due to the writings of Jack Chipman. This Encyclopedia, specifically, has so many gorgeous photographs and such a thorough history of Bauer and its place in California pottery that I feel it is invaluable.

   It is obviously impossible for any writer/collector to price correctly since there are publishing deadlines that must be met and prices, as we all know, change on a daily basis from place to place. But Chipman's price guide is a great "jumping off place." As I cruise Ebay looking for a Bauer bargain, I often think of Buddy and I always consult Chipman. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED




5. We collectors all need to realize that price guides are just that, GUIDES! No one is ever totally happy with the values in books; either too high or too low, kinda just depends on if you are selling or buying. I feel that the prices are on the low side in Jack's book, but I would prefer that over him quoting the higher California area pricing; keep it real for the rest of us across the country. Even if you disregard the value guide aspect, this book is the most complete,informative book you can find if you like Bauer. The color photos are superb and the history is the best info I have found in print. Thank you Jack for putting up with the critics; just remember there are more fans that appreciate the work you have done for us.

No comments about Price It Yourself! : The definitive, down-to-earth guide to appraising antiques and collectibles in your home, at auctions, estate sales, shops, and yard sales.

No comments about Miller's Care & Repair of Antiques & Collectibles: A Step-by-Step Guide (Miller's Collector's Guides).

5 comments about Field Guide to Pattern Glass.

1. i am not new to collecting depression era glass, i was really into it in the early 80's, but its been a while and i thought a few good books might help me brush up... i shopped around, read the reviews and chose this as one of two that i ordered... WAS I DISAPPOINTED IN THIS ONE! all this book is, is a large compilation of drawings, NO DESCRIPTIONS, NO PATTERN NAMES, just drawings... even if, no ESPECIALLY if you know nothing about depression glass, this is definitely NOT the book for you! i was completely disappointed... sent it back immediately, trust me, try warman's or Gene Florence if you want to actually learn something about depression glass...



2. I have found this book very helpful in identifying pattern glass. My copy is worn and soiled from being used so much. One of the best investments I have made in years...This book list hundreds of patterns shown in clear drawings. Great book for beginners.



3. Mollie Helen McCain's Field Guide To Pattern Glass is a winner, covering all styles of pattern glass and pairing small black and white illustrations with clear descriptions. Those already familiar with pattern glass will find it a good solid reference.



4. This is the best book ive found yet, and I have many books on pattern glass, If your going to buy just one book on pattern glass this is the one! great detail, very large variety of examples,



5. "Pattern Glass" by Mollie Helen McCain is an excellent identification guide for early american pattern glass. The patterns are organized by characteristics and pictured clearly. I have had much success in finding the pattern name for glass. As a price guide it leaves a lot to be desired. Patterns are grouped in one of six catagories and priced according to catagory. As both a collector and dealer I find that many patterns are considerably under priced, and that rarity of individual items of a pattern are not considered.

2 comments about Collecting Shelley Pottery.

1. This book is a rare find! It is hard to find books on porcelain collectibles and this is an excellent one. It has beautiful color pictures, an excellent history and a value guide that is right on! I collect cups and saucers and the Shelley's are amoung my favorites. This book shows the various styles and patterns that Shelley made and is a very informative reference book.



2. Given their popularity and relative longevity in the market place, it is remarkable that this recent issue is not of just a small handful of books devoted exclusively to the productions of the Wileman & Co. Pottery - the Staffordshire factory which brought us two household names of the 20th century ceramics. Wileman & Co. had two successful periods of production: first as the Foley China Works (the period from 1896 when one Percy Shelly took control of the factory and employed a number of talented Art potters, painters and modellers) and then as the Shelly Factory (the inter-War years marked by the birth of a new backstamp which saw the factory embrace a number of new styles and media). The history of the Shelly factory lines are as much a history of fashion and taste prevalent in the first half of the 20th century. This book charts in detail Wileman & Co., as it rode the tides of economic fortune and misfortune with a series of varied factory lines. Lavishly illustrated are Intarsio, Urbato and Pastello designs produced under the aegis of a talented new Art Director Frederick Rhead at the turn of the century; the diversification into the lucrative business of crested china. - a market made popular by W.H. Goss - the introduction of wares by the well-known children's book illustrator Mabel Lucie-Atwell and the production of a series of wares which (as much as any factory in the UK) embraced the new design known as the At Deco. The format of the book is very much what one has come to expect from these publishers: various sections of the book deal with backstamps, restoration and fakes and - seemingly a must for all collectable ceramics publications - each of the many colour plates a price guide to the object illustrated.

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

1. This is the very finest volume on the subject -- bar none. Each and every car has a one- or two-page listing, complete with description, history, variations, and values by color. Photos are large and lavish. Hot Wheels playsets, accessories, and collateral merchandise are covered as well. Plus, the book is published in a sturdy library binding. It's well worth the price. You will not need another book about Hot Wheels Redlines.



2. This book is huge! About 400 pages in full colour.Where do you start? Every model and every colour variation is shown in this book and it just brings your memories flooding back.I dont even remember half of these toys.Its all in here.Each model,each variation,gift sets and so much more.
   
   This has to be THE ultimate book on these series for sure!
   A huge book,superb quality and good value make this book a legend.To the authors who put this book together,you guys are champions! Thank you.



3. Finally!!! An accurate price guide for Redlines. Don't waste your money on Tomarts. This is the book you need!



4. This book is a must have for any serious Redline collector. It is a beautifully presented hardcover book of almost 400 pages; jam packed with photos, facts and figures for all Hot Wheels models from 1968 to 1977.
   
   Each model has its own page listing colours, variations and values for loose and packaged cars from Hong Kong and the USA. The book also has special sections on Gran Prix, Heavyweights, Sky Show, Spoilers, Carry Cases, Displays, Gift Sets, Playsets, Track Sets, Merchandise, Collector Buttons and more.
   
   I own the Tomart guide, the Schiffer guide and several others and none of them come close the detail and accuracy found in this book.
   
   In a word, "Indispensable!"