5 comments about Winchester's Finest The Model 21.

1. This was a very well written and illustrated book. Enjoyed it very much.



2. best of the books on the winchester model 21. if you own one, or are thinking of owning one, this is a must read book.



3. Winchester's Model 21 has generated more then its fair share of controversy since it first came out in 1931. There were those who considered it the finest side by ever made. They based this up the superiority of the design and strength of the steel used. Then again, there were those who couldn't stand it. They said it was too heavy and was over priced. Be that as it may, it has made its mark on the shooting public. It was the closing chapter in a long list of great American shotguns; Parkers, L.C. Smiths, Ithacas, etc. The author has compiled a book that traces its history through its development and early years to when it was production line mode and finally to when it was relegated to the custom shop. If it hadn't been for John Olin it would have been dropped altogether in late 1959, instead of being made into a custom gun. Nothing is left to chance. The chapter on the custom made 21s is especially well done, as it goes into great detail regarding the differences between the various grades. I was impressed with the photographs of the engraving. Winchester's engravers were some of the best in the business. I wish there had been a chapter explaining the building of one of these guns from start to finish, with photographs included. It would give the reader a better appreciation. Overall, this is a very well written book that should be in the library of those who appreciate fine shotguns.



4. Winchester's Model 21 has generated more then its fair share of controversy since it first came out in 1931. There were those who considered it the finest side by ever made. They based this up the superiority of the design and strength of the steel used. Then again, there were those who couldn't stand it. They said it was too heavy and was over priced. Be that as it may, it has made its mark on the shooting public. It was the closing chapter in a long list of great American shotguns; Parkers, L.C. Smiths, Ithacas, etc. The author has compiled a book that traces its history through its development and early years to when it was production line mode and finally to when it was relegated to the custom shop. If it hadn't been for John Olin it would have been dropped altogether in late 1959, instead of being made into a custom gun. Nothing is left to chance. The chapter on the custom made 21s is especially well done, as it goes into great detail regarding the differences between the various grades. I was impressed with the photographs of the engraving. Winchester's engravers were some of the best in the business. I wish there had been a chapter explaining the building of one of these guns from start to finish, with photographs included. It would give the reader a better appreciation. Overall, this is a very well written book that should be in the library of those who appreciate fine shotguns.



5. Winchester's Model 21 was the last in a long series of side by double barrel shotguns to be built in this country Parker, L.C. Smith, Ithaca, just to name a few that preceded it. It came out during the midst of the Great Depression and when Winchester was about ready to go bankrupt. A very inauspicious time to bring out what would be the finest and most strongest shotgun ever made. Here was the modern double barrel shotgun that was made with superior steel and design, that could withstand maximum proof loads that would cause any other gun to fail. The Model 21 made its reputation based upon its strength in the duck blind, going after upland game, or even on the trap and skeet line. It lived up to its reputation. Incidentially, it was one of John M. Olin's favorites. He was the one who kept it going on a custome made basis, after it had been discontinued. The authors have gone to great length researching the history and development of the gun. They start off with the earliest models, which sported double triggers and a splinter forearm to the custom model which were made starting in 1960 up until the late 1980s when USRAC stopped making them. Nothing has been left to chance and the photographs of the engraving and stockwork, while very well done, unfortunately, does not come close to the book on the Browning Superposed. Still, this is a book to buy for those who, either, own one or like to entertain hopes of buying a used one. Be forewarned, that while they are available, they are rather expensive. One closing item and that is the gentleman who is making the Fox side by, Tony Galazan, bought up all of the parts for the 21, along with tools. He is prepared to either repair Model 21s and even make them.

3 comments about Timeless Treasures: The Charm and Romance of Treasured Memories.

1. The pictures and content are wonderful. The book takes you back to simpler more sentimental times.



2. I am sure that we all have wonderful memories from our childhood. After reading this book, I started thinking about all the wonderful memories that I also had from childhood. I also started keeping a memory journal, so that I could pass it down to my children. I feel that it is very important to let them know that I have many special memories from my childhood, and it has helped to understand why I want to make memories for them. I think that if we want to help change the world we have to start with our own children. I LOVE the way Emilie shared her memories through the book, and what she is doing to make special memories for her grandchildren.



3. If you have come to the point in your life to do some reflection then your heart will relate to this book from cover to cover! Life has many things to offer, but few of these things are lasting.In Timeless Treasures, Emilie Barnes, reminds us to value things as they remind you of the people you love and/or are related to. Where your treasures lie truly tells us much about ourselves. This book will delight the heart and soul of every person who has come to know that true happiness and contentment in this life to be found in the memories of times shared with others. This is a book to ponder again and again. This book is one for the coffee table. It may just cause you to reorganize the things you use to decorate your house so that it becomes a true home for your heart.Emilie has touched my heart yet again!

5 comments about Collecting Costume Jewelry 101: The Basics of Starting, Building and Upgrading (Identification & Value Guide).

1. Brief Description of Book
   This book lives up to its name and is a great gift for someone you may know who is just getting hooked on buying vintage costume jewelry. It would make a great companion gift to a fabulous vintage piece. This book Collecting 101 is a bit basic for absolute beginners only.
   The core thesis of the book is G-U-I-D-E an acronym that stands for:
   * Is the piece in Good condition?
   * Do U Like it?
   * Is it a good investment?
   * Is the piece designer signed and is it well designed?
   * Are there extras that make it more interesting?
   These questions are posed to help the buyer select good pieces at whatever price point they are starting to collect at. The author explains her GUIDE concept quite concisely and uses it throughout the book.
   
   The author suggests four designers that beginners should collect Trifari, Coro, Kramer and Weiss. She recounts a little history about each of the companies, shows photos of their marks and recommends pieces to purchase. For example she suggests Trifari from the 50's and 60's because it is plentiful, available in excellent condition and not too expensive. The author uses a lot of photos to illustrate these sections
   
   The next portion of the book is arranged the alphabetically and cameos 130 designers. Each profile contains a little company history, marks, signature look of a designer and recommendations of pieces to buy.
   
   In the next chapter there is a section called "Marked by Style" on identifying unmarked jewelry. A little more than a beginner skill in my opinion but an interesting section to ponder nonetheless. She focuses 75% of her energy on Juliana, the remaining 25% on Eisenberg, Dorothy Bauer, Hattie Carnegie, Goldette, Haskell, Hollycraft, Sarah Coventry, Schauer, Schreiner and Weiss.
   
   The remaining chapters cover:
   * Upgrading your collection
   * Repairing and Cleaning
   * Cataloging a Collection
   * Storing and Insuring a Collection
   
   Over all the advice is quite sound, the G-U-I-D-E principle should be followed it will really help anyone avoid unfocused buying.
   
   Quantity of Illustrations:
   There are more than 750 total illustrations in Collecting Costume Jewelry 101. There are color photographs, original advertisements in color and black and white. The photos are clear and focused.
   
   
   Quality of Illustrations:
   
   Comments: The items selected are not riveting I think that they are pedestrian. Maybe that is because this book is pitched at beginners. However I feel that the selections should be inspirational and exciting. This is why the top shelf pieces in a book such as "A Tribute to America" are always fun to look at. I felt the items pictured were what the author could get permission to use. Which leads me to the inclusion of Christmas tree jewelry! There are too many Christmas trees in this book. And I like Christmas tree jewelry.
   
   I have one very pointed example that illustrates my low score on the illustrations. The author devoted 3 pages to Miriam Haskell. In my opinion these are not good representative pieces, they are what was available to include. There is one pair of beaded earrings, a necklace with gold chain and a wood pendant that looks like it was made in shop class to me, several strings of beads, a pearl necklace that is not photographed close enough to generate any excitement and a pair of gilded earrings. I may sound harsh here but the wow factor of buying Miriam Haskell is not expressed in these photos. Feel free to disagree!
   
   As a final note on the illustrations, I am reviewing the first edition of this book. According to the publisher Collector Books a second edition should be available soon. They promise 200 new photos and updates on the price guidelines that are included in the first edition.
   
   
   
   Quantity of Information
   Range of Information offered:
   For the most part this is a good concise book to check for information. If you are looking for in depth information on a particular designer you should probably look at a more specialized book. For example there are entire books on Haskell, KJL, D &E, to name only a few designers.
   
   Is the information thorough?
   The information provided seems to be thorough and remember this is a book for beginners.
   
   Values Listed (Prices) Yes
   Are they helpful or realistic? The prices are being updated for a new edition
   The prices are based on what one might hope to get in an e-bay auction.
   Comments: Based on the prices sometimes I want to be buying and other times I want to be on the selling end of the transaction.
   
   
   User Friendly:
   Is the book easy to read and follow? yes
   Is there a table of contents and index? yes
   Is information easy to find? yes
   
   
   Is this book a must have? Only for your friends who are just beginning to collect costume jewelry. I think Costume Jewelry 202 is a vastly superior book and I would recommend that (again).
   
   Overall comments
   If I had this book many years ago I would have avoided buying stuff I just didn't need. I would have made wiser purchases and would have a better collection today.



2. I actually bought her 2nd book (202) before buying this one (101) and while I treasure my 202 guide much more than this first one (because I'm not a beginner) - I think it is a fabulous book to have for those starting out. With a lot of fake WEISS and other great designers' jewelry being reproduced and sold as the real thing today (especially on eBay), it's a good guide to have that shows a fair amount and variation of these favorite popular designers' pieces. This will help the beginner collector possibly know a fake when they see it. Not all that shines and sparkles means it is the real thing or that it's collectible. I believe both her books should be bought together but the 202 Guide is definitely the very best there is (because it shows so many patents). I particularly like the fact that both of these books are done in sturdy paperback because if they were hardbound, they would be so heavy given how big they are. Lots and lots of colorful pictures! Well done!!



3. Found this book to be very helpful at my jewelry shows. Has lots of pictures and information on vintage jewelry and numerous designers. Does not go into great detail, but gives enough good information to be helpful. Because the information is listed in alpha order, my customers find it helpful when looking up specific designers or styles. This book is great for beginners and old collectors alike.



4. This book along with the "202" book by the same author are "must have"s for costume jewelry collectors, buyers and sellers. I can't rate them highly enough.



5. I learned many of the basics overtime and searching the internet. It is great to have so much information in one book. The photos are excellent and I would recommend this to anyone starting a collection. Great do's and don'ts.

5 comments about Hanson's American Art Pottery Collection: Identification and Values.

1. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the authors for this wonderful reference book. I found the pictures to be of exceptional quality and the descriptions to be quite accurate.
   
   For the experienced, as well as the novice owner/collector of American Pottery, this book is an invaluable guide. Take this book on your hunting trips... You will not be disappointed.



2. This wonderful book explores some of the worlds most sought after pottery including Bauer, Brush-McCoy, Peters & Reed, Weller, Roseville and many more. It contains fantastic photos, price guides and is a wealth of information. I recommend this book without reservation to anyone seeking more information about American Art pottery! A+++ Thank you Bob and Jane, you rock!



3. This is an excellent book to carry with you when you are scouring for Arts and Craft pottery. It's full of hundreds of amazing color pictures for easy indetification as well as suggested prices. This book focuses on specific brands and highlights some big name brands to watch for. It is a great reference for both collectors and resellers. You will not be disappointed as The Hanson's are a true asset to pottery collectors. Be certain to check out their other books as well they are equal in all aspects. An easy gift giving idea for this coming holiday season!
   Thanks for putting out this much anticipated guide!



4. The Hanson' book on American Art Pottery is a most useful and easily read book of its kind. The photographs are sharp, clean and show the pottery, their shape, color and design as they were meant to be seen. Also, the production of the book presents itself well to the viewer. Although not a long time collector, I'd say this is a "must have" for new and seasoned collectors. I'd give this five stars.



5. This book has wonderful enlarged photo details that are essential for accurate identification and are invaluable to a pottery collector. For example, the book has photos of every glaze produced by Nelson McCoy which really goes far beyond most of the books I've seen. The summaries of the pottery makers give essential details (that other books do not provide) on how to identify a potential work of art. The updated pricing guides are very helpful as well. Thanks!

2 comments about The Official Price Guide to Christmas and Other Holiday Collectibles (Official Price Guide to Christmas & Other Holiday Collectibles).

1. I purchased this book believing it was a price guide to Christmas Collectibles. The cover to The Official Price Guide to Christmas and Other Holiday Collectibles emphasizes the word Christmas on the cover, and states it is a "price guide." With only 40 of 283 pages devoted to Christmas collectible prices and a total of only 80 pages related to Christmas at all, this book should be called The Official Price Guide to Holiday Collectibles.
   
   If you are looking for information on Christmas Collectibles, look elsewhere.



2. I mistakenly thought this would all be vintage collectibles. Some of the pieces were from the 1990s. My error apparently.

3 comments about Art Nouveau and Art Deco Jewelry: An Identification and Value Guide.

1. While this book might be of some use to an antiques dealer, the photos are much to small and of to poor a quality to be of any use to a student of jewelry. I was very disappointed.



2. I think that this author had a lot of good information, but needed better help from an editor in organizing and presenting it.

   The first section is disorganized and hard to follow. It was intended to cover the "inspirational forces" for Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewelry (people, places, ideas, and events) but the way it was presented made the information not very valuable, at least to me.

   One thing I learned---while I knew that "nouveau" meant new, I learned that "deco" meant "young.

   Section 2 had some wonderful color plates of pieces of jewelry and the third section had lists of designs, motifs, and materials for "new art" jewelry.

   Section 4 had "thumbnail sketches" of jewelers, jewelry designers/makers, manufacturers and retailers.

   The last section was an interesting glossary of jewelry terms and types. I especially enjoyed the information about hallmarks, enamel, combs, hatpins, and purses (mesh and beaded).




3. Baker presents a definitive guide to Deco and Nouveau Jewelry. She outlines the historical influences on the designs, offers beautifully photographed and representative pieces and concludes with a glossary and price guide. Her format is logical and the placement of the price guide as an addendum allows periodic updates that keep the book current. Overall a helpful guide for the novice or experienced collector and a pleasurable book for simply viewing lovely jewelry pieces. The paperback format allows affordability.

No comments about Madame Alexander 2004 Collectors Dolls Price Guide # 29: 2004 Collector's Dolls, Price Guide (Madame Alexander Collector's Dolls Price Guide).

5 comments about The Complete Encyclopedia to Gi Joe (Complete Encyclopedia to G. I. Joe).

1. At first, I only wanted to see the new figures. But then I looked at the 60s figures and wanted the 40th Anniversary sets. I agree, the "prototypes" were fake but the book was still good. It is the only book I read. A great edition to your collection. Buy and Enjoy!



2. This book for some reason includes re-creations of proto-types. How do you recreate a prototype? Sounds like a dumb idea to me. ...I don't know, but I liked the book mostly because of the interesting photos of GI Joes, and the information that it added to what I already know. The parts of the book (like the value guide) which I thought were garbage I just skipped over. There are lots of entertaining photos in the book, and interesting information too. Is it some kind of Collector's Bible for GI Joe? No, I don't think so.



3. While Santelmo's book is valuable for all the interviews with early GI Joe creators, collectors who have not had experience handling rare items can be easily misled by the many photos of so-called "prototypes" which were "re-created" for the book. Because the "re-creations" are not clearly marked there is significant concern that when these surface in collecting circles they will be thought authentic because of their association with the book. The price guide is also virtually useless as it undervalues some very rare pieces and wildly overvalues some more common ones. Buyer Beware!



4. This book rocks! I can't say enough good things about it. Very well put together and great pics. It makes me want to get my joes out of the attic.



5. While some hardcore collectors and professional critics have found some small points to pick at in this book, most reasonable collectors will find it to be just what it purports to be: A very good standard reference guide to one of our all time favorite toys G.I. Joe. So find a comfortable chair, turn off the TV, flip open the book and get reacquainted with a old childhood friend G.I. Joe.

1 comments about Collectable Paperback Books: A New Vintage Paperback Price Reference Second Edition.

1. Now in an fully updated and expanded second edition, Collectable Paperback Books by Jeff Canja is a straightforward reference and price guide to vintage paperback books featuring 12,625 authentic market prices ranging from $5 to $500! Black-and-white illustrations of book covers pepper the extensive price list comprises this invaluable and authoritative guide; along with a brief section at the beginning which teaches the novice collector about grading the condition of vintage paperbacks, distinguishing collectible books from ones that aren't worth very much, and more. Also included is a selection of publisher profiles, famous cover artists, and author pseudonyms. Collectable Paperback Books is an indispensable and strongly recommended reference for collectors, dealers, bookstore staff members, and anyone simply wanting to assess their personal or family library of vintage paperback books.

1 comments about Standard Catalog of Sports Autographs 2001.

1. this book covers all sports and is very easy to follow.