5 comments about Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: Modern Issues, 1961-Date (11th Edition).

1. Brilliant, could not do without it- the best on the market without a doubt.



2. This book is the third volume in a line series dedicated to paper money collecting. This one particularly concentrates on the banknotes issued by central banks all over the World from 1961 onwards. The book is "The reference" used by all collectors and dealers alike. Thus, it is a must in order to keep uptodate with market prices and with the current issues. Unfortunately, it has mistakes and sometimes it lacks continuity with its counterpart (vol. 2) which is not issued annualy like this one. Nevertheless, if you are involved in paper money collecting, owning this book is imperative in order to be able to refer properly to any moder banknote.
   The book can be bought from many sources, starting with its Publisher (Krause), however, my advice is to get it from Amazon.com, since its discunts are unbeatable.



3. As always, the work and research to get the latest information available to the collector is presented to us in the catalog as best as possible. I would like to see a section that list countries whose names have changed. While the catalog is a tremedous effort to 'keep current' with the many changes going on while it is in the making, I long for the day when the CD comes out and changes are added electronically. Stamp collectors now have this and a virtual stamp collection. Thanks to all that work to get the latest information for a great hobby!



4. Most useful - but - there seem to be several errors in this catalogue. One of the most glaring is the complete omission of SOMALIA, despite the index refering the reader to page 772. These are, in fact, the entries for SOMALILAND from 1994. All entries for SOMALIA from 1962 to 1990 have disappeared.



5. I would say, - there is no other, better book, so we have to use this one. I have looked through some pages of it and I already found quite a few blunders. First of all there are quite a few misleading price valuations, I would even say many price manipulations. I haven't gone through every single page of it yet, but a quick look at the book reveals the following:
   
   - Overall image quality got worse (much worse) in this year 2005 edition. Some photos have some white spots and cuts.
   
   - Signature tables have disappeared in quite a few country listings. Instead of signature tables Krause website is advertised all across the pages. Question: why remove what already has been added over years?
   
   - Most of the country letter code explanations and country names are gone from West African States listings.
   
   - Signatures are numbered but not always displayed in signature tables.
   
   - Catalogue numbers are changed and moved around to frequently confusing the collectors and especially addong tons of extra work for dealers.
   
   - Many banknotes are valued way below market value. Some are valued below anytime exchange rate. Example: Latvian 100 Latu exchange rate always was over $160 but Krause values it in Uncirculated condition at $150.
   
   - No ERRATA is being printed. Any self-respecting publisher prints errata pages and puts them in a book, or even sends Errata (corrections) pages to all their customers and book owners. The book was published carelessly. Some colourful images (not so important to a professional) were added, but what's most important is the text info and price valuations. This book is important to a beginner and as well to a professional. We still have to use it, cause there is no other catalogue for All World's Paper Money, but making so many errors and blunders shows that the publisher of this book does not care much about what the reader gets from it.
   
   Good-bye Pick... hello Krause.

1 comments about Stereoviews, Their Realized Prices.

1. This book contains about 6 paragraphs of text and beyond that is just a list. Listing a subject as "black" or "railroad" is completely inadequate. Also only views with numbered titles are listed. Prices may reflect the highest price ever paid on eBay but often bear little resemblance to what they are really worth on an over and over again sales basis. Sometimes a view that is a hard sale at $10 will sell for $65 on eBay to an uninformed or, ahem, "motivated" buyer. Often a high value view may sell for 30-50% less than it's actual value on eBay. This list reflects these anomalies. Not that useful.

1 comments about Winchester Slide-Action Rifles: volumes i & ii (Winchester Classics).

1. Ever since shooting a Winchester slide-action rifle in a shooting gallery, it has been my dream to own such a rifle. After many, many years, I finally came across a used Winchester Model 61 that I could buy. A large part of the enjoyment, however, comes from reading up on the history of this type of weapon. I find it fascinating to be able to establish the year the rifle was made and to check whether all the parts are authentic because they were made in the same time-frame.

1 comments about Antique American Switchblades.

1. best source that I have found so far lots of pics and info.

2 comments about Flea Markets of Japan: A Pocket Guide for Antique Buyers.

1. Manning has crafted a detailed pocket guide that catalogs all of Japan's major and minor flea markets. It has strong sections on both Tokyo and Kyoto. All told, 115 flea markets are listed. Each listing has directions, Japanese and English titles, a description of the items for sale, and a telephone number. Equally helpful are the Introduction, the sections Before Going Shopping and Shopping Guidelines, Things to Buy, and the annual Flea Market Calendar. Along with a section on basic Japanese, the book prepares the uninitiated on how to bargain, how much of a discount to expect, and what you might find.



2. Theodore Manning's Flea Markets Of Japan: A Pocket Guide For Antique Buyers is packed from cover to cover with useful and useable information about the Japanese language and various beautiful and traditional items that can be found there. Packed with the locations of and directions to popular flea markets, simple phrases useful for negotiation, a brief glossary, and a wealth of basic shopping and adjustment tips, Flea Markets Of Japan is especially recommended for those who have never been to Japan before with a yearning for special souvenirs and mementos of their business trip or vacation excursion.

2 comments about Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey.

1. First saw this magnificent volume at a collector's home, and had to acquire a copy for my library as inspiration for my own artistic endeavors with majolica.



2. People all over the world treat this as the "Bible" of Victorian Majolica. It is the best.

4 comments about Axel Vervoordt: The Story of a Style.

1. This book is a true classic and a MUST for anyone interested in antiques or interior design. We were very fortunate to first be introduced to Vervoordt at the 1984 Paris Biennale des Antiquaires where his booth, displaying Ming porcelain lost in 1645 in the South China Sea and recently recovered, was the sensation of the Salon. All of that massed blue-and-white in a large booth at the center of the Grand Palais drew lots of attention to the 37-year old Vervoordt and his subsequent success allowed him to restore a magnificent Belgian chateau over the next four years for use as both home and gallery. Much of this book is photographed in his home/gallery chateau.
   
   This book provides a superb overview of his aesthetic, one which can incorporate a huge Anish Kapoor sculpture (perhaps circa 1995) with ancient stone Thai carvings, gorgeous Renaissance bronzes and wonderful European furniture. Think Rose Tarlow on steroids. The photography is excellent, almost all color, many full-page, and the scale of the book is appropriately large.
   
   If the eclecticism of a Cy Twombly (a contemporary abstract painter) displayed in a warm wood interior appropriate for 17th C. Amsterdam sounds intriguing, he may be on your wave length. The array of tasteful objects beautifully presented is a key feature of the book. His collection (all of which is always for sale) will no doubt include some superb items which you have really never looked at before; when you read about the object, you may reconsider. His enthusiasm is contagious.
   
   Those primarily interested in interior design may find his new book "Axel Vervoordt: Timeless Interiors" more interesting because it shows some twenty homes he has done for clients. But if you only want one book on Vervoordt and if you can afford this out-of-print text, I'd go with the Meredith Etherington-Smith volume.



2. Axel Vervoordt is an artist in his own right. A designer and collector of art from all periods of history, he presents here the work of his life's vision - creating spaces where all of the arts from all cultures and timeframes meld into subtle, elegant, harmonious and extraordinarily beautiful spaces.
   
   Vervoordt's keen eye for excellence demonstrates how architectural features of a building/living space are enhanced by a combination of art objects, drawings, paintings, murals, artifacts and bits of nature. The results are page after stunning page of thoughtful, quiet splendor. Mixed with commentary from Vervoordt (with written statements by Meredith Etherington-Smith) and exceptional photography by Laziz Hamani this book goes far beyond the borders of volumes about design. This is a bold and inspiring homage to Style. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, December 05



3. Five stars are not enough! I have savored every word of this gorgeous book. The philosophy of this remarkable man is truly inspiring--his work is very personal, and seeing it and reading about it are a privilege. Anyone interested in interior design, antiques, or art would benefit from owning a copy of this outstanding, intelligent work.



4. Every once in a great while a person enters this world who truly makes a difference. Axel is such a person - generous, brilliant, cultured and admired. He works very hard and has endless passion for life and for the joys of his life. This book is a glimpse into what Axel does, into what he lives for. As you read this book and marvel at what heights of artistry, inspiration, then continue on to Axel's web site, at axel-vervoordt.com. You might even be moved to travel to s'Gravenwezel, northeast of Antwerpen, and visit the world he is building there since the mid 60's. It's a wonderful book about a wonderful person.

2 comments about The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Metal Lunch Boxes.

1. There are indeed some lovely shots of classic lunch kits in this volume. However, I have yet to find a book that approaches the thoroughness, photographic appeal, or wit of the two books by the fellow who started it all, Scott Bruce. If you are a beginning collector, the best thing you can do is get hold of the Bruce books for a comprehensive history and background, and then sign on to www.lunchboxpad.com, a website run by a young collector, for a realistic current price guide.



2. If you ever owned, or wanted to own a lunchbox from the 50's through the 80's, this is the book for you. This book provides fond memories of school days, mom's lunches and "what was cool!". Full color photographs of the boxes and thermoses from various angles really make it a must for someone interested in lunchbox collecting or for someone just looking for a fond recollection of a simpler day gone by...

3 comments about Kewpies Dolls & Art With Value Guide: Dolls & Art, With Value Guide (Kewpies Dolls & Art).

1. Since there aren't many available reference books on the subject of Kewpie dolls, you may want to consider adding this volume to your library despite its limitations. The title led me to expect a reference book that would assist me with evaluating Kewpies for the purpose of resale. Unfortunately, a large portion of the book is devoted to the history of the development of the Kewpie and their creator. The content is also very, very limited. It really just includes dolls with a couple of other pieces such as a cup and saucer and a neck kerchief (without prices); there isn't really any "art" to speak of, either listed or valued. It does have an index, however it's primarily organized by the owner of the pieces, not by the actual pieces. Also, the values are not listed with the illustrations. They are located in a chart at the back of the book, which is organized by the item name, size, material, type, year made, manufacturer and current price. Unfortunately, the names don't really correspond with the actual items and it's difficult to determine which items the chart is actually referencing. Again, there aren't many Kewpie reference books available, so this one isn't completely without value, just don't hope for anything comprehensive or easy to use.



2. The Seller is Excellent. The book is as new. Thank You!!



3. Kewpies are such a fun doll. This is a great book for my library.
   I also purchased a fun read about stories about dolls, Dolls Aren't Just for Kids. My mother and sister love a book they can curl up in a comfy chair and read.

5 comments about Bobbing Head Dolls: 1960-2000.

1. Excellent book,well written on a collectible that has received no coverege for too long.Everything you need to know about old bobbing head dolls.



2. This book is THE guide to get to help you start your bobblehead collection! It has all the old nodders listed,how tough they are to find,variations,and prices. (...)



3. Anybody who collects vintage 1960's Bobbing Heads needs to have this book. Tim Hunter is the foremost authority on Japan made "nodders" from the 60's and has spent decades researching them. This book has become the "bible" for Bobbing Head collectors, combining a history lesson, detailed price guide, and helpful hints for collectors. Whether you are a veteran collector or a beginner, this book is a must!



4. As a long time BB card collector, my parents stumbled onto a bobbing head, an item I didn't have. Needless to say I have gotten hooked, with my collection now over twenty dolls. I read the large print on the cover, and thought it would be just what I needed, but the book is really about dolls from 1960-1972. The author simply blows off the newer versions as being too manufactured and barely covers them. A better detail history of the newer dolls and more aggressive price guide would have made this book a 5star.



5. I just start collecting bobbing head dolls without any knowledge.I wasn't sure where I can learn about.this book helps me a lot.Gives me lots of info etc....I wish this book had a lot more color-photo of dolls.