5 comments about Book Collecting 2000 (Collected Books).

1. This book presents a wealth of information to collectors, sellers, & those who just love books.
   
   As a value guide, the authors clearly state their goals as far as how to use the price information. It applies to the first printing of sepcific works (and the identification means for each publication are clearly listed) in very fine to fine condition. The authors also mention that the prices will be affected by lower & higher quality books. There are literally 6,000 books listed.
   
   True, it's heavy into price values (listing prices in 1986, 1995 & 2000), which can provide some clues as to if you should hold onto that box of books in Aunt Ruth's attic, or for sellers wondering where to start the bidding, but this book also includes good solid information.
   
   My favorite sections are "Book Collecting" & "What To Collect." This explains the lust for bound paper in a way that even your shoulder-shrugging-spouse will understand. It briefly gives credence to the 'why' of the animal that is 'book collector,' even if the books they relish are not the ones with the 4 digit values -- heck, it can give a book-outsider an idea why a book-insider adores the books so low in value, they do not appear in guides.
   
   In "Knowledgable Buying," basic terms, details of conditions & ratings system, along with reprints, dustjackets etc, are explained, which will help budding bibliophiles, fiction fanatics & others who wish to learn how to talk the talk, perhaps effectively lowering prices at a flea market...
   
   This also helps sellers price appropriately, not wasting their listing fees, turning inventory etc. But it also helps a well-intentioned-gift-giver from bringing you a box of books so horridly damaged, that the site of them makes you weep. (But if they do, the section on how to take care of your collection might help!)
   
   The book is organized in an easy to follow manner, allowing this book to be used quickly as a reference tool. But, again, I keep this book for more of the "meat" about collecting -- it covers information that passionate folks want to know, aside from price values.
   
   (Consensed Review)



2. Despite its title, this work is a brief but helpful introduction for the novice collector, with many useful tips on such matters as the importance of a book's condition. Its chief value lies in the various lists included: a catalog of authors' first books--heavily weighted to modern works--and their estimated value; a guide to identifying first editions; a glossary of booksellers' terms; and addresses of booksellers and auction houses.



3. The first 100 pages or so are filled with wonderful information on the basics of book collecting. However, after that, all you have left is a price list of first books of collectable authors (which is only going to be useful for a short time as rare book prices are constantly in flux).

   The Ahearns know their stuff, but the publisher should put out a separate volume (cheaper) with just the beginner's information for those of us who don't want the price list.




4. I just bought this book after having bought Ian Ellis's "Book Finds". I did so cautiously, since one negative review here specifically claimed the same buying "path". Not so for me. "Book Collecting 2000" is excellent for my needs and might be for you as well.

   I was nudged into active book collecting when I found an author's first edition of her first novel hidden in a book sale stack. For $3 I came to own a $300 book. But it wasn't simple. Although I had heard of the author, I did not recognize the book as her "first." Only a quick jaunt home to check some online listings confirmed its value. I anxiously returned to the sale hoping the book was still there... couldn't find it at first ! Someone had picked it up and then returned out of alphabetical order!

   As a relatively new collector I just don't have the experience to always ID a "first book".

   "Book Collecting 2000" supplies an ENORMOUS LISTING of first books (350+ pages out of 520) - with roughly 5000 entries. You can study it or bring it to a sale with you. The listings show estimated values from the 1986, 1995 and 2000 editions of the book and provide some cues about what sorts of books are gaining value at especially surprising rates.

   In addition, the listings often supply additional information and "points" about the "firsts." This is, for example, the first general-use reference in which I've seen the dustjacket cover of John LeCarre's (1962)US first, "Call for the Dead", accurately described ("white dustwrapper"). Before buying "Book Collecting 2000" I had already invested $2 at another sale in a nice blue and tan version that turned out to be a stealth book club edition... disappointing but really a rather inexpensive way to learn what a "blindstamp" actually looks like!

   Yes - this book is mostly lists, as the other negative review claimed. But I found all of them to be useful, especially so when combined into one source. These lists include Pulitzer, Hugo and PEN winners and the like, but also a very handy listing of author pseudonyms, nicely sorted alphabetically by both actual and pen name. An appendix contains a brief listing of publishers' formats for indicating first editions - it seems adequate but I have to admit that I still prefer my pocket-sized McBride for that. The "front material" (roughly 100 pages) is a decent overview of the wide range of information that a new collector needs to absorb. I think the Ellis book does a better job of this piece. But that just means I recommend buying both.

   I now take this book with me to every sale!




5. After reading BOOK FINDS by Ian C. Ellis, 271 pages with 229 pages of text, the reviews on this Ahearn book of 536 pages written by respected people in the field made it sound good as a follow up for a beginner. Then I received the book and started to read it. It was like going to a restaurant buying an expensive meal and receiving a hugh plate of lettice with very little meat. First list was of prize winning books over the years starting with the Booker. You can get a more up to date list on the internet from Amazon. Second there was a Glossary of 14 pages. Then there was a First Book list and yes it showed selected authors first books together with price appreciation. These lists made the point that there was price appreciation. One sentence could and did make that point. These prices will not be up to date. Again the internet used book services are better. Then there were the appendixes, again lists. When you get all done and subtracted these fillers there are just 62 pages of text left. If you love to collect lists in expensive books to fill your shelves purchase this book. Otherwise the Ellis book covers the same material and more for much less.

4 comments about World Notgeld, 1914-1947: A Guide & Checklist and Other Local Issue Emergency Money.

1. Very good book of german notgeld, other countries are listed, very fews pictures of other countries



2. This book says it all in the title, except I'm not sure what they mean by guide. There is a short introduction of the author blah, blah... The notgeld is listed and easy enough to find but no information, like engraver/artist, where it was pressed, how many were made or how many in circulation, in fact it tells you nothing (and most do not not photos) except there is a general/vague 1-7 scale of rarity with no pricing or suggest value. this was merely a checklist.



3. An excellent reference to all kinds of Notgeld from many countries.
   Table of Contents
   * Introduction
   * Issuing Cities: Alphabetical by Countries
   * Periodical Abbreviations
   * Bibliography
   * Country Abbreviations
   * Issuing Cities Alphabetical
   
   The introduction gives a fairly thorough explanation of Notgeld in English and German. The book is designed as a checklist with a box to mark off as you find what you want. It makes no pretence to pricing. The Bibliography is extensive enough to be worth the book alone.



4. This guide contains a list of emergency money issuing authorities, mainly cities. The reader will see many images, some of them in color, to have an idea of how interesting collecting emergency money may be and will have access to a bibliography which may help to search for a more comprehensive information.

No comments about HOW TO HUNT TREASURE - Dig It, Dive for It, or Buy It: A Guide to Adventure and Profit.

No comments about Millersburg Glass: As I Know It.

1 comments about Canadian Colonial Tokens.

1. This is THE standard reference work for Canadian token collectors.
   It is profusely illustrated with B&W photos of all major token types.
   It is laid out by province and it's fairly simple to find your way through the book to the token in question.
   All-in-all, a "must have" for anyone interested in collecting Canadian tokens.

1 comments about Evaluating Your Collection: The 14 Points of Connoisseurship (Winterthur Decorative Arts Series).

1. Readers are led to assume that this book will deliver more information than it does.

5 comments about Antiques Price Guide 2007 (Antiques Price Guide).

1. The guide has a lot of pictures and very little in description of the items. Nothing on the era that I was looking for. Wish I had gone to the bookstore and looked at it first.



2. I was disappointed with this book, it doesn't show different examples of the same company. Too many item from other parts of the world, not enough from the USA... This book is more of a picture guide. Not enough detail. I'm not impressed.



3. this whole series is an invaluable resource for the novice or serious antique collector....and this seller is a+



4. I bought this book for my step-Father who uses it to scout auctions. It's a great resource to have on hand for antiquers!



5. I have everyone of Juidith guides. They are a great "American" Antique guide to have. Professional ediiton for the serious antique collector or dealer. It worth the money and get research value.

No comments about Collector's Guide to My Merry With Values: With Values.

No comments about The Official Price Guide to Movie Autographs and Memorabilia.

4 comments about Warman's American Pottery & Porcelain (Warman's American Pottery and Porcelain).

1. If you love to read on histories, then this book is perfect for you, but it's not good for anyone who needs a quick reference guide or who needs pictures. This book will give you one or two examples of an entire company, and the pictures are in black and white for the most part.
   
   However it will give you histories of companies and a mark or two. if your new to this, i don't recommend this book at all. Instead go with Warman's Field Guide instead.



2. I returned this book because I was looking for more photos to refer to. I thought, for a beginner, this book was too difficult to follow.



3. Good book, covers the makers styles and years produced as well as who purchased and made like items, Covers a vast number of years and well worth the purchase price.



4. Second edition of the popular volume updated for the year 2000. There are 224 pages with more than 200 black and white photos and a 16-page color section. This encyclopedia describes and prices almost 12,000 items produced by 150 American potteries. Introductory text covers Derivation of Prices, Role of Condition, State of the Market, America's Ceramics Industry, and handy abbreviations used throughout the work. There's also an appendix with auction houses, museums, glossary and a useful index, that facilitates finding items. Topics range from Advertising and Calendar Plates, Children's Ware, Dresden Pottery, to Warwick China, Wheatley Pottery, and Yellowware. Plenty of text is included for each category. A useful book that collectors will refer to often.