1 comments about Collecting Model Car & Truck Kits.

1. Finally after years of writing for some of the biggest car and model magazines in the country, Tim Boyd has ponied up with a book that, by itself, will become a treasured collector's item. This overview of model kit collecting offers advice, history, superb photos, value estimates, box art, and some wonderful built examples. Although the format limits the depth of coverage, this book is among the best on model car kit collecting. That it couldn't cover more categories is the only disappointment.

   Well worth the price, and a must-have for your modeling library.

5 comments about Warman's Matchbox Field Guide: Values And Identification (Warman's Field Guides Matchbox: Values & Identification).

1. It's hard to believe that so much information is packed into such a little book. It's the big little book for Matchbook collectors. The photo quality in this book is second to none. Although the prices of these gems are always in flux, it is great to have an updated price guide. The history, collecting tips and listing of online resources contained in the book are treasures in and of themselves.



2. Most Matchbox guide books are encyclopedic in size. This is the first one I've found that is easy to take with you to toy shows, garage sales, and flea markets. The photos in the book are outstanding. The helpful collecting tips are well-written and are sound advice for collectors. All in all, I'm very pleased to recommend this book. Mine already has considerable wear, and I'll probably be needing another one by Christmas (hint to family)!



3. This book is very welcome as it will increase many people's enjoyment of collecting Matchbox models. Due to its easy availability and reasonable price it may even attract some more people to this wonderful hobby.
   
   With its compact size it is ideally suited for carrying around to toy shows and flea markets, where it can be used as an aid in identifying models one might come across.
   
   While experienced collectors may be slightly disappointed at the lack of detail and some embarrassing and sometimes misleading mistakes (which have no doubt been caused by the tight deadline pressure under which the book was written), this book is perfect as an introduction for beginners.
   
   The quality of the many pictures is first class, and the introductory pages in the front section of the book, including a well-written summary of Matchbox history and useful collecting tips, are a must read for anyone interested in the subject.
   
   Congratulations to Tom Larson on this fine achievement!



4. Upon reading this new book from Tom Larson,it has finally shown that there is room for a pocket guide amongst all the other "big" heavy Matchbox collector books. This book can be carried easily anywhere you want. Study up on your Matchbox hobby as you go about your travelling. Carry it to Toy Shows, diecast conventions, and even to the local antique auctions. It is small,light, full of brightly colored, well shot photos of all your favorite Matchbox cars and trucks. There is even some rare vehicles,sets, and other accessories shown. With accurate Price quotations for "Mint In Box" models,you are surely to enjoy this work for years to come.
   For the price, you can't beat it!
   Definitely worth every penny.
   Finally, a beautifully compiled Matchbox toy car collectors guide.
   It will be a hit, Just watch.
   Thanks Tom :)
   just another fine book in the Warman's series.
   Kudos to Krause Publications for jumping on this one.:)
   
   sincerely
   Burney Reid
   "Diecast Enthusiast"
   Coquitlam, B.C.
   Canada



5. This is one fine little book. The pictures are superb and the text is short and concise. This book would work well for the seasoned collector as well as a collector that is new to Matchbox.

2 comments about Standard Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass.

1. This is a great book but if you know nothing about the glass, how do you look up the items you have.



2. This is just as good as all the previous books. I like the format and the price guide.

No comments about Lalique Glass: The Complete Catalogue for 1932 (Catalogue).

No comments about Miller's: Glass: Buyer's Guide.

5 comments about Vintage Toys: Robots and Space Toys.

1. I agree with Wil Overton's review (see above). This is a nicely done book for the tin-litho robot collector I suppose, but if you are looking for a real breadth of coverage on vintage space toys, in my opinion you will probably be disappointed. I am a big fan of rockets and spaceman/alien figures (Space Patrol/Tom Corbett/Rocky Jones, etc.)and found very little in this volume of interest to me. In fact, I bought it second-hand at half the publisher's price and felt it had not been a good purchase; but, then again . . . I was looking for much more than robots.



2. Granted, this is just a pretty slide show, but its done well, and I love looking at these old toys, some of which I had as a kid. The book is really well made, but lacks SUBSTANCE, know that you are buying a picture book and you will be happy with it.



3. ... yes, it has lovely production values with super clear pictures but it also has its faults.

   1) With so may space toys the book could have covered (and remember, this book does not claim to exclusively be a tin toy robot book) there are far too many of the same sort of toy. Many are just duplicates with a different paint job and could have been ditched in favour of a bit more variety, or at least shown in the context of the original toy they were based on. Where are Ideal's Zeroids? How about Major Matt Mason? Surely important space toys? Instead we get Rock 'em, Sock 'em Robots twice!

   2) The toys are shown in alphabetical order within their respective decades which means that it's hard to see how trends developed within any ten year span. Sometimes toys are described as copies or alternative versions of existing toys but the original is only found further on in the book because its name is later in the alphabet. So much for their clear, easy layout which is hyped within an inch of its life.

   3) Information is sketchy at best with many discriptions being almost identical and relying only on visual observations of the toy, something which anyone could do. Surely someone can supply reliable information about Japanese tin robot manafacturers? Some information is also incorrect. The UK Smash robot came from an advertising campagin for instant mashed potato not a comedy show whilst toys described as being influenced by real-life rockets are in fact copies of Thunderbird 1 from the Gerry Anderson 60's TV show.

   All in all this is a nice coffee table book with nice photography but as a resource for space toys from the 50's to the 90's it sure lacks a lot. The authors would have been better off doing better research and thinking more about their choice of toys than to constantly congratulate themselves about a page layout that isn't very special at all.




4. Vintage Toys: Robots And Space Toys is an outstanding compendium of 300 space and science fiction toys from yesteryear. Jim Bunte, Dave Hallman, and Heinz Mueller collaborate in offering the history of the companies that made these popular toys and the present day market valuations of each toy cited. Profusely illustrated throughout in full color, specifically designed for ease of use as a reference, authoritative and exhaustive, Vintage Toys: Robots And Space Toys is nostalgic, practical, and an invaluable reference for avid collectors and antiquarian dealers alike.



5. Gorgeous 192 page, up-to-date book featuring more than 400 superb full color very large, sharp photos of more than 300 robots, spaceships and ray guns. This 1999 book uses a great format, with 2 toys per page, complete with a load of information on each item ! One of the best formats I've seen. It covers the years from the 40's through the 70's. A full color photo of the box is even provided with most toys. Topics range from Acrobat Robot, Astroman, Buck Rogers and Cape Canaveral, to Roby Robot, Smoking Spaceman, Space Trooper and Yonezawa items. You can't miss with this reference book.

2 comments about Bsa (Classic Motorcycles).

1. (...) He blames BSA for the demise of his true love, Triumph. Basically he would be quite happy if BSA had not made anything more sophisticated than the A10. Save your money and buy a decent book on BSAs!!!!!



2. Many compliments for your BSA book.First quality pictures from your own hand give perfect but not always real imagination of the bikes as they were introduced to the market. May I suggest to mix these excellent pictures with selection of original material. Your text is pleasant to read and gives in general basic info on the reference bikes. As mentioned I believe that there is a seleced group of readers having special interest in the more technical background of each model. I recall that in the 1950 th the publishers of Motorcycle came with 2 collection books which contained interviews with designer of various models not limited to BSA but covering most of highly interesting designs period 1930 up to 1950 etc. I have never seen these books republished. NB> The BSA Goldstar book by BMS includes typical of this period interview. 5 star rating means that I consider your book value for money- I still enjoy it whenever I open it again. It must have a pleasure to compose it- I am sure that you have a special relation with BSA. So have I worked at Small Heath as an appprentice in 1965! Regards Carl Drees

No comments about Antique Trader Metalwares Price Guide (Antique Trader's Metalwares Price Guide).

3 comments about Collectors Guide to Made in Japan Ceramics: Identification & Values Book III (Collector's Guide to Made in Japan Ceramics).

1. 
   I collect older (collectible) MADE IN JAPAN items and therefore I have quite a few books on the subject. This book is not complete but quite helpful. Photos are nice.
   
   Many different volumes have been written on this subject. Infact, I own 3 other books on this subject.
   
   When "Made in Japan" collectibles were issued there were sooooo many different items sold, that it would be impossible to include all of them in just one book. The author tried and did a good job though.



2. This was an awesome product for me to have because I have alot of ceramics that have the made in japan labels on them. It is really fun to look them up to see if what you have is worth anything.



3. Made in Japan Ceramics Book 3 continues to give the readers what they want: INFORMATION ! Biscuit Barrels, Figurines, Condiment Sets , Wall Pockets, etc.,etc., with top notch color photos. Carole Bess White has chosen to share her vast knowledge and love of these charming pieces. Thanks Carole. When shall we expect volume #4 ?

2 comments about Thimbles and Thimble Cases (Shire Library).

1. On the thin side, both in terms of number of pages and helpfulness of information. Best best for me is the old Warman book on thimbles. Why don't they update that one?



2. Thimbles may be considered mundane, ordinary sewing tools by most, but there's a world of thimble collectors who think otherwise, including author Eleanor Johnson who's enjoyed needlework and crafts and who specializes in antique needlework tools. Thimbles And Thimble Cases will fit in the pamphlet section of any collection and provide a key to collecting a range of thimbles, from simple working thimbles to specialty pieces and their cases. From old to more modern fare, Thimbles And Thimble Cases receives color photos and a fine discussion of the differences between luxury items and novelties.