2 comments about How to Think Like a Collector.

1. ...or at least like he thinks it is. Harry Rinker doesn't hold punches and looks at the collectibles field without the prerequisite rose-colored glasses. He can be abrasive and hard, but he is often hardest on himself. He could easily be dismissed as a loving curmudgeon, but that would not do his book justice. His suggestions are no nonsense, but right on the mark. He even provides some common sense etiquette for collectors (who us?) While this book may seem perfect for the beginning collector, there are some true gems for those of us who've been around the block. He takes no crap and has no patience and I love his book so much the better for it.



2. Author Harry Rinker has built his reputation as the Collector Inspector who helps collectors learn what is value and what is not: now hi how to think like a collector furthers the education, going beyond the usual price guide to tell amateurs how to learn what WILL become collectible in the future, how to judge an item's value, and how to collect today's bargains with their collectible future potential in mind. Rinker's forty-plus years of collecting and assessing values results in a large knowledge base and a fun take on the hobby of collecting which guides novices through the confusing world of the collector's mind. A fun, informative guide.

2 comments about Standard Companion to Non-American Carnival Glass: Identification & Value Guide.

1. This book is full of great pictures and reference to Carnival Glass made internationally. This book is produced by two experts of American made Carnival glass, has great pictures, and about a paragraph of history of each company that decided to try their luck at producing Carnival glass after the US started to export it. It also includes one page of a few of the trademarks of these countries. I have no regrets purchasing this book but wish they would of elaborated on the different histories of each of these countries.



2. A very good guide for a new collector. Eazy to read and good value.

No comments about Furniture Encyclopedia.

1 comments about The National Trust Manual of Housekeeping: The Care of Collections in Historic Houses Open to the Public.

1. Everything you could possible want to know in one place. Only problem is its too heavy for bedtime reading!

5 comments about Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money: 1928 to Date (Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money).

1. much more detailed than other books I have bought. Well worth it if you collect small size currency.



2. This edition was updated significantly since the last one came out. More serial numbers and star notes are listed.
   
   Still it need more listing and better explanations of grading/pricing for each series. Also the values seem high, although not as bad as previous edition.



3. An incredible book if your looking for a complete reference book to use on a daily basis. This reference book is updated every year which is very important to any Small-Sized U.S. Paper Currency collector. I find this book gives spot on values for each and every small-sized U.S. note that anyone could have an interest in collecting. I use this reference book like I use my right arm so that should tell you just how important this reference book is to my collecting. I purchase the revised book every year without question. No collector should ever be without this book. Well lets say any serious collector should never be without this book !!!



4. I agree with many of the reviewers comments. This is a very useful book, it is a must for the serious small size currency collector. Quality control is a major problem however. There are just too many errors which cause confusion. I am surprised that KP books can't do a better job. These errors run through all of the editions 5, 6, and now 7. These errors cause one to question some of the pricing information. A typical example is in the 7th edition, 2004 A Atlanta star listing. 96,000 sheets? What does that mean? It has been widely reported that there was a printing of 9,600. I suggest Oaks, Schwartz and Lindquist take special care with the 8th edition and perhaps find a new editor.



5. I personaly collect Star Notes, I have been hording GL's and GF star notes. I was waiting on the book release for value's, just to find they have incorrect figures for printings. They have 96,000 for the unbelievably low 9600 print of the Atlanta(GF) $10 star notes.
   So, I as well as 3-4 other collectors wait again till next years release for the correct numbers and therefore guide on value. Maybe the mistakes are how they sell new editions? Guarantee sales?

3 comments about Encyclopedia of Antique Tools & Machinery.

1. Not quite what I needed. I do not get much usefull information from it.



2. This book of tools and tool values contains many misnamed, mislabed, or inaccurately named tools. Save your money and buy the latest edition of Keane's book of antique tool values, the most accurate one for tool prices, or Barlow's most recent edition of Antique Tool Collectors Guide to Value,
   which will give lots of pictures and general tool info without misleading you. Wendel's book has too many tools
   named wrong and prices that are way out of touch with reality. Condition is very important, and Herb Keane, in his
   A Price Guide to Antique Tools, does a good job in discussing condition and its effect on prices.
   Once you read some basic tool value books, you will want to advance to specialized books centering on brands, locale of manufacture, or type of tool. These will seldom be price guides, but will be filled with important details that can make a big difference in the price paid for a tool.



3. This book provides a good overview of many tools (including a lot from obsolete trades). Some prices are provided. A good book for a beginner looking for background on the many tools out there.

3 comments about Miller's Buyer's Guide: Chinese & Japanese Antiques: Buyer's Guide (Miller's Buyer's Guide).

1. Another great book by Miller's containing a lot of good information about Asian antiquities. Many photos, could use more in color.



2. Encompassing 2000 years of history, and everything from ceramics to furniture to Mao era propaganda, it isn't a comprehensive guide to any one subject. It isn't meant to be; nevertheless it serves as a full intro to the field in one portable volume. Several thousand pieces with prices in Brit pounds (most for museum quality specimens, not the more everyday kind). About 70% b&w, though does include some lovely color sections. Still a bargain.



3. I bought this book to help me discern chinese porcelain and learn a little more about the oriental collectables. This book has too many black and white photos and falls short of being a necessary refrence guide.

No comments about Miller's: American Insider's Guide to the Twentieth-Century Furniture (Miller's Insider's Guide).

2 comments about U.S. Stamp 2008 Pocket Catalogue (Scott U S Pocket Stamp Catalogue) (Scott U S Pocket Stamp Catalogue).

1. This book has just about everything you need to know about stamps. It's easy to find what you want and the illustrations are well done. For the novice, some things are not explained, such as "imperf." Don't think you could find a better one though.



2. This book has some really nice color photos and is very organized. As it is a "Scott" product, it uses the Scott numbers and is easy to use. My only concern is that it does not picture every stamp and that the pictures are sometimes 10-15 pages away from where the stamp is actually listed in the book. Still, that not-withstanding, it was well worth the money.

1 comments about Effanbee's Dy-Dee: The Complete Collector's Book.

1. This is a great volume for anyone who had ,has, and loves Dy-Dee Baby. I was amazed at the attention paid to details like clothing and 'baby stuff'. I had a lot of baby stuff for my Dy-Dee and her cousins, but there was a whole lot more available than I ever dreamed. That so many of these dolls have survived, is a testement to Dy-Dee's ability to inspire maternal love and nurturing. It's not only a book for collectors, but also an interesting look at marketing techniques and our culture.
   Robert Tonner's motto, 'Believe in the power of play' is illustrated profoundly in this volume, and his reproduction of the Mold 1 Dy-Dee Baby, to be relaeased this fall, is a most fitting tribute to the baby doll that has captured so many hearts over the years.