5 comments about The Standard Encyclopedia of American Silverplate: Flatware and Hollow Ware : Identification & Value Guide.

1. Although this book sounded great, it was very disappointing...A very expensive book for the little knowledge in it...Lots of pages, but little information....Has many manufacturer's advertisement pictures and pages and pages of the same pattern, but not very helpful as far as identification!!! Very limited manufacturers and patterns...I wouldn't waste my time or money on purchasing this particular book, even for the novice it covers very little, unless you just like looking at pictures...



2. This book has lots of nice pictures and drawings that show good detail of the different patterns. There are lots of patterns to choose from including some that are very old. The only problem is that it doesn't really have a good variety of brands. Also, it took me a while to figure out where the values are. Once I figured that out, I got real tired of flipping back to the front cover over and over to see what my pieces were worth. However, if you've got the right brands this could be the perfect book for you!



3. If you have an old set of silverplate or odd pieces, especially older ornate pieces of flatware,this is a good guide, well illustrated, with many reproductions of original catalogs. I found pattern names of several odd serving pieces which led to a search for matching place settings.



4. A collection of ads and drawings of silverplate patterns. I have 5 different patterns that we collect. This book only had 2 of the five.



5. There are so many good photos, line drawings, and catalog pages. It is organized by manufacturers name,and then sub catgorized alphabetically by pattern name. No need for a contents page when you are trying to identify a piece you have.Look up your pattern by what the backstamp says on it.There are all the top collectible patterns in this book and the lesser quality patterns were left out that are of little demand. The orignal catalog pages are very informative and show the original prices for the silver. A must for the dealer, and dealer wanna-be.

1 comments about The Gargoyle Book: 572 Examples from Gothic Architecture.

1. BOOHOO...
   'The Gargoyle Book: 572 Examples from Gothic Architecture'
   A very misleading title!!!
   
   When I pre-ordered this book I was hoping for a brand new publication with 200+ pages on gargoyles and 572 illustrations of gargoyles in architecture.
   BOOHOO... This book isn't new, it isn't all about gargoyles and it isn't all about architecture. So what is it about?
   Well... it's about nothing really.
   It's just a collection of old black and white photographs of French gothic sculptures -in stone and wood-.
   
   QUOTE: This 2006 edition by Dover Publications is an unabridged republication of the work originally published in 1930 by the Architectural Book Publishing Co under the title 'Gargoyles,Chimeres and the Grotesque in French Gothic Sculpture'. END OF QUOTE.
   Now that's a better title.
   
   The book starts with eight and a half pages of introduction.
   Next are 204 pages with old black and white photographs, accompanied by VERY short descriptions which give us the name of the building, the name of the city and occasionally what it depicts or when the sculpture was made.
   At the end of the book there's a four and a half page bibliography.
   
   The photographs are divided into eight chapters:
   I: Symbolic Details (12 pages/38 photographs with descriptions such as: Bourges-(Cher) Sainte Marthe)
   II: Non-Symbolic Details (2 pages/8 photographs, example: Animals Drink Out of a Jar, Poitiers (Vienne) Oriental Motif)
   III: Tympanum Sculpture (8 pages/14 photographs, example: Reims (Marne) Devils - XIIIth Century)
   IV: Gargoyles(57 pages/153 photographs, unfortunately about a third of these are not gargoyles, but grotesques)
   V: Chimeres (36 pages/98 photographs, some of these show the same statues from a different angle)
   VI: Heads (25 pages/73 Photographs)
   VII: Capitals and Miscellaneous Compositions (18 pages/62 photographs)
   VIII: Woodwork (46 pages/125 photographs, the majority of these are misericordes)
   
   ---:
   On some of the pages the photographs are printed sideways, so you're constantly tilting your head or turning the book.
   There are up to four photographs on each page with fairly wide margins, so most photographs are rather small.
   The cameras and photographic materials available in 1930 didn't produce the quality of images that we are used to in modern times.
   
   +++:
   Loads of photographs (I've never seen so many misericordes in any other book).
   
   Who should NOT buy this book:
   .You like glossy colorful photographs that would look fab in a frame.
   .You want lots of info about how or why these sculptures are made.
   .You're looking for a coffee table book.
   .You want to know exactly where on/in the building the sculptures can be found.
   If this describes you: KEEP LOOKING. There are better books out there for you.
   
   Who might enjoy this book:
   .You don't mind old black and white photographs.
   .You're REALLY into misericordes, gargoyles, chimeres and anything else that the ancient French dreamed about.
   .You're not put off by the lack of information.
   If that is you: It's a cheap book with loads of pics, so why not GO FOR IT.
   
   Why three stars:
   I wanted to give only one star because the title is so misleading and the book is not really suitable for the average gargoyle fan.
   The second star is because the paperback quality is okay.
   I gave a third star because the book inspires me in my work as an animator.
   I nearly took the third star away because there are other books with better photographs.
   But I left the third star on because none of the other books have so many photographs.
   
   So why the big BOOHOO at the start of my review?
   Well... I already had the 1930 original edition.
   Am I going to throw this new paperback away?
   Hell no... It's good value for money.
   I can now look at the pics in this cheap reprint, fold corners over, splash ink and paint around while I'm working and still keep my original 1930 book in excellent condition.
   
   Now then... where's my paintbrush?

No comments about Launching the Imagination 3D + CC CD-ROM v3.0.

4 comments about The Master Jewelers.

1. "Delicious", sumptuous... full of beauty! This book is for anyone who loves to look at jewelry at its best!!



2. The book offers insight into the most important jewelry designs and the artistic talents of their creators. It gives an overview and biographies of the most important jewelry artists of the recent history and how their businesses got started: Cartier, Tiffany, Van Cleef and Arpels, Lalique, Verdura, Bulgari, Boucheron etc. The photos are wonderful; I only wish there were more of them. A great book for anyone wanting to learn more about the most important jewelry creators and jewelry pieces. It is also a great way to start your own favorite jeweler/jewelry book collection and get more specific books.



3. I really enjoyed my first scan of this book and look forward to many more in-depth visits. The jewelry is absolutely breathtaking. The color photos are extremely well done.



4. It may seem an era long gone by but the art work is as vital and enthralling today. The photos are numerous and magnificent and it is a valuable addition to anyones library.

2 comments about Calder at Home: The Joyous Environment of Alexander Calder.

1. In combination, the photography and text tell an intimate story about Calder, his wife, their life together and what mattered most to them, which you readers find anywhere else. One comes away with the sense that both of them would have enjoyed and appreciated this book as much as I do. I think this is one of the best "art books" published in years.



2. I bought this book after my visit to the Calder exhibition in the National Gallery of Art in Washington in May '98. It is really a very nice book. You will discover in the book that some of the masterpieces (Spring or Romulus and Remus) seen in the exhibition were found left in Calder's studio and rearranged by the artist. You will love and enjoy this book !

2 comments about Carving Animal Caricatures (Dover Books on Woodworking & Carving).

1. STARTING OUT ESPECIALLY SOME BOOKS ARE FINE TO MOON OVER AND THINK
   "HOW DID HE DO THAT?" THIS BOOK IS A "I CAN DO THAT." I OFTEN FIND IT MISSING AS MY GIRLS LIKE TO LOOK AT IT, AND DISCUSS THE COOL CARVINGS. THEN THEY POINT OUT THERE FAVORITES. SIT THIS BOOK ON YOUR COFFEE TABLE AND ALMOST EVERYONE WILL PICK IT UP AND SPEND AT LEAST 20 MINUTES READING AND LOOKING AT IT. SEEMS CARVING APPEALS TO A BASIC HUMAN INSTINCT. PEOPLE WHO WOULD NEVER DREAM OF CARVING STILL ENJOY IT. IT IS A SOLID WELL WRITTEN BOOK. THE BOTTOM LINE THOUGH FOR CARVING IS THAT YOU HAVE TO PUT BLADE TO WOOD. ALL THE BOOKS IN THE WORLD WILL ONLY TAKE YOU SO FAR. BEBINNERS WORK SMALL AND WHEN YOU CAN A BASIC DESIGN WITH A SCROLL SAW. IT MAKES IT EASIER TO DEFINE THE SHAPE. LITTLE ANIMALS ARE GREAT PROJECTS, AND DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR EARLY STUFF LATER YOU'LL ENJOY COMPARING IT TO SEE WHERE YOU HAVE PROGRESSED.



2. This book is a great start for the beginner. Complete set-by-step instructions with 72 photos & 131 drawings to go by for the 24 projects covered. The projects are really good looking "folk-art" animal caricatures.

2 comments about Ultimate Origami Kit: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to the Art of Paper Folding.

1. The tittle says "ultimate" but the contents are far from it. There's a modest selection of traditional models and several weak original models. The diagrams are clear and easy to follow. This book is geared to the beginner but is so limited in it's scope and quality of artistic expression that it does nothing to kindle an interest in origami." Origami Treasure Chest" is a great book for beginners, with loads of fun models.Try "Easy Origami" by Montrol for similar models, or better yet get Honda's "The World of Origami", perhaps the best origami book available.



2. Easy step by step instructions. Color pictures for each step with written descriptions. Comes complete with 2 sizes of paper in many colors and one pre-folded example. Starts with simple folds, includes action projects and more complicated folds. Explains the basic folds, and common bases such as Kite, Bird, Waterbomb and more. Lots of fun right from the start.

4 comments about The Clay Lover's Guide to Making Molds: Designing, Making, Using (Lark Ceramics Book).

1. I was excited to see this book when it first came out. Read it the same day and had mixed thoughts. It is useful if you have never made a mold... but helpless if you have moderate to high experience. It is visually layed out better than anything else out there... and I keep it on the shelf for student reference. If you teach ceramics, keep it around. If you are seeking to learn mold making...it is just one of many books that you will need to peice together the real information that you will need to be a confident mold maker.

   Michael Joy
   chicagomoldschool.com




2. This well thought out guide gets right to work explaining in clear, concise steps how to construct various types of clay molds. From basic one-piece molds to complex multi-piece molds, Clayton describes their design, construction, and infinite utility. The book is loaded with excellent color and black and white photographs. Some depict the tools and process. Others show a magnificent sampling of finished products. This guide can take the average pot-throwers hobby to the next level. Makes a pretty decent coffee table book too. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.



3. Clayton has assembled instructions, guidelines and black/white assembly illustrations to make both plaster and rubber molds. Eye appeal in the form of dashingly colorful photos of ceramics of many accomplished artists is also included. His easy-to-follow instructions and pictures have answered every question I had about making plaster molds. I do have one suggestion: trying to keep your copy clean with a plastic book cover might be a good idea!



4. Author Pierce Clayton and Editor Chris Rich have assembled instructions, guidelines and black/white assembly illustrations to make both plaster and rubber molds. Eye appeal in the form of dashingly colorful photos of ceramics of many accomplished artists is also included. His easy-to-follow instructions and pictures have answered every question I had about making plaster molds. I do have one suggestion: trying to keep your copy clean with a plastic book cover might be a good idea!

1 comments about How-to Bamboo: Simple Instructions And Projects.

1. This book was first published in 1853. There are no real pictures only drawings of old style bamboo furniture. Uses old woodworking tools that don't even exist anymore. No newer techniques. Instructions only half there. They talk about trays to attach to the table, but don't say where the tray comes from. I wanted some simple instructions. These were large projects with a lot of detailed work. Big Disapointment.

2 comments about Yayoi Kusama (Contemporary Artists).

1. I love this artist, she is such an innovator, she rocks my world and as a young Japanese canadian artist i am highly influnced by her.



2. This book is absolutely gorgeous. I didn't know many of the artist's works before I bought this book - and it gave me a good understanding of her life and work. Chock full of beautiful colour photos. It's cool too because so many quality art books cost a fortune, but since this one is a softcover it's reasonably priced. As you can tell, I HIGHLY recommend this book.