3 comments about The Collector's Encyclopedia of Brush-McCoy Pottery: Updated Values.

1. I will agree right away that this book has some nice photography and it is not likely that the average collector will ever see some of the pottery listed in this book. Also I want to tear my hair out at times distinguishing between Nelson McCoy pottery and Bush McCoy pottery. Some of the pieces listed were apparently either made by both or they were borrowing heavily from each other. For instance I have always thought that the Princess Line from the mid-60's was a Nelson McCoy line (Page 144). So it would definitely suggest that a novice might also want to pick up Sanfords'Guide to McCoy Pottery. Just to note, the use of the name Brush Mccoy ended in the late 20's so anything made after that should be either Brush or Mccoy, not the combined name.
   
   (I also have to admit that I have a distinct fondness for the Princess Line. It is still reasonable and fits nicely with both a mid century modern decor or a more traditional decor. Plus, it is still reasonably priced.)
   
   The price guide is a separate leaflet, but as was noted elsewhere it is very outdated. The price of the older items have soared, and even the more common planters are attracting interest because of the increased interest in mid 20th century design.
   
   Finally, I have a complaint about the presentation of information in the book. One of the main reasons to buy a guide such as this is the identification of unmarked pieces. A great deal of the early Brush pottery was unmarked. A good way to identify unmarked pottery is by looking at the bottom of the pot. The way the pottery is finished can give good hints about maker and age. Good photographs of the bottom of some of these pieces would be very helpful in identification.



2. This is a well organized reference to Bush-McCoy. It contains a history of Bush-McCoy; this added knowledge adds to the fun of collecting and allow you to sound more like you know what you are doing. Then there are pages on the different "marks" of the pottery. There is a dated value guide. But I find it easer to do my own comparing. The big plus is the color pictures that show what is available. For those discriminate people that do not just buy anything that says Bush-McCoy there is an index. It is also fun to see you Bush-McCoy pieces in the book.



3. This book is a must for collectors of Brush-McCoy pottery. The pictures are beautiful and the information offered is just great. A large number of different pieces of Brush-McCoy pottery are shown but this book does not show every piece of pottery made by Brush-McCoy. I was very pleased with this book.

No comments about Watch Me Build a Sandcastle (Welcome Books).

No comments about Club Without Walls: Selections from the Journals of Philip Pavia.

1 comments about 86 Cane Patterns: For the Woodcarver (Schiffer Book for Woodcarvers).

1. Here again, Tom Wolfe has put out a book of patterns that should be regarded more as a collection of sketches. The drawings in his book are single-side views only and in no way represent true patterns for a wood carver.

   Again, Mr. Wolfe states in his introduction that he prefers to work from the single view, as if that's the way the rest of the world should operate simply because he does. Mr Wolfe should realize that the people who buy these books are usually beginners in the field and many of us don't have the artistic ability to draw the other needed views ourselves. To anyone other than an experienced artist, woodcarver, this book is pretty worthless.

   I wouldn't recommend it at all and it makes me angry that someone with Mr. Wolfe's talent and reputation would publish something like this and call it a book of patterns.

4 comments about Cut and Make Japanese Masks (Cut-Out Masks).

1. Fun book, Brillant and colorful. Should be a fun thing with Children,
   Large and well presented.



2. The cover of this book makes the masks look intricate and impressive. On the inside, they look cartoonish. For a Halloween costume, I had more success by blowing up photos of Noh masks on a photocopier and then cutting out the eyes.



3. You may get the idea from the cover that the masks inside are intricately made from cutting or folding multiple sheets of paper. However, with the exception of the one mask shown on the cover, they are all made from single sheets. Any 3-D effect is achieved almost exclusively through shading on the prints. Apart from that, simple triangular cuts are made in the corners of each mask so they dome slightly rather than lie flat. I found that disappointing. I'd recommend the book for young children, but it definately has nothing to offer to adults or origami enthusiasts. ...



4. Very realistic and real size paper masks of Japan. Most of masks are from traditional Noh plays. I'm taking a class of folklore in Miyazaki Municipal Collage, and the lecturer Ms. Fusako Izumi, who has been studying masks and puppets for 30 years, told me that it's really nice book with correct details. She wanted to use it as material in college class! Even in Japan, there's no such kind of books to get the concepts of traditional masks easily. It's a pity that one of masks seems to be more Korean rather than Japanese.

1 comments about Eternal Ancestors: The Art of the Central African Reliquary (Metropolitan Museum of Art Publications).

1. "Eternal Ancestors: The Art of the Central African Reliquary" is an outstanding volume worth adding to the collection of anyone interested in African Tribal Art. The color plates alone of Fang, Embette, and Kota Reliquarys make the price (low for a book of this magnitude) worth while.
   Highly recommended.

2 comments about European Designer Jewelry/a Schiffer Book for Collectors (Design).

1. There are not enough superlatives to describe this book. The photos leap from the page and are simply splendid. The author is knowledgabe and writes in a clear, understandable manner. Covered well are famous designers plus those designers who are relatively unheard of in America but who produce a quality portfolio of work.
   
   This is one of my prized books and would be the last I would ever part with. If there was a 10 star rating, this book would have earned it!



2. Compendium of knowledge about designers of European jewelry. Very useful for the collectors and historians of art. Many (some hundreds!) of great pictures of jewelry.

2 comments about Turning Pens and Desk Accessories.

1. The book is adequate if you want a brief, step by step, follow the picture book. If you want any real information the I sugest that you find a copy of "turning pens and pencils" by Christensen and Burningham. It covers the topic in much greater detail, with a much larger gallery.
   As for the details of this book. There is four pages of text, followed by a short and basic lathe section (how to use tools and the lathe) and then a 40 page section on turning the various items. This sounds impressive, but each page contains 2-4 photos with very little explination. With this book, you will be able to turn a pen quite adequately, but you will only have "enough to get by with."
   Basically, it is a nice addition to your library and a good primer, but if you can have only one book, go with something else.



2. I am researching information on pen turning on the wood lathe. This book is short on words, but long on beautiful full color photographs that show you how. There are pictures showing each step in the process along with a brief caption that explains the steps. The finished product is shown to depict the end result. Instructions are shown for various types of pens as well as letter openers, perfume dispenser pens, and magnifying glasses. Short sections also explain the tools and lathes that are best to use for the projects. Highly recommend this book to the beginner pen maker, or someone that wants to see the beauty of various materials used.

1 comments about Antique Garden Ornament.

1. At long last, an authoritative book on garden ornament in America! Barbara Israel delivers a beautiful tome with scholarly punch in her Antique Garden Ornament: Two Centuries of American Taste. Many books exist on gardens and landscape history, but none addresses the issue of the statues, fountains, and furniture used within them with such depth and clarity as Ms. Israel. In addition to the chapters themselves, the catalogue of objects in the back of the book and the list of makers provide a greatly needed reference for this growing field. I highly recommend this book.

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.