3 comments about Fishing Lure Collectibles: An Encyclopedia of the Modern Era.

1. This work, as the title notes, includes lures from 1940 to a relative recent period. Do remember that lures change almost of a monthly basis with new products being introduced constantly. Also remember that NO WORK can possibly list them all. I recently added this volume to my collection and have been delighted.
   
   First, I must confess that I do not use they type of lures that are featured in this wonderful book. I gave up this type of fishing years and years ago and only trout fish using flies now. Never-the-less, fishing gear, any fishing gear, absolutely fascinates me and I love looking at the stuff. But that is not the primary reason I own this and quite a number of other books of its ilk.
   
   I have for years bought and sold these things; in part to make money, but more so because it is a nice hobby and I get to meet many nice people. When you buy and sell such things, I have found it is best to know a bit about them. This work goes along way in assisting me in this need for knowledge. There is a lot of money to be made in this hobby, but conversely, there is a lot of money to be lost if you know not what you are doing.
   
   Secondly, I paint and draw. One of my primary subjects for still-life paintings and drawings is fishing lures. Now always having the actually lure in front of me is a bit of a handicap, and to be frank quite impossible because some of these fishing lures are quite rare and I have absolutely no access to them, but lacking the best thing, i.e. the actual lure, the photographs in this work are by far the second best thing to use. The color is extremely accurate as is the quality of the photographs; sharp, clear and detailed. I have found that the measurements provided by the authors to be extremely accurate. Using this work, I am able to reproduce very nice reproductions on canvas, paper or what ever material I choose...I have even used gourds from time to time. The clear and concise text accompanying each photograph provides invaluable information, both technical and background wise.
   
   I like my paintings to be as accurate and authentic as possible and this work gives me the edge I need.
   
   Now the only warning I might give to those who contemplate purchasing this work is that the prices or worth assigned to each lure can be misleading. As with any other collectable or antique, any given piece is only worth what someone is willing to give for it or willing to part with it for. Yes, the prices given here do give you a ballpark figure and a starting point, but just because the book states the lure is worth a thousand dollars and you find one in your grandfather's lure box, does not mean that you will be able to run out the door and sell it for that much. Likewise, if you plan to buy a particular piece, I certainly would not start the bargaining process at the prices given here. But all that is common sense and really does not distract from this work what so ever. NO BOOK gives you prices that are written in stone! Trust me, I know about such matters. Another warning her for the would be collector: Due to the price of some of these objects, there is a very large knock-off and counterfeit market out there right now...do be careful and do your homework. Some of these people are quite good at what they do!
   
   The book is well arranged by manufacturer, maker or company and it is rather easy to find what you are looking for. Do keep in mind that no one book can possibly cover all of the thousands upon thousands of lures that have been manufactured or hand made over the years, but hey...you have to start somewhere. I also like the way the authors have included the history of these item which is an education within itself.
   
   On the less practical side, this is just a fun book for those interested in such things to simply brows through. Many wintery evening can be spent going over this work using it as either a "wish list" or just for the pure joy of seeing and learning. You know, if you look at it from a certain angle, the reader can learn much concerning the minds of men and the minds of the fish he or she pursues just by looking at what has been created to try to lure these tricky critters onto the stringer.
   
   If this is an area of interest for you, then this is one of those must have books to add to your collection and I do highly recommend it.



2. I am very happy with this book and another companion book by the same author. This book is a very useful reference to the range of lures manufactured through recent times. I refer to it all the time when I am buying fishing lures on ebay etc. I can't compare it to other books as these are the only lure collecting books that I own. Great photos too.



3. Fishing Lure Collectibles: An Encyclopedia Of The Modern Era, 1940 To Present by Dudley and Deanie Murphy is an in-depth illustrated compendium showcasing the great variety of fishing lures which have been developed from 1940 to the present time. Featuring the many intricate details and specifics which characterizes each of the presented lures, Fishing Lure Collectibles introduces the reader to literally hundreds of lures along with such details as their name, date released, length, a color photograph, short notes, and a price value, Fishing Lure Collectibles really delves into an unknown analysis of the world of fishing lures and their historical background. From the Glitter Bug released in 1944 to the Redhorse Spearing Decoy in 2003, Fishing Lure Collectibles truly is the ultimate guide and encyclopedia of fishing lures since the year 1940, and is very strongly recommended to all collectors of lures, as well as general fishermen.

1 comments about Beckett Racing Collectibles Price Guide 2010.

1. Eventhough the NHRA section is small compared to the NASCAR section, there are 5 (five) items in my personal collection that don't seem to be listed.
   I have left a phone message with Beckett and have not had an answer.
   I would love for the publication to have a column that gives a value on autographed items but, there is not one.

3 comments about Fishing Lure Collectibles: An Encyclopedia of the Early Yrs..

1. First, I must confess that I do not use they type of lures that are featured in this wonderful book. I gave up this type of fishing years and years ago and only trout fish using flies now. Never-the-less, fishing gear, any fishing gear, absolutely fascinates me and I love looking at the stuff. But that is not the primary reason I own this and quite a number of other books of its ilk.
   
   I have for years bought and sold these things; in part to make money, but more so because it is a nice hobby and I get to meet many nice people. When you buy and sell such things, I have found it is best to know a bit about them. This work goes along way in assisting me in this need for knowledge. There is a lot of money to be made in this hobby, but conversely, there is a lot of money to be lost if you know not what you are doing.
   
   Secondly, I paint and draw. One of my primary subjects for still-life paintings and drawings is fishing lures. Now always having the actually lure in front of me is a bit of a handicap, and to be frank quite impossible because some of these fishing lures are quite rare and I have absolutely no access to them, but lacking the best thing, i.e. the actual lure, the photographs in this work are by far the second best thing to use. The color is extremely accurate as is the quality of the photographs; sharp, clear and detailed. I have found that the measurements provided by the authors to be extremely accurate. Using this work, I am able to reproduce very nice reproductions on canvas, paper or what ever material I choose...I have even used gourds from time to time. The clear and concise text accompanying each photograph provides invaluable information, both technical and background wise.
   
   I like my paintings to be as accurate and authentic as possible and this work gives me the edge I need.
   
   Now the only warning I might give to those who contemplate purchasing this work is that the prices or worth assigned to each lure can be misleading. As with any other collectable or antique, any given piece is only worth what someone is willing to give for it or willing to part with it for. Yes, the prices given here do give you a ballpark figure and a starting point, but just because the book states the lure is worth a thousand dollars and you find one in your grandfather's lure box, does not mean that you will be able to run out the door and sell it for that much. Likewise, if you plan to buy a particular piece, I certainly would not start the bargaining process at the prices given here. But all that is common sense and really does not distract from this work what so ever. NO BOOK gives you prices that are written in stone! Trust me, I know about such matters. Another warning her for the would be collector: Due to the price of some of these objects, there is a very large knock-off and counterfeit market out there right now...do be careful and do your homework. Some of these people are quite good at what they do!
   
   The book is well arranged by manufacturer, maker or company and it is rather easy to find what you are looking for. Do keep in mind that no one book can possibly cover all of the thousands upon thousands of lures that have been manufactured or hand made over the years, but hey...you have to start somewhere. I also like the way the authors have included the history of these item which is an education within itself.
   
   On the less practical side, this is just a fun book for those interested in such things to simply brows through. Many wintery evening can be spent going over this work using it as either a "wish list" or just for the pure joy of seeing and learning. You know, if you look at it from a certain angle, the reader can learn much concerning the minds of men and the minds of the fish he or she pursues just by looking at what has been created to try to lure these tricky critters onto the stringer.
   
   If this is an area of interest for you, then this is one of those must have books to add to your collection and I do highly recommend it.
   
   Don Blankenship
   The Ozarks



2. Another lure book, if you like fishing (or even better if you are an addict like me) you will find this book interesting. It will send you to sleep if you don't like fishing or the history associated with the ways and means of catching fish. Like other companion books, these are beautifully presented with nice photo's and informative text. Sorry I haven't done a book review since high school.



3. Any collector interested in antique fishing lures and the history of fishing lure production will find all the answers in Fishing Lure Collectibles, a clear guide to a notoriously difficult collecting hobby focus. Two experts provide clear details in Fishing Lure Collectibles: An Encyclopedia of the Early Years, 1840 to 1940. Each manufacturer's items are surveyed along with history, individuals who purchased patent rights from companies, changes in bait quality and production standards, and more. Not to be missed.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

5 comments about Old Fishing Lures & Tackle: Identification & Value Guide.

1. Excellent book....exactly what we were looking for...in perfect condition!!! Thanks so much. It does just what it says - lets you know the values of older lures.



2. You will almost certainly want to own this undeniably excellent book, for it remains the best of its ilk. HOWEVER, no actually published copy of it (the 7th, current edition) is actually "All Color;" it does NOT include "2,500 full-color photos." Not only did I order and receive a new copy via an "Amazon Marketplace" seller, but also I (subsequently) ordered and received a new copy directly from Amazon. In each instance the book I actually received was what I'll describe in the next two paragraphs.
   
   Only after I finally phoned this book's publisher (Krause Publications) was I eventually informed (a couple of days later) that the front-cover image displayed (as of this writing) at the top of Amazon's webpage for this product is NOT identical to the actually published book. Instead, in the upper-right corner of the front cover, the actual book says: "1500 Color Photos." Moreover, on the actual book there's no circular "inset" (graphic) at the upper-right within the front-cover photo.
   
   On the rear cover of the actual book it says "1,500 color photos" and "more than 5000 listings and updated prices." As you turn the pages of the book, you'll generally see from one to several COLOR photos, but the rest of the photos on that page will be black-and-white. Overall, an impressively high percentage (but far from all) of the photos are color. Moreover, ALL the lure photos are sufficiently sharp and pleasing. [Nonetheless, I do hope that all FUTURE editions will be ENTIRELY in color; competing lure books (encompassing, however, significantly fewer lure listings) already have adopted ALL-COLOR formats.]
   
   I suspect that the aforementioned webpage discrepancies in the cover art and text description of this 7th edition weren't the fault of any independent vendors (e.g., Amazon); most likely the publisher didn't provide entirely correct information to the vendor (?). In any case, the publisher's representative also mentioned to me (in an email) that they would be notifying Amazon about that situation. I hope so.
   
   Nonetheless, I repeat that this 7th edition is a (or, arguably, "the") book that virtually anybody interested in collectible fishing lures absolutely SHOULD own. [That said, the content of the comparably sized 5th (1999) and 6th (2002) editions of Old Fishing Lures & Tackle: Identification and Value Guide aren't all THAT far behind and could still merit consideration in their own respective rights--except that their lure-pricing information isn't nearly as current. But I don't any longer recommend any edition earlier than the 5th, primarily because there's just not nearly as many lure listings.]



3. If you only buy one book on vintage and collectable lures, this is the one!



4. This is a very helpful book on pricing lures. I take every time I go to a sale. I so know how much to pay.



5. Great book if you are into collecting and/or buying and selling fishing lures. Tons of info, pictures, and values of lures. Definately worth every penny.

5 comments about Antique & Collectible Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide.

1. have looked for a book that has everything i'm interested in. i found it in this book



2. This book may be okay for someone who wants a short, incomplete reference guide on the subject of collectible fishing rods and their appoximate value. This is not a guide that gives you much information about which antique rods are worth buying if you are intent on fishing them. Some kind of information as to what weight fly line should be used on each rod and what the original rod 's intended use was (dry fly, wet fly, bass, trout, saltwater species, large or small stream etc). The list of rods reviewed is very incomplete, especially some of the more popular mass produced rods. For me, this book was a disappointment. It however, may be what you are looking for.



3. While Homel's book is helpful in giving a general idea of a fishing rod's value, there are some gaps in information. For one, the material is four or five years old and collectible rods have skyrocketed in price in that time frame. So the dollar amounts placed on rods are not very realistic. Secondly, I have found that there are sizes and models of fly rods that are not included in the listings of the various rod makers or manufacturers. This can be a little frustrating when one has purchased, or is about to purchase a rod and cannot find any reference to it in the book.



4. This book was perfect for the avid rod collector. The photos and detail were great and easy to compare your own rods to theirs listed in the book. Highly recommend.



5. I have 7 antique/vintage fishing rods and none of them were in there. Also, the prices were separate from the descriptions so I couldn't tell what I was pricing.

2 comments about Warman's Fishing Lures Field Guide: Values And Identification.

1. Purchased as a stocking stuffer for a son-in-law who collects antique fishing lures.
   He loved it!



2. This book is a great little resource. I purchased it for my Dad for Christmas. He is an avid fisherman who has started collecting vintage fishing lures for the past few years. When garage sale season comes around, he and my Mom like to go look for treasures. When he opened this little book for Christmas, he was so excited. He did not put it down for hours. He said the descriptions and illustrations were great. He also stated that there were a lot of lures in this little field manual that he did not have in his larger resource books. He loved the fact that it was small enough to keep in his pocket when he's going to garage sales!

No comments about Bird Decoys of North America: Nature, History, and Art.

3 comments about Antique Golf Collectibles Identification & Value Guide.

1. Nicely written and lots of pictures but after reading one time the binder
   fell apart and the pages came out. I threw it away.



2. This was a great item, a putter you can assemble with a great case. Quick shipment too



3. Pete Georgiady's Antique Golf Collectibles Identification & Value Guide is also a specialty collector's reference which might reach well into the sports/golfing area as well: clubs, balls, books, ceramics and memorabilia are all listed and detailed in a guide which packs color photos by Richard Walker with values and surveys of themes. Even comic books which feature golf plots, such as Felix the Cat from the mid-1950s, are included, leaving no topic uncovered.

1 comments about Fishing Collectibles: Identification & Price Guide.

1. If you arew into old fishing, especially fishing reels then this book is a must have.

5 comments about Collecting Sports Legends: The Ultimate Hobby Guide.

1. Sports card collecting as been an enduringly popular hobby since their advent in the mid-19th century down to the present age. A 376-page compendium, "Collecting Sports Legends" author Joe Orlando provided insightful commentaries while showcasing more than 375 sports cards, some of them truly legendary, many of them extremely valuable, and all of them memorable ephemeria in celebration of outstanding athletes in their chosen fields of sport. Superbly and profusely illustrated throughout out, "Collecting Sports Legends" begins with an informative introduction, 'Ten Tips for Building a Collection', and 'Cardboard Classics: A Look Inside the Top 250 Sportscards in the Hobby'. Then this fascinating repository launches into Orlando's ranking of the twenty most important cards, following grouping sports cards into their own separate categories of baseball, basketball, football, hockey, boxing, golf, and miscellaneous. The next section is 'Building a Dream: A Look at Collecting the Top 30 complete Sets in the Hobby' by Brian Bigelow; 'Collecting Sports Autographs' by Rob Rosen; and 'The Top 100 Autographs in the Hobby' by Steve Grad. More informative sections by Joe Orlando follow including 'Legendary Lumber: A Look at Collecting Game-Used Bats'; The Top 40 Game-Used Bats in the Hobby'; 'Collecting Sports Tickets'; 'Top 15 Sports Tickets in the Hobby'; and 'Tempting Treasures: A Look at Collecting Unopened Packs'. Of special note is the concluding section, 'The Tope 25 Unopened Packs in the Hobby' by Steve Hart. Informed and informative, certain to be a popular addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Antique/Collectibles reference collections, "Collecting Sports Legends" is a 'must' for the novice sports collector and has a great deal to offer even the more experienced and dedicated sports collecting enthusiast. Above all else, "Collecting Sports Legends' is a terrific browse for anyone who has ever laid claim to a sports card collection of their own!



2. This is a beautiful collection of photographs and information on the most desirable cards in the sports collecting hobby. I'll never be able to own most of these beauties, but the book is a good substitute.



3. SOME OF THE BEST AND GREATEST CARDS AND COLLECTIBLES THE HOBBY HAS TO OFFER ARE SHOWN. FROM HONUS WAGNER,THE BABE, AND MANY,MANY OTHER HALL OF FAMERS.THE BEST OF THE BEST IN EVERY MAJOR SPORT IS COVERED AND VIEWED IN THIS WONDERFUL HOBBY GUIDE.



4. This book provides an excellent overview of the sports card and memorabilia industry. Fantastic images of the great cards in the hobby really stand out! Recommended for novices, hobby veterans, or women who wonder why grown men are so interested in little pictures of athletes on cardboard.



5. I had a chance to meet Joe Orlando a couple of years ago, and he was quite charismatic. His latest tome, Collecting Sports Legends, was a great read and featured some fantastic card/player images. Aspiring card collectors would be well-served by obtaining a copy for themselves, and they should pay close attention to Mr. Orlando's suggestions for a thematic collection.