2 comments about Decoys: North America's One Hundred Greatest.

1. I found this book one of the most inspirational books for a carver that is interested in wildfoul carving.My friends that do not carve enjoyed the book for the pictures and history.I would definitely suggest it to anyone,it makes a good coffee table and reference book.



2. This is a great book to view some fascinating decoys. I only wished that the text would go into more detail. Overall this is a great decoy book

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

1. 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.



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. This book is a great reference for the serious rod collector or antique dealer that is in need of expert information about evaluating old bamboo rods. The author includes a good sampling of close-up B&W photographs covering many of the historic rod makers. Old patent drawings are used to explain various rod designs and component functions. A comprehensive chapter is devoted to common rod defects to look for and how each one might lower the collectible value of a rod. The back of the book contains a 32 page rod price guide listing which is helpful in formulating an approximate appraisal of value. A very worthwhile addition to any tackle collector's library of reference materials.



5. Got this book to help me understand more about a number of rods bought at auction. Although helpful, it spoke more about what a perfect rod should be. It has a price guide, but limited pictures to cross reference to. Most collectors will not run into the perfect rod so it was hard to compare. Book is not tailored for the person new to collecting rods. It would be better for the new person with more pictures and more educational background.

5 comments about Fishing Lure Collectibles, Vol. 1: An Identification and Value Guide to the Most Collectible Antique Fishing Lures (Fishing Lure Collectibles, 2nd Ed).

1. I am very happy with this book. It tells me about all the fishing lures made back when adam was a boy....



2. This book is really gorgeous on the outside and even more so on the inside. It has in depth descriptions of the different types of lures and their parts and gives great incite on how to date such lures and parts. The print is is large and bold and the color pictures are stunningly printed on heavy bond glossy paper. There are pictures throughout the book of just about every lure imaginable. I promise you will not be disappointed.



3. Well done! I use this book constantly. Well illustrated and good discriptions.



4. This reference has been a great tool for us. We collect antique lures and have learned what to look for and what it's worth. We have found just about every lure in our collection in this book. Would reccomend to anyone with the hobby!



5. We are generally disappointed in sequels but this 2nd edition IS AN EXCEPTION. The hobby's rarest and unusual Lures are pictured in vivid color with a short history. Set this one on your coffee table and your guests are instantly "hooked". If you are a collector or simply enjoy angling history, this one is definitly a "MUST HAVE"...

No comments about 100 Baseball Icons: From the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

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

1. 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.



2. This is a great reference book. All the colored photo's are a great update from the 6th edition. The book contais basic history on lures by manufacturer. This is a must have for lure collectors.



3. i have started to collect lures and this book has been very helpful good book great shiping fast service



4. We have a previous edition and wanted to update. This edition does not have anything but lures, no reels!

2 comments about Antique Golf Collectibles: Identification & Value Guide.

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



2. 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.

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

1. As a lure collector, I have several identification guides.
   This book gets used more than the rest, simply because it is more an identification guide than a Value guide. (Sure, it has book value included(which means nothing compared to auction values), but, it also has way more information on the lures and companies themselves than most other ID books).
   If you are looking for a complete library (if you want almost any lure identification at your fingertips--or in your head , as you learn about them all--), then you should definately include this one.
   But (always a "but"), this book doesn't cover too many of the "small name" companies out there, or folk arts, nor many flies. But, if it's a top name company (Heddon, Creek Chub, South Bend, Shakespeare, etc.), you will find it in this book, up until 1975.
   You cannot go wrong with this book...and if mine ever wears away with use, I'll keep purchasing new copies as needed.



2. This is one of the better guides. I really could not do business without it. You certainly will not be wasting your money on this one. Highly recommed it for the collector, dealer and those just interested.



3. my husband received an old tackle box full of lures from a friend who just did not want it any more. we knew there were some from the early 20's to 40's,other than that we knew nothing about them. we found several books we thought might help us. we had a tough time deciding between this one and several others on amazon. at the last min we decided to get this one and are we glad. has wonderful history, easy to use index. it is a wealth of information. we have identified dozens of tackle. this book is HIGHLY recommended if you have alot of old lures.



4. HAVE HAD LOTS OF LUCK FINDING GRANDPA'S LURES AND WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO THOSE WISHING TO IDENTIFY OLD LURES. MY ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT PAGES HAVE BEGAN TO FALL OUT OF THE BOOK CREATING A BIT OF A MESS.



5. THIS BOOK WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL. FOUND GRANDAD'S TACKLE BOXES FROM THE 50'S. THIS BOOK ALLOWED ME TO IDENTIFY 98 OUT OF 139 TOTAL LURES, FLIES, AND OTHER ITEMS. (HIS PEACH PIT AND BANDAID WERE NOT LISTED.) THIS BOOK HAS STARTED A HOBBY WHICH I HOPE TO PASS DOWN TO MY CHILDREN. COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THIS MASSIVE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE! THANKS C.F. LUCKEY AND AMAZON.COM!

4 comments about The Encyclopedia of Professional Wrestling: 100 Years of History, Headlines & Hitmakers (Encyclopedia of Professional Wrestling).

1. For all the wrestling fans out there, this book is awesome! great facts and details.



2. I was looking for a book that would be a complete history of wrestling, but there doesn't seem to be one out there. This book has lots of good photos, including memorabilia such as ads & publicity photos, but there's a lot missing here. Only the briefest of bios are provided (I wish it included at least year of birth, height, weight), some major wrestlers are omitted entirely, & there's no index. Unlike a "real" encyclopedia, most of the book is not arranged alphabetically (only the "Slamographies" section is alphabetized), so an index would be useful. I'm mostly a fan of 1950s - 1960s wrestlers, so I wanted to find information on the old stars, but this book misses some of the biggest attractions of that era (like Haystacks Calhoun). A worthy addition to your wrestling reference library, but will somebody please write a definitive encyclopedia on this subject?



3. This book is pretty good. It has a lot of really neat picture and tons of good facts and stories. Any wrestling fan should own it. There are several spelling mistakes, however, which make the bok seem like an amateur effort. Overall, still worth reading and owning



4. The authors of "Professional Wrestling", Kristian Pope and Ray Whebbe have outdone themselves with this one. If you are a wrestling fan, young or old, long time or new, there is something in this book (actually a whole lot of things), to keep you interested for a long time to come. My favorite chapters were the "Ring Beauties" and "Slamographies", the former because there is not a lot of press about the ladies around and over the years they have had a profound influence on the "sport" both in the ring and behind the scenes. The last chapter "Slamographies" tells you every thing you ever wanted to know about every wrestler that has made some sort of impact on the sport. I am going to test my wrestling fan friends with the info presented here and maybe pick up a few bucks in the process. Great Stuff - Thank you Kris & Ray

1 comments about Warman's Duck Decoys: Identification And Price Guide.

1. This is a very disappointing "catalogue" of no-so-recent aucton house catalogue photos and descriptions (some makers incorrectly identified) and a few batches of collections contributed from here and there. Anyone interested in St. Clair Flats, Ontario, Ohio and Michigan area decoys should definely save their money. Worse than Lucky's guides.

4 comments about Baseball as America : Seeing Ourselves Through Our National Game.

1. "Baseball as America: Seeing Ourselves Through Our National Game" was the companion volume the landmark traveling exhibition from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. As its thesis this book takes Jacques Barzun's declaration "Who ever wants to know the heart and mind of American had better learn baseball." Within these 320 pages you will find yourself exploring every aspect of the American pastime lavishly illustrated and even long time baseball fans will be surprised at how much they will read and see that is new to them.

   After an introduction by Jules Tygiel, which features a 1860 Currier and Ives lithograph showing Lincoln and his opponents for the presidency describing their platforms in baseball terms, "Baseball as America" is divided into seven units: Our National Spirit, Ideals and Injustices, Rooting for the Team, Enterprise and Opportunity, Sharing a Common Culture, Invention and Ingenuity, and Weaving Myths. Within these pages you will find Robert K. Adair explaining the science of the curve ball invented by Candy Cummings but first explained by a 23 year old Isaac Newton and Paul Simon explaining to Joe DiMaggio his use of Joltin' Joe's name as an emblematic icon in the song "Mrs. Robinson." There is Dan Shaughnessy's "Obituary of Elizabeth Dooley" the legendary Boston Red Sox fan and Buck O'Neil explaining how the Chicago Cubs traded away future Hall of Famer Lou Brock because the team already had three black outfielders. Then there are the letters Curt Flood and Bowie Kuhn exchanged when the outfielder refused to be traded from the Cardinals to the Phillies. You might remember Flood's letter from Ken Burns' documentary "Baseball," but here we have Kuhn's response.

   Of course Ernest L. Thayer's ballad of the republic "Casey at the Bat" will be found here, along with a Charles Schulz "Peanuts" cartoon of Charlie Brown praying to catch a baseball, Bob Newhart's "Nobody Will Every Play Baseball" routine, and excerpts from W.P. Kinsella's "Shoeless Joe." There are photographs of the famous Honus Wagner T206 1909 baseball card, Eddie Gaedel's 1/8 St. Louis Browns jersey, Shoeless Joe Jackson's shoes, Lou Gehrig on the cover of a program from the American baseball tour of Japan in 1931, "Babe Ruth Underwear," and the patent and model for F.W. Thayer's 1878 catcher's mask. Then there is the poster of the elephants playing baseball for the Barnum & Bailey Circus.

   Then there is the juxtaposition of words and images: Joe Raposos's lyrics to the Frank Sinatra song "There Used to Be a Ballpark" with a photograph of the demolition of the Polo Grounds. There is an excerpt from Bernard Malamud's "The Natural" with the cowbell Hilda Chester used at Ebbets Field and a photograph of Andre Dawson's final visit to Wrigley Field. A photo of Satchel Paige of the Kansas City Monarchs warming up at Yankee Stadium and Ted Williams' 1966 induction speech at the Hall of Fame where he surprised the crowd with his call to honor the stars of the Negro Leagues. A letter from Fiorello LaGuardia in 1945 about a committee formed to end segregation in baseball opposite a pair of photographs showing black kids and white kids clutching Walter Johnson board games and waiting to meet their favorite baseball star.

   The back of the book includes a list of the selections from the collection broken down into baseballs (handmade ball made by Babe Ruth at school), baseball cards (1952 Topps Mickey Mantle), bats (George Brett's "pine tar" bat), books, booklets, and periodicals (comic book "Roy Campanella Baseball Hero"), broadsides, handbills, and posters (handbill urging integration of the New York Yankees), caps (Hideo Nomos no-hitter cap), cartoons ("Base Ball as Viewed by a Muffin" from 1867), communications equipment (Red Barber's first microphone), decorative art (theater lobby card for "The Jackie Robinson Story"), fan art and fine art ("Tom Seaver" by Andy Warhol), games and toys ("darktown battery" cast iron mechanical bank from 1888), gloves and mitts (Yogi Berra's mitt from Don Larsen's perfect World Series game), jerseys and uniforms (1976 Chicago White Sox Bermuda shorts), jewelry (charm bracelet made from championship jewelry given by Lou Gehrig to his wife), letters and documents (All-Star ballot filled out by Casel Stengel), medical-related items (ethyl chloride numbing spray), merchandise (Reggie Bar wrapper), miscellaneous equipment (prototype JUGS Speed Gun), programs and scorecards (program for first Colored World Series), sheet music and records (1908 Edison Wax cylinder record of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and magic lantern slide), shoes (worn by Ty Cobb), souvenirs (1961 button, "I'm for Maris--60 in '61), stadium equipment/artifacts (turnstile from the Polo Grounds), tickets and season passes (ticket to Lou Gehrig Day), and trophies and awards (Cy Young Award given to Sandy Koufax).

   So you can get a very good idea of what you missed out from the traveling exhibit. Of course this is a fraction of what was on the tour and while less than half of what is included on these six pages makes its way into "Baseball as America" just looking over the list can be fun. The tour, of course, is long over, but if you have never been to Cooperstown, or if it has been a while since you have been to the Baseball Hall of Fame, then be forewarned because this book will make you want to go and visit all of the baseball treasures on display.




2. This book is an excellent companion piece to the Baseball as American travelling exhibit (www.....org). The pictures included (like any National Geographic piece) are first rate. The included stories are from a diverse group, from sportswriters to former players. However, that's where the book takes a bad turn. The articles are inconsistent in style and quality, and for anyone who enjoys baseball, it's painful to read. This book is required for anyone who loves the game, but I wouldn't recommend it to casual fans.



3. From the eye catching cover to the inspired essays and beautiful photographs inside, this book is a delight. All that was missing was the hot dog and beer. A great gift for fellow baseball fanatics! Go White Sox!



4. Book is very nicely presented with many great illustrations, pictures, and excerpts from notable authors. Great book for the casual or diehard baseball fan. This book covers the terrific exhibit now showing at New York City's Museum of American History. Check it out. It's very worthwhile.