No comments about Commercial Fish Decoys: Identification & Value Guide : Collectible Decoys and Implements Used in the Sport of Ice Spear Fishing.

No comments about The Vintage Era of Golf Club Collectibles: Identification & Value Guide.

4 comments about Barry Halper Collection of Baseball Memorabilia.

1. The pictures are indeed magnificent, however, I must demur about the accompanying text which does not provide appropriate, tightly written or in some instances, historically accurate information.



2. This is an incredible reference, especially for uniforms. The pictures and detail are amazing, and you can generally tell what people thought was real, and what people did not from looking at the prices. The attention to detail in the descriptions is really helpful in identifying stuff today. I wish there were more photos, and sometimes I wish there was an acknowledgement of some of the controversey surrounding some of the items. I really am in awe of the folks who put together this beautiful book, and the incredible pictures. I think this is a great starting point for anyone collecting seriously.



3. Only one word describes the catalog set.....INCREDIBLE. As a life-long baseball fan, collector, dealer, etc, this set of catalogs, pictures in beautiful crystal clear color, many of the artifacts of America's National Pasttime. Many people were upset at Halper for breaking this collection up. Contratry to that opinion, I believe breaking the collection up allowed SO many people to share in the history of the game. Five million dollars worth of collectibles were purchased by MLB for the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Twenty two million dollars worth were auction in the Sotheby's auction and an unknown amount on amazon.sothebys.com. These catalogs contain relics from every facet of the game......baseball cards dating back to the 1880's.....team and individual photos dating back even farther.....uniforms, bats, balls, gloves from nearly every hall of famer......personal trophies like triple crown, Cy Young, MVP and so much more. Nowhere will you find such a book that illustrates why Baseball is woven through the fabric of America than this catalog. The lot descriptions are carefully crafted to be both a history lesson and a thought (and pocketbook) provoking snapshot of baseball. Never again will there be such a collection amassed. No one has the access to players and probably the funds to acquire such a collection....you get a glimpse at everything important about baseball. Everything good about baseball.....you forget about the strike of 1994, you forget about the high paid cry babies of today and remember the guys that played the game for one reason.....the love of the game. There was team loyalty, work ethics, and so much more that baseball and America as a whole is sometimes seriously lacking today. Spend the bucks.....you won't regret it......



4. This is the Hall of Fame of baseball memorabilia, without equal. Halper had put together a collection of almost every baseball-related item that could be collected, and these catalogues display most of that collection, including lots of items that you never would have thought even existed. The pictures of the items are terrific, and are worth the price just by themselves. But in addition, this post-auction printing also includes the final bid prices for items in the auction, so it seves as an excellent "price guide" for rare and unusual material - memorabilia you certainly won't find in Beckett's guides or other more generic price references. And, for those of us that think of some of the final bid amounts in terms of hefty mortgages rather than hobby expenses (e.g., $305,000 for a Lou Gehrig jersey!) the book is great fodder for dreams, however unattainable they may be...

No comments about Pinball Snapshots: Air Aces To Xenon.

No comments about Beckett Almanac of Baseball Cards and Collectibles, 2008 Edition (Beckett Almanac of Baseball Cards and Collectibles).

5 comments about Beckett Almanac of Baseball Cards and Collectibles (Beckett Almanac of Baseball Cards and Collectibles, 7).

1. this book has it all. It has very concise lists of baseball cards. My husband uses it every day when cataloging his cards. It was worth the price.



2. the 2005 edition of Beckett Almanac Of Baseball Cards And Collectibles, which even includes Canadian cards from 1912 to modern times - and coins, pins, stickers, team yearbooks and more. There are thousands of photos which lend to easy identification even in black and white, there are card grading tips and guides for beginners, and each section is introduced with a specific set of notes or collector's tips. Conclude with a glossary of hobby terms and series indexes and you have a top pick which represents a virtual 'bible' - and a must for any serious baseball card collector.



3. An absolute must for the advanced collector.

   This comprehensive volume combined with Krause's Annual Standard Catalog Of Baseball Cards, are the two most important tools for anyone serious about baseball card collecting.

   My only gripe is Beckett simultaneously publishing their inferior 'Baseball Annual' at the same time. It's clearly inferior to their Almanac and borders on customer abuse offering a "lite" version for the ignorant just to make more money.

   Still, that problem issue aside, the Almanac is a must-have if you're going take your collection to the next level.




4. If you collect baseball cards you absolutely must have this book. It catalogs virtually every baseball card ever made, including variations and errors.

   Why only four stars and not five? Subtle reasons, mostly. The main reason is that this book, despite being released recently, does not do a very good job of covering the professionally graded baseball card market. This is even more surprising as Beckett does have a grading service of their own. As such, the sections covering the history of baseball cards and how to grade cards is lacking and is pretty much a reprint of what's been appearing in Beckett books like this one for over fifteen years. They really could have done a better job of modernizing those sections.

   However, as a reference book to help identity cards and give approximate values, this book cannot be beat. Buy it now!




5. This almanac continues to expand -- and become better. Each year, it has added more sets, more details and more areas of collectibles. It is about to ``outgrow'' its covers. But that will be a long-range bonus for collectors. Beckett and able company will be forced to split the book, probably taking out minor league cards. The editors have become particularly adept at adding team-issued sets. A complete checklist of McCarthy baseball cards -- rumored for No. 6 -- would be a great addition. The only improvement I would like to see would be for more details on some sets and certain variations in a set (how to tell them apart). If you are a serious collector of baseball items, this is one of the few MUST books for your book shelf. And it's getting better and better with each edition.

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

1. I've learned a lot about old fishing lures by browsing through this book. It is well worth it. I rated it four stars because some of the black and white pictures are not clear, and descriptions were a little too brief, although this could be because that's all the author had available to him. If you're new to collecting this is a great starter book.



2. I think that this book is great for someone just beginning lure collecting. It is very easy to use and understand.

1 comments about Bicycle Collectibles: with Pricing Guide (Cycling Resources).

1. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GUIDE TO HELP DETERMOINE THE VALUE OF YOUR COLLECTOR BICYCLES, FORGET IT!
   THIS BOOK HAS VERY LITTLE PRICING AND NOT MUCH IN THE WAY OF WHAT ONE WOULD CONSIDER A PRICING GUIDE.
   SAVE YOUR $$

3 comments about Dale Earnhardt Collector's Value Guide (Collector's Value Guides).

1. Dale Earnhardt Collector's Value Guide (Collector's Value Guides) GREAT BOOK,and fast shipping. This is what I have been looking for to put a dollar value on my Dale Earnhardt diecast collection.



2. This was a fine guide at the time of purchase in 2000.
   It is now 2002 and most of the values are very much out of date. If you are buying or selling be very careful...consult a current edition of Die Cast Digest. Hope CheckerBee Publishing puts out a current edition.



3. This book is great for a Dale Earnhardt fan or a race car fan. The book is mostly about him and his career, but it also features Steve Park, Dale Jr.,Michael Waltrip, the 3rd base coach of the Atlanta Braves Ned Yost, and many other former and active drivers, like Richard Petty or Bill Elliot.There is also a track guide for all the race tracks.It also talks about the crash at Daytona.There is much more. #3 is still the best!

No comments about The Sander's Price Guide to Sports Autographs: The World's Leading Autograph Pricing Authority (Sanders Price Guide to Sports Autographs).