1 comments about Betsy McCall: A Collector's Guide With Values.

1. As a primarily modern Betsy collector, I was thrilled at the vast amount of information on the Tonner Betsy dolls, and loved seeing the vintage outfits and dolls pictured in the book. Marci has really done her homework, this is one fabulous book!

2 comments about Modern Toys: American Toys 1930-1980.

1. I was pleasantly surprised to see several of my toy concepts presented in Ms. Baker's book, "Modern Toys". As Vice President of Product Concept & Development for Creative Playthings of CBS Toys, in the late 70's, when the broadcast giant also delivered quality educational and learning toys and games, my group birthed what I now frequently grace the tables of flea-markets and yard-sales. One series, "Block Family", is represented in the "Who-Sit?" category, to which I quickly responded with patent details for Linda's "next book", which I sincerely hope she may produce. I grew up with many of the classics in her array, and applaude her for preserving, at least in print, memories for millions of youngsters, of a more simpler period in childhood-Americana.

   Mattiene'Moustakas Industrial Design & Invention Box 251-University Station Syracuse NY 13210-0251




2. This book has a selection of toy pictures from all the big toy manufactuers, with an extensive section on Fisher Price, both for little people and their earlier push toys. A great book to go to for reference when I am checking on a set's piece count or number. The color pictures are wonderful, but coverage can be spotty....that is, not all toy manufacturers and their lines are as fully represented as I would like them to be. Nevertheless, this is one of my main toy reference books. Feel free to email me if you would like to know how well a certain manufacturer is represented, and I will be happy to look it up for you.

1 comments about Simon & Halbig Dolls: The Artful Aspect.

1. I was disappointed that more head mold numbers were not available. I will need to look elsewhere to continue my research.

No comments about Instant Expert: Collecting Toy Trains (Collecting Toy Trains (Instant Expert)).

No comments about Holidays: Toys and Decorations.

No comments about Buying and Selling Celebrity Dolls: Price Guide.

5 comments about Airfix: Celebrating 50 Years of the World's Greates Plastic Kits (Airfix Products).

1. When I was a kid building kits from the local hobby shop, it never interested me where they came from, or how they were made. Now, thanks to this book I've learned there are fascinating stories behind how those little bits of plastic ended up in the store to tempt me. This book is filled with behind-the-scenes details of how those little kits in the plastic bags got to the stores all those years ago. It's a brilliant read, too. Not too stuffy or serious. Just right. And filled with great photos of kits you'll remember, and some you've never seen. Excellent stuff!



2. If you grew up loving models and model airplanes, you probably built at least one Airfix kit. If the dramatic box top illustration encouraged you to dig a little deeper into your pocket and purchase that kit, you probably have Roy Cross to thank. Some of these models became prized display pieces, others met an untimely fate at the mercy of a book of matches or firecrackers.

   Just about every Airfix kit you remember, and several you may have forgotten, are presented. The pictures brought back many fond memories, and the text gave me a fine overview of the history of the company and its kits. Yes, there are better detailed and more modern kits available in hobby stores today, but the old-fashioned offerings of Airfix, heavy-handed rivet detail, thick canopies and all continue to hold a special place in the hearts of those of us who have been with this hobby for several decades. My main critique concerns the repetitiveness of the book and its poor organization; the manuscript definitely could have used a helping hand of a good editor. However, as with the kits themselves, Airfix aficionados like myself are willing to overlook such shortcomings.




3. The sad thing is that I probably had all of the models at least once! A real nostalga trip. More photographs needed. If you were/are not into Airfix then this isn't the book for you! otherwise you'll love it.



4. I really looked forward to seeing this book. The subject matter is dear to my heart and a quick glance through the illustrations promised a great deal. But, despite some interesting interviews with ex-employees and some great Roy Cross artwork, much of the dialog is rather bland and insipid and it actually became a bit of a chore trying to get to the end of the book. Part of the problem is that there are some bits of Airfix history which really aren't worth celebrating but which the author has presumably felt duty bound to include to the detriment of the overall package and it's also very frustrating to find references in the text to kits which aren't illustrated in the book. A few more reference photos would have been nice but please, why the grubby looking cover?



5. I'm cheating, really, having read the book in the UK before it hits the States. So what...we're talking the biggest-ever drain on a young boy's pocket money thru the 60s and 70s...and Arthur Ward's wonderfully researched volume sets a now somewhat older bloke's mind at rest. Yup, I made the right decision to squander my hard-earned on the minutely detailed models which would wreck my close vision forever. Painted 'em, photographed 'em, burnt 'em...as Mr Ward also reminisces..that's the way we treated our plastic model kits. The illustrations are superb...beautiful original box artwork, fabulously nostalgic photos of packaging and content. Some omissions, I think...I can't recall seeing reference to the Gangbuster prohibition cars series...maybe I missed it. It's a less expensive tome in the US...$35 instead of 30 quid...but you'll love it...his charming writing, the lovely paper it's printed on. I tried to help my 9 year old son build a present-day kit. The magic had gone for me, tho he had fun. A book's much better, when you're a bit older, even if you haven't really ever grown up.

No comments about German Doll Marks and Identification Book.

No comments about Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains, 1945-1969: Motive Power and Rolling Stock (Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains, 1945-1969).

No comments about Dinky Toys: much loved Dinky Toys of the 1950s.