No comments about Collector's Guide to Tootsietoys: Identification & Values (Collectors Guide to Tootsietoys).

No comments about Warman's Dolls Field Guide: Values And Identification (Warman's Dolls).

5 comments about Theatre de la Mode: Fashion Dolls: The Survival of Haute Couture.

1. I went to the museum that owns this collection... the Maryhill Museum of Art in Washington State (About 2 hours outside Portland, OR). The photos don't do these creations justice I must say. The details on such a tiny scale are truely amazing! I've been meaning to get this book, its been on my wish list forever. I ended up getting it at the museum for full price, but it was worth it!



2. I saw an article about these dolls, that had a few tantalizing photos. I am so glad I found this catalog of the show. The fashions are presented on 29" dolls, in a theater setting, and there are so many of them, I have to keep going back to look again. The story behind their creation is equally interesting.



3. The color and lighting in most of the photographs is poor...I understand this is an 'art' book, but when I am looking for a specific design, if the picture is going to be no bigger than a business card, I would hope it would at least be a straight on shot done in good lighting. If you want that, this is NOT the book for you...check it out from the library, at least then your disappointment won't cost you 20 bucks.



4. Whatever your interest that led you to this book, you must purchase it. You'll find yourself studying this book from cover to cover, over and over. The little dolls and their story are mesmerizing.



5. I,m absolutely delighted to see this book back in print as I ,ve been searching for itf for years. The enlarged photos give an even better view of the detail and workmanship in these tiny garments. IIt,s a lovely symbol of postwar renewal and optimism to be treasured always.

5 comments about The Big Book of Lionel: The Complete Guide to Owning and Running America's Favorite Toy Trains.

1. This is a comprehensive and clear book. It could be provide more information on electrical connections, but this is a relatively minor quibble. This book provides a very good overview of the lionel world.



2. This book lays a great foundation for anyone starting out. Practical ideas and methods are shown for wiring track and accessories. Care and maintenance. High quality book with very thick glossy pages and many many color photos along with some B/W photos. This would be helpful for anyone interested in 3 track O-gauge even if they are planning on using non-Lionel trains and accessories.



3. if you are serious about lionel trains this is a must have for info



4. The book covers a wide range of subjects on planning, building and operating a Lionel O-guage layout, but does not go into a lot of detail. Both Post-War and Modern Lionel trains and tracks are covered as is the newer TMCC electronic controls. The photos of existing Lionel O-gauge layouts are excellent, but the book did not describe the type of track nor were track layout diagrams provided, which would have been very informative. Nevertheless, the book is interesting and provides a good overview of what to consider when planning and building a Lionel O-gauge layout.



5. This book with its excellent pictures and detailed descriptions will satisfy the model train neophyte as well as the old veterans.
   It is geared especially to the famous "O" gauge Lionel trains of yesteryear. It can serve as a reference book for those just starting out or rediscovering the joys of model train collecting and operating layouts.

2 comments about Bleuette Clothing Patterns, 1905-1916.

1. The book starts with a little history of the doll from French and great vintage pictures are added (through out the book) to show how things were back than and there are instructions how to make the right embroidery stitches that were used. Patterns are actual size and easy to trace. Instructions are easy especially when you're an more experienced sewer but also the novice can have an easy start sewing because there are all kinds of patterns to find in this book. From very easy to complicated (more pattern pieces, pleats to make, put trimming on etc.)you will always find the right pattern to start with.
   The pictures of the fashions to make, are the size of one page - 9"x12" - so all kinds of details are there to see. What can I say but this is a wonderful addition to your doll(pattern) books and I'm sure you'll love it! Good for hours and hours of reading and sewing pleasure.



2. Louise uses the original French patterns and sews them as they were meant to be done. Her work is inspiring.

3 comments about Warman's Pez Field Guide (Warman's Field Guides).

1. This book is a must have for true pez seeking people, the colored illustrations and information is a useful tool, and continues to be at my side always, to look up and review pez's that I am interested in.



2. While I am not one to criticize any comment regarding my books, good or bad I do take isssue on the comment- "This does not have foreign pez in it" - much to the contrary. There are a large number of foreign Pez in this book. Everything that had been produced up to the publish date is included in this guide, domestic AND foreign release . This guide does not get into the mini Japanese dispensers, those are licensed by Pez for Bandai not an actual Pez produced item but a licensed item. There are LOTS of foreign Pez in this guide. -Shawn Peterson



3. Great book for the pez collector. It lists the American pez releases with some of the variations and a possible value. They are in alphabetical order. Shows some from private collections that you will never see or have...lol...
   Has an index for easy look up and a list of terms used in the pez world for the non-pezheads. It IS indeed small enough to put in your purse or backpack to take along on those trips to antique stores, swapmeets, or garage sales. No matter how many times i look at this book i still cannot remember the values so i have to look them up constantly.
   
   This does not have foreign pez in it, but is still an excellent guide. The best of its type on the market i believe.

2 comments about Robots: Spaceships and Other Tin Toys.

1. These are toys, the subject matter of a brilliant collection of the artifacts of Japanese ingenuity. Tin toys, produced by tin printing and punching machines, permit a peek into the Japan of the 1950's. Tin toys are mass produced but seem hand-crafted.
   
   There are robots and space ships. A robot tractor and bull dozer have particular charm. There is a robot seesaw. Also there are moon scouts, astronauts, capsules, space stations, and rockets. There are gear robots.
   
   Figures and scenarios are elaborate. Ball escalators are amusing. Skiers are pulled by a dog or turn on a sort of wheel. There is a ball kicker. A highly-wrought horse-race is presented, complete with painted spectators, seating, airplane, clubhouse, greenery. There is a Coney Island rocket ride.
   
   Popeye figures roller-skate, ride a bike, a plane. The pipe is always present, (signifier). There is a girl with a hula hoop, and one with a sewing machine. A remarkable piece is a boy with a camera--highly realistic. Other characters created by comics artists are present, such as Mickey Mouse, Batman, and fantasy figures.
   
   Finally, there are the cars. There is a TV crew bus and car. There is more than one Cadillac, Mercedes Benz, Lincoln, and Packard in the collection. This is magnificent.



2. Kitahara's world famous tin toy collection has been photographed many times, and featured in very small paperbacks and large coffee table spreads. This is probably the happy medium; a very inexpensive, large (nearly 350 pages) and visually inviting photoessay that lets the toys speak for themselves.
   
   As many books as there are on tin toy robots, they nearly all feature the same collections, and so the photography and presentation become paramount. Taschen has often featured Kitahara's museum(s) but never to better effect than in this inexpensive volume. Kitahara's collection also includes non-space themed tin toys, but this book concentrates on the robots and space toys from the '50s and '60s when Japan brought unbridled creativity and unparalleled design to tin toys.

1 comments about The Collector's Encyclopedia of Dolls, Vol. 2.

1. collector's guide about dolls

2 comments about Queen Mary's Dolls' House: Official Guidebook.

1. For the builders of dollhouses as hobby, it's a must to read this book and to discover what can be done.



2. I must tell the reader that I have never seen the actual doll house, nor have I seen the other catalogs, so I cannot compare them, but this is a fascinating book. It is hard to believe that one is actually looking at miniatures, the detail is so fantastic! In some ways, this is probably better than, or at least a wonderful supplement to seeing the original. Tiny things are photographed in a detail that may not be possible in viewing it, and one can linger as I imagine one cannot at the real exhibit. The text explains that one views the actual dollhouse in cross-section, one side at a time. This book is organized more as if one was walking through the house, beginning with the Entrance Hall on the Ground floor and then climbing to the top.
   
   The book has close to 90 photographs, almost all of them in color. The ones not in color are mostly historic. There is a floor plan, and a lengthy introduction explaining the history of creating the house.
   
   A marvelous book that should interest anyone who likes dollhouses and home decor.
   
   I was so enchanted by this book that I ordered Queen Mary's Dolls' House by Mary Stewart-Wilson simply because the cover shot isn't in this book, and I figured (correctly) that there would be other unique pictures. A very few of the shots are in both, but not enough to make them redundant for the person who wants all the information they can get. To compare and contrast the two, the Mary Stewart-Wilson book, with photographs by David Cripps, is longer, has more pictures, particularly more closeups of the tiny furnishings, etc., and is a hardcover. I am charmed by Cripp's method of showing scale: he poses the tiny cricket bat next to a regulation cricket ball, and the little golf clubs next to a real golf ball. Without considering price and availability (the S-W book is currently out of print) I would say that it is the better book. If you just want something to jog your memory or give you an idea of what the house is like, either would be adequate. If you are really interested, I'd recommend both: I think the Royal Collection book is a pretty good buy. I'm certainly not considering giving up my RC book now that I have the S-W. This book frequently shoots the rooms at an angle, giving one another view. I actually think the angled shot maintain the illusion better. To compare the shots of the Queen's bedroom, the Stewart-Wilson shot shows the entire bedroom. The Royal Collection shot, at an angle , reveals some additional details such as the fire screen and the chinoiserie cabinet, but cuts off the exteme left-hand side of the room. (Her Majesty has apparently been rearranging her decorative items since the S-W book.) Parts of many of the other rooms are cut off as well, but at times the view of what is shown is better. The S-W detail of the 18th century pietre-dure table concentrates on showing the design on the top. The RC detail shows more of the table and the objects normally on it. The historical sections, revealing how the house came to be built are the most different, and the RC book has more pictures of people who participated in creating the doll house and of the room in which it now sits with the Phillip Connard mural. The captions are overlapping, but not identical, and so one gains more information by having both.

5 comments about Tomart's Price Guide to Tin Litho Doll Houses and Plastic Doll House Furniture.

1. I was very satisfied with Amazon. My book was packaged extremely well so that the pages wouldn't get messed up. I was surprised at how fast I received it too.



2. Great reference book for collector of 40's and 50's plastic doll house furniture. Copyright in 1997 makes pricing guide a tad out of date . . . nevertheless a good starting reference price range. Great photos. Interesting information on producing companies.



3. This is a wonderful reference quide for baby boomers who want to collect dollhouses and furniture! What great memories this book brought back. I found doll houses and furniture I once had and some of the models my cousins and friends had in the 1950's! This is a trip down memory lane and the price is great for this publication. Amazon delivers quickly, too!



4. I purchased three books on tin toys and dollhouses, and this one was the best by far to help me evaluate some tin/metal doll houses I was buying.

   The book sections are by the doll house maker, with excellent photographs that help identify them, and estimated years that they were sold.

   In addition there are photographs of the furniture that you would typically find in these houses. This helps alot if you have just purchased an empty doll house, and you want to furnish it with vintage items of the correct size and type.

   Simply an excellent reference book for tin doll house collectors or just old-timers wanting a bit of nostalgia :)




5. Mary Brett has written the Bibile of Tin Litho houses. Excellent pictures of the houses detail their interiors, exteriors and the furniture needed to make them cosy little homes. All major producers are covered, Marx, Cohn, Wolverine to mention just a few. Ms. Brett also includes a section on the more unusual items, such as the rare and unique Friendly Folks Motel. Better buy two copies, this book is destined to become dog-earred and worn before very long.