MBR: The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Midwest Book Review
Victorian Jewelry: Unexplored Treasures
Ginny R. Dawes & Corinne Davidov
Abbeville Publishing Group
137 Varick Street, #504, New York NY 10003
0789208687 $27.50 www.abbeville.com
During her nearly sixty-four-year reign Queen Victoria produced a
cultural and fashion following particularly notable in the jewelry
world, where English and European Jewelers produced less expensive
pieces mimicking the queen's, which were worn by the middle class of
her times. These pieces were long ignored because of their low value
and cheap materials - but today are prized for their workmanship, which
VICTORIAN JEWELRY: UNEXPLORED TREASURES reveals in chapters of history
following designs, materials, and lovely secondary pieces. Styles
presented here have been selected from collections around the world and
are displayed through specially commissioned color photos just for this
book.
Mt. Washington & Pairpoint Glass, V. 1
Kenneth M. Wilson
Antique Collector's Club
Sandy Lane, Old Martlesham, Woodbridge, Suffolk 1P12 4SD, UK
185149491X $95.00 www.antiquecc.com
Author Kenneth M. Wilson passed away before publication of his opus MT.
WASHINGTON & PAIRPOINT GLASS - but he reviewed and approved the page
proofs and had written two chapters of the projected second volume
(which will be prepared in future using his research materials and
illustrations), so nothing lacks in MT. WASHINGTON except the author's
ability to enjoy his finished product. The Mt. Washington Glass Works
and the companies after it make up America's second-oldest glass
manufacturer: the factory opened for business in the mid-1800s and spun
off another business in silver plating. Glass collectors will find MT.
WASHINGTON & PAIRPORT GLASS the definitive encyclopedia of the
manufacturer's works: the volume has been long awaited by collectors
and provides an extensive company history to compliment an in-depth
coverage of its many products. Chapters come packed with black and
white and color illustrations and photos, providing descriptions and
color illustrations of all glasses and silver-plated wares and
reviewing design, craftsmanship and unique attributes. Add indexes of
patents and trademarks, glass decorators who operated in the region
from 1867 to 1902, and illustrations of ads, production records and
more and you have a truly outstanding reference.
English Transferware
Joe Keller & Mark Gibbs
Schiffer
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
0764323482 $34.95 www.schifferbooks.com
English transferware holds flower and scenery patterns which look like
Blue Willow: usually one-color, they can be multi-color scenes
imprinted on plats, dishes, cups and saucers. ENGLISH TRANSFERWARE:
POPULAR 20TH CENTURY PATTERNS surveys all the 20th century patterns and
includes a price guide, offering color photos throughout to accompany
gorgeous, well-detailed photos and notes on makers, marks, and more.
Any who collect English pottery must have ENGLISH TRANSFERWARE is a
basic reference.
Antique Trader Antiques & Collectibles 2006
Kyle Husfloen, Editor
Krause Publications
700 East State Street, Iola, WI 54990-0001
0873499891 $19.99 www.amazon.com
For over thirty years Antique Trader's ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES PRICE
GUIDE has been the weighty resource of collector choice, providing
black and white and color keys to every collecting category. Glassware,
ceramics, furniture, dolls and toys, and more are all included: over
5,000 small color photos provide excellent detail and quality, while
pages of the latest values make ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLES 2006 PRICE GUIDE
particularly valuable for avid garage-sale goers.
Variations Of Colt's
John D. Breslin, et al.
Andrew Mowbray Inc., Publishers
PO Box 460, Lincoln, RI 02865
1931464049 $37.95 1-800-999-4697
Variations Of Colt's: New Model Police & Pocket Breech Loading Pistols
is the definitive guide for what Colt pistol collectors call "small
frame conversions", a diverse label covering many different types of
early cartridge pistols. Seven basic variations of these pistols are
documented and described, with production programs and quantities
listed. Written by three long-time Colt collectors (John D. Breslin,
William Q. Pirie, and David E. Price), each of which had independently
collected data for over ten years, and all of whom applied their
experience to previously unexamined Colt factory records such as
production quantities and serial number data, Variations Of Colt's is a
balance of minute detail, black-and-white photography, skillful
technical drawings, and accessible prose text. As the authors point
out, most of the guns were actually made as cartridge pistols, not
converted from percussion, though conversions are described in
particular detail. A "must- have" for serious gun collectors and a
fascinating read for hobbyists curious about the history of Colt
pistols and manufacture.
Collector Books
PO Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002-3009
www.collectorbooks.com
These lovely collector's guides are widely recommended not only for
professional collectors and ebay sellers but as library references for
those who don't collect as heavily but still need updated references
for grandmother's pieces. Margaret & Kenn Whitmyer's Fenton Art Glass:
Hobnail Pattern Identification & Value Guide (157432473X, $29.95)
provides gorgeous color photos accompanying the latest identification
and values for hobnail pattern Fenton pieces. Prices represent average
retail for mint-condition pieces and allows for regional differences.
William Blauser & Timothy Mierzwa's Spring-loaded Fish Hooks, Traps &
Lures (157-4324705, $29.95) provides collectors with two solid
specialty sections of detail: spring-loaded and mechanical hooks, and
metal killer fish traps. The majority of items were patented and unique
items, so identification of maker, marks, and differences are easily
documented here, while full-page color photos lend to the detail
necessary to achieve exacting identification. A. Everett James Jr's
Collecting American Paintings Identification & Values (1574324314,
$29.95) is written for both beginners and those who have assembled a
collection of paintings, yet been frustrated in their identification
and valuation. From regional art to different schools of painting and
styles, it's easy to look up art work without having its author firmly
in mind. Julie Pelletier Robinson's Celluloid Dolls Toys & Playthings
Identification & Value Guide (1574324640, $29.95) organizes its
chapters by manufacturer and provides well-detailed color photos
throughout which lend to easy, quick browsing and identification.
Descriptions discuss restorations, values for originals, manufacturer
background and more. Linda McPherson's Collecting Vintage Children's
Greeting Cards Identification & Values (1574324659, $24.95) holds
good-sized, lovely color photos of all kinds of children's greeting
cards, arranged handily by topics ranging from 'dolls' and 'country
life' to 'holidays' and 'pets'. Notes on makers and price ranges make
it easy to both identify and price similar offerings. Lar Hothem's
Antler Bone & Shell Artifacts Identification & Value Guide
(157-4324616, $24.95) is a specialty item which won't appeal to every
collector, but any dealing in artifacts must have it. Color photos pack
pages of description and values for ornaments, tools, awls and
projectiles from different primitive cultures. Measurements, history,
and collection reference rounds out the detail. Fred & Joyce Roerig's
Ultimate Collector's Encyclopedia Of Cookie Jars Identification And
Values (1574324675, $29.95) arranges jars by manufacturer and
supplements good-sized color photos with price ranges. Even better -
you can locate any jar by type, in the index (i.e. elephant, train,
bear). All are excellent references collectors will value.
Krause Publications
700 East State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001
1-800-726-9966 fwpublications.com
David Doyle's new Standard Catalog Of Lionel Trains 1900-1942
(0896892395, $29.99) is the most complete guide available for Lionel
products: collectors won't want to be without it. From the turn of the
century until World war II, Lionel turned out toy trains for kids of
all ages: over a thousand color photos blends with pricing guidelines
for different conditions to accompany a history of Lionel products.
Organized by type of product, from passenger cars and ballast cars to
box cars, collectors will find this quite an easy reference to use. Joe
Kertzman edits 26th Annual Knives 2006 (0869891496, $24.99), a knife
reference packed with color photos of handcrafted knives, along with
their specifications, materials, and special features. Top writers
include stories about collecting, making and using knives, blending
history with collector insights, while prices, marks, and technical
specifications make a fine collector's reference of over 1,000 blades.
The hefty Antique Trader Antiques & Collectibles 2006 Price Guide by
Kyle Husfloen (08734-99891, $19.99) deserves ongoing mention as an
annual favorite: it packs in over 12,000 detailed listing covering all
major collecting categories and includes over 5,000 color photos as
well. Glassware, furniture, lamps, dolls and toys are all covered,
along with insights on their makers and prices. Leigh Leshner's Secrets
To Collecting Jewelry: How To Buy More For Less (0869891801, $19.99)
also deserves ongoing mention as a unique, essential reference. Over
four hundred photos accompany details on how to identify and evaluate
collectible jewelry, how to buy wisely at estate sale and auctions, and
how to purchase at flea markets. The 13th updated edition of Toys &
Prices 2006 (0896891526, $19.99) edited by Karen O'Brien is on the
market and a recommended pick for avid toy collectors. A centerfold of
color photos accompanies well over seven hundred pages of smaller black
and white shots of toys: over 3,100 in all. Updated pricing reflects
the latest information and provides both historical background and
insights on collecting trends as well as specific toy values. All are
excellent, basic references highly recommended for collectors.
The Allure Of Turquoise
Arnold Vigil, editor
New Mexico Magazine
495 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501
0937206873 $19.95 nmmagazine.com
One of New Mexico's symbols is turquoise, so it's fitting that a
discussion of jewel would come from New Mexico Magazine's publishing
arm. Any who wish to learn about the stone must have The Allure Of
Turquoise: it appears in its second updated edition to pack color
photos on every page with discussions ranging from the history of
turquoise in both jewelry and Native American circles to issues
surrounding its sale, authenticity and preservation. Chapters mix
history and cultural and geologic insights with tips on locating
authentic pieces, valuation and more: turquoise collectors will find
this essential.
Schiffer Publications
4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 13910
www.schifferbooks.com
Jan Lindenberger's Fun Kitchen Collectibles: A Handbook & Price Guide
(0764300229 $16.95) provides a lovely gathering of kitchen objects
dating from 1890 to the 1970s. Color photos are clear, large enough to
be useful in identification, and include approximate year ranges and
price ranges. All types of kitchen items, from cooking to spices to
plates, are included with an eye to featuring those with collectible
value. Susan Langley's Roaring '20s Fashions: Deco (0764323202, $39.95)
is especially for its blend of vintage images, history, and
professional photos of existing garments. Period illustrations also
pack a close examination of fashions from 1925-29, considering the Deco
era style and its influences. Don't think this is just a history,
though: prices are included for featured products, making for a unique
collector's reference on the topic. Karen Barton's 20th Century Lefton
China And Collectibles (0764313320, $29.95) is the most detailed book
written on the subject to date, blending the usual price guide with
company identification numbers, descriptions, and color photos on every
page. The numbered price guide allows for quick and easy
cross-referencing and plenty of collector detail. Mark P. Block's
Encyclopedia Of Modern Marbles, Spheres, And Orbs (076432294X, $69.95)
explores the relationship between modern studio art marbles and
antiques of yesteryear. Over 900 color photos accompany a history of
marble glass and manufacturing, including details on artists' marks,
how to identify, value and build a collection, and even includes
glossary of terms. Leslie Pina's Blenko: Cool 50s And 60s Glass
(0764322508, $39.95) appears in its revised, expanded 2nd edition to
pair a price guide with color photos and a history of Blenko Glass's
manufacturer. Blenko is one of the few glass factories in the US still
making modern hand blown production glass, and collectors have
relatively recently come to value its holdings. Over 500 color photos
of Blenko glass products accompany designer information, the previously
unpublished 1960 catalog, and more.
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Midwest Book Review
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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