Antiques Collectibles Books

Okay, so I bought this book thinking it would be a useful reference book. It's not. Yes, it has a bunch of illustrations, but it gives no reference information to go with the plates--which, by the way, are simply awful line drawings, some of which are badly colored in to the detriment of the pictures.

Do not buy this book if you want to learn what things are called, the time periods in which they were used, or any specific, detailed information about variations in the general styles for a specific period in time.

On the other hand, if you just want some reference pictures for designign your kid's Halloween costume, then you have plenty to go by.

Gives a basic and brief coverage of both male and female costume from different periods and cultures. mixture of both colour and black and white sketches. no great detail but good enough to present a general idea.

Although the pictures do not go into great detail, this book has a wealth of information for the costume designer. For kid's halloween costumes, school-play costumes, and general information on style and period, this book can be invaluable. Included are full colour and black and white sketches, as well as reproductions of statues and paintings. It is an excellent book for the casual costume designer, though a serious historical re-enactor would need something that provides greater detail.

There are two books on English silver hallmarks available on Amazon, the other being Pocket Ed. Jackson's Hallmarks, and of the two books, this is my favourite. Both books are almost identical in content: both provide illustrations of English, Irish and Scottish silver, gold and platinum hallmarks, and illustrations of the more important makers marks, which allow for the dating of silver, gold and platinum items. However, this book is the easier to use of the two, with the information presented in a way that makes it easier to find what you are looking for. This book also includes a section on Sheffield plate marks and an index of the makers marks, which are not included in "Jackson's Hallmarks".

The periods of time covered by these two books are slightly different. This book gives hallmarks for the period from 1554 to 2004, whereas "Jackson's Hallmarks" covers the period from 1300 to 1991. However, as I have never had any need to date items made prior to 1554, and most of the items that I have dated have been more recent items, I find the period of time covered by this book to be the most appropriate for my needs.

Although both books are very useful and both are likely to satisfy the requirements of the average silver collector, if you are only going to buy one of these books, then this is the one to buy.

LOTS OF GLASS THAT YOU SEE EVERY DAY, BUT NOT SURE OF WHO MADE IT!
THIS IS A GOOD BOOK FOR DEALERS, FOR IDENTIFICATION. NOT SURE THE PRICES ARE ACTUALLY WHAT THE ITEM WILL BRING IN TODAYS MARKET, BUT GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF WHERE TO START...

A very good and thoroughly interesting collectors book to have.

Craig Schenning has done a great job of identifying Indiana Glass patterns, including information on dates of production, colors, and lists of known pieces with current prices. Also included are several patterns originally produced by other companies but whose molds are known to have been acquired (and produced) by Indiana in later years. Lots of good color photos, although you may have to look elsewhere to identify etchings and decorations. The best book I've seen on Indiana glassware.

Informed about this book by an article in the Antique Weekly. So happy to have found it on Amazon at a more than fair price. The book is excellently done. Loads of information. Extremely informative. I'm a new collector of Indiana Glassware.

Indiana Glass is one of my favorite companies. I love the different types of glass that they created and am thrilled that there is finally a new resource out there about the company. Hopefully, this will educate old and new collectors about the wonderful glass they created. I can't wait to see more from this author.

Another winner for Gene Florence. Wouldn't be without his books. Beautiful, color pictures on nearly every page. I have read this book and all of his others over and over again.

Author/Photographer Gene Florence has produced a fan-tastic book for the Fire-King novice or afficianado. Just a warning, though: This is a 1998 book. The gain in collectibilia and accessibilty wrought by the Internet, along with standard inflation, has rendered the pricing rather dicey to rely on.

If you are a Boomer, this is most likely the stuff of fond memories of your Momma's kitchen. Just looking at the picture of the Jane Ray Jade-ite platter (who knew that that was our hamburger cook-out platter's formal name?) makes my mouth water! On page 7, there is a reproduction of an old Anchor-Hocking ad: "Not a single item on this page costs more than 69 cents." Those were the days! It's come a long way! Reviewed by TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer.

This book has more than paid for itself in helping me recognize fire king and genuine old glass.

Until I purchased Gene Florence's book, I used black & white reference books. Those are useless to me.

This wonderful book has helped me determine if shaker lid and fireking flour piece went together (did not-flour shaker originally had a flat shaker lid the color of the writing on side not silver aluminum); if the "yellow" plate in a fire king design was old (was not (did not come in yellow) - but that yellow piece was made from fire king mold - one step up from out and out reproduction); and whether or not my 10 pieces of bakeware (some with lids) and marked Fire King were rare or reproductions. On the 10 piece baking set, I ended up e-mailing Gene Florence, and he responded that my piece was not rare - or did it even appear anywhere. The pieces are selling Very slowly - so they must not be very special.

The book is difficult to understand how to match pricing & pictures at first, but well worth the effort. I am comfortable with the process now.

If you collect or sell fire king - you need this book!

For the most part this book is an excellent resource for identifing Fire-King glassware and I would recommend it highly along with all of the author's other books. I own them all! As a specialist collector of the Anchor Hocking Early American Prescut pattern (10000pcs), I must say that I feel that some of the Prescut items listed are somewhat rarer than the book would suggest. There are also quite a few more items available in this particular pattern than are listed. I view the book's section on Prescut as another of this well known author's courageous attempts to chart previously uncharted waters and I'm sure that subsequent editions of this book will include course corrections.

This is my first purchase of reference material for my new hobby of depression-glass collecting. I found the pictures to be exellent, and the price guides informative, although a bit awkward to use at times. His comparisons of similar items are helpful, and the book is worth purchase for the pictures alone. Hope to compare it with the Kilgo book someday.

Whether you intend to buy 1 or 1000 Winchesters, you need this book in order to determine the correctness and originality of the Winchester you are thinking of buying. George Madis has done a remarkable, exhaustive job of presenting each model, its characteristics, variations, special order features, improvements progression, dimensions, historical background, predecessor models, and other pertinences to help you to know what you are buying. At the end of each model/chapter are a list of the serial numbers produced each year,the total number produced and the rarity of special features as well as standard features. Following the guns themselves, are chapters on sights (standard and special order), and special order features, barrel lengths, finishes, engraving and calibers. There is even a chapter on Winchester pistols. All in all, it is still the best, most comprehensive study of this most important manufacturer's longarms which were used to forge our civilization from the raw, wild, unexplored country our forebears faced in the last half of the 19th century.

Whitman Coin Folders, the industry standard in coin housing, offers another solid coin folder designed to house Eisenhower Dollars from 1971-1978 and Susan B. Anthony Dollars from 1979-1981. Be warned, that the book does not include the latest information on the 1999 release of the Anthony dollars, however, there is space in the book to write them in.

I thoroughly enjoyed Leigh Leshner's first book on vintage costume jewelry and feel this book is even better! Very well researched information, fascinating facts and, of course, gorgeous photos. I highly recommend this book to anybody who loves vintage costume jewelry, it will be a wonderful addition to your library!

I found the opening chapters of this book very informative. However, the section of pictures could use some organization. If there is a pattern to how the pictures are organized, I have yet to discern it. Very few if any dates are attributed so it's not organized chronological. Very few pieces are attributed to designers so that's not it either. Some pages seem to have a theme but are unrelated to the page immediately before or after. It seems like photos were grouped by what would fit on the page.

Great information and the jewelry is very well photographed. If it were better organized, I'd absolutely love it.

I bought this book to supplement my collection for information on the jewelry I sell on my web site, Atlanta Vintage Jewelry. It's full of excellent pictures on black backgrounds that make the jewelry really stunning.

There are not too many books out there that feature only rhinestone pieces so I found this book to be a great addition. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in vintage rhinestone brooches or necklaces or earrings . . . or any vintage jewelry.

Gail Gupton, Author: The 31-Day Diet of Spiritual Enlightenment and Seekers of Truth.

Very informative book on rhinestone jewelry. I own every book in Leigh Leshner's collection and she leaves you wanting for more books to be published. Excellent samples of jewelry; beautiful photography and very informative on jewelry from this vintage. A must for the rhinestone collector.