Antiques Collectibles Books

The book arrived on time, in perfect condition and it is a great gift for somebody who enjoys watches.

Big book, full color photos, explanations of all the majoy watch works. Perfect for any watch affectionado.

Not worth the money unless you like pictures. Needs more technical background information on the various watches.

Grand Complications Volume III: High Quality Watchmaking (Grand Complications)
This was my second purchase of these mostly high quality photograph compendiums of examples of famous brands' masterpieces. These pictures are divided into groups, based on the types of complications( the things the wristwatches do with mechanical parts in addition to telling time)they display. Between each grouping is a well written essay about that kind of watch function, and how to tell the characteristics that collecters look for and prize. The authors of these articles are usually famous makers of fine timepieces and use their own work to illustrate what they write about. I enjoy reading about making horological art, but I get my most fun from using a good magnifying glass to examine each photo to see how they made every detail. It is the careful research into the various imaginative ways of solving microengineering problems, and how to align the discovered solutions with the philosophic and artistic principles professed by company spokesmen and examples of past work that make studying watch collecting so interesting. Any person looking through this book will easily see why some companies are famous. The more a person learns about how quality work is different from the common cheap watch, the greater facination and amazement grows. You see, for every difficulty there are many solutions for good engineers and artisans to choose and express. Different companies have traditions about how each decides. That is what makes each brand recognizable. This book is better than volume 2, that I bought last year and still keep close. I have other books by the same company that have more words than pictures, and I like both ways of learning.

Very helpful book - have really been enjoying this book as I have wanted this book for years, finally got it!

I bought this book to help me determine the value of a collection of high quality dolls that my aunt wants to help her sell. Our of five doll designers, only one of the designers was even listed in her book. This was a waste of my money, for sure!

I am formilair with this book. It is a great book IF you know the name of your doll. If you don't it is not a good one for you.

THE resource for all your doll questions on values and dolls.

Although the Blue Book is the avid doll collectors' favorite price guide, it contains numerous categories that have not been updated for quite a number of years. China, parian, papier mache, and wooden, some of the earliest dolls in existence, have been gaining in popularity for several years now and the market prices, both at auction and online have been rising considerably. The Blue Book has not caught up with this trend.

Also, it would be extremely helpful if there were a comprehensive section that described the methods used in compiling the information as well as the sources of this information. Some of the prices are so far off the mark in actual market prices realized, that it makes the professional wonder if the numbers are merely picked out of blue sky.

The book is well structured and is the easiest to use on a daily basis, of all the price guides, however, serious updating and a description of the price compilation process, would improve it immensely.

This is the second Tom Tierney book that I have gotten. I find it fun and informative. It is so awesome to see how different styles develop, and this is a fun and easy way to do it.

Tom Tierney has recreated the designer fashions of the seventies in the paper doll book. If you love haute couture, you'll love this book (it doesn't feature the street or pop star fashion of the era).
The dolls resemble two of the most famous models of the decade, Beverly Johnson and Cheryl Tiegs (although this isn't mentioned in the notes), giving the book more authenticity.
The seventies was a decade of retro looks as well as styles inspired by exotic cultures. The styles of the thirties and forties are represented in this book, as are the famous Russian and Chinese designs by Yves-Saint Laurent.
The decade ended with a move toward more imposing almost futuristic styles, and these are well represented by outfits by Mugler and Montana.
My reason for not giving this book 5 stars is that the illustrations are not up to Tom Tierney's usual standard.

I thought this would be more like info on the bikes owned by the elite & famous. It is mostly people who raced bikes or owned racing empires. Not popular names like the title implies.

First off, this is just a beautiful book. By mixing surprising archival photography with his own solid portraiture, Basem Wasef takes you on a trip in a time machine, from the Bonneville Salt Flats to the flatlands of Indiana and the hometown of James Dean. They are all here and the rides that are forever etched in the American motoring consciousness: Elvis and his 'Glide, Fonda and his chopper and, of course, Evel. But this is no lightweight populist read. Nor is it a look back done from a desk. Wasef literally crisscrossed the country and reported on each and every one of these machines in person. This is a deep dive onto rare bikes that will glue the most avid motorsickle rider to every rich page.

I've never held a special interest in motorcycles, other than acknowledging that they are one of the coolest objects in existence. I bought Legendary Motorcycles because I figured it would serve as a nice conversation piece on my coffee table. I was right - it has been picked up and perused far more often than any other book within reach. The striking cover artwork continues inside, with photos that compel one to flip through the pages. I found myself (and my house guests) wrapped up in many of the stories which accompany the pictures. I expected the writing to be long-winded, boring, and too arcane for anyone other than the 'in' crowd. However, while this book is a must have for motorcycle aficionados, the author also caters to those of us with little or no knowledge of the history and significance of these classic bikes. Very well done, and highly recommended!

I am always a little sceptical everytime a new historical motorcycle book comes out. But "Legendary Motorcycles" really manage to capture my interest, as being well written and well balanced between technical details and interesting histories about the famous people who rode them.
Highly recommendable!

I'm not a motorcycle expert, but this book has interesting stories and includes rare photos of important motocycles and their owners. A great gift idea; highly recommended!

I was very dissapointed in this book. It has no real value to a collector. If it was a lot larger and thinner, it would be an attractive coffee table book. If you want pretty pictures and you have a very small coffee table, buy this book. If you want real information, get George Gruhn's guide and Vintage Guitar's price guide.

Pocket-sized mini-reference of the major guitar manufacturers. Also includes some amps.

I was a little disappointed in this book. It has lots of color pictures of the most popular guitars (several of the same model in some instances) and price ranges. There is also a potted history of each manufacturer. However, there is little or no detail or description of each model.

Easy reading, and good for somebody just discovering guitars who wants a cheap and quick visual reference to the most popular models.

Not very happy with the information in this book. Tried to look up a Martin Guitar 021, there is 11 pages of Martin consisting of 9 guitars only. Eric Clapton auction guitars has 66 pages. Wish I had read the reviews before I ordered. Tried to look up Les Paul custom, there are 2, a 1955 and a 1958.

unlike field guides to, say, western reptiles or birds, this book contains almost no information on the guitars in the guide. basically it is a picture book of a few examples of a few models, with very little descriptive information or text to inform us of year by year changes or other forms of "speciation". it's not really much of a filed guide, it won't help you in the field. it's a pocket book of pretty pictures.

Some nice pictures of some nice guitars but not very helpful in identification, significance, or value of vintage guitars. I will donate this book to the local library.

Although this compilation of tattoo designs was interesting, it was , for me, limited as to the variety of designs pictured. I would still recommend it to anyone who is new to the area of tattoing as a form of art, or wants to get started on deciding what to get permanently decorated with. I think the more you see before getting "inked" the better - it's hard to get it removed once it's there - so take a look at as many designs as you can, maybe even including this book.

In Search of Pipe Dreams Great Book! Very interesting reading-all I ever wanted to know about pipes-"How To's & Why.

This is for me definitely one of the best books on pipes ever written. Very informative, yet written in an easy and catching style that really keeps you reading and reading and reading... without stopping. Lots of useful and very interesting information. If only Mr.Newcombe would write a sequel... Highly recomended for all pipe and tobacco lovers and other interested audience... One of my definite favourites among pipe books!

I really enjoyed reading this book. Not only does it have a lot of good information about pipes and pipe carvers, it also deals with the companies that prodce pipes. The author also tells about his travels all over the world in the pursuit of his greatest passion..pipe smoking.

I'm sure I'm in the majority; those of us who enjoy smoking a pipe, but could never imagine spending $1000 on one (or more than a few hundred for me). This book mainly discusses those extremely expensive pieces, but in the authors defense, he claims to smoke them, so whatever floats his boat. There is also really good political commentary, discussion on pipe mechanics, and the book is nicely written and easy to read. If you want something nice to read about how the rich people enjoy their pipe tobacco, this is your book. If you resent the uber wealthy contingent of pipe smokers, this book might cause fits of rage for you. I'm a tolerant guy, I enjoyed it.

Great reading. A pipe adventure book where the author details his expeditions throughout Europe with the pipemakers themselves. A little too much emphasis on how the author's pipe must be modified to enjoy, but we each must enjoy our pipes however we feel. Too bad the pictures aren't in color to see the detail of these high end pipes.

I got hooked on his designs while in Paris. If you are ever there you MUST visit his shop(s)!!

SENSATIONAL BOUQUETS BY CHRISTIAN TORTU is a visual treat as well as a learning inspiration for approaching that most personal craft of bringing the garden into the home - gathering and arranging flowers. Christian Tortu apparently has a following in Paris where he has a florist shop which has emphasized his creed of "All plants are born free and created equal." Having learned his craft and his passion for the natural garden from his parents as he matured in the Anjou gardens, gathering flowers from nature to place at the disposal of clients who yearn for the beauty of the garden to enter their home in ways other than window views, Tortu doesn't believe in the traditional 'sprays' of flowers place in an expensive family heirloom vase on a sterile table. Instead he combines fruit, vines, all phases of a flower's life ( bud, blossom, denuded vestige ) with grasses and all the elements found in the natural setting of his flowers. The results are lush, compact, original thoughts that are startlingly beautiful.

This is writer Corine Delahaze's first outing and she shows promise of a fine observor and poet. The photography is by Sylvain Thomas and emphasizes the closeup details as well as the free-standing wonders of Tortu's designs. The combination of text and photographs balances well with Tortu's creations. There is much more to learn about nature than just an ordinary treatise on flower arranging here. In Tortu's words "Nature is a place of total freedom. All plant life is accepted as equal." And from this humble belief Tortu lifts the spirit as well as the imagination with his artist's gift.

I enjoyed this book very much. Sensational Bouquets is rich in new thoughts about what flowers and plants represent, filled with novel arrangements, and is enriched by outstanding photography of those arrangements. After reading and viewing this book, you will never think about nature and natural beauty in quite the same way. You will be the richer for the experience, because your sense of beauty will expand as a result.

Christian Tortu grew up on a truck farm in Anjou, and is proud of his agricultural roots. Now he designs backdrops for fashion shows and the Cannes Film Festival. He operates floral shops in major cities around the world.

Let me share a little of his philosophy, as described in the many sections he wrote for the book. "Each plant is a fragment of a landscape . . . ." In his arrangements, he creates that sense of landscape in a way that I have never seen before in flower arrangements. Nature is palpable in them.

"If man were to stop rushing around for one moment, he might take a look at flowers -- and then take a closer look." I remember having that experience in the orchid garden in Honolulu. I was enthralled with the beautiful blossoms in my 20 minute self-guided tour. As I was about to leave, an elderly gentleman asked me if I would like to have some help in looking around. I agreed, and spent the next three hours going over the same ground with him. Except I saw about 100 times as much with his help. I was astonished at how many delightful orchids I had totally missed in my haste (and I had thought I was being leisurely).

"In time, his convictions would crumble, and he would realize classification is fruitless even beyond flowers." People love to judge, and that judgment gets in the way of really seeing and experiencing life. So these arrangements are a metaphor for breaking down our closed mental sets.

The basic premise is that "all flowers are created equal." Weeds and shrubbery get as much attention as rare orchids. And the moment of perfection is not all that is explored. " . . . [E]very stage of the flower is a moment that deserves attention." One bouquet even captures burned foliage and flowers after a fire. Seeing these images makes one realize the truth of these observations. " . . . [I]n the name of harmony, each one [arrangement] has its own touch of anarchy."

Mr. Tortu changes things in terms of color, type of composition, and form. I was especially fascinated by his many monochromatic arrangements, especially the green bouquets.

The book is done in sections: Genesis; Revolution(s); Crossroads; and the Chronicle of a Black Bouquet. Using these themes makes it easier to appreciate the statements his designs make.

Here are my favorites in the book:

Agave foliage with euchasis in gray wax vases

Green tomatoes and basil, tomato flowers, dog rose fruit and vine foliate

Green arum lilies, tea grass, viburnum, and narcissus buds

Garlic flower and nasturtium

Nasturtium, wild strawberries, and blackberries

Privet berries and King Arthur orchids

Lime tree branches and iris

Violets

White hyacinth, and catmint

Osage orange, pears and chayote, quince, eggplant, and begonia

After you enjoy this delightful book, I suggest that you take some other element of nature and see how arranging it differently changes your perceptions. Now that it is spring, you could start by taking fresh shoots and making arrangements of them in new combinations, new shapes, and in different types of containers.

Open your mind to the potential of new combinations, expressed in new ways!

The photography in this book is minimal, black and white and grainy. Extensive and interesting background information, though (126 pages worth). VERY extensive coverage of maker's marks for all countries. Some marks are so small as to need a magnifying glass, however. (Hence the four stars)

The book was in or above the condition described and is the product I was looking for. I was glad that it was readily available through Amazon.

This book is a must have if you collect antique English silver. If you only want one book on the subject this is it. If you collect American or European silver, this book would not be my first choice. You can't get more info on antique English silver including hallmarks, history, and the different pieces of flatware and holloware that were made with any other Silver book I have ever read.

I bought this one, along withe another (Sterling Flatware Identification & Value Guide) for my mom and she uses it a lot. I think she uses the other one more but she always has both on hand. It has a lot of good info on how to id a piece, great pictures of hallmarks etc.

Talk, talk, talk. So much information about city hallmarks and nothing about purity marks. No way to really identfy general items that a novice collector would have. Is it real or not? Talks about fakes and again nothing about standards of silver and what they are. High brow attitude toward the subject with little or no information on Continental European silver in detail. Too little to late!