Best Paper Ephemera & Cards Antiques
Colorfully illustrated with photographs, portraits, and relevant artworks, this handsome hardcover is a visual treat too, making Letters of Note an utterly distinctive gift, and an instant classic. "While some might argue that the art of correspondence died with the advent of the internet, it was Letters of Note-a popular website sharing correspondence across history and spheres-that paved the way for the exceptional hardcover of the same name. The book's introduction aptly describes itself as "a museum of letters" that are as addictive as they are enlightening; featuring letters from Ernest Hemingway, Fidel Castro, Nick Cave, Elvis and more than a few world leaders. London-based author Shaun Usher compiled the collection of over 125 letters over the course of four years and the subjects span both private and public theatrics. In Letters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience (brought to you by the creator of the blog by the same name) you'll read letters spanning across centuries, from influential political leaders, authors, actors, murderers, and more. "This new book beautifully highlights fascinating letters ...The hardcover demands prime space on the coffee table." "Someone should write a love letter to a new book called Letters of Note . It's a splendid collection of all kinds of correspondence through the ages: Elvis Presley fans writing to the president, children making suggestions to famous cartoonists, a scientist's poignant love letter to his late wife."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've been reading eBooks on the main for a while, and everything about these books was enthralling - the library-book smell, the feel of the heavy stock pages, and the gorgeous dust jackets."
"There could have been a thousand letters here and I still would not have tired of reading. In the meantime, I will peruse his website, Letters of Note, to see if I can find more wonderful letters from personalities famous and obscure."
"Letters of Note by Shaun Usher. NOVEMBER 7, 2017 ~ LEAVE A COMMENT ~ EDIT. Letters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider AudienceLetters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience by Shaun Usher. My rating: 5 of 5 stars. It was from “A Way with Words” a public radio show about the English language, including the origins of words, the usages, and good books that I came to know this lovely book. Of all the letters in the book, the following three letters resonate in my mind: (1) E. B. White’s letter to his gentleman acquaintance regarding the importance of having hope for humanity; (2) Anaïs Nin’s rebuking letter to a faceless collector of her co-authored “Erotica” for his demand of more prevalent racy contents; and (3) a nameless German’s woman’s letter to her husband asking him to take her back home from a dreadful mental hospital she was in."
"True to its title, this master piece contained missives that communicated a myriad of emotions, raised pertinent questions and advised the ones in need. The typography lends a rich grandeur which these letters of note truly deserve and needless to say, it evoke the emotions that come with holding a hard cover. Upon reading this work, one cannot help but think even though we as humanity have progressed in leaps and bounds in terms of technology and life style, have lost out a lot in the art of truly communicating and asking questions that makes us think long, hard, deep and all other attributes alike."
"This is a wonderful book that I will re-read many times."
Discover details on how and why the domestic and international parks have changed over time, and enjoy six decades worth of skillful creativity. Kevin Neary has coauthored The Hidden Mickeys of Walt Disney World (2016) with his wife Susan and four Disney trivia books (1992 2000) with Dave Smith for The Walt Disney Company as well as two baseball books ( Major League Dads: Baseball's Best Players Reflect on the Fathers Who Inspired Them to Love the Game , 2012, and Closer: Major League Players Reveal the Inside Pitch on Saving the Game , 2013) with Leigh A. Tobin for Running Press.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"30% of the book is filled with one-off "novelty" maps, like the cartoon-ified, caricature map of Disney California Adventure produced solely to hang on construction walls during its rebirth; delicate, elegant "souvenir" maps of DisneySea meant to be purchased in a gift shop in large format. A further 15% is populated by a lot (maybe too many) of the "in-universe" maps: the "map" of the Hundred Acre Wood that serves as the backdrop to the loading area in Tokyo's Hunny Hunt ride; the exaggerated cartoon "map" of your "sailing route" in DisneySea's Sinbad's Storybook Voyage; the "map" of Vulcania that hangs in the Nautilus' map room in Disneyland Paris' walkthrough attraction; the elegant map of the world in the ceiling of Tokyo's Teddy Roosevelt lounge. And I suspect *most* people who pre-ordered this book a year in advance like I did were expecting it to be a comprehensive collection of those guide maps for each Disney Park through its history. Chapter 1 - Disneyland Park. Chapter 2 - Magic Kingdom. Chapter 3 - Epcot. Chapter 4 - Tokyo DisneySea. ... What you and I were looking for was to trace these parks via their guide maps. Pages 82 - 83, Tokyo Disneyland "fine art" souvenir map; 84 - 85, Blizzard Beach map; 86 - 87, Animal Kingdom aerial concept art; 88 - 89, Tom Sawyer Island Explorer's Map... Is this book worth having in your collection? And *if* this book were called "Aerial Concept Art of the Disney Parks," people would've known what they were getting and this would be 5-stars across the board as a well-curated collection of art with minimal text."
"There could have been a wider variety of maps, and maybe the they could have been larger on gatefold pages.The cover suggested that this was to be expected inside."
"The book's format makes it hard to reproduce the large maps that are the book's subject."
"Beautiful book but as others have stated the maps are very small and you can't really read them."
"This book is for you."
"Based on the product description, I was expecting to get tons of actual park maps from 1955 to today. Also, the other obviously had a huge fascination with Tom Sawyer's Island because he includes more renderings of it than he does for some of the actual parks. Seriously, if I had paid the full $30 retail price, I'd be mad and sending the book right back to Amazon."
"I was expecting maps that are given out in the parks from over the years."
"Was hoping to get a book that lets you compare how the parks evolved over the years, with maps of all parks shown throughout the years."
He has amassed thousands of items that, as a collection, provide an extraordinary and rare insight into North Korea's state-controlled graphic output, and the lives of ordinary North Koreans. "Because Pyongyang is the only North Korean city frequented by foreigners, the regime goes to great lengths to ensure that its inhabitants make a good impression with their appearance and are ideologically sound." "Nicholas Bonner has assembled a fascinating collection of graphic ephemera from the country - everything from comic books to canned sardine wrappers and airsick bags to cigarette boxes. Steeped in Cold War-era Communist iconography and antiquated fonts, this coffee-table book reveals a country with a design aesthetic frozen in 1950s amber, and much of it is enchanting and beautiful to behold." "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a place of endless fascination... Nicholas Bonner [...] in a solid position to consider, in impressively vast detail, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's state-controlled design output... Thousands of items, from tinned food labels to invitations for state performances, many strikingly beautiful in design, are laid across 240 pages, bringing with them many hours of browsing." "An insight into the banalities of a country's whose name is synonymous with the cult of personality, political and cultural oppression, and the threat of nuclear war." "Graphic designs used in adverts for drinks and sweets offer a hint of luxury and a break from daily monotony." Essays by Bonner provide an insight into daily life and culture in the country and highlight some recurring themes in North Korean design... A rare glimpse of the country's visual culture and shows how the ideology of the Workers' Party is expressed in everything from cosmetics to cigarette cartons." Beautifully produced and printed on toothy uncoated paper, with an appealing use of colour throughout, the book contextualises its content through essays and extended captions, encouraging readers to consider not only the images' visual appeal but also what they can tell us?through their appearance, style, origin and means of production?about North Korea itself."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Gives you a fuller understanding of NK's particular brand of communist art and how it was applied in different industries and mediums."
"For the person who was "there", as I was, it is a great reminder of the products seen, and not seen!"
"Very interesting book, depicts a side of North Korea few really ever see, Unfortunately, the book could have been printed and bound better for the price."
Best Antique & Collectible Non-Sports Cards
For the first time, this book brings together high-quality reproductions of the entire original series, as well as the hard-to-find sequel from 1994, rare and never-before-seen sketches, concept art, and test market materials. Also included are an introduction by series co-creator Len Brown and an afterword by Zina Saunders, daughter of the original artist, providing an insider’s behind-the-scenes view of the bizarre and compelling world of Mars Attacks. “It’s like a mini-museum of alien grotesquerie between two solid covers, depicting all the iterations of the series, with further treatments by modern illustrators, and sketchbook reproductions, and names, dates, and times. The Topps Company, Inc. , founded in 1938, is the preeminent creator and brand marketer of sports cards, entertainment products, and distinctive confectionery.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The Mars Attacks card set featured artwork portraying a Martian invasion of Earth and all the horrors it would entail."
"A fantastic book that brought back a lot of memories."
"It is pretty rare, however, to see a movie based on a set of trading cards, but back around the turn of the century, Tim Burton did a version of Mars Attacks. The front of the cards would illustrate something from the invasion, typically, a relatively graphic version of the Martians (or their giant insect minions) killing people in creative and/or vicious manners."
"these many years ago, when I was in grade school, I had a dozen or so of the original bubblegum cards."
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book!"
"I remember my brother having these cards and my mom being horrified by them and they soon disappeared."
"This book features every card in the series in full color, many that I had never seen before, along with preliminary sketches, alternate versions and modern homage designs."
"This book reproduces the topps trading cards front and back with notes about the production of the art."
Best Antique & Collectible Paper Ephemera
Colorfully illustrated with photographs, portraits, and relevant artworks, this handsome hardcover is a visual treat too, making Letters of Note an utterly distinctive gift, and an instant classic. "While some might argue that the art of correspondence died with the advent of the internet, it was Letters of Note-a popular website sharing correspondence across history and spheres-that paved the way for the exceptional hardcover of the same name. The book's introduction aptly describes itself as "a museum of letters" that are as addictive as they are enlightening; featuring letters from Ernest Hemingway, Fidel Castro, Nick Cave, Elvis and more than a few world leaders. London-based author Shaun Usher compiled the collection of over 125 letters over the course of four years and the subjects span both private and public theatrics. In Letters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience (brought to you by the creator of the blog by the same name) you'll read letters spanning across centuries, from influential political leaders, authors, actors, murderers, and more. "This new book beautifully highlights fascinating letters ...The hardcover demands prime space on the coffee table." "Someone should write a love letter to a new book called Letters of Note . It's a splendid collection of all kinds of correspondence through the ages: Elvis Presley fans writing to the president, children making suggestions to famous cartoonists, a scientist's poignant love letter to his late wife."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"There could have been a thousand letters here and I still would not have tired of reading. In the meantime, I will peruse his website, Letters of Note, to see if I can find more wonderful letters from personalities famous and obscure."
"Letters of Note by Shaun Usher. NOVEMBER 7, 2017 ~ LEAVE A COMMENT ~ EDIT. Letters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider AudienceLetters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience by Shaun Usher. My rating: 5 of 5 stars. It was from “A Way with Words” a public radio show about the English language, including the origins of words, the usages, and good books that I came to know this lovely book. Of all the letters in the book, the following three letters resonate in my mind: (1) E. B. White’s letter to his gentleman acquaintance regarding the importance of having hope for humanity; (2) Anaïs Nin’s rebuking letter to a faceless collector of her co-authored “Erotica” for his demand of more prevalent racy contents; and (3) a nameless German’s woman’s letter to her husband asking him to take her back home from a dreadful mental hospital she was in."
"True to its title, this master piece contained missives that communicated a myriad of emotions, raised pertinent questions and advised the ones in need. The typography lends a rich grandeur which these letters of note truly deserve and needless to say, it evoke the emotions that come with holding a hard cover. Upon reading this work, one cannot help but think even though we as humanity have progressed in leaps and bounds in terms of technology and life style, have lost out a lot in the art of truly communicating and asking questions that makes us think long, hard, deep and all other attributes alike."
"This is a wonderful book that I will re-read many times."
Best Antique & Collectible Postcards
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pixar Animation Studios with film and concept art from every Pixar feature-length and short film to date.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"These are really cool, unique post cards that are absolutely beautiful."
"Some are the cards are super cute and awesome while some are eh and ok. Great gift for a Disney freak."
"These are very durable cards with lots of illustrations from Toy Story, some from CARS and the rest from other PIXAR movies."
"The images used are stills from the films or sketches of characters and scenes from the films during the planning stages, and a handful of pictures that look like they were drawn by children. I like to send the occasional post card to my preschool students to encourage them to use the postal service and send along a little cheer (who doesn't like getting a postcard?"
"He needed something on a large empty wall but I didn't like the idea of having frames on every wall space and I already had cool cartooney outer-space stick ons on two of them."
"I am impressed also by the thickness and quality of the cards - they have a nice weighted feel to them (but won't cost more to mail)."
"I bought them to use for postcrossing, but it will be hard to mail some of them, They are so cute."
"Great deal for postcards!!"
Best Sports Memorabilia & Cards Antiques
2017 GIFT IDEAS | COLORING BOOKS FOR GROWN-UPS | MOTHERHOOD. Grab some colored pencils and markers, this coloring book, and run to the bathroom (don't forget the wine)!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought this as a gift for a friend of mine and she loved it!"
"Great pics, easy to color, and makes you giggle....three ways to my heart!"
"Cute for a new mom... Not like she'll have time to color in it, though."
"This book is hilarious."
"The pages are thick and it's one sided pages, so you can use markers, the texture of the books' cover is smooth and rather nice to feel."
"this book makes me laugh i love it i remember when my kids where little they are adults now and have kids the art is amazing in this book as well as the snarky sayings."
"great coloring book...do hope there is one coming out for moms with older kids...teens and even adult kids lol."
"Love this coloring book!"
Best Americana Antiques & Collectibles
Beautifully designed and illustrated with color photographs throughout, The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects is a rich and fascinating journey through America's collective memory, and a beautiful object in its own right. Kirkus Reviews : “Smithsonian Undersecretary Kurin’s tales are abundant, so much so that it seems almost a shame to stop at a mere 101 items....A well-conceived and well-illustrated pleasure to read, combining narrative history and keepsake volume.”.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Kurin has written a very interesting series of articles about these 101 objects and how they relate to the history of America."
"Love this book...Didn't think it would be this thick for softcover...Alot of good information inside.. Great purchase..."
"Pages inside the book are good, but the jacket and cover are torn and worn in places."
"The book is filled with an immense amount of information which is presented in a fascinating, readable way."
"I am moving to the USA soon and thought it would be interesting to get to know some of the history of my next home country and this book is a really great source for that."
"An excellent book: One of the best put out by The Smithsonian."
Best Performing Arts Antiques & Collectibles
A one-of-a-kind deluxe keepsake for fans celebrating Quidditch, the magical sport from J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This isn't a playable quidditch set, and for anyone who thought you could buy a full sports quality quidditch set at $18... maybe you should have read the product description a little more closely."
"I also thought it was gonna be really tiny because of the price, but it's a pretty good collectible size (not life size). And for those leaving bad reviews because the snitch doesn't have wings...have you seen the movie?"
"I really love the trunk...so many complained that it was too small, I was hoping for something smaller."
"Also the hinges are so 'shaky' I'm sort of scared to open and close the thing. Overall, it's a fun little set to own (especially for an avid Harry Potter Fan), and it does look good. I suppose if you want a really nice Quidditch Set, you are going to have to really invest some money into it... maybe at a place like Etsy."
"Bought as a wedding gift for a Harry Potter obsessed friend of mine."
"I did expect this set to be bigger but, I still love it and I think its very cute."
"Great Harry Potter birthday gift!"
"I love this and think it's adorable."
Best Canadiana Antiques & Collectibles
This Christian adult coloring book lets you enjoy the relaxing act of coloring while also deepening your male relationship with the Lord our God. Color The Psalms (Coloring For Grown-Ups) - ISBN 1534827617 Color The Proverbs (Coloring For Grown-Ups) - ISBN 1534827684 Color The Gospel (Coloring For Grown-Ups) - ISBN 153482782X Color Genesis (Coloring For Grown-Ups) - ISBN 1534827900 Verses For Women (Coloring For Grown-Ups) - ISBN 1945888059 Verses For Men (Coloring For Grown-Ups) - ISBN 1534827978 6-Month Prayer Journal (Coloring Edition) - ISBN 1945888466 6-Month Bible Study Journal (Coloring Edition) - ISBN 1945888474.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My father-in-law loves this coloring book."
"Got as a gift for my dad."
"However, my wife regularly colors in adult coloring books because she says that it helps her to reduce her stress levels. I have also heard that coloring in the adult coloring books helps reduce the effects of dementia or Alzheimer’s because it keeps your brain engaged and active and thus helps prevent the symptoms. Regardless of the benefits of coloring, it is quite simply fun to color in this coloring book. Although you don’t actually color the passages in the book, you can color all around the passages to make them look as pretty as they sound when you read them."
"I purchased this particular book as a gift for my brother-in-law's birthday because he came to Christ recently in life and would enjoy something like this that is catered to man but is also a gift that's a bit different and creative. I rely heavily on reviews from others when purchasing items online, so when I write reviews I want to be as helpful to you as you are to me."
"*Verses are from a variety of Old and New Testament Bible passages - Acts, Hebrews, Philippians, Proverbs, Genesis, etc. *Verses are taken from a variety of Bible translations (NIV, Revised Standard Version, New King James, King James Version, etc.)."
Best Antiques Care & Reference
144 new pages for a grand total of 528 pages of pure Smith & Wesson 14 new revolver models added since last edition Dozens of new variations of the M&P pistol New S&W rifles and shotguns, including many new M&P 15 rifles Hundreds of detailed, full-color photos Smith & Wesson gun values and collector information. Jim Supica is Director of NRA Museums.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It was a little thin on information on a particular model I was curious about (a 4505) and looked to have taken the info on that gun right out of the blue book."
"I bought this as a first time reference book for dating Smith and Wesson revolvers. It helps estimate date of manufacture but not a pin point like a Letter from Smith."
"Christmas 2013 I received another gift card, purchased this one, the third edition."
"This book is a must for people who love and or collect Smith & Wesson firearms, even has guns that the blue book of gun values doesn't have with great information and details!"
"Prices, history, collectibility, production numbers, etc..."
"These two authors did a fantastic job at putting this history together from 1852 forward.."
"THE INFORMATION IN THIS BOOK IS BEYOND ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER READ ON SMITH & WESSON."
"Arrived with crushed corners and loose spline (beat up in transport, I suppose)."
Best Popular Culture Antiques & Collectibles
A one-of-a-kind deluxe keepsake for fans celebrating Quidditch, the magical sport from J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This isn't a playable quidditch set, and for anyone who thought you could buy a full sports quality quidditch set at $18... maybe you should have read the product description a little more closely."
"I also thought it was gonna be really tiny because of the price, but it's a pretty good collectible size (not life size). And for those leaving bad reviews because the snitch doesn't have wings...have you seen the movie?"
"I really love the trunk...so many complained that it was too small, I was hoping for something smaller."
"I got the set for under $5 and I feel that was a fair price; I wouldn't pay more than that for it personally. Like others have mentioned the book is basically just the same vector clip art that's being put on all kinds of products along with a handful of box art, but personally I find the miniature book aspect to be quite charming even if the art is somewhat modernized."
"The two complaints I have are due to the quality of the box and the fact that the golden snitch is not removable."
"Though other reviewers seem to be more okay with the included book, I was more disappointed by the book than by the pony. There are some colorful pictures of various ponies in the book, which are nice (though they kind of look like clip-art), but there is a lot of unnecessary filler text that I didn't love -- for instance, some pages merely said mundane things like "Made in the 80's" or "Friends 4-Ever" which seemed completely pointless to me."
"Bought as a wedding gift for a Harry Potter obsessed friend of mine."
"The pony I received was very different (I see the image has now been updated to reflect the actual pony)."
Best Political Antiques & Collectibles
Designed and curated by the legendary designer Kit Hinrichs, these 100 postcards (50 images, repeating once) showcase the American flag as both a piece of art and a cultural object. KIT HINRICHS is considered one of the world's most influential graphic designers and is partner in the global design firm Pentagram.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I also bought several postcard stamps, looked up all the addresses of my state and federal reps and made a bunch of labels for each of them."
"This is a great collection of cards - like many other 100 Card sets, there are actually 2 sets of 50. Depending on your preferences, this is good or bad."
"Perfect postcards to send to politicians who aren't doing their job!"
"There were a couple out of the fifty different themes that I thought missed the point, but as a whole, the group was really very nice and great for sending an American message to friends and associates."
"Great postcard set."
"There are some old time pictures of soldiers and some cigar bands, which are cool, but not exactly what I was hoping for."
"These cards were great!!"
"Excellent postcards capturing some of our greatest moments in history!"
Best Diecast Antiques & Collectibles
This book provides a quality reference on Tonka Truck Toys produced from 1947 through 1963. The toughest toy trucks of all are also becoming increasingly tougher to find for collectors.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I used it to help price my old Tonka trucks for resale on EBAY."
"It's abundant with factory and personnel history, including photos and profiles of the folks whose backs the Tonka brand was built on. There are adequate photos of Tonka products to satisfy a 'shared read' with a youngster, and yet give the collector a proper specimin to compare his own pieces to."
"Enjoyed reading about the early years at the Tonka factory and wished the factory was still there in Mound so we could tour through it to see the toys being made."
"A terrific reference book which has helped me immensely in my collecting of Tonka Toys."
"I bought it for my husband, and he loved it!"
"I love it."
Best Art Antiques & Collectibles
Metaphorical Journey is a poetic catalogue of the Vladimir Kush’s major paintings and drawings through 2002.
Vladimir Kush started formal art training in Russia at the age of seven and progressed to art institute in Moscow.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I perused his/this book in the gallery and decided to add it to my growing library ASAP. His writing adds an extensive narrative to his metaphorical artistic mysteries & fantasies."
"You could come home from a busy day and just sit and be calmed by the warm, magical, imaginery, illustrious notions of each and every piece."
"Very good quality book and so beautifully illustrated."
"Not quite what I expected with the photographs, but it's all right."
"Beautiful reproductions but the cover was attached oddly."
"Great book, holds most of VK's work, I love it, I actually discovered his art in Laguna Beach, CA."
"Vladimir Kush is amazing!"
"Pricey, but an amazing book."
Best Military Antiques & Collectibles
Smithsonian Civil War is a lavishly illustrated coffee-table book featuring 150 entries in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. It is similar in coverage and format to illustrated histories such as William J. Miller and Brian C. Pohanka's An Illustrated History of the Civil War (Time-Life, 2000) and is better suited as a browsing item for Civil War buffs or an adult audience.–Mary Mueller, Rolla Public Schools, MOα(c) Copyright 2013.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a great book of history to have."
"A beautifully photographed record of the bloodiest war in American History."
"Attractive coffee table book, full of interesting mementos from the Civil War, each with a detailed description of the item."
"This was a gift to a Civil War hobbyist who absolutely loved it."
"Truthfully I can't say I love this book, but my husband does!"
"Fantastic coffee table book!!!"
"Offers a glimpse into unusual Civil War artifacts not likely found elsewhere."
"Haven't read it yet, but as a civil war reenactor this is a must buy for highlights of the civil war encompassing the historial events."
Best Antique & Collectible Ceramics
2017 GIFT IDEAS | COLORING BOOKS FOR GROWN-UPS | HUMOROUS.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Really enjoy this book."
"Gave this as a Christmas gift to a southern friend of mine and she loved it!"
"Southern Sayins' & Sass: A Chalkboard Coloring Book: Well Bless Your Heart: Southern Charm & Southern Sayings Funny Coloring Books For Grownups & ... Spiritual Coloring Book & Zen Coloring Book)."
"You can either color inside the book or tear it out to color elsewhere. The book is paperback which I think makes it easier to color because the book is more flexible than a hard covered book would be."
"I rank each product with 1-5 star rating, below you will find what I personally feel each star represents when I am reviewing a product. 1 star = I hate the product - would return if I could, threw it away. 2 star = I don't like the product - will never purchase again, but will use until I get something different. 3 star = It's okay - I'm indifferent about it. 4 star = I like the product - recommend it. 5 star = I LOVE the product - strongly recommend this product and this product alone (would purchase again if need be). Thank you for taking the time to read my review."
Best Antique & Collectible Records
It’s bursting with the latest facts and stats on your favorite games from the futuristic soccer action of Rocket League to the psychedelic paint battles of Splatoon . GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS (GWR) is the universally recognized global authority on record-breaking achievement.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A 28 year old step-grandson who is a whiz computer person, and his 16 year old brother,also a whiz with computers, both remarked about this book in a very favorable manner."
"This book has a lot of trivia in it. If anyone still gives a trivia party this book would put you leaps on everyone else."
"I think it's a fun book to browse and although he is almost 14 now, during the years when he was between the ages 8-12 he excitedly went into hiding every year and read them cover to cover."
"has a thick hardback cover in a shiny yellow metallic that makes it look like a rockstar is gonna pop out when you open it up."
"It is a thick book and what I love is that every possible space on each page is filled with facts and stories."
"There is a lot of good information and tips in the book."
"Great book."
"I get the new one for my son every Christmas, this has kept my son who is 12 and my daughter who is 9 enthralled with reading for countless hours."
Best Antique & Collectible Magazines & Newspapers
Featuring show-stopping imagery and thrilling behind-the-scenes tales, National Geographic 125 Years captures the heart of National Geographic's fascinating history, from its earliest days as a scientific club to its growth into one of the world's largest geographic organizations. (Eliza R. Scidmore, p. 77) AFGHANISTAN | 1984 Editor Bill Garrett had a fabulous. eye: It was he who plucked this Kodachrome frame from a. pile of rejects and made it the most famous cover image in. the magazine’s history.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A detailed history of the Society and its explorers (even the more minor ones get their due), beautifully illustrated with photos and graphics, offering a look at how the magazine and society have changed over the past century-plus."
"Beautiful!"
"Winter reading material."
"It's a good coffee table book."
"As a casual reader of National Geographic (in the waiting room of my chiro each month) I saw this advertised in one of the issues."
"One of my favorite books in our home library."
"Perfect as a special gift or beautiful coffee table book."
"National Geographic has always been a favorite of mine."
Best Antique & Collectible Toys & Figurines
Wired.com says, "If you're a LEGO fanatic (or know one), The LEGO Ideas Book is worth taking a look at." ©2016 The LEGO Group. His writing has appeared in LEGO Club Magazine as well as LEGO Master Builder Academy , and his characters and storylines regularly appear in new LEGO themes and animated LEGO films.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I remember the Lego Idea Book 6000 the best, that's the one that follows Bill and Mary as they build a house, explore a city, travel to space, and then back in time to a medieval castle. The book is broken up into sections, essentially these are: vehicles, buildings, spaceships & robots, castles, pirates & adventure, and real world creations. This last section is very interesting, showing you things such as picture frames and pencil holders made out of LEGO. These include some interview style questions where you learn about the builder who wrote a particular section of the book. The lack of instructions also mean that it is probably more suited to an experienced LEGO builder - either an older child or a parent who enjoys building with younger children."
"This book certainly stimulates the child's imagination re: what is possible to build with Legos."
"Perhaps as he gets older, he will gain a better appreciation for all of the ideas in the book."
"disappointed it doesn't give you more details on how to build the items it shows."
"This is like an engineering version of a DK Publishing tour guide book, but for legos."
"If you don't have a huge lego collection, this book could potentially have you buying more lego pieces or hunting down some of the more rare specialized peices to accomplish some of the creations."
"I got this book for my son, who, along with his two boys *ages 7 & 4* has always been very creative with anything LEGO."
"I was expecting step by step type instructions but it's more of a bragging book with pictures of things people built without help of how to build it."
Best Antique & Collectible Coins & Medals
Collectors around the country love the book's grade-by-grade values, auction records, historical background, detailed specifications, high-resolution photographs, and accurate mintage data. Articles on investing, grading coins, and detecting counterfeits will make you a savvy collector; and entertaining essays on the history of American coinage, shipwrecks and hoards, and the modern rare-coin market give you an inside look at "the hobby of kings."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Very informative Book, I haven't looked through my coin books and loose ones in several years."
"All ways purchase these books, helps keep up with much needed info for my coin collection !!"
"My first Redbook."
"If you have an interest in your coin's value, this book is a MUST."
"I couldn't ask for a better reference book!"
"Perfect for the collector in my family."
"Very thorough and just what I needed."
"Not enough detail for me to see in the book or detailed in what to look for on the coin."
Best Antique & Collectible Books
This charming classic love story, first published in 1970, brings together twenty years of correspondence between Helene Hanff, at the time, a freelance writer living in New York City, and a used-book dealer in London at 84, Charing Cross Road. In her first letter to Marks & Co., Helene Hanff encloses a wish list, but warns, "The phrase 'antiquarian booksellers' scares me somewhat, as I equate 'antique' with expensive." Twenty days later, on October 25, 1949, a correspondent identified only as FPD let Hanff know that works by Hazlitt and Robert Louis Stevenson would be coming under separate cover. In the collection's penultimate entry, Helene Hanff urges a tourist friend, "If you happen to pass by 84, Charing Cross Road, kiss it for me.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I loved the movie and think the book characters lack the intimacy developed by Anthony Hopkins and Ann Bancroft."
"Helene Hanff and FPD correspond for 20 years across two continents and centuries of books."
"Interesting publication of a unique correspondence between individuals during a unique period."
"You will want to be a part of this funny, moving story told in letters."
"I love this book."
"A most wonderful book about books for people who love books by a woman who loved books."
"A mini masterpiece."
"This book is a collection of a series of letters exchanged by the author, Helene Hanff, a New York writer, and the employees, though primarily Frank Doel, of Marks & Co, a London-based antiquarian bookseller. This book of letters is special because it captures so well the passion that both the author and the company had for rare and classic books, not to mention the friendships that were engendered because of that shared passion."
Best Antique & Collectible Stamps
Each Coloring Page is designed for Fun and Relaxation It includes a Digital PDF Edition for Unlimited Printing It includes 29 Exclusive Swear Word & Funny Phrases Coloring Pages Designed for Adults Each Coloring Page is printed on a separate sheet to avoid bleed through Each Swear Word is Designed with Flowers, Motifs, and Patterns The Variety of Pages Ensure There is Something for Every Skill Level Follow us on Snapchat at: Rainbowcoloring. Featuring some of the most inappropriate swear words imaginable, these beautiful designs are a joy to color.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If using gel pens or markers to color, I always recommend placing a few sheets of paper in between the pages so nothing goes through or else I personally like to use a piece of poster board. I like to know what is in a book for the designs before buying it and many don't show you and then you end up with something you thought you'd like but then don't."
"This is my favorite by far!"
"Always a great gift for someone with a good sense of humor."
"I literally bought these cursey coloring books for all my staff."
"Feel like cussing everyone that you talk to?"
"Nice drawings on quality paper."
"Love these books."
"it's fun but watch out with using markers because it bleeds through to the other side."
Best Antique & Collectible Clocks & Watches
From the fifty-day power reserve, to the constant force mechanism, and the 1,000Hz mechanical escapement, section 1 will allow the reader to understand and appreciate what is happening beneath the dial of their watch. For example, the regatta timer, pulsometer, and monopusher chronograph join a host of others in a chapter entitled 'Recording Lapses of Time'; The power reserve indicator, dynamograph, and crown position indicator are featured in a chapter for 'Power and Performance Indication'; The moon phase indicator, annual calendar, and planetarium can be found in the 'Astronomical Complications' chapter. Once the functional categories are exhausted, the final three chapters explore whimsical complications that have little regard for practical function, novelty time indication, and the 'super-complicated' watch - a rare breed of timepiece that houses an intimidating host of complications featured throughout the book. At 352 pages in large format, the handbook is a beautiful book, filled with captivating images and explanatory text which never gets too dry or too technical. Ryan Schmidt's monumental book takes you from the basic principles to the most complicated derivations of watchmaking and is designed to “to be a map and compass for you own personal journey”, without being cryptically elitist or pretentious. At times it was a little maddening, but my absolute priority with the book was to deliver complex subject matter in an accessible yet accurate manner. Whether looking for an understandable, yet informed, overview of watch movements―from the general to the specific, such as Roger Smith's Daniels Anniversary movement (below)―or if you are desperately seeking insight into whether life can be lived without a Telemeter (‘a key tool for calculating firing range'), Mr. Schmidt's “brand agnostic” tome could be the place to find your answer.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The pictures are clear and do a very good job showing what the text is referring to."
"This book is fantastic - it is a visual gem with a very easy understandable take on explaining complications and watch basics."
"Great book!"
"This book is a must-have for any wristwatch enthusiast."
"This is a very detailed book with a lot of beautiful photos."
"Stunning pictures with the explanations behind the inner workings of a mechanical watch."
"A real pleasure to read these book."
"Great Book explaining every complication in easy to understand manner."
Best Antique & Collectible Marbles
Included among the handmade marbles are old marbles of glass, earthenware, minerals, and steel; machine-made marbles are identified by their manufacturers; and contemporary handmade glass marbles by artisans recapturing the old styles and creating exciting new styles all their own. Bob Block has been collecting, appraising, auctioning, and dealing in marbles for over 30 years.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great book on marbles, their origins and manufacturers."
"Very informative with great pictures."
"Didn't quite fill my needs."
"This was a gift for a friend."
"This is a comprehensive, well designed volume for anyone interested in learning about marble identification."
Best Antique & Collectible Bottles
The Bottle Bible! He is a member of the Los Angeles Historical Bottle Club, San Diego Antique Bottle Club, Las Vegas Bottle Club and the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Also provides info on newer (vintage) bottles like Jim Beam whiskey bottles, Ezra Brooks whiskey, Avon bottles, miniature whiskey bottles, soda bottles, Violin & Banjo bottles."
"This gives me the basic bottles prices on old and new bottles and other items."
"Good book for Collectors."
"There are plenty of other bottles that did not make their list."
"I got this book for about 75 cents plus shipping on Amazon and it is well worth the shipping and change, the color photos of the bottles are beautiful!"
"If you want a clinical book to be able to classify bottles by the way their necks are shaped or the amount of bubbles in the glass this book will fit your needs well."
"Not a bit of info I could use👎."
Best Antique & Collectible Buttons
Jesus’ teachings and ministry come alive with each scripture verse featured in this Christian adult coloring book, deepening your Christian faith and relationship with Jesus. Color The Psalms (Coloring For Grown-Ups) - ISBN 1534827617 Color The Proverbs (Coloring For Grown-Ups) - ISBN 1534827684 Color The Gospel (Coloring For Grown-Ups) - ISBN 153482782X Color Genesis (Coloring For Grown-Ups) - ISBN 1534827900 Verses For Women (Coloring For Grown-Ups) - ISBN 1945888059 Verses For Men (Coloring For Grown-Ups) - ISBN 1534827978 6-Month Prayer Journal (Coloring Edition) - ISBN 1945888466 6-Month Bible Study Journal (Coloring Edition) - ISBN 1945888474.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"These coloring books are wonderful because they are day and night color books so you have the options of coloring on a lighter colored page or a darker color page. It provides some pictures that are more detailed while also providing other pictures that are less detailed so that no matter whether you like to color the small sections or the larger sections and provide something for everyone."
"I did receive this product at a discounted rate in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. I am not affiliated with the seller or manufacturer of this product in any way, and am in no way required to leave a positive review. I review all products honestly regardless of the price I paid for the item."
"I was so excited to get these coloring books, and I bought four of them. When I was looking at these they were $8.99 regular regular price and if I want a coloring book it needs to have more area to color not just some blank space here, blank space there. I have a few suggestions Thor this company and they are more designs more intricate designs comma and don't repeat verses."
"Due to the page structure, and the black patterning on the back of the pages, I had no issue with bleeding. Perfect for colored pencils or ultra fine markers (I was only using fine tip, so I had issue in a few places, but not that many. I would definitely recommend this coloring book."
Best Antique & Collectible Posters
2017 GIFT IDEAS | COLORING BOOKS FOR GROWN-UPS | NURSING. Well, put back the gurneys and pick up this Coloring Book for Grown-Ups instead!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Bought 2 of these as gifts for nurses I had during a recent hospital stay."
"The book itself has high-quality pages that have just one picture per page and on the opposite side has a black page with a random design."
"One of my best friends is a nurse and she loves to color."
"My nurse friends loved them."
"Bought this as a gift for a new nurse in the family."
"All things we've thought when are nerves are fried and a 12 hour shift feels like an eternity."
"Bought it for a UCSD graduate who is headed to nursing school."
"Bought this for a nurse friend and sent it right to her, so I never saw it all, but she really liked it and was quite impressed."
Best Antique & Collectible Music Boxes
this book is the definitive reference for anyone interested in the history of music, mechanical music, and musical technology, with complete diagrams of the various types of mechanical movements used over the centuries, indexes of manufacturers, box styles, and tune sheets, complete American and British patent lists, tips on maintaining, repairing, and purchasing boxes, and a price guide. Dr. Arthur Ord-Hume is England's foremost scholar of musical boxes, and spends much of his time traveling internationally to conduct research and to educate others about the subject.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"So very nice, love the pictures!"
"Thirteen chapters covering things like history, how they are made, advice for collectors, conservation and protection, an index of makers, hundreds of illustrations, many in color."
"The Musical Box has many illustrations (including tune cards) and had lots of good information."
"Very good book, great seller."
"interesting book, but was looking for more information on repairing music boxes."
"As others have said, this profusely illustrated book tells you everything you might want to know about music boxes."
Best Antique & Collectible Advertising
Also included on the CD, on a separate track, is the new, original "Chester's Song" with lyrics by Audrey Penn and set to beautiful music.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"We put one on at the beginning of the preschool and school year and whenever we are having a hard time separating for the day."
"My girls and i love this story!"
"This is such a wonderful story for children dealing with separation anxiety, or even just a nice message to help children feel secure when going to school for the first time, or even daycare."
"was told to bring my favorite childhood book to my friends baby shower, growing up I love this one so purchased it for her (:"
"My favorite children's book."
"This book has given my toddler help transition from being home to going to day care."
"This was a favorite of my daughter, and she recently went away to college and wanted this to take with her."
"Beautiful book for children!"
Best Antique & Collectible Weapons
This edition features a more detailed Price Percentage Grading System (PPGS), and an expanded serialization section, allowing more dates of manufacture to be determined. In the gun business, the Blue Book of Gun Values is considered the authority when it comes to establishing the value of a firearm.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Have owned several editions over the years."
"We tried using the online version, but the book is way easier."
"very thorough guide to all guns."
"Simply by far the best Blue Book to date."
"BIG book, Pretty good coverage."
"Gave it as a gift to a collector friend."
"A necessary book for any gun collector or novice."
"Just what I needed to help me decide on how much insurance to buy."
Best Antique & Collectible Textiles & Costumes
Grand in scope and handsomely produced, Four Centuries of Quilts: The Colonial Williamsburg Collection is sure to be one of the most useful and beloved references on quilts and quilting for years to come. "The book Four Centuries of Quilts: The Colonial Williamsburg Collection , by the curators Linda Baumgarten and Kimberly Smith Ivey, . delves into the genealogies of craftswomen, including a Maine blueberry farmer, a Brooklyn philanthropist and an Alabama housekeeper. As historical documents, for example, they show the ways women reacted to the Civil War and how far-flung countries traded with each other at an early date. The book catalogs nearly 180 quilts from the museum’s collection, dating back more than 400 years, and tells the stories of the quilt-makers . "[ Four Centuries of Quilts ] is a joint publication by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the Yale University Press. With those credentials you know that this big, attractive book is the word on quilt making in America. "Each quilt in the book is both a work of art as well as a historic document offering revealing clues to the past. "An important addition to any decorative arts library, for it contains the most recent quilt scholarship, carefully footnoted. This volume highlights scads of exquisite eye candy, but it's those lovely 'Baltimore album quilts' that made me gasp. In Four Centuries of Quilts , an expansive new survey published by Yale University Press, authors Linda Baumgarten and Kimberly Smith Ivey say yes. "The substance and breadth of this lavishly illustrated museum collection catalog make it a worthy addition to the well-established scholarly literature on the history and significance of quilts and quilt making in American culture. Book design is first-rate, with period photographs, portraits, related artifacts, detail close-ups, and black-and-white diagrams providing context for 130-plus full-page color plates." "A wonderful book, an enormous, fabulous overview devoted to the world-famous collection of Colonial Williamsburg. The two textile conservators responsible for the collection offer us in this book a fabulous journey to a land of richly documented quilts and hundreds of photos of extraordinary pieces. The book’s historical references are supplemented with spectacular full-page photos as well as close-up detail photograph.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"good information, inspiration."
"Bought for my wife who was very impressed."
"Organized chronologically, it begins where bed quilts seem to have begun, in India, where by 1609 the word “quilt” had already become a common term among English traders who brought both white and exotic painted, printed, and embroidered bedcovers back from India to a people newly alive to the world beyond their own chilly terrain. It ends with the work of African-American quiltmakers from Gee’s Bend, Alabama, whose bold, primitive designs created a similar excitement among sophisticated urban audiences. Even now, after a month with this book, when I turn to the photograph on page 91, a border fragment from a pieced and figural quilt circa 1700 and 1730, my hand involuntarily moves to touch the shattering silk backing. It is the language of writers long familiar with their subject and accustomed to communicating even complex details in the limited format of museum displays and exhibitions. Baumgarten and Ivey consistently raise questions, note limitations of current conclusions, call attention to an aspect of a well-known quilt that many ignore. Instead of treating the early motif of the tree in a garden as purely Indian in cultural origin, for example, they point to the close relationship between the exotic trees found in English crewel embroidery and the flowering branches of chintzes and suggest that established taste in needlework motifs might have influenced the Indian products, rather than the reverse. Except for the earliest, traders did not simply purchase what had been produced by Indian artisans and then market those textiles to their clients in Europe. Examining Renaissance iconography and the politics of the late 1500s, the authors end by noting the possibility of an eastern European origin for two stunning silk pieces and others mentioned in trade accounts and correspondence. I’ve encountered no book on quilts that goes to greater lengths than this to identify makers, fabrics, origins, donors, milieu, and so much more than is strictly required to support conclusions. A woman in an intricately designed dress holds a parasol in the center of a block constructed of multitudinous tiny pieces of silk arranged in what would one day be called the Broken Dishes pattern. Looking at this extraordinary piece with a magnifying glass, one marvels, both at the skill and accomplishment of the makers, but also at the variety of designs that emerged in larger form in the 1840s. One side of it consists of fifty-six blocks, set on point and constructed in the color combination of a blue-green, oxblood, and cheddar that was so popular in the South at this time. As a backing, the maker used a much older American hand block-printed bedcover that reflects in its design the patriotism of an earlier era. The printed top was slightly smaller than the pieced front of the quilt and was not perfectly squared, so the maker added strips of gingham to make up the difference. I have but one caveat about the book---it neglects quilts from the cultures south and west of the original English colonies’ borders. Cut off from close interaction with the East and Mid-Atlantic regions by space, early settlers of the South adapted their inherited customs and worldviews to dramatically different circumstances. From Kentucky to the 31st parallel, Southerners were defined and united by their relationship to the land, but most lived in relative isolation from their neighbors. The evacuation and removal of Indians from the South in the late 1820s brought new waves of settlers into the region and increased the competition for land. Cattle and hog herding dominated the economy along the arc of the coastal plain with its pine barrens dotted with cowpens, producing a steady pattern of movement westward to fresh grazing areas. Planters were accutely conscious of the independence of the small farmers or owners of cowpens and took considerable pains to curry the favor of their yeoman neighbors. And when, early in the next century, the sons of these elites failed to honor their needs, men with names like Folsom, Long, and Talmadge would remind them of the power of the common man. Included in a section titled “Make Do” is a paper-pieced quilt top from Fort Worth, Texas, presumed to be the work of a white quiltmaker. It is made by a white woman from western North Carolina, but had it been included in a Gee’s Bend exhibition, no one would have questioned its placement. I am personally familiar with the Field of Diamonds quilt shown on page 128, made by Mrs. Emma Russell, who lived in nearby Jackson Parish, Louisiana. Her second choice was to repeat patterns she had made previously, especially the Double Wedding Ring, which she held to be the apex of quilt design. In other words, most of Mrs. Russell’s quilts were strongly influenced by commercial motives and printed patterns and photographs found in contemporary publications. To answer these requires a careful, dispassionate study of the ways in which black and white women interacted in general. I think of the late eighteenth century with its literary hoaxes like James MacPherson’s Ossian papers, the many “rough geniuses” discovered or reported in craggy Scottish caves and their odd ballads."
"Wonderful historical quilt book filled with color photos."
"I really appreciated learning about the history of textiles, dyes, and especially about early quilting."
"Beautiful book."
"If you like history you will love it."
"Very nice "table top" book."