Friday, June 26, 2009

Book Review - Collectibles for the Kitchen Bath and Beyond

Do you love vintage kitchen figurals and other whimsical collectibles? Collectibles for the Kitchen, Bath and Beyond is right up your alley! If it is unique, retro cute, or a little bit off the wall in that gloriously kitschy way, it is highlighted in this book!

The authors have divided the book into chapters that are dedicated to specific categories:
Napkin Dolls
Pie Birds
Decorative Stringholders
Laundry Sprinklers
Figural Egg Timers
Children's Cups & Baby Feeder Dishes
Razor Blade Banks

There is also an "everything else" kind of chapter that includes egg separators, garlic and onion condiment jars, lipstick ladies, measuring spoon holders, plant waterers, figural tea balls, and toothbrush holders. I wasn't kidding when I said this book is hand tailored to the collector of all things kitschy and fun!

The authors describe their book this way - "Our book is a compilation of funky items that are for the most part functionally obsolete. Once indispensable in the home, their roles have been replaced by more modern conveniences."

Packed from cover to cover with large, full color photos of interesting items and their values, this guide is a must have for the reference library of any vintage geek!
Collectibles for the Kitchen Bath and Beyond
List Price: $29.95 - Our Price: $15.95 + FREE SHIPPING!

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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Book Review - Collector's Encyclopedia of Made in Japan Ceramics

Author Carole Bess White's four volumes of Collector's Guides to Made In Japan Ceramics have been bestsellers for many years. This new Collector's Encyclopedia of Made in Japan Ceramics takes the best from her other books and adds hundreds of new items as well. These delightful collectibles are definitely in the "hot" category right now, and this guide is a real treasure for both new and experienced collectors!

The History of Japan Ceramics section at the beginning of the book is invaluable, as is the section on Backstamps, to help with identifying and dating items. The rest of the book is all about the collectibles - each one represented with a full color photo, description and measurements, and value range. Here is just some of what is included:

Art Deco
Baskets
Bookends
Bowls
Candleholders
Condiment Sets
Cream and Sugar Sets
Figurines
Kitchen Items
Liquor Items
Pincushions
Planters
Salt and Pepper Shakers
Tea and Coffee Items
Vases
Wall Pockets

Also included is a section on reproductions and scans of vintage advertising and catalog pages - this book really does have everything you need to know about Made In Japan collectibles - it definitely deserves the title of Encyclopedia!

Collector's Encyclopedia Of Made In Japan Ceramics
List Price: $24.95 - Our Price: $17.95 + FREE SHIPPING!

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Monday, June 22, 2009

BooksFYI.com New Additions

Our Price: $13.95 + FREE SHIPPING!

Fans of Bill Edwards's and Mike Carwile's Standard Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass series will be delighted by the second edition of their Collector's Companion to Carnival Glass, the perfect companion to the encyclopedia. This easy-to-use, small format book highlights the more than 1,500 carnival glass patterns available, those that collectors will find most often during their early quests for these cherished treasures.

Keeping the beginning collector in mind, the book is arranged alphabetically by pattern name for easy reference. Each pattern shines on its own page, with all necessary facts and a detailed photograph to illustrate the pattern. Data about each piece includes name of pattern, manufacturer, year of production, colors and shapes available, and any information on reproductions that is known. The approximately 200 patterns presented reflect just those American patterns (no foreign pieces or manufacturers are included) the collector or buyer might encounter in the malls or at any auction. There are no repeat patterns or photographs from the previous edition.

A brief section on marks appears in the front of the book, and of course the pocket guide is filled with current values - prices are given for every color of every pattern. By using this abbreviated approach, the guide becomes a quick reference tool filled with facts, and unlike our massive encyclopedia, can be carried anywhere for easy reference. Whether using it alone or as a companion to the encyclopedia, this is an indispensable guide for every collector.

Guns of the New West Modern Replica Firearms
List Price: $22.99 - Our Price: $18.95 + FREE SHIPPING!

Interest in cowboy action shooting and Old West reenactment has skyrocketed, and spawned tremendous growth in the field of replica firearms; the "cowboy action club" is 55,000 members strong. Unfortunately, there hasn't been much information available on these replicas - until now! Guns of the New West gives readers comprehensive information on the gun they own or are thinking about buying. No Old West enthusiast will want to go without this guide.

Providing historical information on the original gun, the book discusses the pros and cons of the replica, with detailed photos of the inside of the replica and an explanation of disassembly and reassembly, as well as instructions on how to make minor repairs. More than 20 handguns, rifles and shotguns are covered, with a review of available ammunition and information on accuracy and reloading. This heavily illustrated guide is the most comprehensive book available on the subject.

- Discussion of pros and cons of more than 20 Old West replica firearms

- Heavily illustrated with photos of the inside of each gun

- Provides instruction on assembly/disassembly and minor repairs

List Price: $19.95 - Our Price: $14.95 + FREE SHIPPING!

Each spring we produce a fresh edition of our popular Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual. Many collectors refer to this title as a companion to Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide because Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual covers more modern collectibles, things readily available at flea markets or garage sales.

The book is packed with descriptions and current values for nearly 25,000 collectibles, representing virtually every category on today's market books, sports cards, ornaments, toys, cookie jars, fifties glassware, and movie memorabilia, to name just a few. Its the smart way to discover whats collectible, how to recognize it, and how much its worth.

In addition to the more than 750 photographs, this resourceful guide offers suggestions on how to conduct your own sales, establish yourself as a flea market dealer, and buy and sell by mail, including tips on safely packing your merchandise. Additional features include a directory of related resources and a list of dealers making this book both a buying and selling aid.

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Collectibles Corner - Gas Station Collectibles

Gas station collectibles - often referred to as Petroliana - is a relatively new collecting niche in the grand scheme of things, but it is growing more and more popular as the years go by! It's all about the nostalgia, as with most collectibles, and the wide range of items that fall into the Petroliana category make it a great area for collectors to focus on. There is also some cross over with advertising collectibles, so there is a 'two birds with one stone' element in play as well, which is always a plus!

Mobil Gas Antique Vintage Gas Pump

Vintage Kendall Motor Oil-Gear Lube Tin Advertising Can

Items to look for:
Gas Pumps
Gas Pump Globes
Cans and Containers
Signs
License Plate Tags
Thermometers
Displays, Holders & Racks
Salt and Pepper Shakers
Advertising

Brands to look for:
Mobil
Texaco
Standard Oil
Union 76
Shell
Red Crown
Gulf
Esso
Chevron

Vintage Gulf Gas Station Crown Tire Insert Sign

Vintage Mobil Gas Shield Pump Sign

Vintage 1930s Shell Gas Oil Tin License Plate Topper

Reproduction Alert:
Unfortunately, reproductions in this niche are quite common. Reference guides provide a great deal of helpful information so you can make an informed decision when buying - the best offense is a good defense when you are trying to sort the authentic pieces from the fakes!

Large Vintage Standard Oil Gas Station Thermometer

Vintage 1957 SHELL GAS Advertising Salt & Pepper Shakers

Would you like to know more about Gas Station Collectibles?

Warman's Gas Station Collectibles Identification and Price
List Price: $24.99 - Our Price: $17.95 + FREE SHIPPING!

The corner gas station -- every town had one where kids could buy soda, town folks could shoot the breeze and every fill up came with a free window washing. In this handy Warman's reference, well-versed enthusiasts and fans of anything petroliana get the most comprehensive guide to gas station collectibles on the market.

This full-color reference features more than 2,000 spectacular images and chapters devoted to gas pumps, globes, oilcans and related advertising signs, containers, and filling station signs from Mobil, Standard, Texaco, Sky Chief and more. Descriptions and prices, fake and reproduction information, and an interview with one of the world's leading collector, Oakland Raiders quarterback, Rich Gannon make this the essential guide for any collector.

2,000+ full-color photos for easy identification

Details on fakes and reproductions help collectors avoid costly errors

Current prices offer enthusiasts a clear picture of today's market


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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

BooksFYI.com New Additions

List Price: $29.99 - Our Price: $15.95 + FREE SHIPPING!

Thousands of collectibles with prices and descriptions - Triple grade guide to estimate values of all types of golf memorabilia - Includes a chapter devoted exclusively to Tiger Woods - Hundreds of additional photos, including a color section expanded to 32 pages.

List Price: $24.95 - Our Price: $13.95 + FREE SHIPPING!

With its mirrored silver surface and sleek shiny appeal, antique silvered mercury glass is distinct among the many types of art glass produced here and abroad. From its very beginnings in the forests of central Europe, the creation of silvered glass has long been misunderstood. The mystery of mercury glass has been part of its allure, as secret silvering formulas and complex decorating techniques were carefully guarded. This glass appeals to a broad spectrum of collectors with interests in historic Americana, Victorian collectibles, and the formal American and European art styles.

After years of research, a comprehensive and authoritative reference book has been written in a true pictorial style to help the reader understand how to determine the approximate age and origin of, and to provide a relative value for, each piece. With hundreds of photographic illustrations and accompanying text, Pictorial Guide to Silvered Mercury Glass will delight collectors. Each item is individually showcased to provide both visual and factual information appropriate for both the new and advanced collector. The complex production history of silvered mercury glass is explored extensively in the beginning of the book, and includes detailed information about decorating techniques. The chapters are arranged by form and style, and include sections on vases, compotes, goblets, globes, tableware, and specialty items.

List Price: $19.95 - Our Price: $11.95 + FREE SHIPPING!

The Girl Scouts organization, formed in 1915, is a steadily growing army of girls and young women who incorporate patriotism, outdoor activities, and community service into their lives. Scouting collectibles of all kinds, many of which are dolls, circulate the country. Scouting Dolls Through the Years has instant appeal for Girl Scouts who have a doll collecting badge in sight. A history of the organization begins the book, then the dolls are showcased through the eras. Beginning the journey in the 1920s, the reader will take a look at scouting dolls of each decade, from the 1940s and 1950s, the most prolific era, making transitions and changes in the 1960s and 1970s, and finally reaching the 1990s and into the new century.

Prices, variations, and accessories are showcased in more than 400 color photographs of Girl Scout dolls as well as Camp Fire Girls, Brownies, and Blue Birds. Homemade and commercially-made costumes, figurines, paper dolls, pins, stuffed animals, and other miscellaneous items are included as well. The book is completely indexed and has a detailed bibliography. 2003 values.

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Sunday, June 14, 2009

Book Review - Antique Trader Advertising Price Guide

The area of Advertising collectibles is one of the broadest and most active areas of collecting today, and the Antique Trader Advertising Price Guide tackles it with gusto - there are 24 chapters covering a wide range of advertising related memorabilia:

Automotive - - Breweriana - - Calendars
Clocks - - Coca-Cola - - Display Cabinets
Display Cases - - Display Figures - - Display Jars
Match Holders & Safes - - Paperweights - - Pinback Buttons
Pocket Mirrors - - Signs - - Soda Fountain Collectibles
String & Sack Holders - - Thermometers - - Tins
Tobacciana - - Trade Cards - - Trade Catalogs
Trays - - Watch Fobs - - Misc. Items

Their listings are illustrated with hundreds black and white photos, plus a 16 page full color center section highlighting items from a variety of genres. Each item listing includes a huge amount of information which will help any collector, from sold prices to sizing, item description and condition, dates and more!

Antique Trader Advertising Price Guide
List Price: $16.95 - Our Price: $14.95 + FREE SHIPPING!

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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Book Review - Captain John's Fishing Tackle Price Guide

If you are a collector or dealer of fishing tackle, Captain John's Fishing Tackle Price Guide is a must have! Notice the title doesn't include "reference guide" or "identification guide" - this isn't a book for finding out what you have, it is a true "price guide" - meant to help you place a value on an item that you have and already know exactly what it is - you definitely need to know at least the Brand and Model specifically to use be able to use this book effectively.

Most of the book is text, and just one section has photos (and it is only about 12 pages long). Luckily the text is very well organized, allowing you to hone in on exactly the item that you are looking for.

Everything has its own section, from Lures (the largest section of the book - over 200 pages), to Decoys, Bobbers, Reels, Rods, and everything in between! Once you find the section you want, the items are grouped into columns, with the Brand at the far left in alphabetical order. The next column is Model (which is also in alphabetical order), the next is Series/Mfg. Code/Description, then Grade, Price, and finally the Date Sold.

The author does use abbreviations, but he does include a handy guide at the beginning of the book so that you don't get stuck trying to figure out what each abbreviation means.

John A. Kolbeck - aka Captain John - is obviously a passionate researcher and a detail oriented collector, he is definitely the go-to guy for finding out what your fishing items are worth!

Captain John's Fishing Tackle Price Guide
List Price: $24.95 - Our Price: $16.95 + FREE SHIPPING!

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Friday, June 5, 2009

Collectibles Corner - Vintage Paper Dolls

What isn't to love about vintage paper dolls? No matter what your age their charm is totally infectious - and collecting them is a ton of fun, and very affordable!




Most paper dolls fall into one of the following categories:

Fashion Paper Dolls - Little girls and teenagers alike love fashion - and it is reflected in paper dolls that model fashions from all eras!

Baby & Small Child Paper Dolls - For most little girls playing with baby paper dolls was just as fun as playing with regular baby dolls!

Toy Doll Paper Dolls - Dolls that were popular were often reproduced as paper dolls as well - Barbie, Chatty Cathy, Betsy Wetsy, the list goes on and on!

Animated Character Paper Dolls - Much like today, popular animated characters (from Disney, Warner Bros., and others) were reproduced as toys of all kinds - including paper dolls, of course!

Celebrity Paper Dolls - Collecting paper dolls of the stars of television and movies is one of those fun cross-genre areas - if you have a favorite show, movie, character, actor or actress there is a good chance there is a paper doll out there for you to add to your collection!

Fantasy & Sci-Fi Paper Dolls - Fairies, mermaids, and dozens of other products of myth and imagination all have been represented in paper dolls!




Publishers to look for:

Whitman
Mattel
Saalfield
Lowe
Merrill
Golden Press
Dell-Western
Milton Bradley



Now that we have the internet to turn to, finding paper dolls is fairly easy, if you are patient and persistent. Uncut and complete dolls tend to cost more than cut and partial dolls, but the large majority are affordable, which is a huge plus for collectors!

Would you like to know more about Vintage Paper Dolls?

Paper Dolls of the 1960s 1970s and 1980s

List Price: $24.95 - Our Price: 10.95 + FREE SHIPPING!

This book documents over 1,000 beautiful paper dolls. It covers three specific decades in history and carries information pertaining to the collecting, upkeep, and preservation of paper dolls. The book pinpoints where you can find vintage paper dolls to add to or start your collection. Each paper doll set shown includes photos of the book or box cover, a shot of the doll, and a sampling of clothing for each paper doll set.

An up-to-date price guide accompanies each set, based on the research of the author through books, eBay, and her own experience in pursuit of her collection. A helpful photo index is also provided so the collector can easily look up a paper doll. 2005 values.

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