Concentrating on the explorer and naturalist Joseph Banks (1743-1820), this book explores the early history of collections at the British Museum. Taking Banks' extraordinary career as its basis, it examines the changes that took place during a period of transition that led to collecting on an increasingly global scale.

Vibrant color photograph postcards show 32 Lancaster county covered bridges, representing every season. GPS coordinates with each bridge make every bridge easy to find using a GPS satellite navigation device. If you prefer, you may also use a local tour map. These bridges are architectural treasures spanning the rivers and streams of Lancaster County, a scenic landscape dotted with pristine Amish farms. These postcards will be treasured by all who enjoy the beauty of rural America and her historic covered bridges.

The surf isn't the only thing turbulent in these shoreline images of over 100 nubile beauties. Women dressed in the period's latest beach fashions charmed first their photographers, then the world. Their fascinating, playful, and sometimes evocative images were transformed into postcards and sent with holiday vacation greetings to friends and family worldwide. Take a dip back in time, to an era when women were joyfully expressing an emerging sense of equality and freedom.

This book chronicles the history of Halloween in the 20th century through the evolution of related costumes, Jack-O'-Lanterns, decorations, candy containers, and other treats. One could easily view 20th-century Halloween costumes as being a road map through popular cultural history-they reflect fads, television, space exploration, movies, comics, and personalities that shaped the past hundred years. Historians, collectors of Halloween items, and students of popular culture will find this book offers delightful insight into the styles, variety, and current values of ever-popular Halloween gear.

Established in 1880 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Rookwood Pottery remained a leader in the ceramic art pottery movement through 1967. Illustrated with over 800 beautiful color photographs of vases, urns, candlesticks, and plates, the book includes stunning examples of hand-painted decoration (many depicting the natural world) by well-known masters, including Albert R. and Anna Marie Valentien, Matt Daly, William Hentschel, Kate C. Matchette, Mary Nourse, and Kataro Shirayamadani. The text provides a history of the company, a survey of artist signed pieces from 1880-1930, a detailed bibliography, and an index. All who are fascinated by the ceramic arts will want to own this book.

In this guide to modern sports watches, discover honest assessments of luxury sports models, many varieties of chronographs, GMTs, and extreme diving watches, represented by the best sports brands in the world, including Patek Philippe, Breitling, Omega, Chronoswiss, and more. But first, what exactly is a sports watch? Jewelers, connoisseurs, and the editors have agreed on the following definition: a sporty-looking timepiece, usually made of steel, that stays on your arm whether you're racing, diving, or flying. In the 1970s, Gerald Genta designed three classic sports watches that challenged conservative styles and remained virtually unmodified for over thirty years. Using Genta's legacy as a starting point, this new book traces the evolution of the sports watch to today, focusing on the 21st century, from simple, robust steel watches with three hands to more complicated timepieces, with detailed technical comparisons between models, some of which are already considered classics.

Indisputably the largest and most comprehensive book available on Noritake, more than 1,000 pieces in classical, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco styles with both luster and non-luster finishes are presented, as well as a wide variety of post-war bone china figurines and recent collector-series items such as Valentine's Day hearts and Easter eggs. The time span covered is greater than any other book in this field, including non-dinnerware "Noritake"-marked porcelains made between 1908-1995. Most of the items presented in this comprehensive volume have never before been seen in books on this subject. Chapters reviewing the history of the Noritake Company and trends in Noritake collecting, as well as photos of extremely rare pages from Noritake sales books are included. A comprehensive essay regarding the identification of Noritake backstamps with exclusive full-color photos of each stamp round out the book. The high-quality photographic materials are very clearly and carefully organized, making the book extremely easy to use as a reference tool for both novices and experts.

This brilliantly assembled book explores the creative media that master designer Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) and his Tiffany Studios in New York pioneered, coupled with related masterpieces that contemporary artists have made. Nine chapters present Tiffany's original paintings and fine arts, stained glass windows and lampshades, mosaics, favrile glass objects, metalwork, enamels, and jewelry. Each method is explained and superlative examples are shown in 560 color photographs. Related artworks, by 17 contemporary artists, establish how L.C. Tiffany has influenced living artists. All the artworks were inspired by natural flowers and plant material in Art Nouveau aesthetics. This beautiful reference is a tool for designers, Tiffany collectors, and everyone who aspires to create their own masterpieces.

Lavishly illustrated and extensively researched, this fascinating book chronicles the widening accessibility of jewelry between 1860 and 1960. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, only the affluent could afford many pieces of jewelry. In the mid-nineteenth century, however, industrialization led jewelry to become more affordable and the rising middle class created a larger market. Increasingly, jewelry was made not only from traditional precious metals and stones, but also of materials such as gold-plated base metals, vulcanite, hair, plastics, aluminum, and much more. Beginning with a visual timeline, this comprehensive volume couples an informative text with outstanding photographs of over 1,000 pieces of fine and costume jewelry made in America, Europe, and Asia. The jewelry reflects the changing styles of each decade, ranging from romantic to humorous to sumptuous. Pieces are organized by type of material or in delightful themes, such as heart-shaped items, insects, Egyptian influenced, and more. A helpful glossary, extensive bibliography, tips for collectors, and current values are all included. This book is certain to inspire and delight beginning and advanced jewelry collectors, historians, and designers.

Beautiful glass scent bottles made in Czechoslovakia during the 1920s and '30s were produced to please a variety of tastes, decors, and pocketbooks. Today, these tiny artistic treasures possess an Old World charm that endears them to collectors. This book combines over 500 gorgeous, full color photographs with period catalog images to provide a comprehensive study of the many styles and shapes of Czech perfume bottles. Featured are "dangle" bottles, cut glass bottles, filigree caged bottles, hinged bottles, micro bottles, intaglio designs, figurals, multiple sets, atomizers, and more. Includes a review of cap styles, valuable information regarding copies and reproductions, collector tips, and current values. Experienced and new bottle collectors will find this book delightful and intriguing.

Timeless in their appeal, pinball games have entertained and tested the skills of players worldwide for many generations. Pinballs combine the unpredictability of a rolling, bouncing silver ball with some of the most amazing commercial artwork and the most up-to-date technological advancements. Here is a book that celebrates what is known to many enthusiasts as "the lure of the silverball." Fifty diverse pinballs, both vintage and contemporary, are showcased. Each has its own chapter outlining the game\s special features, historical background, game trivia, game rules, graphic images, collectibility, and current value. Over 500 amazing full color photographs give the reader a complete visual of each game. Whole machine shots, close-ups of backglasses and playfields, and ball\s-eye-view images all put enthusiasts right into the action. This outstanding book will be thoroughly enjoyed by pinball collectors, historians, graphic artists, and devotees of coin operated amusement games.

Everyone loves the movies, and the movie posters in this book provide a colorful visual history of the movies, from the early silent days to the big blockbusters of recent years. The evolution of the dream factory is charted through spectacular graphics used by individual studios to advertise their movies. Posters, like the films they represent, demonstrate stylistic developments, in response to changing social and political conditions, throughout the 20th century. The glamour, pathos and sheer drama of Hollywood through the decades is colorfully brought to life in over 400 illustrations of rare and collectible movie posters. This book provides an entertaining appreciation of the evolution of Hollywood and cinematic poster art, as well as a guide to the value of this advertising material. This collectors guide enables instant understanding and identification in one volume. Essential to the novice buyer and an invaluable visual reference for experienced collectors, this book is a celebration of Hollywood.

In the collector's world, plastics are exploding! From household items to beautiful jewelry the infinite variety of designs and the rainbow of colors has captured the contemporary fancy. Once looked down upon as a "cheap" alternative, now it is being seen for what it really is, a medium that gives limitless possibilities for the designer's creativity. In this new book Jan Lindenberger turns her attention to the wonderful world of plastic jewelry. An easy to use handbook and price guide, it is designed to be taken into the field. It will be an invaluable aid at flea markets, yard sales, co-ops, and antique stores. Use it to evaluate new treasures and their values. Over 440 color photographs will guide the way, and prices will help you discover the best deals.

This landmark volume explores the history, design, and cultural impact of the iconic LEGO (R) minifigure. Driven by compelling essays, lush full-color photography, infographics, and never-before-seen visuals from inside LEGO archives and beyond, this book reveals why the minifigure matters - as a beloved toy and as a singular cultural icon.

Roughly 40,000 Latvians served in the Waffen-SS from 1943 to the end of war in the 15. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lettische Nr.1) and 19. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lettische Nr.2). They fought in Russia, Latvia, West Prussia and eventually Berlin in April 1945. This book is the complete operational history of this little-known unit and includes first-hand accounts, maps, and very rare war-era photographs, and soldbuchs.

They're back and more popular than ever! The Simpsons continues to be the longest-running prime-time program still on the air, and fans and collectors are still trying to keep up with the incredible variety of toys and collectibles they've inspired. Having discovered a little extra room in his attic for stashing new acquisitions, the author of the world's first guide to Simpsons stuff, The Unauthorized Guide to the Simpsons Collectibles (of which the Copley News Service said, A book worthy of these characters...appropriately witty and well-written.), returns with more. Featuring over 460 brand new, full-color photographs of dolls, figurines, glasses, games, music, comics, promos, and much more, this slightly irreverent and totally engaging book pays homage to those endearing residents of Springfield, USA ,and is, like its predecessor, pure entertainment (Antique Week).

This long-awaited book will be a valuable tool for collectors, dealers, and researchers of modern Italian glass. Most comprehensive volumes are written in Italian, and none includes a value guide. This one, in English, includes information and photographs that will make this book a standard reference on the subject. With approximately 700 full color photos of almost 1000 examples of glass from 1900 to 2000, and an emphasis on the highly collectible mid-century period, nearly every company and technique is represented. Company histories, designer biographies, glossary, bibliography, index, and value guide make this an ideal reference book.

Books have been written about the highway that Samuel C. Lancaster built. This is the book that he wrote. Lancaster is known to all who have studied highway engineering. His work directing construction of the Columbia River Highway made history. Lancaster's work followed the pioneering trail of explorers Lewis and Clark. In plotting the route of the first paved road inland from Portland, Lancaster took advantage of every viewpoint the magnificent river gorge offered. This book is a faithful reprint of his 1915 book. It is Lancaster's story of the valley; a wonderful collection of essays about the region's natives, early missionaries, fur traders, and soldiers. He discusses many of the great landmarks, from waterfalls and rock formations to man-made wonders including bridges, buildings, and tunnels. A portrait of Chief Joseph, of the Nez Perce, illustrates essays about the native Indians and their arts. In all, more than 100 beautiful images capture the pristine qualities of the gorge in this invaluable reissue of a classic national treasure. A full-color map offers an aerial overview of the area, from Wind Mountain to the shores of the Pacific. A new foreword is by Walt Curtis, who has authored poetry books, as well as articles on Oregon's forgotten authors. He is the current secretary and a founder of the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission.

The curious black-face rag doll called Golliwogg has delighted children and been a commercial icon in England for more than a century. In the 1980s, its popularity spread to America with the Teddy Bear phenomenon and it has remained a cherished collectible ever since. In this first book about the adorable doll, Dee Hockenberry presents the origins and development of Golliwogg's popularity throughout the 20th century. Born, so to speak, in 1895 as a character in Florence Upton's books for children, Golliwogg is shown to have become Teddy Bear's best friend and a favorite of contemporary doll-makers. The book includes over 425 color photographs and descriptions of Golliwoggs, including those Robertson's Jams used as a mascot, those manufactured by Steiff, Dean's, Chad Valley, Canterbury, Pedigree, Merrythought, and Wendy Boston, and those made by countless unknown and prominent modern doll artists. Famous collections of Golliwoggs are featured and a few current artists and collectors add their own views on the subject. This book and its charming major character are sure to win the hearts of a whole new generation of enthusiasts. Current values appear with the captions.

After more than two centuries, the process of opening a bottle of wine changed significantly in the 1970s with the introduction of the Screwpull. This is the story of the development and realization of one of the best devices in the world for removing a cork from a wine bottle, the Screwpull, and its inventor, Herbert Allen. Alongside hundreds of examples of experimental prototypes, patent drawings, and many production models, the story unfolds to reveal Allen's conceptualization of how the Screwpull should work and how imitation knockoffs affected his market. The story goes on to detail the events following Mr. Allen's death-the transfer of the company to LeCreuset of France and the production of new models. A beautifully illustrated and detailed history of this remarkable product, Screwpull is the perfect addition to the libraries of corkscrew collectors, product designers, those with good taste, and wine aficionados.

This is an expansive introduction to the popular ceramics produced by the prolific Hall China Company of East Liverpool, Ohio, beginning in 1903. Over 600 brilliant color photographs display these popular pottery wares, ranging from coffee pots and mixing bowls to refrigerator wares and teapots, in both solid color glazes and beautiful decorations including Autumn Leaf, Crocus, Silhouette, and many more. A history of the company, manufacturer's marks, an extensive bibliography, an index, and current market values are included in this fascinating study of one of America's most prolific pottery companies. This book is a must for every collector of twentieth century ceramics.

Rug hooking is an art form that's a joy to create. Over 570 color photographs chronicle a wide variety of rugs being hooked today, putting to rest any notion that no one hooks rugs anymore. Contemporary hooking artists from all over the U.S., Canada, and beyond present hooked abstract designs, animals, commemorative pieces, landscapes, portraits, nautical themes, traditional patterns, and primitive styles. They include more than floor coverings; some are wall hangings and others hooked furniture. See humorous rugs, sentimental tributes to places and people, designs adapted from photographs and famous paintings, fantasy subjects, and much more. Of interest to collectors, textile artists, and dealers. Be inspired to join this growing creative outlet!

Possibly the most popular single pattern of ceramic dishes is Willow Ware and this new book tells its complete story. Stemming from ancient Chinese origins, the blue transfer pattern became standardized in the early nineteenth century in England and has gone on to be interpreted in many variations to the present in America, Europe and Asia. Today, collectors can find examples in many markets of old and new wares, so their search is often happily rewarded. This book will enable them to sort out the makers, dates, marks and range of values they encounter. Hundreds of clear color photographs show the many styles and range of quality. The price guide reflects the current market.