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.

"The longcase clock has been a part of the Englishman's home for some 300 years and has gained a place in his heart seldom if every achieved by any other domestic item. An example of its importance in family life is that it, with the bed and the house, was nearly always mentioned specifically in the will." In Derek Roberts's important new book, readers find a wealth of valuable information detailing the British origins, evolution, and wide range of longcase clocks that have been produced since the sixteenth century. In twenty chapters Mr. Roberts provides a detailed overview of many facets of these beautiful and useful art works, including early square dial, rare, astronomical and equation clocks, walnut breakarch longcase clocks (and those in other woods), and thirty-hour clocks. Other chapters detail various dial and decoration forms, precision timekeeping, important makers, and clocks of the Victorian and Edwardian eras right up to modern times. A glossary of terms and lengthy index of makers are included. In British Longcase Clocks, Mr. Roberts share his wealth of knowledge enthusiastically and presents over 300 black and white and full-color photographs of details and whole clocks. His book will interest clock owners and all who love fine furniture.

The various worldwide uses of glass beads, from antiquity to the modern time, are presented in this new book, along with the fascinating evolution of the beadmaking industry. From roots in Asian and African glassmaking, the European beadmaking industry is shown to have developed in response to political and economic factors of international trade and keen businessmen who saw potential profits, 475 color photographs, illustrate the different styles uses, and patterns of glass beads that originated from or influenced the European industry. Phoenician, Celtic, Viking, Venetian, African, Bavarian, Bohemian, Dutch, French, and Russian styles that were made for symbolic, fashion, magic, and controversial uses are shown. Even today's foiled, flower, mosaic, pearl, bronze, and fancy beads are discussed and shown. As beads play an important role in ornamentation today, this book will be of interest to a wide circle of creative people. The price guide reveals the current collector's market for popular bead types.

Four of the world's most beloved storybook characters are the focus of this delightful new book. A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh, Johnny Gruelle's Raggedy Ann Stories, Florence K. Upton's Golliwogg's Adventures, and Seymour Eaton's Adventures of the Roosevelt Bears have inspired related books, art works, beloved stuffed toys, licensed products and interpretations for several generations--highlighted here in this delightful collectors' guide. Each of these famous four storybook characters has an individual history which is charmingly related after extensive research by author Dee Hockenberry. The other books in each of their series, major playmates of the principal characters, dolls inspired by the characters, and modern products based on the characters all are featured in this interesting presentation. Over 600 color photographs show the tremendous variety of material that can be found relating to these characters. The useful price guide provides current market value. Readers will be enchanted by these stories and their far-reaching influence world-wide.

Amid the turmoil of the 1960s, the 1964-65 NY World's Fair was a welcomed break that gave a glimpse into the upcoming high-tech age. It was here that visitors would see such things as touch tone phones, picturephones, animatronics & computers for the first time. During the Fair's 2-year run, thousands of souvenirs were sold, and free brochures and pins were given to fairgoers. Today, these items are highly sought after by collectors and those who want to relive their days at the fair. Over 600 color photos along with a price guide illustrate the huge array of collectibles from this fair. Shown also are rare items used in the everyday operations by the employees who worked there.

The volume gathers together seventeen articles dedicated to the monetary history of medieval Italy, most of them newly translated into English. The articles in the first section of the volume trace the development of monetisation in Italy from the Lombard period until the rise of the communes, taking Rome, Lazio, Tuscany, and several cities and regions in north-central Italy as case studies. The articles in the second section analyse different aspects of monetary production and circulation in Byzantine Italy, while the third gathers together studies on various aspects of Carolingian coinage: the transition from the Lombard system and the problem of furnishing an adequate supply of silver; mints and royal administration; and the activity and inactivity of mints operating at the edges of the Regnum Italiae. All of the articles share the author's characteristic concern with setting the evidence from written sources against the wealth of new data emerging from recent archaeological research.

Gorgeous color images document a national treasure -- Bandelier National Monument. This amazing site has drawn archeologists for over a century, in search of the history behind the mysteriously deserted cliff dwellings of a once thriving community. This book is the next best thing to an actual visit to the ancestral homes in Frijoles Canyon near Los Alamos, New Mexico, and the perfect souvenir for anyone fortunate enough to have made the journey. The fabulous photographs depict sights that are distinctly Bandelier: amazingly preserved cliff dwellings, uncovered archeological treasure, and abundant natural beauty amidst unique volcanic formations. A researched history of the site sheds light on this unique treasure.

Covering the tabletop battery radios built by Zenith, the Chicago-based manufacturer, each radio is described in detail. Included are comprehensive functional descriptions on each set's operation, which uses color-coded diagrams to aid in describing the circuits. Over 400 color photos and over 200 diagrams illustrate the thorough text. Each radio section includes a Quick Reference Guide. Previously unpublished information related to these radios is included for the first time. The restoration section covers the reproduction of vital replacement parts (pointers, pulleys, etc.) that typically need replacing, the repair of other parts (variable capacitor, transformers, etc.), appropriate modifications (battery adapter, etc.), and testing in order to get that early radio working. The techniques presented can be applied to the restoration of any 1920s radio. Also included are instructions on reproducing any battery ( A, B, or C ) in radios built in the 1920s. This is an indispensable reference guide to early Zenith radios."

In their effort to market automobile-related goods and services, gasoline companies generated millions of advertising and packaging items. Today these often colorful objects are much sought after as collectibles and this book is a tribute to the gasoline stations. Included are gasoline pump globes, advertising signs and thermometers, uniforms, caps, children's toys and puzzles, giveaways, oil containers, dispensers and pumps. All are illustrated in over 500 full color photographs, with helpful descriptions and a guide to current values. This is a book to be cherished all whose memories whirl with gas station moments.

Including 183 color and black-and-white images of vintage photos and packaging, plus values for American firecracker collectibles, this is the first book to focus on US firecrackers. Many pyrobilia guides cover Chinese firecrackers, but the US's history is just as colorful, from fireworks' inception into American celebrations as a replacement for dangerous celebratory gun and cannon fire, until the final federal ban with the Child Protection Act of 1966. Fireworks made the 4th of July the best holiday ever, for generations of boys especially. Beginning with a brief history of the firecracker and how it came to America, the book details the types the US produced-a wide array, from Cherry Bombs and Silver Salutes to Ash Cans and Torpedoes. Also covered are how the US Industrial Revolution impacted fireworks, as well as the innovations throughout the American industry, from its successes to the factory disasters.

This second book by Nick Snider presents the popular collectible military sweetheart jewelry and collectibles that were so important to the home front during World War I and II. Over 200 color photographs, most of full-page size, display thousands of items of jewelry, banners, pillow covers, paper items and compacts, as well as special sections on the Seabee(Construction Batallion) and WASP(Women's Airforce Service Pilot) items. Experience the human side of warfare through appreciation of the patriotic items displayed herein.

By the second half of the 1920s, old-fashioned Victorian morals had gone the way of starched collars and cruel corsets and a "no holds barred" attitude reigned in their place. "The Party of the Century" had begun in earnest and fashions responded by climbing to the knees! Using a combination of vintage images, professional photographs of existing garments, and period artists' illustrations, this comprehensive book presents a dazzling look at fashions from 1925 through 1929. Fashions for men, women, and children are featured, including evening andday wear, coats and jackets, lounge and resort wear, sports fashions, and lingerie. Whenever possible, styles are shown with their appropriate accessories, such as hats, shoes, purses, fans, parasols, and more. Fascinating timelines place the fashions in their proper settings describing each year's film, music, literary, and couture trends. Among the book's many highlights are rare French pochoir fashion plates and photos of an original haute couture Chanel evening gown. This in-depth look at one of our most exciting decades will appeal to fashion enthusiasts and history buffs alike. A companion volume covers the years 1920 to 1924.

Take a tour of nearly 150 dollhouses from Europe and America in this beautifully illustrated book. The houses and their furnishings are shown in over 700 color photographs provided with the help of nearly twenty individual collectors. Most of the houses are pictured fully furnished, complete with accessories. The houses range in size from one-room Converse models to very large handmade houses, and many are also shown with the dolls that lived inside. You'll enjoy several hundred pieces of furniture, all dating from the 1880s to the 1980s. Companies whose products are pictured include Arcade, Bliss, Christian Hacker, Converse, Schoenhut, Strombecker, Tootsietoy, Gottschalk, Deluxe Game Corp., Lines, Tri-Ang, Renwal, Ideal, Plasco, Marx, Reliable and others. Background information on over sixty-five companies is also provided. A must-have for anyone interested in dollhouses and their furnishings, this charming and informative book also includes prices with the captions.

222 different glass perfume bottles, 81 peg stoppers, and 91 various jars made 1910 to 1925 by Diamond Glass shown in clear drawings. Includes glass mould numbers, sizes available, weight per gross, and estimated prices without lables. Original labels on bottles will bring considerably more.

Over 350 vivid color photos and engaging text reveal that bookends have been a medium of art from the turn of the twentieth century to today. The photos illustrate 350 pairs of bookends from principal art styles, and the research places them in historical context. Accompanying the photos are identification of the production date, the foundry, sculptor, art style, commentary, and values. The bookends presented have documented American art fashions for the past one hundred years. This novel guide also organizes bookends by art style and historical period, rather than subject matter, which gives the reader new insight into the evolution of bookends in a dynamic culture. Readers will come to regard bookends as works of art and will be knowledgeable about their rightful place in the art world. This book is a must-have reference for art lovers everywhere.

Doll kitchens in Germany were originally a plaything for adults and evolved, toward the end of Eighteenth century, into toys for children. In this book, Eva Stille follows the evolution of the doll kitchen and shows how the social development of "big" real kitchens influenced doll kitchens in each new era. The manufacturers of the doll kitchens are listed as well as a wide variety of miniature furnishings, appliances and stoves that was once available to children. These items are now highly collectible and ironically have once again become the playthings of adults.

This handbook provides hundreds of clear color photographs and fascinating stories which reveal volumes about each fragrance, far beyond the size of the bottles. These miniature bottles are popular collectibles today and this useful book contains information to satisfy the most discriminating taste. Fragrance names, their creators, launch dates, bottle and package designs and dimensions are all here, as well as a price guide in the captions to reflect today's fragrance market.

Steeped in traditions and memories, holiday textiles have long been a part of the magical fabric of Christmas. Grandma's festive tablecloth or Mom's holiday apron are vivid reminders. Greeting cards in a special Santa Claus mailbag, or presents on a felt-trimmed tree skirt can bring glowing holiday memories flooding back. Illustrated with over 440 festive color photos, this book captures the beauty, charm, and whimsy of a wide-range of Christmas textiles, both mass-produced and handmade, from the 1920s to 1970s. Included are handkerchiefs, tablecloths, tree skirts, tea towels, table runners, and aprons. Some packaging is shown and values for each item are provided in the captions. If you love Christmas fabrics, as well as poinsettias, Santa Claus, candles, and Christmas trees, this book is for you!

In the 1950s and '60s, fine-quality Japanese-made toys flooded the market and sold popularly at five and dime stores worldwide. A top-notch Japanese manufacturer of these toys was Toplay Ltd., recognized by their T.P.S. trademark, who also made toys for importers like LINEMAR, Cragstan, Frankonia, Rosko, and Mego. Over 265 motorized, wind-up, battery-operated, tin, plastic, animal, and platform base toys are featured, including authorized editions based on Popeye and Walt Disney*r characters. Information on manufacturers, the trading and import companies, dates of production, patent drawings, dimensions, descriptions, and original packaging are included. A price guide and identification of over 200 Japanese trademarks complete this useful guide.

Graceful okimono figures in many forms, dating from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, are the primary focus of this book, while scholar's brush holders and wrist rests, cricket cages, card cases, match holders, sword hilts, and scabbards are also presented. Finely carved ivory from China and Japan is featured here, along with artist's signatures, in over 600 beautiful photos. An engaging text explores the history of the ivory trade from East to West, quoting nineteenth century European travelers' encounters with Japanese ivory carvers and merchants. Folk tales provide insight into many of the figural characters represented and beliefs they personify. This book will be treasured by all who enjoy finely crafted art.