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.

Jewelry and decorative manufactured goods in Egyptian Revival style capitalized on public fascination resulting from the rediscovery of Egyptian monuments and artifacts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Museum exhibitions, movies, and political events popularized Egyptian architectural designs throughout the world. This is the first book of its kind to focus on revival consumer goods inspired by the ancient culture, including jewelry. Over 400 color photographs and line drawings depict beautiful examples with symbols and images of Egyptian design. Bold colors of natural pigments created the pallets that modern manufacturers used. Images of sylized insects, hieroglyphics, sphinx, royal symbols, and geometric patterns are explored. The manufacturers are introduced with pertinent information that collectors will reference. A chronology of Egyptian history identifies the kingdoms and their relevant styles. This should be an important reference for designers, historians, and ornamental collectors alike. The values with the captions reflect the market today, and the glossary and index are useful for all.

Here is an exciting new field of collecting! Anchor Hocking produced many unique glass bottles over the years to commemorate retirements, high school graduations, historical events, centennials, plant expansions, performance awards, and conventions. Over 150 beautiful color photos display unique examples of commemorative bottles made by Anchor Hocking between 1905 and 1982. Various styles and shapes, perfect and imperfect, are presented along with historical accounts of their production. Enjoy this fascinating piece of glass history and discover the beauty of these collectible items.

Over 1150 beautiful color images and historical photographs display the dazzling variety of ceramic wares produced at the famous Cauldon Pottery Works of Staffordshire, England, by the venerable firm Brown-Westhead, Moore & Company. Over one hundred years of Staffordshire pottery production and changing decorative styles are displayed, including table and tea sets decorated in blue and white, flow blue, and multiple colored transfer prints; ornate majolica centerpieces, jardinieres, and garden seats; elegant fine bone china vases, utilitarian ewers, and basins; and decorative tiles. \n The definitive text provides a detailed history of Brown-Westhead, Moore & Company, descriptions of the wares and the artists who produced them, a detailed bibliography, numerous appendices, and an index. Current market values are found in the captions. This book will be an important reference for all concerned with Staffordshire pottery.

Beautifully carved and painted wooden kachina dolls represent the many spirits and dancers in Southwest Indian Hopi ceremonies that appeal to higher forces for rain, fertile crops, and the goodness of life. Learn the identities of 275 kachinas made by important contemporary Hopi artists and on the market today. There are numerous examples of the most popular Kachinas, such as Crow Mother, Eagles, Clowns, and Maidens. Arranged alphabetically for easy reference by collectors, artists, and historians, the descriptive text and 545 spectacular color photographs present the Hopi and English names, artist identity, and images you need to accurately identify Kachinas. The current market is reflected in value ranges in the captions.

Made as toy savings banks, souvenirs, or advertising premiums, cast-iron safe banks are found in a variety of sizes, colors, and finishes and were produced from approximately 1870 until World War II. Due to their numerous parts, coupled with the locking mechanism, they have not been reproduced. This book is the most complete listing of iron safe banks known to date and includes a broad range of additional information, taken directly from primary reference resources, to engage both the casual reader and serious collector. There are nearly 500 unique casting variations identified with multiple colors and finishes represented. This catalog is augmented with chapters that include more than 20 company profiles, 175 pages reproduced from original manufacturer catalogs, over 60 ads from period mail order catalogs, and nearly 40 related US patents, as well as trade cards, postcards, calendars, posters, and other ephemera related to safe banks and the companies that made them.

This wonderful book contains stunning images of 540 rugs crafted by 292 of today's contemporary rug hooking artists. They are rugs made by a group of artists exploring a common theme, as well as series or topic-related rugs by individual artists. Among the many subjects included are rugs from The American Folk Art Museum's "Icons of America" contest, "Circus Train" rugs from the Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild, "Art Hits the Wall," from a Canadian fiber exhibit, "A Boy From Orient" by Gail Horton, and many more. Showcased are some of today's most noted rug hooking artists, along with artists making their debuts. Inspiring for all levels of fiber artists, this is a must-have book and a companion to Contemporary Hooked Rugs: Themes and Memories, also by Linda Rae Coughlin.

Colorful, cheerful -- and in some cases downright funky -- vintage dinette sets from the 1950s to the 1970s will bring a nostalgic smile to your face. Presented through over 200 archival catalog images from the Lloyd Manufacturing Company (a subsidiary of Heywood-Wakefield), these sets feature casual seating in a myriad of wonderful styles. Here are "trimline" sets from the 1950s, pedestal base sets from the 1960s, Mediterranean style sets from the 1970s, and much more. Original catalog descriptions, model numbers, measurements, current price guide, and an index are all included. Pull up a chair and relax with this unique reference for vintage furniture collectors, designers, and all who love the retro look of the mid-century years!

Collecting rock and roll sheet music is an excellent (and different) way to enjoy popular songs -- and you don't have to know how to read music! This lively look at the songs and fashions that were all the rage in the Swingin' Sixties is presented through over 630 color photos of sheet music from that remarkable decade. Many offer seldom-seen images of the band or recording artist and often include facts about the song composer or album as well. Popular styles such as Motown, R&B, surf, pop, and garage rock are represented, all from memorable groups like The Rolling Stones, Monkees, Beach Boys, Supremes, Doors, and of course, The Beatles. Collector hints, musical facts, and trivia appear along with current values, an index, and rare, foreign printings from the United Kingdom, Australia, and Italy. You'll be humming along and tapping your foot as you turn the pages of this nostalgic and visually exciting book!

What's "automobilia?" It's all the great go-with items that accompanied the evolution of our auto history. It's the signs that hung in dealerships and gas stations, the toys that young drivers-to-be played with, it's the oil cans that poured and the dealer giveaways that promoted their products. Automobilia, the book explores the vintage signs, toys, and giveaways produced during the 100-year life of the auto industry, which changed the course of history forever. The history of the auto is captured in more than 500 photos, with information-packed captions and a corresponding price guide. Automobilia is an invaluable reference for anyone fascinated by the story of the horseless carriage, and a must-have for both beginner and long-time collectors.

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.

The Royal Armouries' stunning collection of arms and armour provides a unique historical perspective on visual and material culture from across the world. Both intricate and elaborate, these items are a magnificent testament to fashion, craftsmanship and engineering throughout the ages. This book is filled with gorgeous photography offering a glimpse into a world of firearms, armours, swords and helmets. It includes an insightful essay by Karen Watts, former Senior Curator at the Royal Armouries and Knight of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

This clear and lively book, based on the understanding of collecting practice rather than collections themselves, provides an illuminating analysis of collecting as a major social and individual phenomenon in contemporary sociey. Pearce uses both qualitative and quantitative informaion to highlight the significance of collecting in relation to the cultural process, popular culture, contemporary attitudes to material culture, and the idea of collecting as a postmodern activity.

This is the ultimate reference to military headgear that appears today on the collector's market, from the Comb Morion to the Picklehaube, and from the Closed helmet to the Bicorne hat with particular reference to rare Napoleonic headgear. Collectors, dealers, and auctioneers from Japan, Belgium, the United States of America, Italy, The United Kingdom, Germany, Malta and Sweden have collaborated to compile this unique collection of photographs of exceptionally rare hats. These include extremely rare and ancient helmets, expensive sixteenth century open-faced helmets, Zischagges, Burgonets, unique eighteenth century headdress, French shakos from the First Empire, neo-classical helmets from the Napoleonic wars, early spiked helmets from the Crimean war period, Oriental helmets, and First World War headgear. The book is lavishly illustrated with close-up views that assist collectors in identifying aging characteristics. It also places collecting in the context of history by discussing the employment of Internet auctions, replicas, forgeries, and prices are also covered.

The vast array of ceramics manufactured by the venerable English manufactory Wedgwood, appear in over 500 stunning color photos. Early green-glazed earthenwares, Queen's Ware, black basalt, jasper ware, dry-bodied stonewares, majolica, bone china, and lustre ware forms range from teapots and tableware to statuary and Art Deco sculptures. The fascinating, detailed history of the development and dissemination of Wedgwood products includes a useful timeline for quick reference, bibliography, index, and values in the captions. This work should be required reading for every Anglophile and ceramics aficionado!

A collector's delight, this comprehensive volume is devoted to the wide variety of charming salt and pepper shakers produced by Goebel Porzellanfabrik*r of Germany, from the 1920s through the 1980s. Nearly 600 color photos display shakers and condiment sets in the forms of animals, birds, fish, people, flowers, fruits and vegetables, and more. Variations in color or size are included, as well as many scarce or rare sets. Captions contain identification numbers, artist's name where known, date of manufacture, and current market value. Also includes a helpful explanation of Goebel's numbering system, trademarks used from 1923 to the present, and tips for identifying and pricing Goebel sets. A wonderful resource for all collectors and admirers of novelty salt and pepper shakers.

This is the greatest collection of tea and coffee pots, beverage sets, and hot water pots, made by the prolific Hall China Company ever displayed in a single volume! From the company\s establishment in 1903 until today, Hall China, of East Liverpool, Ohio, has produced a vast array of innovative pots in forms and with decorations that kept up with the times. Many are displayed here among 845 beautiful color photos. Included are early gold and platinum decorations; the "Art Deco," "Novelty," "Victorian," and Brilliant series; early decals; Gold Label; 1960s decorations; special shapes made for various companies including Lipton Tea, McCormick Tea, and others; and designs by renowned artist Eva Zeisel. \nThe informative text includes vessel shapes, sizes, colors, and historical information, along with a detailed bibliography, a Names Cross Reference, and values in the captions.

A combination of 440 photos and advertisements, plus informative text, tell the story of the Elgin National Watch Company wristwatches that accompanied U.S. Army troops into the trenches of Europe in World War I. While Elgin was known as a company that would allow buyers to pick and choose among features for their personal watches, the U.S. Army also created specifications dated November 3, 1914 and October 24, 1916, choosing the watch features their soldiers would wear. After a brief discussion of pricing, rarity, and company history, the wristwatches covered include: Star Dial Series, Giant Size 6s, RED 12 Dials, BOLD Arabic Dials, and Shadow Box Dials. Also explored are dial date stamps, recent restorations, crystal guards, and Elgin watch movements. This venerable watch company, dating back to 1864, produced roughly 1,000,000 watch movements each year during World War I. Explore these veterans of the Great War through this fascinating read.

This book explores porcelain wares produced by the Reinhold Schlegelmilch Porcelain Factory [marked R. S. Prussia], of Suhl, Germany, and sold to America from 1888 through 1900. The wonderfully molded and decorated plates and platters, tea sets, pitchers, clocks, and decorative objects are described with over 760 beautiful color images. An entire chapter is devoted to the company's charming toy china sets. Displayed are wares formed from a variety of molds (including Fleur-de-Lis and Melon) and patterns (outline transfer, King George, and Coraline patterns, to name a few). Newly discovered mold patterns are included, along with a history of the company's early operations, wholesale and trade catalog pages illustrating wares exported to the United States, the manufacturer's marks employed during this early period, a bibliography, and several appendices. This book will guide all collectors of Victorian porcelain to recognize the early pieces marked R. S. Prussia.

Historic valentines are popular collectibles themselves and within many other types of collections including comic characters, paper items, international themes, nursery rhymes and topical themes. From hand-made to manufactured, from fancy and romantic to cute and funny, there are valentines for every personality. This book presents a wide range of styles with market values in the capitons. 600 photographs beautifully display the wide variety. It also contains a glossary.

The effective preparation of garments for display is essential for exhibitions of contemporary and historical dress. Costumes not only need to be visually appealing but also fully supported and historically accurate. This book provides a comprehensive guide to mounting costumes from the eighteenth century to the present day. It includes methods for adapting and shaping figures to create historical silhouettes, constructing underpinnings and making replicas and toiles using inexpensive and simple techniques. A Practical Guide to Costume Mounting is an invaluable resource for conservators, historians and all those working with clothing in museums, private collections and throughout the fashion and theatre industries. Trained as a historical costume maker, author Lara Flecker is the textile display specialist at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. She has worked extensively with the museum's world-class costume collection, preparing garments for display. Her simple mounting methods are clearly explained and can be used by people with a wide range of experience, including those with few sewing skills.

A comprehensive history and typology of the European knightly sword from c.1050 to c.1550, that draws on evidence from literature and art as well as from archaeology. The resplendent image of the medieval knight is symbolised by his sword, a lethal weapon on the battlefield and a badge of chivalry in that complex social code. Ewart Oakeshott draws on his extensive research to recount the history of the sword from the knightly successors of the Viking weapon to the emergence of the Renaissance sword - roughly from 1050 to 1550. Evidence for dating is adduced from literature and art as well as from archaeology, and a detailed chronological typology of swords is developed, based on entire swords, pommel-forms, cross-guards, and the grip and scabbard. With clear illustrations and invaluable photographic plates The Sword in the Age of Chivalryoffers first-class reference material for all weapons enthusiasts. The late EWART OAKESHOTT was an authority on the arms and armour of medieval Europe. His other books include Records of the Medieval Sword and TheArchaeology of Weapons.

This beautiful book is the first to exclusively present what many agree are the very best of vintage household linens, the products of the Weil & Durrse Company of New York City, from the 1920s to 1984. Their Wilendur? and other brands reign above others in the collecting world for good reason. The bold and beautifully executed patterns stand out as art of the highest quality. Their inks and dyes, as well as their base fabrics, were exceptional. This book provides a brief history of the Weil and Durrse Company and descriptive text for over 250 different tablecloths in 120 printed designs. 425 color photographs display exquisite floral tablecloths, napkins, placemats, curtains, towels, aprons, and handcrafted items. This fascinating and important book is for professional textile designers, historians, dealers, and collectors alike

"Absolutely essential reading for every LEGO fan." -Blocks The definitive history of LEGO, based on unprecedented access to the company's archives and rare interviews with the founding family who still owns the company "This book tells the story of how my family built the LEGO brand." -Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, former President/CEO of the LEGO Group and 3rd generation owner It's estimated that each year between eighty and ninety million children around the globe are given a box of LEGO, while up to ten million adults buy sets for themselves. Yet LEGO is much more than a dizzying number of plastic bricks that can be put together and combined in countless ways. LEGO is also a vision of the significance of what play can mean for humanity. This book tells the extraordinary story of a global company and a Danish family who for ninety years have defended children's right to play-and who believe grown-ups, too, should make the time to nurture their inner child. The LEGO Story is built on Jens Andersen's unique access to LEGO's own archives, as well as on Andersen's extensive conversations with Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, former president and CEO of the LEGO group and grandson of its founder, Ole Kirk Christiansen. A riveting cultural history of changing generations' views of childhood and the importance of play, The LEGO Story also a fascinating case study of how innovation and creativity helped leaders transform LEGO from a small carpentry business into the world's largest producer of play materials and one of the most beloved brands in the world. Richly illustrated with never-before-seen photos from the family's private archive, this is the ultimate book for fans of LEGO, revealing everything you ever wanted to know about the brand. An International Bestseller

This Bakelite jewelry helps document the story of a country and its allies working together to restore world peace. Images of pins, necklaces, bracelets, and more capture these true signs of the timesnot only crafted to express solidarity, loss, patriotism, and love, but to make use of a new material that was not restricted by rationing and conservation orders. From sweetheart pins and pins emblazoned with MacArthurs famous, I shall return, to pieces with reticulating moveable parts, the range of colorful jewelry captured in this book is perfect for those passionate about Bakelite jewelry and for WWII buffs. Although these Bakelite treasures were fashioned with the patriotic inspiration of the time, they can still be collected and fashionably worn today, as demonstrated in a chapter called Wearing Ideas.