During the past decade a number of individual museums have found imaginative ways of using their collections and of making them accessible. However, museum collections as a whole are enormous in size and quantity and the question of how can they can be put to best use is ever present. When conventional exhibitions can only ever utilise a tiny proportion of them, what other uses of the collections are possible? Will their exploitation and use now destroy their value for future generations? Should they simply be kept safely and as economically as possible as a resource for the future? Fragments of the World examines these questions, first reviewing the history of collecting and of collections, then discussing the ways in which the collections themselves are being used today. Case studies of leading examples from around the world illustrate the discussion. Bringing together the thinking about museum collections with case studies of the ways in which different types of collection are used, the book provides a roadmap for museums to make better use of this wonderful resource.

All the charm and color of more than a century's worth of advertising postcards is here in a single volume. They range from vintage to modern and include products, hotels, country clubs, banks, utilities, restaurants, transportation, and even world's fairs. From the Admiral Vee Motel to the confections of the Zumole Trokey Girl, Advertising Postcards offers sweeping coverage of this enduring method of print advertising. Starting with the very early advertising postcard days of the late 19th century, the volume spans more than 100 years, with remarkable and memorable examples. Everything from Akron Lamps to Zero candy bars eventually found their way to the concept of the advertising postcard, and more than 500 of them are illustrated in full color and documented here. Their historical context is presented and current values are given.

World travelers can find glass bells in many countries, making them fun to search for and recall their adventures. Over 400 bells are shown in hundreds of color photographs to whet the interest of newcomers to the field. Seasoned bell collectors will also enjoy the carefully researched history, identification, and text about glass manufacturers and regional characteristics. Dating bells will be easier with this guide. The book will be handled often to compare details and identify glass patterns.

Like other volumes in this series, Ancient History from Coins demystifies a specialism, introducing students (from first year upwards) to the techniques, methods, problems and advantages of using coins to do ancient history. Coins are a fertile source of information for the ancient historian; yet too often historians are uneasy about using them as evidence because of the special problems attaching to their interpretation. The world of numismatics is not always easy for the non-specialist to penetrate or understand with confidence. Dr Howgego describes and anlyses the main contributions the study of coins can make to ancient history, showing shows through numerous examples how the character, patterns and behaviour of coinage bear on major historical themes. Topics range from state finance and economic policy to imperial domination and political propaganda through coins types. The period covered by the book is from the invention of coinage (ca 600BC) to AD 400.

Nowhere else will you find Elvis, John Wayne, and Richard Nixon standing proudly atop tiny transistor radios! Over 600 color photos display wildly varied novelty transistor radios, including those shaped as airplanes, beer bottles, bugs, cars, vending machines, weapons, famous people, and advertising characters. Some radios advertise food, drinks, household products, and sports teams and all are as varied in function as they are in form. AM and FM models, with and without antennas, appear along with models with internal speakers and those requiring earphones. The captions provide detailed information about each radio, along with current market values. There are radios in this book sure to tickle your fancy!

Some of the earliest college and professional sports gear is presented in an easy-to-find, chronological format and 600 beautiful color photos. Chosen from the best collections in America, these fantastic relics tell the true story of the sports developing over 100 years to their present passionate status among fans of all ages. See survivors of the earliest games, including a baseball jersey from the 1870s, a football from 1885, and a basketball rim from 1910. Together with many balls, gloves, shoes, safety equipment, pennants, trophies, and other equipment from many teams, this comprehensive record will fascinate fans of all sports categories and inspire today's designers.

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!

Fast food authors extraordinaire Joyce and Terry Losonsky continue their around-the-world McDonald's odyssey with this expansive guide covering Happy Meal*r toys given out during the late 1990s in over 114 different countries. In addition to a complete listing of international Happy Meal*r toys, the book also includes the displays, pins, buttons, register toppers, banners, pogs, and assorted memorabilia distributed by the McDonald's Corporation during the same time period. Hundreds of full color photos illustrate the Happy Meal*r toys and promotional items described. Join the parade of collectors who are having world class fun exploring and collecting this vast array of merchandise. Your trip around the world continues with this delightful adventure. All aboard!

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.

This new and improved edition is an essential and invaluable resource for every glass enthusiast, collector, researcher, and historian. It contains over 4,200 alphabetized definitions of glassware, colors, processes, materials, forms, decorative styles, pattern motifs, noted artisans, companies, and designers, from antiquity to the present. The glass world now has an necessary resource that remains up-to-date and unique in its field. This clear, concise, and easily readable guide includes both highly technical jargon and common terminology. The thorough use of cross-referencing between related subjects provides an extensive overview of specific glass-related topics.

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.

Whether you are wondering what the toy cars, and trucks at the bottom of your toychest are worth, or are a serious collector, this new book will be useful to you. Ed Force, one of America's foremost collectors and experts on miniature toy vehicles, catalogues and shows in full color all of the latest Matchbox toys made from 1983-1987 and presents the first comprehensive look at the new world of Lledo Toys vehicles. The Matchbox toys section brings Schiffer Publishing's coverage up-to-date, taking up where Nancy Schiffer's Matchbox Toys stopped off and bringing the reader information and full-color photographs of the most recent models. The Lledo Toys section introduces that company's line of miniature "antique" vehicles, many of the horse drawn varieties, and opens up a whole new field of collecting to enthusiasts. Ed Force also provides helpful background information and history which will increase the fun of collecting them. Included in Matchbox and Lledo Toys is a current price guide, an immense help to those involved in this fast growing hobby.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

Hundreds of fascinating color photos reveal the wearable artwork created by today's top art jewelers of Europe, including one-of-a-kind necklaces, brooches, bracelets, rings, and earrings in gold, silver, mixed metals, glass, enamel work, found objects, and more. The artists are arranged alphabetically so readers may see the entire scope of their work on the page together. The artists provide personal statements about their work and its significance. These artists have created small sculptures that adorn the body and draw attention. This is the first book in the series to focus solely on the artists of Europe. Included among them are new artwork from artists readers have come to know in the previous volumes and an introduction to the work of artists whose jewelry has not been previously seen. This is a valuable guide to current trends in art jewelry design for buyers, jewelry enthusiasts, collectors, and artists alike.

This superb new reference book describes the most popular of these revolvers--Colt, Smith & Wesson, Sturm-Ruger, Taurus and others--in words and superb, high-quality photographs, documenting their design, technology, and how they shoot. It also describes what they can achieve in precision shooting and discusses trigger pull weight and groups. Double action revolvers--in which the trigger cocks and drops the hammer--are more popular and much favored by bodyguards and security service personnel, where having a weapon that is both inconspicuous and handy counts more than firepower or the quickest reload. These weapons are also favored by hunters who can get five or seven shots in a powerful caliber, even with a feather-light titanium "snub nose."

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.