On the banks of the Rio Grande, in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, and in the geographical center of the state of New Mexico lies the city of Albuquerque. Over 200 vintage black and white and hand-tinted postcards from the 1900s to the 1960s take readers on a fantastic journey back in time, to tour Albuquerque and beyond. Many interesting and famous spots are showcased. See the AT & SF Railroad Depot and the Alvarado Hotel in all their former glory. Browse through the selection of handmade Native American arts and crafts sold in Wright's Trading Post or by vendors in Old Town Plaza. Take in a show at the KiMo Theater, stroll among the historic buildings and shops of Old Town, or stop for a tour of the University of New Mexico's campus. Travel outside Albuquerque for a trip up the Sandia Mountains and a tour through Sandia Pueblo.

An attractive introduction to collecting paper money - a major hobby which has seen an increasing popularity in the last decade. It embraces art and can form a miniature art gallery involving the best engravers in the world and famous artists. For those who like research the field is wide open and new discoveries are being made all the time. Paper money is the history of the world, issued as war-time emergencies, often hand signed by famous men like General Gordon of Khartoum and printed by men who made history, like Benjamin Franklin. From its beginnings in China, hidden in the mists of time, the mulberry bark flying money which avoided transporting heavy cash coins, established paper money through the world. Wars sieges, inflation, forgeries were the breeding ground for paper money, and often help to prove historical events. There are very expensive notes - over a million has been paid for a note, but there are thousands of attractive notes from all over the world at 1-2 pounds or even less. This book sets out to introduce the new collector to the fascinating areas of the hobby.

From cave paintings to computers, this overview of the history of books and communication is written for the layperson and student. It provides clear information on how books shaped and reflected major social, political, and literary developments. As a general guide, it moves from the earliest writing in the Middle East and Egypt to Greece, Rome, and early Christian contributions to book production and literacy. Major sections discuss publishing during the Middle Ages and how the invention of printing drastically changed and improved the distribution of knowledge. Later chapters take the reader from the age of encyclopedias in the seventeenth century to the great technological advances of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. For those who wish to pursue specific areas in the history of the book in greater detail, there are three parts devoted to additional reading with descriptive, critical annotations: general histories and bibliographies, scribes and printers, and printing to the modern period. Extensive notes and documentation will lead to additional sources.

The Hagen-Renaker pottery company of California was founded in the garage of John and Maxine Renaker in the mid-1940s. They vigorously pursued the dream of having their own pottery company, creating appealing, yet affordable, figurines, along with a few table pieces. Their dream blossomed into reality, and the business has grown over the years, a testament to the desirability and durability of their creations. Here are the unique products the company produced as it grew, illustrating how it and the designers who worked there evolved and matured. It presents hundreds of charming Hagen-Renaker creations, from their realistic horses to whimisical or stylized animals in many varieties. Also included are some fabulous test pieces, a chapter dedicated to identifying and dating Hagen-Renaker pieces, and a current price guide. This invaluable guide identifies the period in which these items were created, and gives tips for recognizing Hagen-Renaker models and the imitations that have followed.

Starting in the early 1960s, the McDonald's*r restaurant chain has been creatively advertising their popular fast food products through the sale of collectible drinking glasses. A virtual parade of glassware fills the pages of this colorful book, which illustrates and describes McDonald's glassware promotions in the United States from 1963 to 1998. Organized chronologically and featuring convenient check-off boxes to help you organize and document your collection, the book includes glasses, cups, mugs, and steins--with tankards following closely behind. Over 250 color photos highlight glassware featuring Ronald McDonald and his McDonaldland pals; cartoon, movie, and television characters; sports themes; commemoratives; and many more. Values and a helpful index are provided. For a smashing time, don't miss out on the Losonsky team's exciting world of collectible glassware from McDonald's!

March 17th is known around the world as a day for people to wear green, drink green beer, and be just plain old jolly. But have you ever stopped to wonder why we do this and why on that particular day? Well, wonder no more! Accompanied by more than 860 images, a fun and informative text and detailed captions provide you with an illustrated history of the Irish, St. Patrick, and the celebration of St. Patrick's Day, as well as the wonderful collector items the culture has produced. From whimsical ceramics to vintage postcards and magazine covers, a wide range of memorabilia will have you wishing it was March 17th everyday so you could bring out all your greenery. Combining the authors' love of history and collecting, this book is perfect for historians, history buffs, collectors, and anyone who loves the Irish.

Beautiful Polynesian women will tempt you to linger on each page of this stunning new book. Be transported to Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Naratonga, Fiji, and the Maori regions of New Zealand to view their beguiling native inhabitants through 380 historic and rare color postcard images that date from 1898 to 1920. Concise text for each locale presents interesting pertinent facts about the geography, people, and local history that make them distinct. These include first sightings by European explorers, local crafts, and traditional customs. The women in Polynesian societies, as reflected in these images, portray exotic ideals that many European artists and writers have fallen in love with and immortalized. \nThis compelling book will be cherished for years to come.

Cast iron toys are among the hottest toy collectibles today. Some of the best known of these were made by Kenton, an Ohio firm that operated from the 1890s to the 1950s. Their famous Kenton toys include children's savings banks, toy stoves, trains, circus caravans, cars, fire trucks, nostalgic horse-and-buggy lines, and nodders, all identified and shown here in color photographs and original catalog illustrations. Most famous of all was the authentic Gene Autry toy pistol, which was unveiled in 1937. Two million of these were sold in the first year and a half, and the company prospered from the Singong Cowboy's popularity until 1951. This marvelously well-illustrated and researched book traces the history of Kenton from its days as a boomtown hardware manufacturer in the nineteenth century through the struggles of the two world wars. The growth of the American toy industry is reflected in the chronicle of this important company told with details from the company archives and with the engaging testimony of company employees. The story of Gene Autry's festive visit to Kenton is delightful!

A grand river city in southwestern Ohio, Cincinnati is rich in history and exquisite charm. In these pages you will experience unparalleled architecture and art such as that seen at Union Terminal and the Eden Park Conservatory, powerful waterfront and landscapes skirting the magnificent Ohio River, and entertainment sites including the wondrous Ohio Grove Amusement Park- "The Coney Island of the West." Take time to see disaster cards depicting the fierce tornado of 1915, the flood of 1937, and a terrible fire in the early 1900s! Learn about the important Underground Railroad significance of Cincinnati in times past. Over 225 vintage, hand-tinted postcards dating back to the turn of the century showcase the nostalgic quality of the "Queen City." Whether it's the excitement of Cincinnati's busy streets and towering buildings, the active riverfront metropolis, or zoological and natural wonders, Cincinnati will astound as you fondly explore its progress from small river town to thriving city. Approximate dating and postcard values will aid collectors in building their own collections of these striking images.

Marbles made in many materials other than glass. Minerals, stone, clay, crockery, pottery, china, porcelain, cloisonne, gutta-percha, scrimshaw, wood, metal, and more appear here in over 930 color photos of ! Featured are some of the most highly prized marbles of years-gone-by, including hand cut, milled, and polished banded agates, and hand-painted chinas. The text also provides valuable information on marble types, clubs, and meets, and includes online sites, values tables, an extensive glossary, bibliography, and appendices. You don't have to be passionate about marbles to enjoy the varieties.

The origins, development and use of the two-edged knightly sword of the European middle ages, from the great migrations to the Renaissance. Forty years of intensive research into the specialised subject of the straight two-edged knightly sword of the European middle ages are contained in this classic study. Spanning the period from the great migrations to the Renaissance, Ewart Oakeshott emphasises the original purpose of the sword as an intensely intimate accessory of great significance and mystique. There are over 400 photographs and drawings, each fully annotated and described in detail, supported by a long introductory chapter with diagrams of the typological framework first presented in The Archaeology of Weapons and further elaborated in The Sword in the Age of Chivalry. There are appendices on inlaid blade inscriptions, scientific dating, the swordsmith's art, and a sword of Edward III. Reprinted as part of Boydell's History of the Sword series.

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.

In every movie, every television show, every novel of wartime intrigue, one phrase stands out as typically German: "Show me your papers." The German Wehrmacht ran on paperwork, evidenced by the complicated maze of interrelated forms necessary for troops to move either on leave or for official business from one end of the Third Reich to another. This work, a unique and thorough compendium of original paperwork carried by the soldiers themselves, documents the forms required for German soldiers to travel, go home on leave, or visit the spoils of occupation. A methodically detailed collection that parallels the meticulous nature of the era that produced it, this work is the most thorough collection of original travel ephemera from Nazi Germany assembled to date, one that any collector would be proud to add to his or her collection.

Fans--they are mysterious and magical, and have been elevated to an art form by the great artists and decorators. They can be viewed as a tangible extension of femininity, style, and elegance. This book tells the fascinating tale of the fan as both a charming fashion accessory and a sophisticated mirror reflecting the changes in fashion and culture over time. Covering medieval times to the twentieth century, individual chapters trace the history of fans and their relationship to the major fashion trends of each era. Over 255 images, including dramatic original photos as well as historical illustrations, showcase fans made of paper, silk, lace, wood, celluloid, feathers, and more. Different shapes and styles of fans are featured, including fixed, pleated, and brise fans, souvenir fans, even several restored fans shown in "before and after" photos. An outstanding resource for fashion historians, students, designers, collectors, and aficionados, this unique study of the fan and its relationship to fashion will be of great interest to anyone who appreciates beautiful clothing and beautiful accessories.

Cigar Box Labels: Portraits of Life, Mirrors of History pays tribute to cigars and the pictorial glory of Victorian-era cigar box labels, a unique form of commercial advertising that flourished in the business place a century ago and helped drive cigars to widespread prominence in American society. Those who fancy these stunningly beautiful paper images as a hobby are in the midst of the hottest area of antique tobacco advertising collecting today. Showcased here are some of the finest and most desirable examples produced by the old stone chromolithographic method between 1860 and 1910. This book also explores some of the rich historical past that surrounds cigars-their manufacture, marketing, and, most of all, their mystique. Also featured is a potpourri of contemporary anecdotes, poems, and other bits of literary whimsy designed to amuse, educate, and titillate the imagination.

This book is long overdue documentation on automatic wristwatches from countries other than Switzerland. These watches were always considered superior micro-mechanical products and posed a challenge to technicians. It was only a question of time, before the collectors' interest in these watches expanded from Swiss watches to those of other origins. A total of 123 watches are illustrated in three different views and are described in detail.

In this richly illustrated book, Richard Osterberg provides a thorough look at the sterling silver utensils which have entranced collectors throughout the years. The perfect complement to the crisp linen, fine china, and elegant crystal of a well-set dining table, sterling silver flatware by many of the most renowned makers and in the loveliest of patterns is pictured here. While sterling silver patterns can be simple or elaborate, this book clearly states their beauty.From delicate berry spoons to poultry shears, bouillon ladles, and carving sets, individual place settings and serving pieces, each is organized in chapters to make matching your pieces an easy task. This is the essential guide to all of the flatware shapes and forms, from common to obscure, used during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. A newly updated price guide and helpful research charts are included for use with your own collection.

1950s vintage clothing, from formal to classic, from party clothes and sports attire to underwear and sleepwear, is shown and described. Over 450 color photographs of American clothing for the whole family, adults and children. These styles hold a strong place in the Fifties Look that became popular around the world.

One Hundred Years of Valentines is a photographic essay. This book, a must for the collector or dealer, showcases over 450 valentine's cards from the late 1800s up until 1998. This comprehensive book includes: the Depression, dimensional, Art Deco, transportation, artist signed, honey comb paper puff, novelty, etc., along with an extensive glossary of valentine terms, the "Second Top 10 Most Asked Questions," and a Usage Guide. Valuable information helps collectors/dealers identify and evaluate their cards.

Elvis Presley wears another crown besides the King of Rock 'N' Roll--he also is the King of Collectibility. Nearly a quarter century after his death, items bearing Elvis's name and likeness are in hot demand. In this comprehensive book, renowned Elvis expert Sean O'Neal chronicles the Elvis phenomenon in more than 600 color photographs. Commercially produced memorabilia, novelties, magazines, promotional pieces, and movie paraphernalia recount Elvis's life and career. Items range from concert posters, to paint by number sets, to the Presley family bible. Every item is presented with its current market price. A special section provides tips on how to avoid counterfeit memorabilia and forged autographs. Also included is a history of Elvis Presley Enterprises, the original creator of Elvis merchandise. This fascinating reference book is the definitive guide to collecting Elvis.

Colorful patterns of English transferware have graced homes around the world for nearly 200 years. In the 20th century major manufacturers like Crown Ducal, Enoch Wood, Royal Staffordshire, Royal Crownford, Alfred Meakin, Spode, Johnson Brothers, and Mason's produced a large variety of patterns, styles and colors that are avidly collected today. With nearly 600 beautiful color photos of 2000 pieces illustrated, this book focuses on the most actively sought-after patterns, such as Crown Ducal's "Bristol," "Calico," "Castles," "Charlotte," "English Chippendale," "English Scenery," "Friendly Village," "Historic America," "Italian," "Liberty Blue," "Old Britain Castles," "Rose Chintz," "Tonquin," "Tower," Vista," and more. Place settings and serving pieces as well as rarer, more unusual pieces and those whose purpose was decorative are intcluded. Detailed pricing tables for major patterns and commentary of popular trends. All this and more make this an indispensible, long awaited addition to the collector's library.

Explore the work of 117 glass craftsmen, from established artists to up-and-coming talents. Their work represents the many techniques artists employ in today's glass art, including blown, cast, fused, etched, layered, copper foil, enamel, paint, and flame work along with stained glass and mosaic compositions. More than 550 art objects are shown, that span the scale from intricate jewelry pieces to architectural installations. The text reveals artists' individual journeys in creativity, as well as a who's who list of galleries, studios, and schools where the cutting edge of glass art is being explored today.

Tiffin was one of the giants of American glassmaking. The colorful decorative glassware from the first half of this century is quite popular today, and this is the first book to present all color photographs of hundreds of Tiffin's products. Vases, bowls, and candlesticks in a wide variety of colors and styles, from common to rare, are all in this book, with large sections devoted to Tiffin's pressed satin glass, lamps, and baskets. This useful reference will be used by glass dealers, collectors and scholars alike. It is a great tribute to the many workers who made Tiffin glass so popular and so well.