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.

Here is an assortment of carving projects unlike any other! This book captures the magic and fun of a street-corner band, with eight different personalities jamming away, heart and soul, for passers-by. The whimsical characters are irresistable-you'll want to clap your hands and sing along with them. Al guides the reader step-by-step through the carving of "Hurricane" Brown, the saxophone player for this wonderful ensemble, from using the pattern, to carving the figure, to painting and finishing it. In addition to the actual project instructions, some very helpful tips and techniques are presented in the introductory section. Beginning and advanced carvers alike will learn a great deal from Al's many years of carving experience! A colorful gallery introduces you to other members of the band and a chapter of patterns provides the specifics for carving all eight characters.

California-based Gladding, McBean & Co. began producing Franciscan dinnerware in the 1930s. Their introduction of Franciscan Apple in 1940 heralded a new product line featuring heavily sculpted, embossed dinnerware hand-decorated in brilliant colors. Desert Rose, introduced a year later, became the top selling dinnerware pattern in the world. Many additional patterns were produced through 1984, when the Franciscan plant in Glendale, California was closed. This comprehensive guide focuses solely on Franciscan hand-decorated embossed dinnerware manufactured in the United States and includes Apple, Desert Rose (and its three variations), Wild Flowers, Ivy, Fruit, California Poppy, October, Forget-Me-Not, Strawberry Fair, Strawberry Time, Fresh Fruit, Bountiful, Rosette, and Bouquet. Over 430 color photos illustrate these highly collectible pieces while the captions provide values, sizes, and other information for each pattern. An extensive company history and detailed shape listings are included. This is the complete reference for collectors of Franciscan hand-painted embossed dinnerware.

Chatty CathyTM and Her Talking Friends, an unauthorized history of Mattel talking dolls, documents the famous dolls that were the rage of the 1960s. When you pulled the string they talked! They're all here in this first book devoted entirely to talking dolls-Chatty Cathy, Chatty Baby, Beany Boy, Matty, and Barbie, to name just a few. Read along year by year as Sean Kettelkamp lets you see for yourself why these dolls were so popular. Over 240 color photographs illustrate the adorable dolls, their clothing, accessories, even the talking mechanisms. You'll have great fun looking back at the era of talking dolls. This comprehensive book includes a value guide, making it an indispensable addition to a doll collector's library.

This fascinating book charts toy robot design of the last half of the 20th century and explores Japanese aesthetics in tinplate toys, especially robots. Over 200 photographs and original conceptual drawings illustrate this captivating history, from the wind-up walking mechanism of the "Diamond Planet Robot" to the sophisticated "Answer Game Machine," the first robot computer capable of doing mathematical problems. Tomy, Horikawa, Waco, and Sony are just a few of the manufacturers whose robotic designs are featured here. The captions provide much relevant information, including date, size, manufacturer, and current values. This important book is of compelling interest to historians, collectors, designers, and students of Japanese studies and popular culture in the golden age of toy production.

Colorful and informative, this in-depth pictorial review and price guide includes over 850 color photographs of cookery pamphlets and advertising memorabilia from the 1860s to the 1950s. Through the use of these materials, food companies achieved brand name exposure while providing consumers with new and exciting ways to use their products. Featured in the book are chapters on brand-name foods, wartime-era cookbooks, black memorabilia, highly collectible die-cut books, children's books, and more. In addition, the authors provide helpful suggestions for getting started with your own collection, identifying dates, and caring for these entertaining and delightfully illustrated collectibles. If you've overlooked advertising cookbooks in the past, you'll certainly take a closer look now!

The housewares for every purpose-including the well-known Autumn Leaf Pattern dinner wares, the stories of the salesmen who delivered them, and the history of the Jewel Tea Company that sent them forth are explored in great detail in this fascinating book. Over five hundred color and historic black & white photographs accompany the text. Among the product lines explored are Jewel Tea dining services and all the accoutrements to set the perfect table, kitchen wares and cookbooks, household products recommended to furnish the new bride's home, sales items for men only, and toys for children which may stir fond memories of your own. The chapter on unusual sales and premium items found only in collectors' homes today will delight all who are interested in this major twentieth century firm.

From Buffalo Bill to Wild Bill and from Chief Joseph to Geronimo, the most famous guns in the West and the history behind them More than a few of the actual guns once in the hands of the heroes and villains of America's Old West still exist, housed in a dozen museums across the country--from the Model 1866 .44-40 that Chief Joseph famously surrendered to General Miles to Wild Bill Hickok's Colt Model 1851 revolvers; from Buffalo Bill's .50 caliber breechloading needlegun nicknamed "Lucrezia Borgia" to John Wesley Hardin's 1860 model .44 SA revolvers. "Famous Firearms of the Old West" follows the life stories of a dozen actual pistols, rifles, and shotguns instrumental in shaping America's history--using them as entrees into the lives of the shooters themselves. This is a vivid portrait of famous Western characters, paired with the guns they used to make themselves famous or, as the case may be, infamous. It is a must for anyone interested in the history and lore of the Wild West, gun hobbyists, and tourists seeking a museum experience with a difference.

Candle powered "fairy lamps" made Victorian and Edwardian homes glow with light, and make modern collectors glow with nostalgia. Over 800 lamps made from 1880 through the 1930s are shown in full color in this new book. The lamps range from the simplest examples given out with boxes of candles to the most extravagant chandelier assemblages made for lords, rajahs, and royalty. As part of the fascinating history of lighting devices and fuels, this work draws upon many primary sources to trace the development of fairy lamps, and catalog examples that can be found on today's market. It provides an indispensable resource for collectors and dealers, of lighting devices, pottery, and art glass.

With the advent of the automobile and the central place it took in society, service stations became one of the dominant businesses in twentieth century America. From the pump in front of the general store to the gleaming full-service stations of the 1940s and 1950s, the oil companies created a niche in popular culture. They produced a wealth of items that now are eagerly sought after by collectors. Everything from the glass globes that adorned early gas pumps to toys, advertising, pinbacks, tire repair kits, and a host of other memorabilia are available. Drawing from the collection of Mitch Stenzler, an early and avid aficionado, Gas Station Collectibles offers nearly 1000 color photographs of these nostalgic and often beautiful artifacts. The clear photos show examples of some of the best of the collectibles available, and a price guide is an invaluable aid to the collector.

Paperweights that were made in Scotland from 1835 to the present are a wonderful part of glass history. In this beautiful book, Scottish paperweights are displayed in nearly 400 full-color photographs together with a discussion of the major weight-makers and glass houses. The important Ysart Family is thoroughly presented along with other makers: Holyrood Flint Glass Works, Vasart, Strathearn Ltd, Perthshire, Caithness, Edinburgh Crystal, Harland, John Deacons, Crieff, MacIntosh Glass, William and Willie Manson. Fakes, copies, and reproductions are fully discussed and the text includes a substantial glossary of weight-making terms and a price guide.

Popular Furniture of the 1920s and 1930s is a facsimile reproduction of the Elgin A. Simonds Company's furniture catalog. It presents the reader with an extensive resource of traditional and commercial furniture styles of the 1920s and 1930s. Founded in 1901, the Elgin A. Simonds Company engaged exclusively in the production of faithful reproductions of the finest work of master furniture craftsman of the past. The company president would spend much of his time researching styles in Europe looking for patterns that were worthy of reproduction by the craftsmen at the Simonds Company. Current values of the furniture have been added to make this book a useful addition to the collector's library. This nostalgic look at furniture styles of the 1920s and 1930s includes over 850 photographs, with important information about size, materials, and the period of the reproduction.

This inclusive guide provides a detailed look at the beautiful Blue Ridge China wares produced by Southern Potteries of Erwin, Tennessee, from 1938 through 1957. Over 1400 color photographs display the hand decorated wares, including items never before displayed in any text! The authors have provided nearly 1400 new color photographs and much new information, for both the seasoned collector and newcomers to this fascinating collecting field. Also included are personal reminiscences and photos from Southern Potteries workers, information and photographs concerning the advertising wares and granny bowls produced by Clinchfield China (Southern Potteries predecessor), an exploration of many of the hand painted patterns produced for Blue Ridge China wares, and numerous examples of the company's manufacturer's marks. Additionally, modern spin off lines found in Erwin, Tennessee, today are also displayed. Values for the wares shown are found in the captions. A general price guide listing is also provided. An index rounds out this thorough presentation.

The antique beaded bag is a most exquisite and sought-after vintage collectible. Over 600 detailed color photographs display hundreds of mostly European (French, Italian, Austrian, and Czechoslovakian) handbags, many never before published, including Miser, American Indian, embroidered, drawstring, framed, scenic, Bohemian, and cut steel, with information on care, history, and design techniques, and close-up photographs of the intricate beadwork. Detailed captions, a current value guide, a comprehensive bibliography, and an index guarantee this to be the ultimate collector's guide to vintage handbag fashion design.

Archimede Seguso (1909-1999), one of the great Muranese masters, took traditional glassmaking techniques to extremes. His introduction of merletto lacework technique at the Venice Biennale of 1952 turned heads. His secret for embedding fine lacy threads of glass was never shared. Rather than apply the filigree to the surface of vessels as was traditionally done, Seguso floated these delicate wisps of color inside the glass. Archimede Seguso was also a sculptor. His preference for solid glass and love of nature resulted in a glass menagerie of feathered, scaled, and furry creatures. In the late 1950s he debuted with an array of alabastro figurals mimicking natural white alabaster, as well as the stone in delicious colors. This book, the first on the subject written in English, shows the full array of his extraordinary work in almost 500 full color photos from collections around the world. With focus on the 1950s and the Venice Biennales, his designs for decanters, vases, bowls, and animal sculpture from the period are shown with detailed captions and a price guide. This book also includes a history, bibliography, index, and illustrated glossary of terms.

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.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Enduring Splendor focuses on the rich and diverse silver jewelry traditions of India's Thar Desert region, stretching across the western states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. These traditions are considered against the background of the five-thousand-year history of jewelry making across the vast Indian Subcontinent. Drawing on recent field research carried out in the city of Jaisalmer, a thriving center of contemporary jewelry production, Enduring Splendor explores for the first time the life and work of four sonis (silversmiths or goldsmiths). To contextualize this recent production, numerous illustrations of very fine examples of ninteenth- and twentieth-century jewelry types that are still worn are included. These objects have been borrowed from the Ronald and Maxine Linde Collection of Jewelry and Ritual Arts of India, part of a promised gift to UCLA, where it will find its future home with the Fowler Museum. The Linde Collection is one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of Indian jewelry in the world. This volume highlights elaborate rural styles rendered in silver as well as selected ornate examples, largely associated with the elite, made with gold and gemstones.

Experience warm wishes and happy remembrances of Christmas through postcards, rural carrier cards, and business trade cards organized chronologically from the 1880s through the 1920s. Over 740 beautiful and charming color images show how Christmas sentiments, card designs, and that right jolly old elf Santa himself changed with the times. The engaging text provides a brief history of postcard production, a discussion of Santa's enduring image, key postcard artists and publishers, and valuations for postcards. This is an essential volume for postcard collectors and all who love the Christmas season.

This new book explores liberating designs that the age of plastic has brought to kitchen items, toys, furniture, appliances, jewelry, and more. Over 350 items are illustrated in full color. They include a concise description and a value in today's marketplace. The passion for collecting plastic has continued to grow. What was once seen as commonplace is now looked at with nostalgia and an eye for its design. Besides, collecting plastics is fun. The colors, shapes, and design delight the eye and will add to one's personal appearance or to the decor of the home. The information and photographs on these pages will be a welcome addition to the collector's library.

The first reference book to provide a detailed account of the Pyroceram*R cookware, developed at Corning by Donald Stookey and marketed in 1958. This special Pyroceram*R material was first used on military missile nose cones, and because of its durability, it was felt to be a great medium for the kitchen, too. Easily taken from the freezer, used in the oven, microwave, or on the range, it was beautiful enough to be served at the table. After a meal, it went straight to the dishwasher. The cookware saved many steps for the consumer. 60 plus patterns are listed and shown in over 400 color photos. Reprints of catalogs, brochures, and historical material, and a detailed bibliography provide much additional information. All information was carefully compiled from original catalogs and reprints, company brochures, trade journals, company advertising, auction lists, eBay, and the shared extensive experience of many dedicated dealers and collectors. An index gives easy access to material.

This book represents the ultimate Hawaiian experience and art form: the Hula, through photographs taken in the 1880s and 1890s. These images were gathered by the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, Queen Liliuokalani (1839 -1917), who reigned from 1891 until 1893, and were presented in an album to her personal nurse as a token of her Aloha. For the most part, the photographs were previously unknown and unpublished, and represent some of the most powerful and poignant images of Hula known to exist. Several non-Hula images are among the photos, adding interest to the album's contents. A brief history of the Queen's fascinating life is included. Anyone who has felt the magic of Hawaiian Hula will enjoy this unusual book.

The pine furniture and tools gathered in this book have come from distant places in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia. Painted with cheerful colors, they served every practical function in a home. Over 280 beautiful color photographs in this book show construction details and furniture design of great variety. Today, the warm tones of old paint on soft pine wood in antique furniture convey sability to a home and security among its inhabitants. They help to create a welcoming place to live.

In the 1950s, the Wade potteries of England and Ireland became famous for the miniature ceramic figurines sold under the Whimsies name. Decades later, Wade is still producing Whimsies and they are popular with collectors of all ages. Over 800 striking illustrations, mostly in color, detail the sets of Whimsies, along with their presentation boxes, advertising literature, and flyers. Over 160 black and white photos display the Wade makers' marks. The Tom Smith Party Cracker figurines, miniature village sets, premiums, and promotional figures are depicted and color and size variations are noted. Current values are found in both US dollars and UK pounds. Everyone who enjoys ceramic miniatures will treasure this book.

For the first time, this book uncovers the fascinating history and diverse design of decorative ceramic tiles in Britain during the 20th century. Following extensive research and study, author Chris Blanchett, a well-known British tile enthusiast and collector, has compiled the story of the companies and their products, including the major influences that affected design and manufacture during this vibrant period. Together with its companion title, this publication contains nearly 2500 striking color photographs and illustrates the work of over 110 companies, large and small. Among the firms profiled here are Maw & Co., Packard & Ord, H. & R. Johnson, Pilkington's, and many more. A third volume in the series covers the numerous craft and studio tile makers that flourished in the 20th century, particularly during the second half. Each book features an entry for each maker, listing all known addresses, a short history of the firm and its products, a gallery of tile images, and a section on identification and dating. A bibliography is included as well as a glossary, comprehensive index, and price guide. This beautiful and informative book is an essential reference for all who are fascinated with the art of tile.