In 1973 Britains introduced their New Toy Soldier line of gloss-painted metal figures. It has been highly successful and continues to the present day. This new book focuses on the traditional 54mm figures, illustrating nearly the complete range in nearly 1,100 photographs. Over 3,200 figures are shown with a strong emphasis on military items: British Ceremonial troops, American Civil War, Indian Army and Delhi Durbar, World War I, Knights, Zulu War, Rorkes Drift, Limited Editions, W Britains Collectors Club Membership products, Britains Centenary and Millennium issues. The book also features non-military sections on Home Farm and Circus. Special issues by the Britains Company and figures exclusive to Harrods' and Hamleys' department stores all are included. Each toy is identified in the text and captions, with a comprehensive index of all gloss-painted figures produced during the period covered. The book contains a valuation guide to each set or individual item. This reference book is the definitive work on the new Britains line.

Keen Kutter is the most respected name in cutlery collectibles and pocket knives. This comprehensive volume contains a complete listing, detailed description, date, and value for every Keen Kutter pocket knife shown in Simmons Hardware Company catalogs since the adoption of the Wedge and Bar Keen Kutter logo in 1905. Here are Outing, Scouting and Cigar Cutter pocket knives; New England Whalers, California Budding knives, Kattle, Electrician, Physicians, and Karpenter knives plus many more. Illustrated with over 1100 original catalog illustrations, this volume is destined to become the pocket knife collector's bible. The descriptions are taken directly from Simmons catalogs. General descriptions of the parts of a Keen Kutter pocket knife are provided for each numbered knife. The book is the definitive guide to Keen Kutter pocket knives.

Before the age of Pyrex*TM and plastic, attractive, utilitarian, enameled metal wares adorned kitchens and homes throughout Europe and America. Decorative and durable, enameled ware was made for almost every household purpose - brewing, storing, food preparation, cooking, serving, toting, pouring, and washing. This handsome book showcases, identifies, and explains the myriad of uses that enameled ware provided from the 1880s to the 1940s. Decorations abound - from plain and simple to bold geometrics and lively florals. Many of the most desirable patterns and designs, including the highly collectible End of the Day, Chrysolite, and the coveted cobalt blue pieces are featured here. Today, they provide charming vintage decoration to brighten interior and garden spaces alike. This book will be cherished by beginning collectors and seasoned decorators familiar with two previous books on the subject by the same author. The book includes over 475 color photos with identifying captions and values for the collector, dealer, decorator, and designer.

This comprehensive and invaluable reference guide documents all phases of Emmons and Sarah Coventry jewelry. Over 1,200 items are shown in clear color photographs. Here are styles sold at in-home party fashion shows from 1949 to 1984, as well as Sarah Coventry International department store jewelry and accessories from the late 1980s to 1990s. Information appears on the brief home party plan of 1994, exclusive Emmons and Sarah Coventry pieces sold on the television Home Shopping Network in 2002, and jewelry currently produced. Jewelry for men, women, girls, and boys is described with production dates, identification names, and numbers provided by both companies. Also included are accessories, original catalog pages, advertisements, awards, jewelry markings, original packaging, current values, the history and similarities of these linked companies. Tips for the care of your jewelry, an extensive glossary, and an index roud out this thorough reference work. Appealing not only to the collector, this book will be snatched up and cherished by anyone who has a fond memory of fine fashion jewelry.

From grand jardinieres to diminutive butter pats, this book features ceramic majolica that added vibrant color to every room of the home in over 450 brilliant color photographs. Majolica wares are organized here by the rooms (library, conservatory, drawing room, boudoir ...) in which they were used, including cake stands, comports, game pie dishes, oyster plates, platters, and strawberry servers, tea sets, humidors, match holders, garden seats, umbrella stands, vases, and an elegant chandelier. The major manufacturers from Britain, Europe, and the United States, including Minton, George Jones, Sarreguemines, Wedgwood, and Griffen, Smith & Hill are all well represented. \nA brief history of majolica, a detailed bibliography, and an index are included. Current market values are found in the captions.

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.

"The Millionaire Legacy" focuses on the eight success strategies self-made millionaires use to acquire an abundance of wealth, peace, and contentment. People want to be happy and financially secure; The Millionaire Legacy will help them achieve both objectives by providing a proven framework that millionaires use to reach ultimate victory.

Florida is always associated with all that is bright, colorful, funky, and fun. This book captures the spirit of Florida in the collectibles, ephemera, souvenirs, and nostalgic items that it produced. There are also highlights of Florida history and its culture, a price guide, and an index. Complete with postcards, tablecloths, ceramics, clothing, jewelry, dolls, figurines, and much more, it celebrates the tourist culture that helped populate Florida from the 1900s through the 1970s. Over 650 photographs bring the fun and fantasy of Florida to life, presenting what many consider as truly Florida's best!

A blowtorch is one of those things that is instantly recognized for what it is, even by those who haven't seen one before. Produced from the late 1800s into the 1950s, they show up in antique malls and flea markets, and have become highly collectible. Their enduring brass and bronze construction mean that even the oldest blowtorches can be cleaned and buffed to look like new. When shined they are real attention-getters, and as such they have a following of dedicated collectors. Here is information collectors want regarding blowtorches: who made them, how old they are, what they were used for, which are the rare and valuable ones, how to find and restore them, and how much they are worth. Illustrated with 296 beautiful color photographs, this book will be cherished by tool collectors and everyone with an appreciation for the inventive imagination.

Garfield memorabilia is highly sought by collectors because of its humor and fine craftsmanship. Garfield*t cat was created by artist Jim Davis in 1978. The Garfield comic strip has been translated into at least 12 different languages and is estimated to be read by over a million people each day. Garfield will be celebrating his 20th birthday on June 19, 1998. He has certainly gained a lot of popularity (and a hearty appetite) throughout the years as a comic strip and as a licensed toy. Garfield's success can be compared to an all-you-can-eat buffet; he will keep coming back for more!

During the 1970s, the real Cher wore Bob Mackie designs for her TV show as well as for galas and other public appearances. Presented here are the fashions that Mego Corporation recreated, perfect little miniatures captured in doll-size. This vast array of designs showcases Mackie's flair for the dramatic, his gift of the glitz, and his love for the show-biz statement. Fans will be amazed by how many doll-size versions of the real Cher's fashions they recognize and remember. The 1970s live again in baring tops and billowy bell bottoms, slinky metallic gowns, and of course, stretch polyester. It's pure fun turning the pages to see each fashion, with names like "Herky Jerky," "Jumperoo," and "Midnight Blue," in scenes that works the name of the outfit into the action. There are over fifty designs for the Cher doll by Mackie and many more for the other Mego (R) fashion dolls like Farrah, Diana Ross, Toni Tennille, and of course, Sonny. With values in the captions, this is a must-have reference book for fans of Cher and all her celebrity friends!

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.

Welcome to the world of McDonald's*r Pre-Happy Meal*r Toy collecting-Americana at its best! This book chronicles the colorful and nostalgic toys distributed by the McDonald's Corporation from 1955 through the creation of the Happy Meal concept in 1979. Here are detailed descriptions and over 850 color photographs of all early promotional items and premiums distributed by McDonald's, colorful stories surrounding the McDonaldland cast of characters, and a complete, chronological listing of the jingles, slogans, signs, and themes used by this prolific organization through the years. Check-off boxes and a comprehensive index are provided to help in organizing your collection, plus the authors' established numbering system is used to identify all items. You'll want to complete your McDonald's library with the Losonsky's companion volumes: McDonald's*r Happy Meal*r Toys from the Eighties, McDonald's*r Happy Meal*r Toys from the Nineties, and McDonald's*r Happy Meal*r Toys Around the World. Now join Ronald McDonald and all the McDonaldland characters on an irresistible tour of McDonald's Pre-Happy Meal toys!

During the occupation of Japan between 1945 and 1952, a world market for small and inexpensive goods was correctly identified as a starting point for rebuilding the Japanese economy. This new book is filled with thousands of once-familiar items of ceramic, paper, glass, celluloid, wood, and papier-mache which were marked "Made in Occupied Japan," and shipped to the United States and the United Kingdom. Today, these items have increased in value and are avidly collected. The book presents over 400 color photographs of the items, shows 133 different manufacturers' marks, and includes a value guide.

During her 40-year career, Margit Koppendorfer has designed costumes for the greats of theatre history: characters from Shakespeare, Brecht, and Handke, directed by Berghaus, Peymann, and Tabori, performed in Vienna, Zurich, and Berlin. Margit Koppendorfer: Costume Designs presents Koppendorfer's often life-sized mixed-media design sketches on transparent paper and reveals through these unique illustrations how the costume designer accords identity to the characters. By alienating the real in a visionary way, a latent truth emerges. While author Elfriede Jelinek and actress Maria Happel emphasise in their texts the masterful embodiment of the costumes, and of their characters, Margit Koppendorfer herself says of her work, "I dance into the set with my characters." Text in English and German.

In this colorful and descriptive book, you will find a wonderful assortment of bells both functional and decorative, from school bells, cowbells, and bicycle bells to souvenir bells, commemoratives, and figurines. Universally admired for their beauty and tone, bells have been known and used since antiquity. Here, over 590 full color photographs illustrate the incredible diversity of sizes, shapes, styles, colors, and textures which characterize these fascinating collectibles. +Starting with a review of basic bell types, including open mouth bells, crotals, gongs, mechanical bells, and chimes, Collectible Bells: Treasures of Sight and Sound provides separate, informative chapters on materials used to make bells, bells from around the world, bells with a specific purpose, bells of all shapes and styles, and more. Within its pages you'll find antique and contemporary bells, traditional and unusual bells, elegant and humorous bells-bells for every taste and inclination! An index, extensive bibliography, and values are also included in this captivating and enjoyable 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.

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.

Best known as one of the wildlife designers for the Hagen-Renaker Pottery Company of California, Maureen Love began her professional career as an artist by painting beautiful portraits of Thoroughbred and Arabian horses for their owners. She quickly moved into the realm of sculpture, creating realistic models that captured the spirit and beauty of her subjects. Her ability to draw earned her a position in 1951 with Hagen-Renaker as a decorator. She promptly proved her proficiency at three-dimensional art and soon began sculpting for the pottery. What followed were five decades of life-like equine, wildlife, and other assorted creations, all eagerly coveted by collectors around the world. This book features hundreds of photographs of the horses and other animals created by Maureen Love, both through her own independent companies and through the Hagen-Renaker Pottery. Many pieces are very difficult to find, so this collection is truly a treasure of visual delights. A detailed personal history, index, and price guide are also included in this wonderful tribute to a multi-talented artist.

The Art Deco era was one of beauty, elegance, sensuality, and vivid, colorful graphics! This is the first collectibles book on Art Deco graphics, with an emphasis on the everyday, affordable items. This book is a must for lovers, collectors, and dealers of Art Deco. A wide range of ephemera and other paper collectibles is presented, such as games, playing cards, advertising brochures, tins, packaging, labels, and fans. Recipe books, household and paint brochures, and fashion and book illustrations from different countries are included along with distinctive images from the cosmetic industry, travel literature, and automobile brochures. Information on American publishers of greeting cards, bridge tallies, place cards, and other items from the 1920s and 1930s is included, including The Buzza Company, The Gibson Art Company, and The Dennison Company. Their products and the work of international companies and artists are illustrated in 535 color photos. Price guidelines are included.

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.

Aurora slot cars are legendary. These tiny racing cars captured and held the imagination of American kids for over a decade and their unparalleled popularity made them coveted Christmas presents between 1960 and 1977. Aurora slot car races were staged everywhere, from home basements to the Johnny Carson show! Relive those competitive days with this exciting book filled with hundreds of photos of slot cars plus engaging text and background information. Here are Thunderjets, AFX Flamethrowers, Dragsters, Super Speedsters, and more, reproduced in 1/24, 1/25, 1/32, and 1/48 scale. The informative text provides readers with the Aurora company history, and detailed information on colors, model variations, and prices. An extensive price list and photo cross-reference index is included. Learn to recognize them, then collect them all!

One of the hottest fields in collecting, Tarzan memorabilia ranges from comic books at a dollar or two to first editions valued in the thousands! Part of our cultural heritage for nearly a century, the chest-beating ape man (what other fictional character can be described by a gesture?) has been a hero for generations of boys and girls. Appearing in books, movies, radio, comics, toys, television, cartoons, and even on luggage and vitamins, the image of Tarzan is sure to spark childhood memories of Saturday movie matinees or evenings spent reading the latest issue of the Tarzan comic book. Tarzan collectibles can be found at the priciest auction house or your neighbor's yard sale. Recently a movie poster from the 1928 production Tarzan The Mighty went under the gavel for over $30,000. Many of the Tarzan cereal premiums from the '30s and '40s are today worth several hundred dollars. Tarzan comics and books (both hard cover and paperback) offer the collector a chance to obtain samples of artwork by some of the greatest illustrators, past and present. Just as the worth of vintage items grows, today's toys, comic books, movie, and other Tarzan memorabilia have the potential to increase in value.

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.