With this valuable book, novices and connoisseurs alike will be able to correctly identify the most distinctive styles and purchase contemporary Oriental rugs in traditional designs of the highest quality. Over 270 beautiful color photos, including many close-up shots, display these fascinating carpets to their best advantage. The authoritative text provides valuable information on unusual rugs, rug pedigree and discernible workshop style, knot count, dyes, the Lotus design, and specific rug weaving areas--including India, Pakistan, Persia, Turkey, Nepal, Tibet, China, Egypt, and Romania. The text also provides essential rug-buying tips and recommendations for rug care. Values are provided in the captions. This book is a must not only for prospective rug buyers, but also for everyone who admires the intricacy and beauty of Oriental rugs!

This stunning new book showcases fantastic costume jewelry from 53 top designers of the 20th century. Examples from Christian Dior, Miriam Haskell, Kenneth Jay Lane, Elsa Schiaparelli, Stanley Hagler, Trifari, Vendome, and may others are shown in profusion. 360 luscious color photographs display exquisite examples of each designers' best work. Masterpieces abound, including many rare examples. The authors illustrate ways to enjoy these pieces today, with candid photography of friends adorned for casual occasions. Delightful stories are shared of memories associated with their passion for jewelry over the years. This remarkable exhibition displays costume jewelry as absolutely beautiful works of art. Sit back with this eye candy, relax with the fairytale spirit it projects, and enjoy the romance. Let the passion roll!

Non-wrinkling, silk jersey clothing, with bold and colorful prints signed by the most distinguished fashion designers of the day, became popular in the 1960s, especially for glamorous people who traveled worldwide. It was dynamic clothing photographed by the celebrity press that became coveted by the general public. This book is the first serious record of those textiles that swept the fashion world and inspired copycat items for ready-to wear customers. Over 350 gorgeous color photographs display party and casual styles of "signature prints" that remain classic today. Italy's Emilio Pucci started the rage, and he was quickly followed by fashion designers Mr. Dino, Paganne, Eduardo, and more. See hundreds of signature prints from 18 clothing designers as well as many unknowns. These pages drip with color and high-fashion style, including period shoes, jewelry, handbags, and other accessories that relate the author's keen knowledge of the style and period. The book is nostalgic and inspiring. These originals bring high prices today and contemporary signature prints are again important fashion statements.

This book showcases a wide variety of Nativity sets that display multi-cultural artistic interpretations of the true meaning of Christmas. Artisans from more than forty countries on five continents are represented, each with beautiful expressions of the greatest story ever told, often with photographs from the country of origin to accompany the artwork. Whether sculpted in clay, carved from wood, painted, woven, or cast, these Cre*ches from around the world are sure to enhance holiday celebrations and illustrate the universality of the Christmas message.

Exquisite marbles produced by more than 130 artists and craftsmen are represented in over 600 stunning color photographs. The thorough text includes an extensive and detailed look at the pioneers, current artists, and craftsmen of the contemporary handmade marble movement. The history and development of handmade marbles is reviewed in words and illustrations, beginning with the earliest use of decorative glass and moving forward to the influence studio glass founders brought to bear on the pioneers and current craftsmen of contemporary handmade marbles. Also included are tips for the purchase and care of fine marbles, an in-depth glossary, and a valuation guide. This book will be a joy for everyone fascinated with glass. Novice and experienced art glass and marble collectors alike will appreciate this beautiful book.

Three classic books on Louis C. Tiffany's brilliant Art Nouveau works are combined here in one volume. Louis C. Tiffany Rebel in Glass, Louis C. Tiffany's Glass- Bronzes-Lamps, and Louis C. Tiffany's Art Glass by Robert Koch, the foremost scholar in the field, informed and delighted a generation of art lovers before they went out of print and became hard to find. This combined edition brings the innovative career of one of America's most original artists to a new generation of collectors. It retains all of the original text and photographs of the former editions and has many additional color photographs of Tiffany's most treasured designs from some of finest museum collections in America. Here are the glass windows, lamps, and vases from the flamboyant 1880s to 1920s era that made Louis C. Tiffany famous. Tiffany's bronze desk sets, paintings, ceramics, mosaic tiles, room interiors, lighting devices, decorative glass, and jewelry are all prominently featured. Every art student, museum professional, historian, antique dealer, and art collector will be dazzled by the variety and exquisite craftsmanship displayed here. The book is a treasure itself.

Finally, a guide to vintage chenille for the collector and designer. This book takes you on a rich visual tour of vintage chenille bedspreads manufactured from the 1920s through the early 1970s. Hundreds of these beautiful tufted spreads are shown as well as novelty items and clothing. Detail shots highlight manufacturing techniques and trace the change from handmade to machine manufacture. A price guide is included in the captions. An introduction acquaints readers with the wonderful story of chenille: its birth just over a century ago in the southern town of Dalton, Georgia, and the rise of Dalton to prominence in the tufted spread and later the carpet industry. This book helps fuel the recent rebirth of chenille in today's textile industry.

The Kovels are the most trusted source for both the casual and expert collector. With 12,500 actual prices and 3,150 full-color photographs, the guide also features exceptionally well-organized, wide-ranging, and up-to-the-minute information, and includes more tips, marks, logos, and photographs than any other competitive title. Kovels' is the only guide with prices based on actual sales from the previous calendar year, never estimates. Unlike other guides, which focus almost exclusively on English or high-priced items, Kovels' covers all American and international items and includes reasonably-priced goods. The book is organized by categories most sought-after by collectors, including depression glass, dolls, jewelry, furniture, porcelain, and sports memorabilia. Indexes, cross-references, and expert commentary throughout empower readers to collect with confidence and price their own antiques.

From Alpenbrau to Zima, this engaging book features more than 450 color photos of some of the most attractive beer signs ever created and provides an in-depth look at this significant aspect of advertising art. Included are early wood and cardboard signs, animated, hanging, and wall-mounted signs, electric lanterns, and clocks-all presented in alphabetical order according to brand of beer. Special emphasis is given to electric, lighted, and animated signs from 1950-1970, the Golden Era of beer signs. Captions provide valuable information on dates, sizes, values, manufacturers, and manufacturing techniques. A treat for aficionados of breweriana and advertising alike!

This new edition of Architectural Tiles: Conservation and Restoration continues to inform and educate on appropriate means towards the preservation of this valuable heritage. It not only contains new and up to date information on materials, practical methods, and historical research but also reflects changes in the attitudes, outlook and perceptions within the wider conservation, architectural heritage and construction communities which give a new dimension to the conservation and restoration techniques described in the previous edition. The growing interest in the preservation of post war ceramic tile murals and the subsequent demand for information pertaining specifically to this era is a welcome and useful addition. The new overview of common problems will be helpful in domestic and ecclesiastical situations and will appeal to independent tilers who are in need of information to deal with problems out of the normal run of their work but which are now more commonly being dealt with outside of conservation practice circles. The book has always been and remains an accessible resource to anyone who is interested either professionally or as an enthusiast in the preservation of historic architectural tiles.

Amidst the rolling land of the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of New York, stands the city of Ithaca. Over 250 vintage, hand-tinted and black and white postcards from the 1900s to the 1940s take readers on a nostalgic journey, showcasing Ithaca's most famous and interesting spots. Attend a concert at Ithaca College, a lecture at Cornell University, or lunch at the Clinton House. Travel outside Ithaca for a trip to the majestic Taughannock Falls, hike in Buttermilk Falls State Park, or cheer the Cornell Crew Team to victory from the shores of Cayuga Lake.

All the excitement and enchantment of over ninety years' worth of wonderful Wizard of Oz memorabilia awaits you on every page of this deluxe, full-color tribute to the collectibles and merchandise inspired by America's foremost fairy tale and everyone's favorite film! Oz experts Jay Scarfone and William Stillman have--for the first time ever!--compiled an astounding assemblage of over one thousand "Ozzy" artifacts documented and categorized for convenient reference in sixteen different sections. Autographs, books, buttons, dolls, games, puzzles, figurines, drinking glasses, postcards, novelties, publicity and promotion, posters and lobby cards, records, sheet music--it's all here AND SO MUCH MORE! You'll be amazed at the wealth of offerings to be found along that Yellow Brick Road of "Oz and ends." Supplemented by a timely value guide, this comprehensive volume is an absolute must for collectors of movie memorabilia, dolls, toys, Judy Garland, or anyone devoted to magical mementos of Ozmania!

If you love the designs, fabrics, and sheer beauty of 19th and early 20th century women's fashions, this book will be your guide and time machine. It presents over 450 enchanting color photographs of modern-day models wearing the dresses, waists, undergarments, and accessories of this elegant era, including daywear, sportswear, and formalwear. Unusual items such as fancy dress, aesthetic garments, and reform styles are explained and illustrated. This book will help both novice and expert collectors accurately identify and date their collections by evaluating the silhouette, construction, style, and details of fashionable garments. Sound advice for maintaining, laundering, and repairing them is also provided, as is an updated price guide.

In March, 2003, the Academy Awards celebrates its 75 anniversary. To chronicle those award-winning movies, this wonderful new book presents a history illustrated of the Academy Awards with over 850 movie posters. It is a visual feast that provides an image from almost every winning picture in every category. Everyone who loves motion pictures will delight in this book. Information about every winner makes this a beautiful and valuable source for research. The posters recall each movie's history and recapture in its magic. For collectors of movie memorabilia and posters, this is a great treasure trove and the price guide makes the book a necessary tool for building one's collection. This is a must for every public and personal library and, whether they are devotees of "Gone with the Wind" or "The Matrix" or anything in between, it is a perfect gift for movie fanatic.

With over 6000 items listed, this is the most comprehensive guide to Batman (R) collectibles ever assembled between two covers. Nearly 300 color photographs accompany the informative articles and detailed price guide listings. Highlights include a Comics section which lists every comic book in which Batman has appeared from his debut in 1939 through to the end of 1997, plus a Figures section which lists all of the various Batman action figures. Covering everything from Artwork to Videos, and price ranges from 15- to $150,000, this book is a must for any Batfan or student of popular culture.

Enchanting lady figurine planters were promoted heavily by florists and five-and-dime stores, becoming a gift-giver's favorite during the 1950s and '60s. These lovely ladies were produced mainly in Japan, targeted for the U.S. market, and most commonly adorned with colorful plastic flowers. Today they are rapidly gaining popularity on the ceramics collectibles market. These planters have made limited appearances in head vase and figural planter books, but here, finally, is a comprehensive guide devoted specifically to this fascinating collectible. It focuses on Japanese-manufactured products and features over 350 color photographs of more than 700 planters. Individual captions describe each planter's height, mark, and estimates current market value. Also included is a review of planter production techniques and the various ways they were identified and numbered. As an added bonus, a handy cross-reference provides an easy way for specialty collectors to find their favorite importer such as Lefton, Relpo, or Enesco. Featuring a wonderful variety of planters, from festively painted Christmas ladies to nursery rhyme characters and Valentine sweethearts, this carefully crafted book provides collectors and dealers with a superb reference.

Eileen Dubrow has exhaustively combined all original catalog material from major American furniture manufacturers of the 1880s and 90s. This period was American's hey day of growth, and its furniture is the fastest growing field of collecting today. This book will enable the reader to identify makers and give ideas of other pieces available. This book presents a fascinating study showing hundreds of examples covering furniture for the dining room, parlour, library, bedroom (brass beds), and office (a tremendous number of variations of roll top desks), including rattan and children's furniture. These pieces are still available in the market place at reasonable prices and are superbly crafted. This book contains a price reference guide.

The early terra cotta, garden wares, tiles, Franciscan line, and Catalina artware produced by the prolific Gladding, McBean and Company from the late 1800s to 1942 are covered and beautifully displayed in this fascinating book. The Franciscan pottery table and artware line, so named to honor the Franciscan Friars who established Spanish Missions in California, was one of the most successful product lines produced by California's Gladding, McBean and Company. Among the dishes displayed here are their most popular patterns, including El Patio, Coronado, Metropolitan, Apple, and Desert Rose. Also featured are the colorful wares made after the firm acquired the Catalina Island Pottery in 1937. The history of Gladding, McBean covers its establishment in Lincoln, California, in 1873 to its closure in 1984. Values included. This is a wonderful guide book for everyone who loves twentieth century pottery!

With over 800 stunning color photographs, this book displays ceramics once proclaimed to be the "fastest-selling decorative art pottery," Roseville's Artcraft, Cherub Cameo, Donatello, Pine Cone Modern, and Wincraft lines. The thorough text explores the history of the famous Roseville Pottery Company, from its beginnings in Roseville, Ohio, in 1890 through its closure in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1954. The roles played by key staff members, Frederic Grant, Frederick Hurten Rhead, Ben Seibel, and George Young are detailed, and previously unpublished manufacturer's marks are shown. Rare Della Robbia and Olympic items are featured along with experimental and trial glaze wares from Roseville's glaze chemist George Krause. This book has important new findings for all who are interested in twentieth century art pottery.

On the banks of the Severn River, two miles from the Chesapeake Bay, is the city of Annapolis, the capital of the state of Maryland, the home of the United States Naval Academy, and a host of historical buildings, many dating to before the Revolutionary War. Vintage postcards, both hand-tinted and black and white, take readers on a journey here in the 1900s through the 1950s. Tour the chambers of the State House and see where George Washington resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Stand under the tree at St. John's College where the Sons of Liberty met to plot rebellion against the British Crown. Visit the historical Hammond-Harwood, Peggy Stewart, and Brice Houses. Then watch dress parades at the Naval Academy and wander to the City Docks for a ferry ride around Chesapeake Bay. The rich history of Annapolis is conveniently spread before you.

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!

Whether you're a beginning or advanced collector, a nostalgia buff, or simply moved by Raggedy Ann and Andy smiles,you'll love this book. It is a peek into private collections from across the country, with dozens of collectors sharing their special "babies." More than 700 color photographs depict previously unpublished dolls and related items. For the first time, creative "concept Raggedys"-those outfitted in ethnic or occupational garb-are covered in depth, and Raggedys dressed for the holidays also make their appearance. Volland, Georgene, Knickerbocker, and Applause collectors will welcome the sections provided to help them date their dolls. These smiling Raggedy faces will entice you to read, reread, and refer to this volume again and again. The dozens of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, books, and collectibles pictured here will have you heading out on a Raggedy search, want list in hand.

Featuring over 370 stunning photos and detailed, scholarly text, this is the first book about this popular 19th century European art form! They are magical porcelain three-dimensional pictures, which can be seen only when backlit, and were a popular craze in the late Victorian era. The lithophanes here enhanced tea warmers, plaques, vases, night lights, lampshades, table screens, fireplace screens, complexion fans or hand screens, window panels, miniatures, steins, cups, mugs, plates, matchboxes, and candle shields. The text represents years of accumulated research, and provides information on lithophane's Asian inspiration, manufacturing techniques, production history, inspirations, and forms. This book is a must for anyone with a passion for Victorian ceramics and art.

'Timely... wonderfully entertaining' - The Wall Street Journal In It's All A Game renowned games expert Tristan Donovan opens the box on the incredible and often surprising history and psychology of board games. He traces the evolution of the game across cultures, time periods, and continents, from the paranoid Chicago toy genius behind classics like Operation and Mouse Trap, to the role of Monopoly in helping prisoners of war escape the Nazis, and even the scientific use of board games today to teach artificial intelligence how to reason and how to win. With these compelling stories and characters, Donovan ultimately reveals why board games have captured hearts and minds all over the world for generations.

From the years of slavery through the years of civil rights, images of black people have taken many forms. Some of these images were positive and some negative and stereotypical. Together they help us see and measure the history of racial attitudes in America, and make up the growing field of what is called Black Collectibles. These collectibles help to chronicle an important aspect of American history. Hundreds of these items are gathered together for Images in Black: 300 Years of Black Collectibles, and are illustrated in full color. The text helps the reader understand the history, and the price guide makes the volume useful for evaluating the market in black collectibles.