This exquisite volume presents the best vintage exotic skin handbags by the most renowned designers of the past century and a half. Intended particularly for fashionable women, design students, collectors, dealers, and clothing historians, it outlines the fascinating history of alligator and crocodile handbags, the ultimate status symbol since the 19th century. Many prestigious designers are featured, like Coblentz, Evans, Gucci, Hermes, Judith Leiber, Lucille de Paris, Koret, Martin Van Schaak, Rosenfeld, Nettie Rosenstein, and Vassar. Illustrated with 522 color photographs show beautiful examples of the handbags as well as international fashion ads and journals. Learn how to distinguish alligator and crocodile from turtle, ostrich, lizard, and snake. Includes tips on finding, evaluating condition, proper care, and the wearability of these special fashion accessories. Especially useful is the chapter on how to wear vintage with a modern wardrobe. Over ten years in the making, this rare study is destined to become an important guide to the luxuries market and a useful reference for smart-dressing shoppers everywhere.

This book is a concise history of German stoneware, illustrated with 200 vivid photos, spanning from c.1300 to 1700 AD. German stoneware, high fired, nearly waterproof before light salt glazing, and extremely durable, has been described as "the most important and specific contribution that Germany made to the medieval European ceramic arts." This book interprets archeological remains in a bid to explore the spread of German stoneware to Britain, Continental Europe, and Colonial America. German stoneware has a story to tell. In 1300, the potters of Siegburg succeeded in fusing clay at an extreme high temperature to produce Rheinische Steinzeug, the stoneware of the Rhine, a virtually waterproof material. Rheinische Steinzeug became very popular and is considered to be one of the most important medieval ceramics. From the kitchens of medieval Europe to those of Colonial America, this fascinating story of German stoneware's dissemination and use is perfect for collectors, dealers, historians, archaeologists, museums, and anyone with a passion for the ceramic arts.

"A picture is worth a thousand words." There is no better description for what the art of the cigar box label did for sales of cigars from the mid 1800s through the 1930s. Busty women, heroes, impish children, sports icons, composers, all these and more found their way into the advertiser's art. The makers would change labels at the drop of the hat if they thought it would help sales. This new book shows hundreds of the finest examples from the world's largest private collection of cigar box label art, revealing the imagination and creativity of the printers and lithographers of the period. Each is shown in a beautiful, full color photograph and is accompanied by a description with a current value on the collector's market. This is a visual delight, sure to please cigar aficionados, but also to be much valued by collectors, designers, and students of advertising history. And it makes a great gift for the smoker in your life!

Contains: Conservatism and the Quarterly Review: A Critical Analysis The History of the Book: 1 Contributors to the Quarterly Review: A History, 1809-25 The History of the Book: 2 Wilkie Collins's American Tour, 1873-4 The History of the Book: 3 William Blake and the Art of Engraving The History of the Book: 4 Charles Lamb, Elia and the London Magazine: Metropolitan Muse The History of the Book: 5 Reading in History: New Methodologies from the Anglo-American Tradition The History of the Book: 6 Middle-Class Writing in Late Medieval London The History of the Book: 7 Readings on Audience and Textual Materiality The History of the Book: 8 Romantic Marginality: Nation and Empire on the Borders of the Page The History of the Book: 9 Wordsworth's Poetic Collections, Supplementary Writing and Parodic Reception The History of the Book: 10

The repair of clocks calls for a variety of skills and crafts, few of which can be 'picked up' by bench work alone. In the horological trade, it is technical practice that the 'prentice hand' is first tried out on clocks, before attempting repair work on watches. Clocks have the advantage of possessing sizeable and robust parts and of being easier to handle. But there the advantage for the repairer ends. The sizes, shapes, complications and even the nationalities of clocks appear to be without end. Every movement has detail difference and, naturally, the defects when due for repair, are as varied. In this book, the author has dealt with the usual faults likely to develop in each type of movement in general use; from the lordly grandfather to the humble alarm. All the tools and equipment are described and illustrated, together with the ways of using them. The craftsman's most important and valuable tools of all - his skilful fingers - are shown in use in the clearest manner. As is usual in N.A.G. Press textbooks, the drawings have been specially made from parts under working conditions. A glance through the book will show their usefulness and clarity. Over 400 line drawings are used throughout and the reader is left in no doubt of what he is asked to do in following the author's clearly written technical and practical instructions.

In 1982, ownership of Matchbox die cast toys, the most popular metal vehicles in the world, passed from Lesney to Universal. The toys produced under Universal's ownership are documented in this thorough text. It includes the vehicles and a wide variety of other toys manufactured under the Matchbox logo, including infants' educational toys, dolls, and puzzles. This is the third in a series (preceded by Lesney's Matchbox Toys: The Superfast years, 1969-1982 and Lesney's Matchbox toys, Regular Wheel Years, 1947-1969, published by Schiffer Publishing) of marvelous Matchbox books by Charlie Mack. In this revised edition, he has gathered fine color photographs of all the vehicles, their variations, and the other toys produced by Universal. Additional materials include lists of places of interest for the collector to visit and mail order sources.

Forty beautiful women cavort on the beach for the 1950s most famous female photographer, Bunny Yeager. Pleasingly attired for the sun, they present a healthy balance of enthusiasm, exhibitionism, and a dash of decorum. Enjoy a bit of beach, a spark of sunshine, and a nostalgic romp with beauties of bygone days. Tear these cards out and mail them to friends, or frame them in any standard 5 x 7-inch frame. This little book is a bargain at only $14.95.

Illustrated with over 690 brilliant color and black and white photos, the engaging text takes readers through the Mid-century Modern glass made in America. The book is divided into two sections, the first on glass manufacturers and the second on glass decorators and designers. Glass manufacturers covered include Bischoff, Blenko, Cambridge, Duncan & Miller, Erickson, Fenton, Fostoria, A.H. Heisey, Morgantown, Paden City, Seneca, and many more. Glass decorators and designers include Stan Fistick, Fred Press, Gay Fad, Ben Seibel, Russel Wright, and Eva Zeisel, among others. Cold glass decorations displayed include painting, decals, cutting, etching, and all other surface decoration. The beautiful wares, in a range of colors and crystal, covered include giftware, stemware, and tableware. Among the giftware items are beautiful vases, candy dishes, smoking items, and all other items not intended for tabletop use. Textured tumblers are also found among the drinkware explored. This book is a must for anyone who appreciates beautiful glass.

This new guide is the first to explore all facets of Native American jewelry--its history, variety, and quality--in one convenient resource. With coverage beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, this resource includes artists, techniques, materials, motifs, and more. The encyclopedia opens with helpful introductory essay to acquaint the reader with the subject. More than 350 entries and over 80 photos make this new encyclopedia and exceptional value.

Mujer en mis silencios, mujer en mi soledad, mujer en mi lamentos, mujer cuando lloro y cuando rio y cuando el coraz n me explota de contento, siempre mujer... mujer todo el tiempo.

Let the magic live on! Here is a true guide to discovering what's hot and what's not in the world of Harry Potter (R) collectibles. Over 220 full color photos guide you through the enchanting and bewitching wizarding world of action figures, mini-busts, statuettes, and dolls. The featured action figures cover the first decade of production (2001-2010), manufactured first by Mattel (R) and later by NECA. Gain useful information on Harry Potter (R) manufacturers, including Mattel (R), NECA, Gentle Giant, Ltd. (R), and Tonner (R) Dolls, covering 174 products. The values in the captions let you find out what your Harry Potter (R) collectibles are worth on the market today. Whether you are a passionate fan, dedicated collector or a mere "muggle" curious about the wizarding world, this book is for you.

Leading writers and critics, including Margaret Drabble, Alan Sillitoe and Ferdinand Mount, share their passion for books and the joys of reading in an inspiring collection of essays and writings. A Passion for Books is both a celebration of the value and importance of reading and a spirited defence against the many gloomy voices in our so-called electronic age who say the book will soon be obsolete. This book, itself a joy to read, is written for anyone who cares at all about the past and future of books and reading.

"Moonwatch Only is certainly one of the best books ever written about a single watch model." - William Massena - Timezone.com "It is an indescribable reference work and a true must-have for every Speedmaster collector." - Forbes "This book sets a new standard. Not only for books on the Omega Speedmaster, but for watch books in general. I've never seen anything like it, and believe me when I tell you that I could fill an impressive sized wall with books on watches. Authors of other books or publishers should take a look at Moonwatch Only as well to see how it should be done." - Robert Jan Broer - FratelloWatches "The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional - the Moonwatch - has done things that no other timepiece has done and it's been worn in places that only a few human beings have been." - Captain Eugene Cernan, 'Last man on the moon' There are very few timepieces in the world that deserve a definitive and comprehensive book such as this one. The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch is one of them. Initially designed for automobile racing teams and engineers, the Omega Speedmaster embarked on a very different trajectory when NASA chose it to accompany astronauts heading for the Moon in 1965. Its involvement in the space adventure has propelled the Moonwatch to the top of the list of celebrated timepieces. After years of research and observation, the authors present a complete panorama of the Moonwatch in a systematic work that is both technical and attractive, making it the inescapable reference book for this legendary watch. This third edition has been enriched with numerous new features including a 16-page gallery of astronauts and their Speedmaster, QR codes to extend your exploration and a detailed story of a vintage Speedmaster.

Colorful paper dolls that sold everything from coffee to cathartics, from tea to thread, from cocoa to corsets. These dolls were the playthings of generations of children from the 1890s to the First World War. These wonderful examples of advertising art include fanciful characters from the imagination of artists like Palmer Cox. Dolls dressed in the national costumes of the many immigrants to the United States had a special appeal to everyone. Dolls depicting characters from favorite nursery rhymes and folk tales were issued by many advertisers; these dolls filled the playtime hours of many. Dolls appealing to our patriotism take on the form of Uncle Sam, soldiers, and sailors. Dolls also appeared as Americans at work and play. Human characteristics were even ascribed to animals of all kinds to give children an opportunity to dress them up in colorful costumes. It is difficult to find a segment of society not represented by a paper doll! Whether you're a collector or someone simply interested in the charm and culture of turn-of-the-century America, this book is sure to make a good addition to your library.

For the first time in print a book identifies each regiment and illustrates the change in uniforms, the colour of the facings and the nature and shape of the lace for the officers, NCOs and private soldiers over the period of the Napoleonic War 1793-1815. In British Napoleonic Uniforms, Carl Franklin's lavishly illustrated third volume for The History Press, these changes to the uniforms of all the numbered regiments of cavalry and infantry are discussed in detail. It is illustrated with more than two hundred full-colour plates of the uniforms and every aspect of their regimental distinctions. The book is divided into four parts. Part One looks at the commonalities of the cavalry and considers uniforms appropriate to each regiment such as headwear, the evolution of the uniforms and horse furniture. Part Two considers the uniforms of the heavy and light cavalry regiments. It includes full-page colour illustrations of the Household Cavalry, the Heavy Cavalry (Dragoon Guards and Dragoons), and Light Cavalry (the Light Dragoons and Hussars). Part Three shows the commonalties of the infantry and considers the uniform appropriate to each regiment, such as those of the Drummers and Highland Regiments, as well as their tartans. Part Four discusses the uniforms and distinctions of the infantry, including the regiments of Foot Guards and Infantry of the Line (Fusiliers, Light Infantry, Riflemen and Highland Regiments). For this revised edition Carl Franklin has updated many of the artworks and provided a colour guide specifically for modellers.

150 photographs highlight more than 220 noteworthy vintage glassware tems, many thought to be unique. This book presents the rarest and most special Depression Glass pieces seen by these preeminent authors of the premier Depression Glass references. Some are scarce or have an unusual color or decoration. These pieces will fascinate and delight Depression Glass collectors. For ten years Mauzy's Depression Glass has been the most complete, authoritative, and popular book available on this collectible glass. In the course of working with scores of dealers and collectors the Mauzys have documented about fifty additional items with each new edition of their book, and some of these discoveries are featured here. This book provides an opportunity to view the best pieces that you may find in the marketplace. Dealers and collectors will appreciate its usefulness and it should become a treasured part of any glass library.

First compiled in 1929 as a pioneer work by the late G.H. Baillie, this directory of watchmakers and clock makers of the past soon established itself as the standard reference source and has been used ever since by watchmakers and clockmakers, collectors, dealers, museums, historians, and libraries the world over. The list of makers has more than doubled, having been thoroughly updated and revised by Brian Loomes in this twenty-first century edition, and now contains information on about 90,000 makers working between the late 16th and early 20th centuries. As well as the makers and retailers of clocks and watches, the list includes makers of scientific instruments, sundials, and barometers. Working dates include dates and places of birth, apprenticeship, freedom, marriage and death, as well as movement between different locations, and monograms. It is a unique and essential work of reference.

Whether you're searching for something special to add to your home decor, a treasured item from your childhood, or just out looking for the fun of it, antiquing can be a relaxing and rewarding experience. Take the guesswork out of those weekend excursions with Antiquing in North Texas. In this thorough guide to antique shops, malls, and flea markets in the North Texas area, each establishment is rated by stars and dollar signs, based on quality, quantity, and price, by longtime expert antiquers. With convenient maps and concise overviews, this book is a must-read for the dedicated collector as well as the beginning antiquer.

"What is old, is new again." Nowhere is this more evident than in the world of fashion and textile design. Vera Neumann, better known simply by her first name and distinctive signature, created clothing and textiles that are as fashionable today as they were in the 1960s and '70s when the artist was at the height of her career. Designing for the "average woman," Vera was known for her bold geometric designs and bright, splashy florals. With over 500 color photographs, this book documents Vera's vibrant scarves, blouses, dresses, sleepwear, kitchen textiles, bed linens, and dishes, some of which are shown in original packaging. Included is a biography of Vera as well as a price guide, bibliography, and shopping resources. This first-ever guide to the famous "Vera" will appeal to collectors, textile and design students, and all who love retro fashion.