Woo hoo! Here, at long last, is a guide to the ever-expanding world of collectibles inspired by America's longest-running animated sitcom, "The Simpsons." Since their first appearance in 1987, the Simpsons have lent their familiar faces to literally hundreds of items, from dolls and action figures to clocks and cookie jars. With over 500 full-color pictures of Simpsonabilia that range from the everyday to the obscure, Robert W. Getz invites you to join him as he braves this forbidding, spiky-topped Everest. Prefaced with an essay that traces the history of the show and the reasons for its long-lived popularity, The Unauthorized Guide To The Simpsons Collectibles has something to offer every Simpsons collector, from the beginner to the die-hard fan, including a guide to current prices.

The names of plants that are so familiar to us magnolia, bougainvillea, sequioa may just be names, but behind the names lie stories of espionage and heroism, rivalry and mystery and inspiration. In the Name of Plants relates the stories of these people and the plants that were named after them. Each chapter tells the story of the person for which each plant is named, many of whom were pioneering explorers, collectors and botanists - such as Alice Eastwood who has the yellow aster, Eastwoodia elegans, named after her. Eastwood explored previously uncharted territories in the 19th century and famously saved the California Academy of Science's priceless plant collection from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Subjects range from Charles Darwin (Darwinia) and legendary French botanist Pierre Magnol (Magnolia), to US founding fathers George Washington (Washingtonia) and Benjamin Franklin (Franklinia). Each entry is accompanied by superb artworks from the Library of the Natural History Museum, as well as photography of specimens and wild plants and the essential taxonomic details and geographic spread for each species.

'There are coin folders and then there is this deluxe State Quarter folder. From the rich red, white and blue background to the breathtaking center spread of coin slots ? 120 in all, this folder is worthy of this caliber of coins. In addition to a slot for every coin in the series, there is a space for both the Philadelphia Mint and Denver Mint issues. Larger in size than the average, this folder also includes the date each state entered the union, and key facts about the state. This is a great gift for teaching children about their state and the country's currency.

The motorcycle helmet has encountered much resistance from bikers who cherish the sense of freedom they get when riding without one. At the same time, the design revolutions it has undergone since its introduction in the 1930s have made it as much a part of the motorcycle culture as the leather jacket. Here the whole history is traced, from the ancient beginnings in warrior's helmets to the jet age molded plastic designs of the late twentieth century. All of the world's major manufacturers are covered, and their helmets are illustrated in detailed full color photographs. In addition, the author has included vintage advertising, racing photographs, and promotional materials. You will see the early football style helmets, leather pilot's caps, pudding-style helmets, the Air Force inspired full-coverage helmets introduced by Bell Auto Parts in 1954, and the continuing evolution up to the end of the century. Both technical and decorative aspects are considered, along with the changing culture around motorcyclists. For the motorcycle enthusiast and collector, or those interested in a significant design movement, this book will both entertain and inform.

That there was an influx of silver dirhams from the Muslim world into eastern and northern Europe in the ninth and tenth centuries is well known, as is the fact that the largest concentration of hoards is on the Baltic island of Gotland. Recent discoveries have shown that dirhams were reaching the British Isles, too. What brought the dirhams to northern Europe in such large numbers? The fur trade has been proposed as one driver for transactions, but the slave trade offers another - complementary - explanation. This volume does not offer a comprehensive delineation of the hoard finds, or a full answer to the question of what brought the silver north. But it highlights the trade in slaves as driving exchanges on a trans-continental scale. By their very nature, the nexuses were complex, mutable and unclear even to contemporaries, and they have eluded modern scholarship. Contributions to this volume shed light on processes and key places: the mints of Central Asia; the chronology of the inflows of dirhams to Rus and northern Europe; the reasons why silver was deposited in the ground and why so much ended up on Gotland; the functioning of networks - perhaps comparable to the twenty-first-century drug trade; slave-trading in the British Isles; and the stimulus and additional networks that the Vikings brought into play. This combination of general surveys, presentations of fresh evidence and regional case studies sets Gotland and the early medieval slave trade in a firmer framework than has been available before.

The story of laundry day, seen though the colorful ephemera of the past! Using over 560 color photos, this engaging book illustrates a host of laundry products--from soaps, starches, and dyes to detergents, bleaches, and softeners--as well as the colorful packaging and advertising used to sell them. Included are store displays, signs, posters, trade cards, postcards, calendars, tin containers, boxes, and more, many beautifully designed and decorated. Some ads date from eras when it was common to depict laundry workers as stereotypes. Although considered inappropriate today, they are among the most highly collectible for their visual documentation of social history. Whether appreciated as social commentary or as fabulous country store decorating, the many items shown here offer a fascinating look at "those low down, Monday morning laundry blues." Values included with the captions.

Tapestry Conservation: Principles and Practice explores current practice and recent research in tapestry conservation, promoting awareness of recent developments among conservators and custodians of tapestries. The book facilitates more informed conservation practice and decision-making, and helps custodians to select the most appropriate method of intervention.

Working on the some of the finest elegant glass of the depression era, W.J. Hughes added his own creativity by cutting it with his Corn Flower pattern. Depression Glass and Elegant Glass dealers and collectors finally have the full color, indispensable identification and price guide for the popular Corn Flower. The premiere Corn Flower authority, Walter Lemiski, surveys a wide scope in presenting more than 500 images of cherished glassware with accurate values, descriptions, historical information, and identifications from the major American glass works including: Cambridge, Duncan Miller, Fostoria, Heisey, Imperial, Indiana, Jeannette, Lancaster, New Martinsville, Paden City, Tiffin and more. This invaluable volume provides the first major appraisal of the Candlewick-Corn Flower connection complete with original documentation. Also included is the entire 1938 Corn Flower catalogue and images of W.J. Hughes himself creating the Corn Flower cut. Elegant Glass with Corn Flower is lovely to look at, interesting to read, and worthy of inclusion in any library devoted to collectible vintage glassware.

Over 500 beautiful color photographs and an informative, succinct text provide a sweeping overview of stunning modern tableware designs. This book presents manufacturers both familiar and less known that revolutionized dining in the mid-twentieth century. Among the pottery firms whose wares are presented are Red Wing, Roseville, Royal China, Salem China, Stangl, Steubenville, Universal, Vernon Kilns, Winart Pottery, and Winfield China. A great deal of new information about the wares displayed may be found within these pages. Additionally, useful information concerning pricing and condition of ceramics is included, along with an extensive bibliography and index. Values may be found in the captions. While this book stands alone, it is also a companion volume to Mid-Century Modern Dinnerware, A Pictorial Guide: Ak-Sar-Ben to Paden City Pottery. This volume will be a valued addition to anyone entranced by fine ceramic design.

This book is the catalog for two of the first major exhibits to show only modernist jewelry from such a broad group of artists. Both take place in 2008 in Fort Wayne, Indiana: one at The Fort Wayne Museum of Art (May 2 to August 24) and the other at The University of St. Francis School of Creative Arts (May 2 to May 30). Over fifty collectors and living art jewelers have lent some of the best examples of this innovative style. Sculptors Alexander Calder, Harry Bertoia, Jose de Rivera, Peter and Daniel Macchiarini, Earl and Tod Pardon, and merry rank are among the 96 artists featured, along with their extensive jewelry creations. Their work was experimental and stimulated originality in successive generations. Plastics, pearls, brass, copper, silver, gold, and enamels are among the materials found here in mini-sculptures and jewelry ornaments for men and women alike. The author's extensive research uncovers connections among the artists and documents this important art period and medium. Artists, collectors, cultural historians, and students all will want to see the exhibits and own the catalog.

As the founding of the Roycroft art community in New York State reaches its one hundredth anniversary this year, collector interest in the Arts & Crafts-style items that were made there is stronger than ever before. Of particular interest are the beautiful and varied hammered copper ware the "Roycrofters" made. This second volume provides nearly two hundred color photographs of copper vases, bookends, trays, and more-including many rarely-seen items. The history of the group and the evolution of its art metal are discussed, along with criteria for evaluating the quality of individual pieces. The different marks and patinas used by the company are documented. of further interest is a discussion of the Tookay Shop and Avon Coppersmith, both spin-offs from the Roycroft community, which continued in a similar tradition. A price guide is included.

The beauty of traditional Chinese design is seen in the simplest household implements as well as in the great houses and furnishings of the Emperors. This new book celebrates items found in the households of China that are now finding growing appreciation among Western collectors and designers. Baskets, buckets, boxes, small items of furniture and cabinetry, and items of play and relaxation like mahjong sets, puppets, and bird cages are all featured.\nThis is the first book to discuss at length vernacular Chinese accessories c. 1850-1930.,The author draws on her wide expertise as a long-time importer of Chinese antiques. A wide range is illustrated, with more than 275 color photos with detailed descriptions and a guide to retail values.

Peanut butter glasses were made in the 1950's in three sizes to sell commercially produced peanut butter, primarily from the Boscul Peanut Buitter Company of New Jersey. The glasses were decorated with colorful painted images of flowers and a few birds, dogs, and specialty images, usually with the image identified by a label, such as the name of the flower depicted. This book catalogs the known decorations by showing both the front and back views of each glass. 977 photographs and identifying text tell the whole story. The pictures are arranged alphabetically and a value range is supplied in the labels for easy reference. Author Barbara E. Mauzy is a dedicated third grade school teacher and a dealer in Depression Glass and kitchen collectibles of the 1920's through 1950's at Renninger's Antique Market in Adamstown, Pennsylvania.

Welcome to the latest edition in Funko's 'World of POP!' series, a book that's sure to appeal to both seasoned and new collectors. Through beautiful photography, 'World of POP! Volume 8' provides an artistic look at a wide variety of figures released in 2018 to 2019, showcasing iconic characters from film, television, comics and games. So come explore the best collectibles in pop culture, from Pikachu, Batman and Spider-Man, to Michael Jordan, Dumbo and more!

Hot peace / Cold War, the early 60's. The Russians threaten president John F. Kennedy with the icy promise' we will bury you.' A formula for flames. A young man raised in the simplicity of a rural Oregon town seeks his technical vocation in the U.S. Navy. He is selected for special training and assigned within the Navy's intelligence community. Bizarre events sweep him into a vortex of espionage and intrigue, teeming with military and personal conflict. Powerful game-masters in this Machiavellian environment manipulate him to execute their warped brand of patriotism. The twisted paths he is forced to traverse propel him toward implosion in a war between conscience and duty. To survive, he must fight for his life and his sanity in the maelstrom of a spystorm.

The country store of yesterday was stocked with an amazing variety of goods as well as clever advertising used to gain customers' attention and promote brand recognition. The wonderful graphics showcased here recall the delightful and sometimes unusual products they were meant to help sell. Advertising signs made of glass, tin, cardboard, and porcelain tout the benefits of everything from cigars to corsets to soaps. Eye-catching packages include canned goods, baking needs, tobacco tins, games, washday and cleaning agents, candy, and cocoa. There are products for the favorite car, the favorite lady, even the favorite horse. Country store enthusiasts and advertising aficionados will delight in this assortment from the c. 1880-1930 era. Current market values provided.