Dazzling in their bold use of color and wide range of designs, Art Nouveau tiles are enjoying a resurgence in popularity. These international tile designs encompassed striking decorative elements to be used in residences and public buildings. High fired, these tiles retain their original color and beauty despite over one hundred years of use. This book, designed for both the beginning collector and the long time lover of tiles, includes full color examples of over 600 designs. A very useful and beautiful collectors' guide, it provides information about many major tile manufacturers. It is arranged by company and design and contains a guide to market prices, as well as suggestions and tips for tile collectors. Filling a gap in the tile books currently available, this volume provides both the largest collection of single Art Nouveau images published to date, and a concise introduction to the field of tiles. A bibliography contains research sources for more detailed study and information regarding organizations devoted to tile preservation and collection. This is the perfect choice for any lover of ceramic surfaces and those who appreciate and enjoy color and design. It will undoubtedly be instrumental in not only introducing many to the beauty of Art Nouveau design, but also expanding their interest in collecting this amazing art form.

This comprehensive new book showcases the most desirable electro-magnetic pinball games ever built. Over 1,000 color photos, arranged in decades from the 1930s to the 1990s, display some of the most popular pinballs ever built. Also, rare photos show Gordon Hasse with some of the most sought-after and popular Gottlieb and Parker games. This book breaks new ground in documenting this classic era. It greatly augments the author's three earlier works on pinball history and rounds out the most up-to-date research in the field.

Treasures of the Royal Armouries is a photographic journey through Britain's national museum of arms and armour. It reflects the diversity of the Royal Armouries' collection, which was assembled over many centuries at the Tower of London and now spans the ancient world to the present day. At the core of this journey is the museum's unparalleled group of Tudor armours which derive from the Greenwich Armoury of Henry VIII, but European swords, paintings and manuscripts are equally well-represented. Stunning pieces from Asia are included, as are key items from the national collection of firearms, started in 1631 by Charles I and now housed at the National Firearms Centre, as well as larger guns from the National Artillery Centre at Fort Nelson. Each of the 115 entries tell compelling stories, tracing the histories of individuals, campaigns and cultures across millennia. They also consider the place of arms in an increasingly turbulent world and the new challenges that technology presents to a modern army. Treasures of the Royal Armouries is a lavishly illustrated account of some of the most interesting pieces of arms and armour in existence.

To collectors of modern military uniforms, Vietnam era tigerstripe combat fatigues have always been a much sought after commodity. The pattern itself, in all of its classic forms, is both exotic and unique and carries with it an immediate, esthetic sense of the full drama of that not to distant Southeast Asian conflict. There exists however, surrounding this one camouflage pattern numerous misconceptions. Tiger Patterns analyzes to the most minute degree, the finite variances which defined the many original, Vietnam era tigerstripe patterns and uniform cuts and establishes dependable identification techniques and practices, whether your particular interests area as a historian, veteran, modeler, or collector and enthusiast.

Terrific Tablecloths from the '40s and '50s is a must have book for anyone interested in textiles. These tablecloths take us back to mom's or grandma's kitchen and the colorful prints inspired by wartime victory gardens, mountain dogwood, and springtime bouquets. And who can forget the wonderful souvenir maps from vacations in Florida? More than 400 color photographs are here to be enjoyed. Captions and updated values make this an invaluable resource for collectors, designers, and antique dealers.

This book will take you on an unforgettable comic adventure through the colorful and cute imaginations of mid-century Japanese textile designers. Travel on the hem of fun and vibrant children's manga or illustration, translated into fabric designs. Over 300 images portray children, animals, and whimsical worlds, beautifully photographed to peak the interest of fabric collectors and historians, sewing enthusiasts, designers, and those who love all things Japanese. More than just an informative guide for collectors, this book paints a vivid portrait of Japanese childhood and explores the transformation of post-war Japan through changes in fabric design. Enlightening sections display images and themes, design layout and influences, design houses, and color trends. Additional chapters list manufacturers and provide photographs of their labels. A glossary of terms, care guide, and fabric resources round out this book. Whatever your interests, you'll love these magical prints and the worlds to which they'll transport you.

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.

Focusing on provincial furniture of the early 1800s to early 1900s (late Qing Dynasty), this stunning book provides a detailed look at assorted chairs, benches, tables, storage pieces, beds, and screens originally created and used in eight Chinese provinces. Over 550 color photographs and accompanying text detail the construction and artistic differences characterizing these styles. Highly informative to collectors, dealers, and students of Asian furnishings, the book covers types of wood used, construction techniques, lacquer and other finishing processes, and original usage. Restoration and tips for care of antique furniture are also discussed. Descriptive captions include dimensions, circa dates, types of wood, and current market values for all pieces shown. Learning to authenticate classical antiques from China is becoming a necessity as facsimiles begin to appear in the marketplace. This book helps demystify the purchasing process and engenders an appreciation of lovely designs that blend wonderfully into contemporary homes.

The British Museum watch collection is unsurpassed anywhere in the world, and tells the story of the watch which spans an incredible 500 years. Within the collection are examples ranging from sixteenth-century early stack freed watches made in south Germany to exquisite decorative watches of the seventeenth century. Everyday watches from the eighteenth century and precision-made chronometers from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries are included, as are examples from the modern era. All the major makers of Europe and America will be represented, including Thomas Tompion, whose reputation stretched far and wide even in his own time, and the Swiss-born Abraham Louis Breguet, who lived and worked in Paris supplying the best that money could buy to the crown heads and aristocratic families of the western world. In contrast to the high precision of the horological giants, the Museum has a growing collection of wristwatches, including those with automatic winding systems. There are also extensive collections of pin-pallet lever watches made for the mass market during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries by companies such as Waterbury and Ingersoll. The collections are brought up to the minute with the inclusion of early examples of electro-mechanical watches and the quartz revolution.

This new and beautiful book traces the development of pioneer photographs and the miniature art cases that were manufactured to protect and display them. Icons of their time, photographic cases are rich in history and design. Not limited to the cases themselves, this book explores various aspects of the Daguerreian era (1840-1870) and includes information on one-of-a-kind photographic forms, artists and casemakers, die-engraving, and all components of wood-framed, thermoplastic, and novelty cases. Emphasis is placed on Victorian-era design and its impact on the American case art industry. Included are over 460 illustrations, informative captions with values, and a comprehensive index. Written for novice and experienced collectors and designers alike, this book is a must-have resource for photographica enthusiasts, dealers, historians, and artists.

The desire to travel into space is as old as mankind itself. But it was not until the beginning of the 20th century that the idea became anything more than fiction. Although hot air balloons large enough to carry a person lifted off the ground in the late 1700s, it was the invention of powered flight-the airplane-that gave man hope of controlling his ascent into the skies and beyond. Once man was headed up, he could never again be satisfied being tied down to the earth's surface. The space age gave man hopes and dreams of a future in the exploration of the universe. These dreams were translated into souvenirs, toys, games, entertainment, and every-day items with the space theme. They are the artifacts of the space age. Collecting the Space Race explores these artifacts, beginning with the start of the 20th century. Included are first man on the moon items, the original Mercury astronaut items, Sputniks and satellites, fantasy items (Buck Rogers, Captain Video, Flash Gordon, Star Trek, etc.), UFOs, Ray Guns, space-theme postage stamps, mission patches, autographs, and space toys and robots. This book will inspire and answer some of the questions about the items that have been saved or collected as it exposes a broad field of things to collect.

Edith Sitwell, Margot Fonteyn, Frank Sinatra, Yul Brynner, Barbra Streisand and Vivienne Westwood are just a few of the luminaries who have visited Wartski's showrooms, lured by a dazzling array of gems, jewellery, goldsmiths' work and the famous Faberge collection.Geoffrey Munn, managing director of Wartski, tells the remarkable story of how the firm rose from humble beginnings in Bangor, North Wales, to become jewellers to six generations of the British Royal family and famous throughout the world. The lively text of Wartski: The First Hundred and Fifty Years will be a source of deep fascination to all enthusiasts of jewellery, European royalty, Faberge and, in particular, celebrities from every walk of life.

Marketed as the fastest metal cars in the world, Hot Wheels*r revolutionized the die-cast toy car market. Collectors throughout the world recognize the Hot Wheels*r brand. The models produced between 1968 and 1972 represent the vintage years for this line of toy vehicles. The bright Spectraflame*r paint colors and redline tires, unique to Hot Wheels vehicles, identify these models. These original models still drive the collecting hobby today. The 221 wonderful color photographs provide a complete visual guide for collectors. The 118 unique castings produced during this four-year period are explained in detail and a complete variation and price guide is provided to expand knowledge and interest in collecting Hot Wheels. Also included is coverage of the Gran Toros*t cars, launched soon after Mattel bought the Italian company Mebetoys. Introduced in 1970, the line was continued until 1973, though the name continued to 1980/81. This new book is a welcomed addition to Hot Wheels literature by one of the world's foremost experts in the field.

Imagine taking a pink plastic handbag to go shopping! The handbags that originated in the 1950s are recurring as popular collectibles today. Over 300 handbags in this newly revised 2nd edition are displayed in color photographs to reveal the beauty of these tiny sculptures of art. The most productive manufacturers of plastic handbags are featured in separate sections, including Llewellyn, Rialto, Myles Originals, Tyrolean, Wilardy, and more. These unusual gems of wearable art are bringing large sums in today's collector's markets. Made with innovative plastics, they are now admired for their aesthetic value. Flip through the pages and enjoy one of the most whimsical collectibles from the atomic age of the fifties. Look in the attic for one of these treasures that someone stashed away in the late-50s and rediscover it today. The prices are skyrocketing. A price guide is included.

A history of architecture, in miniature, is seen here through a century of children's toys. For years, toy buildings have inspired the imaginations of both children and adults. Valued as collectible items and praised for architectural design, toy buildings provide hours of fun as well as educational insight into the times in which they were made. This book includes over 550 photographs of toy villages, dollhouses, barns, stables, schools, fire stations, stores, theaters, airports, railroad depots, garages, service stations, castles, forts, and other structures. Photographs from catalogs and magazines verify dates of production and manufacturers including Marx, Schoenhut, Bliss, Gottschalk, Plasticville, Keystone, Rich, Arcade, Built-Rite, Converse, Chein, Ohio Art, Renwal, and Tri-ang. Estimated prices are provided in the captions and sources for finding toy buildings are listed. This book will be an indispensable tool for collectors of toy vehicles, model railroads, playsets, dollhouses, gas station memorabilia, and toy soldiers.

Don Bull's series of books on corkscrews has won world-wide acclaim, and this book offers even more about the wide range of figural corkscrews. Find corkscrews from an aviary, an aquarium, an armory, a museum, a tool shed, a zoo, and much more in over 900 splendid photographs in twenty chapters. Everything from airplane to zebras is detailed with value ranges. The "museum" alone offers the reader a fascinating visit to the world of corkscrew barrels, jugs, bells, bottles, faucets, insects, keys, pipes, and more. Corkscrew designs by Alessi, Colombo, Gemelli, Gladman, Pal-Bell, Syroco, and others showcase some fascinating pieces. Special corkscrews related to Christopher Columbus, Queen Elizabeth II, and New York City will intrigue the specialists. The final chapter, the Zoo, is filled with camels, elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers, and monkeys. Right Kincaid of the International Correspondence of Corkscrew Addicts previewed the book and wrote I guarantee that once you open the cover, you will not stop until you have looked through the entire array of figural corkscrews.

"Appa, yip yip!" Show off your love and appreciation for the Aang's adorable and loyal sky bison with this "flying" Appa collectible figurine. - Unique "flying" figurine: 3-inch Appa figurine with translucent plastic support post and base to make it appear that he is flying above his cloud base - Includes sound feature: Figurine plays Appa's growl - Illustrated mini book included: Learn about your favorite characters with this 32-page, 2-1/2 x 3" mini book of quotes and full-color art from the show - Perfect gift for Avatar: The Last Airbender fans: Display on a shelf, desk, or bookcase and show off your love for Appa - Officially licensed: Authentic collectible from Avatar: The Last Airbender (c) Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon Avatar: The Last Airbender and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

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.

Meet the lovable teddy bears and toys produced by the famous Gebru**der Bing toy company. This engaging text is illustrated with 372 enchanting color photographs. Once among the world's premier toy companies, Bing manufactured teddy bears of many sizes and talents. Some of the bears presented here perform tricks, walk, tumble, and growl to the delight of young and old. Other clever toys produced by this prolific firm include miniature sewing machines and phonographs, train sets and buildings, and other stuffed and mechanical animals. Provided in this book is the history of the Gebru**der Bing company and designers, the tale of Bing's current revival, and information about the modern day bears the company is producing (based on the company's much loved original patterns). Values are included in the captions. This book will delight collectors and dealers of teddy bears and toys, and is intended for anyone with fond memories of a favorite, furry childhood friend.

This book will enable the production of reliable, accurate, reproducible (best possible care) results that satisfies the customer's requirements obtained from an accredited, process oriented, health and safety conscious laboratory that is cost effectively run (value for money) by qualified, certified and highly motivated biomedical staff (Joy and pride at work) using well maintained, validated and quality controlled equipments and appropriately stored reagents on the right sample drawn from the right patient that is appropriately communicated in a timely fashion to the requesting clinician to enable them render the best possible evidenced- based medical care to their patients.