One of the loveliest objects to come from China's Imperial history is the snuff bottle--elegant, tactile, beautifully crafted, and above all small; it makes an ideal subject for collectors. This book clearly explains the history of snuff and its specialized bottles from the 17th century to the present in America, Europe, and China. For the novice, it provides fascinating background and descriptive information, and for the established collector it showcases over 650 diverse snuff bottles to study and admire through excellent color photographs. There are examples of glass, stone, porcelain, enamel, wood, ivory, amber and other bottles with distinctive interior and exterior decorations. Each bottle is fully described with a value range. This book shows that it is not necessary to be wealthy to own good snuff bottles, nor is it guaranteed that only wealthy collectors have the best ones. Be prepared to be delighted in this addictive collecting field.

During the early twentieth century, Vietnam was a cosmopolitan country, influenced not only by its Chinese and Khmer neighbors, but also by the French and other Europeans. This fascinating book is among the first in English to document the output of Vietnamese craftspeople and manufacturers from this period. Lacquer work, carvings, textiles, and ceramics are among the wonderful crafts illustrated in 302 color photographs. These are placed in their cultural context with a detailed text and insights from the author, who has lived in the region for many years. Collectors of Southeast Asian artifacts finally have a reference to help identify Vietnamese craft items, their meaning in the Vietnamese culture, and their current values.

This book covers Gulf Oil Company items from by-gone years. Arranged in easy-to-follow alphabetical sections, it has over 700 color photos and descriptions of popular Gulf-related service stations, blotters, signs, pumps, globes, toys, and many more items with current market values. Collecting the advertising, promotional items, and products from Gulf Oil provides a colorful, nostalgic, and never-ending hobby.

Tibetan Manuscripts spaning the thirteenth to the nineteenth centuries and includes a set of 42 painted tsakalis, or ritual cards. Accompanying an exhibition held at Sam Fogg Ltd., London, in 2001.

An updated and revised edition of this practical guide--the book the author wished he had on hand at the start of his 20 years cleaning and repairing pocket watches Using as examples six of the most typical types of watch from a period spanning the late 18th century to the early 20th century, the author takes the intelligent enthusiast through the cleaning and repair process, step by careful step, using photographs of excellent clarity, and in lucid language, characterized by his own friendly and helpful tone. He aims to equip the reader with a sound basic knowledge not just of the process but also all the tools and materials as well as their sources.

For 500 years, the world's greatest makers of costume jewelry have hidden, anonymous, in the heart of Europe: Gablonz, Bohemia. This groundbreaking, beautiful book exposes the jewels, craftsmanship, technological development, and history of Bohemia. Almost 400 gorgeous color photographs illustrate the area's artistry, its most significant designers and manufacturers and their contributions to the art of jewelry, button, and bead making. Bohemian glass dynasties lasted for centuries, until the middle of the 20th century, when the entire community of German-stock craftsmen was expelled from the area in the turbulence of World War II. Though Gablonz will forever feel the loss of these great craftsmen, their artistry has been meticulously researched and documented by Sibylle Jargstorf for this book.

Sandra "Johnsie" Bryan has amassed a collection of Barbie*r dolls and her friends that will amaze and delight the casual reader. She sets them up in authentic scenes representing all aspects of this glamorous doll's adventures, from her annual celebrations to her world travels and from her many dazzling careers to her fantasy homes. This book will take readers back to a time when being grown-up was a make-believe pastime and Barbie*r doll spurred young imaginations. Is it any wonder that she's still so popular? New Barbie*r dolls are a huge marketing success and vintage dolls have skyrocketed in value as sought-after collectibles. This book of photos is a wonderful visit with an old friend that will bring back great memories for everyone who ever owned a Barbie*r doll or knew someone who did. Barbie*r & *c 1998 Mattel, used under license, but not otherwise affiliated with Mattel.

Judy Garland is a true Hollywood icon. A legend. Her remarkable 45-year career in show business began at the age of two, when she performed on stage as the diminutive member of the singing trio the Gumm Sisters. By the age of thirteen, she was under contract to MGM, and her extraordinary fifteen-year association with the studio provided moviegoers with memorable performances in classic motion pictures such as The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Easter Parade. In the late 1930s, merchandise bearing her name and likeness began to fill department store shelves throughout the country. With over five hundred illustrations, this book explores all areas of the Garland merchandising phenomenon. It provides readers with a nostalgic, photographic reference guide to the vast array of collectibles, plus a biography exploring Judy's early childhood and rise to stardom, and a complete motion picture chronology, discography, home video library, and portrait gallery. This unique volume delivers a comprehensive identification and price guide for collectors of movie posters, movie memorabilia, Wizard of Oz collectibles, dolls, records, and sheet music.

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the information profession. The series IFLA Publications deals with many of the means through which libraries, information centres, and information professionals worldwide can formulate their goals, exert their influence as a group, protect their interests, and find solutions to global problems.

The pinball book you have been waiting for is finally here! From those fabulous '50s & '60s, Jeffrey Lawton, Bingo Pinball Historian, presents 290+ photos, including original promotional brochures and advertisements, that showcase a fantastic collection of Bally*r Bingo pinball machines, along with a history of the evolution and excitement that surrounds this compelling hobby. All who grew up with street cars, slot machines, pinball machines, pool halls, and diners will enjoy this book tremendously! If you buy only one pinball book, this is the one to have.

Almost 100 years ago, in 1896, Amedeo Obici bought a peanut roaster from his uncle and went into business for himself. After ten years of selling peanuts to other shopkeepers from a small store and a horse-drawn cart, in 1906 Obici teamed up with Mario Peruzzi, to expand business, and form Planters Peanuts. The rest is history. Planters Peanuts is a part of American culture, and its innovative advertising has produced a large and vital group of Planters collectors. This new book is for them. In over 450 color photographs it documents the early years of Peanuts memorabilia. With descriptions and newly updated prices, it is a great and much needed guide for collectors.

Ever-changing Las Vegas, Nevada, a capital of casino gambling and showgirl entertainment, contains an astonishing array of neon signs. They light up the night sky in endless displays of color and motion. With 235 brilliant color images and engaging text, this book leads readers on a tour of Las Vegas neon. Familiar signs from the days when Frank Sinatra, Liberace, and Elvis strode the stage are displayed alongside more modern signs of incredible brilliance and complexity. Neon advertising casinos, restaurants, wedding chapels, and world-renown resort hotels--from the venerable Sahara and Stardust to the current fantasies of Caesar's Palace and the MGM Grand--are all on display. Histories of the development of neon signs and of Las Vegas round out this colorful presentation.

The lovely Florence figures, made in Pasadena, California, by Florence Ward and the Florence Ceramics Company from 1939 into the 1960s are featured in this first book on the subject. With over 400 color photographs, readers are introduced to the lovely ladies in elegant, lace-trimmed gowns, perfectly behaved children standing or sitting quietly as angels, and gentlemen dressed like dandies in their short pants and fancy coats. This history of the Florence collection includes complete details about the early factory and the step-by-step process used in the creation of figurines as related by Florence's son, Clifford Ward, Jr. Some of largest Florence collections in the country are represented along with a price guide of yesteryear, Florence artware, Florence pairs, and children figurines.

There are few pieces of pottery more recognizable than those designed by Clarice Cliff. For many the epitome of Art Deco, and 1930s style, characterised by bold color and lines, geometric shapes, and stylized representations of the countryside, Clarice Cliff's 'Bizarre' pottery is widely collected all over the world.
This book traces the story of Clarice Cliff and the pottery that she created. Born in 1899 and employed in The Potteries from the age of 13, Clarice was talented, ambitious and resourceful, and in 1927 she was given her own studio at the Newport Pottery, and for the next twelve years she produced a range of designs that were loved by countless ordinary thirties household, and have become icons of the age. Clarice Cliff expert Will Farmer examines each of Clarice's important styles and designs, with the help of a wealth of high quality color illustrations. This is the perfect introduction to this most popular of all British pottery.

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.

'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.

Imagine the gilded age of a nation reflected in hundreds of earthenware figures, each with its own story to tell. This book offers an in-depth study of the cultural, socio-economic, religious, political, and technological history that defined the British Empire in the 19th century. This meticulously researched volume is infused with the real-life stories of the potters, their subjects, and people who lived with these historical figurines. Each chapter is a self-contained study of the Staffordshire potteries where they were made, the potters who created them, and of the characters themselves, including spaniels and other animals, the English monarchy, religious symbols, children, heroes, rouges, architecture and much more. Included are over 550 superb color photographs of Staffordshire figures (some previously unrecorded) and detailed captions with values. This is an essential reference for collectors, dealers, designers, historians, curators, and all who love antique ceramics.