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 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.

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.

In the 1930s, the shortwave radio craze was just beginning to sweep the nation, and Hallicrafters radios began to boom from coast to coast and around the world! Until the 1980s, this Chicago-based firm aimed for the average consumer, and produced high quality radios on the cutting edge of technology, all reasonably priced. Today, collectors of electronics are fascinated by these pieces of radio history, most of which can be restored to their original working condition. This book includes over a thousand photographs of radio receivers, transmitters, speakers, early television sets, electronics accessories, and advertising material. Technical descriptions are provided for every known Hallicrafters model, including dates of production, model numbers, accompanying pieces, and original prices. A current price guide is included for collectors.

Building Toys: An Architect's Collection documents over 100 architectural building toys from the author's collection, from the mid-1800s to the present, from the U.S. and abroad. Each toy has an immersive two-page spread celebrating its unique features with photos of packaging graphics, component parts, assembly diagrams, and a built example designed and constructed by the author. Well-researched background information on designers and company histories provides intriguing facts which complete each toy's description. When taken together, these stories reveal a microcosm of western commercial and industrial history, illustrating trends in design, advertising, and material production techniques. The book is organised by toy material (natural wood, metal, plastic, etc.), creating six "chapters." It includes a two-page introduction which reflects the author's role as architect, photographer, and collector. There are approximately 250 pages giving a dynamic visual portrayal of a seldom seen world.

A spectacular anniversary publication to celebrate ninety years since the launch of Chanel's first fine jewelry collection in 1932. 'I used my penchant for all that shines to try and reconcile elegance and fashion in a set of jewelry' Gabrielle Chanel From Gabrielle Chanel's 1932 collection to the newest interpretations of her signature signs and symbols by Patrice Leguereau, Director of the CHANEL Fine Jewelry Creation Studio, CHANEL High Jewelry remains eternally modern and true to the spirit of her enterprise. Breathtaking new photography and classic images from the CHANEL archives brings together revealing combinations in a stunning visual narrative, privileging aesthetic form over four chapters: the origins, the symbols, the spirit, and the allure. Gabrielle Chanel's passion for fabulous and improbable marvels is celebrated here in a covetable book object that pays tribute to the House's unparalleled insistence on luxury and refinement, creativity and beauty. Based on extensive research and exploring CHANEL's inspirations and art through some of the most precious of all her creations and the eternally modern ideas they have inspired, the book features superb photographs by Karl Lagerfeld, Mario Testino, Patrick Demarchelier, Francois Kollar, Roger Schall, George Hoyningen-Huene, Andre Kertesz, Sarah Moon, Koto Bolofo, Karim Sadli, Dominique Issermann, and many others. It is also illustrated with images from CHANEL's archive and sketches that express the creativity and joie de vivre of the world's finest High Jewelry collection.

'The Organic Chemistry of Museum Objects' makes available in a single volume, a survey of the chemical composition, properties and analysis of the whole range of organic materials incorporated into objects and artworks found in museum collections. The authors cover the fundamental chemistry of the bulk materials such as wood, paper, natural fibres and skin products, as well as that of the relatively minor components incorporated as paint, media, varnishes, adhesives and dyes. This expanded second edition, now in paperback, follows the structure of the first, though it has been extensively updated. In addition to chapters on basic organic chemistry, analytical methods, analytical findings and fundamental aspects of deterioration, the subject matter is grouped as far as possible by broad chemical class - oils and fats, waxes, bitumens, carbohydrates, proteins, natural resins, dyestuffs and synthetic polymers. This is an essential purchase for all practising and student conservators, restorers, museum scientists, curators and organic chemists.

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.

This book introduces the world of Bang & Olufsen, from their futuristic audo and hi-fi systems to their elegant television sets and attractive portable models, which have captivated enthusiasts for the best part of four decades. The small Danish company has striven to design items that have stood the test of time, being both technologically innovative and stylish. As a result, their products are amongst those rare things where both form and function come together to create something truly magnificent, both to behold and to listen to. Within the pages of this book, Tim and Nick Jarman take the collector through every model produced by B&O up to the year 2000, as well as providing comprehensive appendices listing which model is compatible with which and giving tips on restoration. Throughout the book you will find specially produced original colour photographs of preserved B&O audio and television equipment, complete with detail views so that you can see every important control and styling feature and really get to know each model. An invaluable book, whether you are looking for just one special model or are assembling a large collection.

New research into medieval English literature, with a particular focus on manuscripts and writing. This acclaimed study of English medieval manuscripts and early printed books - many items from Professor Takamiya's own collection - quickly sold out in hardcover. The subjects range from Saint Jerome to Tolkien, with particular concentrations on Chaucer, Gower, Malory and religious and historical writings of the late middle ages. There are essays examining the work of early printers such as Caxton and de Worde, and of bibliophiles and antiquarians in modern times. Befitting a tribute to a bibliophile, this volume has been handsomely designed by Lida Kindersley of the Cardozo Kindersley Workshop in Cambridge, and is extensively illustrated. The volume as a whole constitutes a substantial body of research on medieval English literature, and early books and manuscripts. Contributors: Richard Barber, Nicolas Barker, Richard Beadle, N.F. Blake, Julia Boffey, Piero Boitani, Derek Brewer, Helen Cooper, A.I. Doyle, Martha W. Driver, A.S.G. Edwards, P.J.C. Field, Christopher de Hamel, Ralph Hanna, Lotte Hellinga, Kristian Jensen, Edward Donald Kennedy, Richard A. Linenthal, Jill Mann, Takami Matsuda, David McKitterick, Rosamond McKitterick, Linne R. Mooney, Ruth Morse, Daniel W. Mosser, Tsuyoshi Mukai, Paul Needham, M.B. Parkes, Derek Pearsall, Oliver Pickering, P.R. Robinson, Michael G. Sargent, John Scahill, Kathleen L. Scott, Jeremy J. Smith, Isamu Takahashi, John J. Thompson, Linda Ehrsam Voigts, Yoko Wada, Bonnie Wheeler, Patrick Zutshi.

This beautifully illustrated book features over 500 different cats and dogs made by the Fenton Art Glass Company in Williamstown, West Virginia, from 1933 to the present. The book includes many styles that were made in the regular line, sold through the company's gift shop, made for other companies, special orders, and creations that marked special occasions. A wide variety of special techniques were used in their production, including hand painting, iridized finishes, satin finishes, and other treatments. Variations among the mold styles of each cat and dog are explained. Information for this book was gathered from original Fenton catalogs and correspondence with the Fenton Art Glass Company, information from companies that ordered from Fenton, and individual collectors. This book is an essential reference for cat and dog lovers and all Fenton glass collectors.

Children's printed handkerchiefs have a rich two hundred year history going all the way back to America's beginnings. Along with delighting generations of children with their colorful designs, these highly collectible items have also served a social and educational role. The earliest reflected Puritan influences, tending to be instructional, religious, and moralistic in nature. As industrial growth and prosperity changed, the very nature of childhood, sports and games, nursery rhymes, and fairy tales became more common subject matter. By the early twentieth century, storybook and comic strip characters began to appear, soon joined by such popular figures of mass culture as Mickey Mouse, Raggedy Ann, Davy Crockett, and Howdy Doody.

This wonderful book has become the standard pocket guide in the field. It is just what collectors need for quick and easy reference...and its newly updated prices make it invaluable. Both handy and beautiful, it shows over 500 pens and pencils in nearly full-size color photos and provides short histories of nineteen main manufacturing companies. Concise, helpful information with each photo includes a guide to the price of each pen and pencil.

This book presents vintage, often whimsical, and one-of-a-kind wooden figurine carvings by ANRI, the world-renowned company founded in 1912 in the Dolomite Mountains of northern Italy. Among the more than 2,500 carvings featured are bottle stoppers, bottle openers and corkscrews, bar sets, calendars, letter openers, bookends, humidors, ashtrays, lighters, cigarette boxes, pipe rests, salt and pepper sets, pepper mills, napkin rings, timers, toothpick holders, brushes, salt and serving spoons, spoon and key racks, door knockers, and figurines, including monks and characters from novels by Charles Dickens. Collectors with a wide range of interests will be delighted with the amazing number of woodcarvings shown. This book will amuse and inspire today's woodcarvers and collectors, novices and experienced devotees alike.

Johor: 300 Early Postcards will present a series of postcard galleries showing various aspects of the Peninsular Malaysian state of Johor from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, in particular the changing landscapes and townscapes. The book will be a richly informative visual guide to a formative period in Johor's history. The postcards presented in the book will be drawn from the vast postcard collection of Dr Cheah Jin Seng, the author of Malaya: 500 Early Postcards, Penang: 500 Early Postcards, Perak: 300 Early Postcards, Selangor: 300 Early Postcards and Singapore: 500 Early Postcards.

A tremendous resource for toy collectors and dealers, this new book compiles the catalogs of the Hubley Manufacturing Company from 1946 to 1965. Each page is reproduced in full color, making it an invaluable reference for identifying and dating Hubley toys. Hubley was incorporated in 1894 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and produced wonderful toys throughout its history. The catalogs in this book represent the production from 1946 to 1965, when the company was purchased by Gabriel Industries. Over 450 color images document each page and every toy Hubley produce in this period. A value guide is also included with current market values. This book is a perfect accompaniment to the author's previous book, Hubley Toys.

Did the 16th-century Reformation influence French language and culture? This book, the fullest available bibliography of religious printing in French during the early Reformation, provides the materials to answer this question. It assembles information on all known printed editions in French on religious subjects during the crucial period 1511-51 (up to the Edict of Chateaubriant), giving full bibliographical details, library locations and references in secondary literature. An alphabetical list is complemented by a chronological list, and by an analysis of editions by printers and publishers. The work provides the fullest checklist available of works and editions produced from all parts of the religious spectrum, both Roman Catholic and Protestant. It reveals who were the most active and influential writers, which were the most popular texts, and which were the most active printing centres in the field of religious printing in French. The chronological survey shows the immense growth in publications triggered by the Reformation movement, and reveals the radical change in religious sensibility during the period, from contemplative meditation to polemical debate.