Contained within this authoritative text is the exciting history of the manufacture of toy forts and castles in western Europe throughout the turbulent nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Lavishly illustrated with nearly 800 images, this book provides detailed information on who made these castles, palaces, and fortresses, when, where, and how, and with what materials. The author focuses especially on manufacturers in Germany and Great Britain, but covers Denmark, Belgium, and France as well-and describes the fascinating story of the industry's rise and demise. Company histories show how these manufacturers, often successive generations of families, dealt with the enormous economic and political obstacles of the times. Organized spreadsheets with serial numbers, dates, dimensions, and distinctive features of products will satisfy the curiosities of toy collectors, museum curators, archivists, antique dealers, architectural history buffs, and more.

Bring the calm of a day at the beach to your desktop anytime of year with Zen Garden Beach Day. A welcome respite from the demands of everyday life, it's the perfect meditative desk accessory for fun and effective stress relief. Includes everything you need to assemble your own Beach Zen Garden: 3 x 3-inch mini zen gardening tray, bag of sand, wooden rake, and miniature accessories (umbrella, starfish, towel, flip flops, tropical beverage) Illustrated mini book: Includes a 32-page mini book on the benefits of mediation Great Gift: A fun, stress-relieving desktop accessory for home or the office

In 1934 Alcoa introduced a revolutionary new line of aluminum alloy giftware and domestic items designed by American pioneer industrial designer Lurelle Guild. Called Kensington Ware, these relatively expensive, slick, machine-age objects were in an unmistakenly Art Deco style with cast brass accents. They represent an important American contribution to modern design and decorative arts. The Kensington plant ceased production around 1970, and collectors have recently been scooping up these compelling objects in the antique and collectible markets. This is the first book to tell the Kensington story and identify, value, and illustrate the aluminum in 375 color, vintage, and black-and-white illustrations. It is a must for anyone interested in aluminum, Art Deco, and the machine-age in America.

Every book collector has felt the frustration of ignorance. How does he know a book isn't overpriced? Is this book really a first edition? Was it issued with a dust jacket? Is it really scarce or is such a description just a sales tactic? Booksellers usually have more knowledge about their offerings. But even the most experienced booksellers can't know every point about every book. Terry Seymour has solved these problems for collectors and sellers of Everyman's Library. His Guide will answer every conceivable question about every book in this vast publication project. Here in a single reference are descriptions of every aspect of book design in all the variations from the Library's inception in 1906 through 1976. The book also discusses scarcity and pricing, the two most crucial issues to both collectors and sellers.

This is both a historical survey of wonderful images associated with tea over two centuries and a modern guide to collecting tea graphics. It is the first tea book to cover printed paper collectible art (rather than tins, teapots, and other objects), and has more than 160 images of rare materials conveniently organized as postcards, prints, posters, sheet music, book illustrations, periodical advertisements, and more. A lengthy illustrated survey of tea history-with special emphasis on its popularization, marketing, and advertising- discusses many categories of tea graphic arts. The illustrated value-guide gives current prices for items (both shown in the book and many additional pieces) and offers advice for collectors in each of the categories. The extensive bibliography lists fiction and nonfiction tea books as well as current websites.

Julia Augusta examines the socio-political impact of coin images of Augustus's wife, Livia, within the broader context of her image in other visual media and reveals the detailed visual language that was developed for the promotion of Livia as the predominant female in the Roman imperial family. The book provides the most comprehensive examination of all extant coins of Livia to date, and provides one of the first studies on the images on Roman coins as gender-infused designs, which created a visual dialogue regarding Livia's power and gender-roles in relation to those of male members of the imperial family. While the appearance of Roman women on coins was not entirely revolutionary, having roughly coincided with the introduction of images of powerful Roman statesmen to coins in the late 40s BCE, the degree to which Livia came to be commemorated on coins in the provinces and in Rome was unprecedented. This volume provides unique insights into the impact of these representations of Livia, both on coins and in other visual media. Julia Augusta: Images of Rome's First Empress on the Coins of the Roman Empire will be of great interest to students of women and imperial imagery in the Roman Empire, as well as the importance of visual representation and Roman imperial ideology.

In the first book of miniature decorative bird-carving patterns ever published, William Veasey presents intricately detailed designs for the novice carver. This concise practicable guide will help the amateur carver to develop the basic skills necessary to produce his own realistic miniature birds.

Through 1,028 breath-taking color photographs and extensive research, Jacquelyne North has captured the enchantment of perfume bottles throughout the ages in a newly revised edition reflecting today's market. Beginning with the earliest available information (6th century B.C.) through our most contemporary designs, this book offers the reader heretofore unattainable information and an exquisite collection of illustrations. Many of the bottles pictured are currently available to collectors. These wonderful photographs are further enhanced by a concise history covering perfume, cologne, scent, atomizer and fan-stopper bottles from Northern Europe, America, Bohemia, and Japan. Over 270 patent illustrations are presented as part of a comprehensive chapter on commercial bottles. In addition a directory of perfume makers and scents and a useful price guide are included. Special emphasis has been given to bottles by Lalique and those made in Czechoslovakia. Glass, porcelain, and silver are some of the materials discussed in the creation of scent containers. Rounding out the book are chapters on dime-store novelty bottles and tips on care and presentation of scent bottles. This book is unquestionably one-of-a-kind, appealing not only to the collector but to anyone who has experienced the magic these enticing bottles and the fragrances they contain.

Hollywood movie monsters are enduring pop culture standards. Kids and adults around the world recognize Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolf Man, and the Mummy. Although monsters are Aurora's most famous products, the company created model kits of all varieties, including historic sailing ships, sports cars, moon rockets, military and commercial aircraft, TV stars, comic book heroes, wildlife scenes, knights, and much more. Over 500 color photographs enhance this comprehensive history and guide to Aurora models, now updated to include new companies continuing the Aurora tradition. Aurora executives, sculptors, artists, and engineers who created the models tell the story in their own words. Every model Aurora made is described in detail. Today, Polar Lights, Moebius, Atlantis, and Monarch continue the Aurora tradition. Executives from these companies explain how they have added to the list of revived Aurora models, with information on reissues and current collectors' market values.

A variety of oil company-related items from small "give-aways" to hundreds of colorful oil cans, globes, and signs are presented here. The products of major national companies like Gulf and Texaco share space with many smaller and specialized products of marine, automotive, aviation, locomotive and small engine lubrication. The book has sections covering gasoline pumps, maps, badges, buttons, and signs for the refreshment sodas sold at the service stations. Over 500 color photographs present the graphics which make this area of advertising and packaging so entertaining. Current market values of the items are included with the captions.

The 12th SS Panzer Division Hitler Youth was formed in early 1943 following the German disaster at Stalingrad in Russia, and was trumpeted by German propaganda as a symbol of the willingness of German youth to make the ultimate sacrifice for Fuhrer und Vaterland. Most of the divisions soldiers were born in 1926, and averaged barely eighteen years of age when they underwent their baptism of fire among the verdant fields and hedgerows of Normandy on 7 June 1944. Anchoring the eastern flank of the Normandy front, these young SS soldiers successfully defended the strategically vital town of Caen against British and Canadian forces until finally overwhelmed a month later by the Allies enormous superiority in men and materiel. Although the Hitler Youth Division was largely annihilated in the process, it won the grudging respect of Allied forces as the finest German division faced in Normandy. The authors account of its history is based largely on primary source materials, including extensive archival holdings, published memoirs, official histories, and numerous interviews with former division members.

Harnessing the romance of the world of fashion and high art, this fascinating story of a collection of miniature mannequins describes the birth of Theatre de la Mode, the Theater of Fashion. Full of stars such as Robert Ricci (Nina Ricci's son), filmmaker Jean Cocteau, and other members of the 1944 haute couture industry, the story follows 237 miniature fashion dolls through their epic tour of Europe and North America, bringing fashion, elegance, and beauty into a war-torn world. Also included are new colour photographs of the mannequins, the reconstructed sets, and close-up details of clothing so sewers, designers, and fashion mavens can appreciate the creativity of Paris designers at the end of World War II.

Sloane instructs readers how to glean climate information by reading such natural phenomena as winds, skies, and animal sounds. A beautifully illustrated and practical treasure trove of enlightening lore for outdoorsmen, farmers, sailors, and anyone who has ever wondered whether to take an umbrella when leaving the house. 87 illustrations.

This is the first book to combine museum-based conservation techniques with practical instructions on the maintenance, repair, adjustment, and tuning of virtually every type of historical musical instrument. As one of the world's leading conservators of musical instruments, Stewart Pollens gives practical advice on the handling, storage, display and use of historic musical instruments in museums and other settings, and provides technical information on such wide-ranging subjects as acoustics, cleaning, climate control, corrosion, disinfestation, conservation ethics, historic stringing practice, measurement and historic metrology, retouching, tuning historic temperaments, varnish and writing reports. There are informative essays on the conservation of each of the major musical instrument groups, the treatment of paper, textiles, wood and metal, as well as historic techniques of wood and metalworking as they apply to musical instrument making and repair. This is a practical guide that includes equations, formulas, tables and step-by-step instructions.

Although there have been, and continue to be, many books written on a wide variety of aspects of the First World War, this work not only approaches the history of the war from a unique perspective, but also comprehensively covers many of these aspects. Utilizing cards from the extensive, remarkably detailed and mostly contemporaneous issues of cigarette and trade card sets related to the First World War, the author provides a richly illustrated and descriptive tapestry of this great conflict. Not only are the usual political and armed services aspects of the war covered in detail, but also the many other less covered parts receive attention. These latter include regal aspects, and other components of the military such as armamentarium, awards, uniforms and militaria. Then the important role that propaganda played is also covered. The social and literary aspects of the war form an important part of the book. All these written details, a significant amount of which is drawn from the descriptions on the cards, complement the hundreds of card illustrations found throughout the work.

The definitive collection of South Carolina's odd, wacky, and most offbeat people, places, and things, for South Carolina residents and anyone else who enjoys local humor and trivia with a twist.

Aunt Jemima's familiar beaming, warm smile and laughing eyes have been associated with breakfast pancakes for generations of Americans. "Invented" in 1888 to help market a new type of pancake flour, Aunt Jemima has been represented by a good number of real women and a tremendous number of collectible products. This book displays hundred of the item available from Aunt Jemima's long history, and provides fascinating or funny glimpses into over a century of our nation's cultural history. Collectors interested in kitchen memorabilia and/or African-American history will find this book wonderfully eye-opening! Promotional items and advertisements are presented, including doll families, recipe books, kitchen utensils, menus, coloring books, and cooking set for children. The complete story of Aunt Jemima's Pancake Mix, the myth of Aunt Jemima herself, and the stories of the real women who portrayed her are all told in this delightful book. A price guide is included.

Over 400 beautiful color illustrations and well-researched text reveal the historically and artistically significant Japanese Karatsu ware of its golden age of the 16th and 17th centuries. In the world of Japanese tea, there are three ceramic forms most highly valued: Raku, Hagi, and Karatsu. The austere beauty and elegant simplicity of Karatsu is everything the tea ceremony requires. Recent archaeological discoveries in the northwest area of the southern island of Kyushu cast a new light on Karatsu's origins. Explanations of the original firing and glazing techniques are provided. Discover Karatsu's unique character, the sober beauty of its production, the soothing appearance of its clay, and the abstract, yet natural designs. Enjoy the soothing beauty of the table and kitchenware, bowls and cups, tea ware and sakA (c) vessels decorated with a variety of natural and geometric designs. See why Karatsu potters today take inspiration from these golden age pieces. Most of the wares presented here are previously unpublished pieces that today are considered genuine works of art.

A visual tour of antique jewelry covering the Victorian and Edwardian eras, through Art Nouveau and Art Deco designs. Identifies makers and styles, with hundreds of color images of cameos, hair ornaments, hat pins, necklaces, bracelets, pins, and more. A proven reliable source of information, with updated value references, expanded text, and new images. Fascinating details on the origins, materials, and makers bring this jewelry to life.

The best-known and most important manufacturer of plastic model kits in the UK, Airfix has been at the forefront of the industry since 1955 when the first Airfix aircraft kit appeared in UK branches of Woolworth's. The kits were made to a constant scale and covered a wide variety of subjects, from aircraft to birds and from tanks to dinosaurs. In 1981 the famous London-based company closed down and only the kits survived intact. For the next twenty-five years Airfix was run by Palitoy and later Humbrol, but suffered from a lack of investment. In 2006, Hornby Hobbies Ltd, the train and Scalextric manufacturer, bought the ailing company and transformed it. Money and resources were ploughed into the range, and today Airfix releases around twenty new kits per year, designed to an incredibly high standard. The old kits of the 1950s and 1960s are gradually being replaced by new state-of-the-art tooling, all bearing that most prestigious name - Airfix. Published to coincide with the sixtieth anniversary of the first Airfix aircraft kit, Sixty Years of Airfix Models, tells the full story, year by year, of the company and its products.