Margot Van Voorhies was an American in the mid-twentieth century who went to Taxco, Mexico, and established a jewelry design business best known for exquisite enamel work. This fascinating book relates the pains of her childhood and eventual refuge in Mexico, where she developed an artistic talent into the Margot de Taxco workshop, that employed hundreds of artisans, particularly including women. Her associations with Taxco silversmiths, who were taught by innovator William Spratling, became the springboard for her own development and success. Margot's designs are distinctive, often based on spiral motifs inspired by vines and floral imagery. Glorious colored enamels in brilliant hues and original designs distinguish her work. Today, Margot Van Voorhies is considered one of the most productive silver artists in Taxco of the mid-20th century. Her legacy is featured here also, in the work of four contemporary artists who strive to create equally superior modern silver jewelry in Taxco.

Here is a wonderful new look at the popular and highly collectible Blue Ridge China produced by Southern Potteries of Erwin, Tennessee, from 1938 to 1957. Expanding upon the research done for their first two books (Blue Ridge China Today and Blue Ridge China Traditions), the authors provide a comprehensive, pictorial review of these beautiful, hand-decorated wares. \nWritten with young and future collectors in mind, the book contains a special focus on exciting children\s pieces made at the pottery. In addition, collectors of all ages will find an extensive assortment of the wide-ranging dinnerware and china pieces for which Blue Ridge is so well known. Included are many newly identified patterns, newly discovered pieces, and different pieces and shapes for some "old favorite" patterns. \nThe invaluable appendix contains pattern numbers, matching glassware, backstamps, and a new section featuring many of the original rubber stamps used at the pottery. Suggested prices in the captions and a separate Price Guide are based on the authors\ careful and constant monitoring of sales from the Internet, auctions, antique malls, and garage sales. This is a delightful celebration of the timeless and much-loved Blue Ridge China.

Ceramics, made in Japan for export in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, are fascinating collectibles, possessing an almost endless variety of shape and diversity of decoration. In fact, it is rare to fine two pieces matching. Famous Satsuma, Imari, Hirado, Kutani, and other ceramic styles are explored in this new study. Important decorators are identified and their unusually fine craftsmanship is displayed in detail in over 400 color photographs. Their work may be among the finest quality ornamentation on ceramics anywhere in the world, and they are surprisingly affordable. From tea vessels to flower vases and table ornaments, these ceramic masterpieces provide beautiful interior design accents and historical connections between Asian and Western cultures.

This colorful book surveys the varied and beautiful ceramic wares produced during America's Great Depression years. Over 450 color photographs display the often dazzlingly colorful and streamlined wares from the late 1920s through the early 1940s. Table, kitchen, and artware all have their place in this inclusive volume. Accompanying this colorful display is a text that provides brief histories of the various potteries striving to bring their wares to cash-strapped American consumers. Examples of each firm's manufacturer's marks are provided as well. Updated values for the wares displayed are conveniently located in the photo captions. Rounding out this sweeping survey are a bibliography and index.

Conservationist Smokey BearT and over 400 of his friends who educate, give community service, play sports, and travel to popular places are gathered to share their distinct "attitudes." Each of these stuffed bear toys promotes a message from the organization for which it is the advocate. Tree Bear plants new trees, police bears fight drug use and promote safety, storybook bears educate children about life, and sports bears represent hero athletes. You will recognize so many. Over 425 color photos, a very informative text, captions, and a price guide make this book essential for all bear enthusiasts. In the huge world of stuffed animals, these popular bears carry important messages to their communities and they make wonderful collectibles, if you can take the attitudes.

We call them Collectors' Journals, but you can fill them with whatever you please. Especially designed for doll lovers and teddy bear lovers, these elegant blank books are waiting for your secret thoughts, wish lists, identification notes or, perhaps, your favorite artists' autographs? Graced by a stunning color photograph on the cover (choose the antique doll or the antique teddy bear, or both), each journal has 160 creamy lined pages, and a silk ribbon marker so you'll never lose your place.

A beautifully illustrated showcase of the rich and varied ceramic tradition of Iran Featuring a broad selection of objects from one of the most distinguished collections of Iranian art, this volume brings together over 1,000 years of Persian Islamic pottery. With more than 500 illustrations, authoritative technical treatises, and insightful commentary, Ceramics of Iran assembles a collection of rarely seen treasures from the Persian world and presents a collective history of its renowned ceramic tradition. Included among its comprehensive catalogue entries are numerous translations of the object's inscriptions, providing readers with a richer and more detailed understanding of the cultural heritage from which these items are derived. In addition, the book contains new research and material from previously unknown sites. Featuring all new photography of nearly 250 objects, Ceramics of Iran brings the extraordinary contributions of Persian art into a wider historical context, along with a wealth of images to demonstrate the full scope of its intricate beauty. Distributed for the Sarikhani Collection

The Art Deco era was one of beauty, elegance, sensuality, and vivid, colorful graphics! This is the first collectibles book on Art Deco graphics, with an emphasis on the everyday, affordable items. This book is a must for lovers, collectors, and dealers of Art Deco. A wide range of ephemera and other paper collectibles is presented, such as games, playing cards, advertising brochures, tins, packaging, labels, and fans. Recipe books, household and paint brochures, and fashion and book illustrations from different countries are included along with distinctive images from the cosmetic industry, travel literature, and automobile brochures. Information on American publishers of greeting cards, bridge tallies, place cards, and other items from the 1920s and 1930s is included, including The Buzza Company, The Gibson Art Company, and The Dennison Company. Their products and the work of international companies and artists are illustrated in 535 color photos. Price guidelines are included.

Miniature oil lamps are beautiful reminders of Victorian days, glistening in glass, china, porcelain, brass, and silver. Most were made in the mid-to late 1800s, though the fashion lingered somewhat into the early years of this century. The variety is staggering; lovely glass lamps can be found in a wide range of textures and colors, while china lamps often appear as figurals, or with hand-painted designs. Styles range from the typical delicacy of the Victorian parlor through daring Art Nouveau elegance. Collectors have learned to delight in the endless combinations of beauty and practicality that can be found in miniature lamps. The reference features almost 450 lamps never before seen in any book, with color photographs, detailed information, and current values for each. Collectors and dealers of lamps, glass, and Victoriana will find this book a must for their reference library.

There is currently a revival in the art of stone sculpture-along contemporary lines-of the Golden Age in Greece and the Renaissance in Europe. Many noted twentieth-century sculptors are now working directly in stone. This book explains how to create modern stone sculpture, with hundreds of examples by today's top sculptors. Included are sculptures by Jean Arp, Constantin Brancusi, Max Bill, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, and many others, illustrated and explained with hundreds of clearly detailed photographs. This is also a how-to book, giving specific, step-by-step instructions for creating stone sculpture; describing various types of stone, how to select and transport it; telling how to carve the stone with hand tools and electric or pneumatic power tools; and providing the methods of finishing the work. Contemporary Stone Sculpture is important for the inspiration of art collectors and working artists alike.

For many people, decorating for Christmas includes wearing jewelry with seasonal designs. The range of Christmas tree pins, shown in over 1,200 beautiful color photographs, described, identified, and valued here, will astound you. Over 1,100 different pins, from the mid-20th century to the present, made by more than 200 designers and manufacturers, are alphabetically ordered for easy reference. The identifying marks, company dates, and materials are listed for each pin. Beauty distinguishes many of the designs, and the rhinestones, enamels, and metalwork are of the finest quality. The hunt for Christmas tree pins is a year-round persuit, and this book will certainly inspire you to start your own collection.

This book provides a sweeping study of the clothing of the 1930s. Garments of all kinds, from the intimate to the most formal, the flamboyant to the practical, for women, men and children, are displayed and discussed in detail. Accessories including jewelry, hats, and handbags are also explored. Even uniforms used for work, band, and cheerleading are found in this inclusive work. More than 600 color photographs spread the 1930s fashion world out before you. An historical overview explains the turbulent 1930s and the economic depression that so affected every aspect of daily life. Values for the garments and accessories are found in the captions. Finally, a glossary, bibliography, and index round out this fascinating presentation. Designers, historians, and fashion-conscious consumers will find this an indespensible reference.

This great resource has new information and great photos of it all, sleds, wagons, and related salesman's samples, U.S. patent models, and much more. Taking up where the author's first book, Flexible Flyer and Other Great Sleds for Collectors, left off, it has all new sleds and wagons and updated and expanded information about the major sled companies and their products with additional new companies. It is the first major study of children's wagons, often manufactured by the same companies that made sleds. Great examples of both of sleds and wagons are offered with detailed color photographs that will aid in identification. Catalogs, advertisements, old price lists, patent drawings, and other ephemera provide the historical context and aid in dating. Don't be left out in the cold! Staying on top of the current trends and market valueswill make you "King of the Hill." Sled enthusiasts, dealers, collectors, and anyone who yearns for a nostalgic trip back in time to the good old days, this book is for you!

Crackle glass has become popular in the field of twentieth-century glass collecting. Taking its name from the crackle-like appearance of the glass, a finish caused by dipping the hot piece of hand-blown glass into cooling water, the majority of this highly collectible glass was made by West Virginian companies such as Blenko, Pilgrim, and Rainbow, and Depression Era companies Tiffin, Morgantown, and Duncan. This volume showcases more than 400 color photos of crackle glass along with company catalog pages, manufacturers' information, an essay on glass blowing, detailed captions, an up-to-date price guide, bibliography, and index. It is a must for students, collectors, and dealers of glasswares.

Just as the Victorians once traveled the shorelines in search of scenic lighthouses, collecting postcards to document their discoveries, people today react to the allure of these lights that draw tourists, collectors, and maritime fans. This book examines the postcard keepsakes that lighthouse lovers have collected since the turn of the 20th Century, documenting lighthouses from California to Alaska, and the Florida Keys to Nova Scotia. You'll see lighthouses from land, air, and sea levels in hand-tinted photographs and line drawings produced at the turn of the century, beautiful linen prints of the 1930s and '40s, and contemporary photochrome productions. Along with the images, lighthouse history and facts are conveyed, along with publishing information to help collectors identify and date their own cards. Values are shown in the captions.

Fast food authors extraordinaire Joyce and Terry Losonsky continue their around-the-world McDonald's odyssey with this expansive guide covering Happy Meal*r toys given out during the late 1990s in over 114 different countries. In addition to a complete listing of international Happy Meal*r toys, the book also includes the displays, pins, buttons, register toppers, banners, pogs, and assorted memorabilia distributed by the McDonald's Corporation during the same time period. Hundreds of full color photos illustrate the Happy Meal*r toys and promotional items described. Join the parade of collectors who are having world class fun exploring and collecting this vast array of merchandise. Your trip around the world continues with this delightful adventure. All aboard!

The toys of the 1950s and 1960s are currently among the most sought after collectibles, and some of the most popular examples are covered in this book. Nearly 500 beautiful color photos of over 780 toys and collectibles, and a helpful price guide make this a necessary reference for new and advanced collectors and toy dealers everywhere. Baby Boomer Toys and Collectibles covers a broad range of favorites from robots and space toys to race cars, Hanna-Barbera toys, and Beatles collectibles. Among them are The Official Lost in Space Robot, a hopping Fred Flintstone, and a rare bottle of "With the Beatles" perfume. Many pieces are shown with their original boxes as well. Some of children's lasting impressions are made while playing with favorite toys, and by simply looking at those toys the good feelings return like magic. Children from the baby boom of the 1950s and 1960s will feel they have rediscovered old friends and recaptured wonderful memories of youth with the turn of every page of this book. Parents and grandparents of boomers will enjoy the memories this book evokes as well: that last dash to the store at Christmas for the one toy their child or grandchild had to have to make the day complete or the birthday gift that lit up that special child's face with surprise and delight. Early reader-ages 5-8.

Whether the name Limoges brings to mind a region in France, the city of Limoges, or the factories that produce fine Limoges porcelain, a picture of romance, beauty, and fabulous artisans no doubt follows. This stunningly photographed book is dedicated to helping porcelain connoisseurs from the novice to the advanced learn how to identify, affordably collect, and decorate with hand-painted Limoges porcelain. Shown are vases, jardinieres, dinnerware, coffee and chocolate pots, cake plates, punch bowls, and more. This is the first Limoges collectors' book with dedicated sections on tea accoutrements, white and gold wedding band porcelain, and porcelain jewelry with hand-painted Limoges art. Going room by room, the author provides fabulous decorating ideas, from accessorizing with a single piece of Limoges to displaying an entire collection. Included are descriptions, measurements, values, history, collector hints, and a concise alphabetical mark guide. A truly inspirational book for collectors and designers alike.

Everyone loves the movies, and the movie posters in this book provide a colorful visual history of the movies, from the early silent days to the big blockbusters of recent years. The evolution of the dream factory is charted through spectacular graphics used by individual studios to advertise their movies. Posters, like the films they represent, demonstrate stylistic developments, in response to changing social and political conditions, throughout the 20th century. The glamour, pathos and sheer drama of Hollywood through the decades is colorfully brought to life in over 400 illustrations of rare and collectible movie posters. This book provides an entertaining appreciation of the evolution of Hollywood and cinematic poster art, as well as a guide to the value of this advertising material. This collectors guide enables instant understanding and identification in one volume. Essential to the novice buyer and an invaluable visual reference for experienced collectors, this book is a celebration of Hollywood.

Quilting history encompasses much more than the final product--it is also the story of the people (women, men, girls, and boys) who lovingly stitched these beautiful and intricate objects. Just as a quilt is multi-layered, so too is the story each quilt tells. Featuring nearly 200 exquisite quilts--plus family stories and local history--this book provides a fascinating look at quilting traditions in York County, Pennsylvania, from 1790 to 1950. Included are appliquA (c), pieced, and signature quilts, fads and novelties (including crazy), crib and doll quilts, and a special chapter on quilt construction. York County's 250-year history is reflected in the quilting styles of those times. The quilts featured in this book include one made by the women of Bryansville for a young Civil War soldier, a highly original one made for a soldier returning from World War I, and an unusual one that includes fabric recycled from a lady's bustle. They are among those identified in the 1998-99 York County Quilt Documentation Project, which recorded nearly 1,600 quilts. This exceptional book will have immense appeal to all who appreciate the arts, history, and the creative expression stemming from generations of talented quilters.

In this comprehensive text, C.L. Miller chronicles the long history and many products of America's best known home delivery company. W.T. Rawleigh Company collectibles are presented here in over 590 photographs and advertising images. This vast array of packages, tins, bottles, and notions of all sorts begins with William T. Rawleigh's original 1889 products and continues up through the Rawleigh Company's late twentieth century product lines. Included are many old-time essentials for the home and farm, such as medicines "for man and beast," food products, spices and extracts, cosmetics, toiletries, brushes, cookbooks, calendars, and the Rawleigh Good Health Guides and Almanacs. Also provided in this colorful and informative guide are helpful hints on locating and evaluating Rawleigh products, the proper care of those collectibles, and prices for the items themselves. This book will be a delight for everyone interested in the home delivery products of days-gone-by.

Old Griswold cast iron, aluminum and porcelain cookware is highly collected today because it still does its primary job well and is prolific at antiques markets. This guide presents the forms in many of their variations with approximate values to reflect today's markets. Lists of the pattern numbers and the duplicate numbers help to identify items you may find.

Souvenir plates have long been representatives of America's history, whether commemorating special events or depicting places. Souvenir plates make attractive collectibles for several reasons, including their affordability and the fact that they come in a variety of designs and shapes. Popular Souvenir Plates has captured the versatility of the souvenir plate with examples that date from the 1880s through the present. More than 530 color photographs document plates depicting all fifty states and Canada, along with a sampling of European designs, each with its current market value. The work of American firms represented are Harker Pottery, Homer Laughlin, Kettlesprings Kilns, Edwin M. Knowles China Co., Sabin Industries, Salem China Co., Syracuse China Co., Vernon Kilns, and many others. The work of noted English potters such as Staffordshire, Adams, Jonroth, and Rowland and Marsellus are present. A chapter on foreign plates shows a variety of foreign-made souvenir ware including the beauty of "Made in Bavaria" and "Made in Germany" souvenir plates. This book and price guide is a valuable reference for anyone with an interest in souvenir plates.

This is the most comprehensive guide to collecting fire-related antiques available, presenting a fascinating collection of functional items like helmets, parade trumpets, fire extinguishing grenades, alarm boxes, and lanterns. It also offers ranking and ceremonial effects such as badges, trophies, medals and awards, and ephemera that celebrate the culture and mystique of firefighting, including toys, artwork, movie posters, and much more. Forgotten relics, such as firefighting adventure novels, show the enormous amount of respect and admiration society has had for firefighters. Covering colonial times to the present, with a brief historical introduction, this authoritative reference serves hobbyists and the most serious collectors of "firematics." Nearly 700 color photographs are inside with detailed descriptions and up-to-date pricing information.

Be transported back to a Golden Era in Miami history. Nearly 250 mid-century postcards portray bikini-clad tourists, tropical cabana nightclubs, and beaches crowded with basking vacationers, along with the private yachts, the fragrant orange groves, and the colorful flamingos, flowers, and neon splendor of the region.\nArchitecture fans, preservationists, and historians will delight in these views of the city and its fabulous hotel resorts developed in the 1920s and \30s. These tourist destinations embodied the Tropical Deco style -- an aesthetic that combined streamlined Art Deco with the exotic elements that were locally inspired. These images also illustrate the re-birth of streamlining in the 1950s, and the creation of the city\s treasured MiMo or Miami Modern style. Many of these treasured architectural landmarks are now lost to further development. \nThe "Miami Magic" that drew the rich and famous then, still caters to droves of Americans and Europeans who flock there by land, sea, and air. Here is a fantastic mini-history of the city and its allure.