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 Most of the wares presented here are previously unpublished pieces that today are considered genuine works of art.

This invaluable guide is not only a basic reference, but an identification tool that can be taken to auctions, shows, exhibits, and antique shops. This revised sixth edition includes a newly updated value guide, the catalog names for various shapes in cut glass, and the identity of 280 patterns of American and Canadian glass by catalog name. Many patterns are identified for the first time. It points out 130 cut glass pieces by company signatures, patent records, and magazine advertisements. In addition, this revised edition shows you how to analyze a pattern by finding the miter outline and matching it and the motifs to an illustration or picture in a catalog or book. It gives practical advice for buying and collecting unidentified pieces and answers questions on acid polish, repairs, investments, insurance, upgrading, and selling a collection. Over 900 exquisite photographs were taken expressly for this book. No collector, dealer, or appraiser will want to be without it!

Beautiful glass scent bottles made in Czechoslovakia during the 1920s and '30s were produced to please a variety of tastes, decors, and pocketbooks. Today, these tiny artistic treasures possess an Old World charm that endears them to collectors. This book combines over 500 gorgeous, full color photographs with period catalog images to provide a comprehensive study of the many styles and shapes of Czech perfume bottles. Featured are "dangle" bottles, cut glass bottles, filigree caged bottles, hinged bottles, micro bottles, intaglio designs, figurals, multiple sets, atomizers, and more. Includes a review of cap styles, valuable information regarding copies and reproductions, collector tips, and current values. Experienced and new bottle collectors will find this book delightful and intriguing.

Slip into the romantic world of a private dressing room. Here fancy and jeweled perfume bottles, powder jars, trinket boxes, hairbrushes, mirrors, and matching trays in sets of up to twenty items cover a dressing table or dresser top. Cosmetics, scents, and tools of beauty wait to transform mere mortals into memorable personalities, day in and day out. This book explores the feminine, fragile, and alluring vintage accessories that are collected today by many seekers of romance and history. Beautiful dressing table accessories convey an aristocratic atmosphere that has been popularized in film. Here are hundreds of elegantly designed matching dressing tools in metals, plastics, enamels, and glass presented in boxed, travel, and manicure sets. Even special boxes, lined with luxurious fabrics housing items for individual boudoir tasks, are included. Over 340 color photographs, including over 100 authentic catalog pages, are on display. They accurately portray the magnificent creative skills and use of fine materials for each elegant and glamorous item that has been carefully cherished and preserved throughout the years.

Intended for the avid collector and the armchair enthusiast alike, this title provides details and photographs on a selection of the ceramic figures from Staffordshire. First made in the 18th century, they continue to attract attention and information provided here should aid building a collection.

Commemorative Coca-Cola Bottles are a hot subject on the collectibles market. Most of the modern hobbleskirt commemorative Coca-Cola bottles have been produced since 1991, and the miniatures only since 1993. Because they are so recent and so widely available, many people are beginning to collect them. This is the first price guide ever written on the subject that includes color photographs. More than 1,100 color photographs have been used within eleven chapters, and a brief history of the bottles in the beginning will lead you through page after page of Coca-Cola bottle collecting delight. Every bottle from the 3-inch high miniature bottles to the tall 10-ounce bottles have been covered, following their production year by year. All of the details are here, including price ranges. This book is a must for all dealers, shop owners, and bottle collectors.

The Heisey Glass Company introduced the beautiful Orchid Etch pattern (507) in 1940. It was a huge hit and became one of Heisey's most admired and successful etched designs, one of three remaining designs when Heisey closed its doors in 1957. Because Orchid was an etching pattern, it is found on a wide variety of Heisey shapes and designs, from stemware to serving pieces, and candlesticks to boxes. Among the Heisey lines on which Orchid etch was used are Cascade (142), Princess (5089), Waverly (1519), Empress (1401), Fern (1495), and Heirloom (5026). The beauty of the Orchid etch pattern has attracted many collectors since its inception, and now, at last, there is a book dedicated to it. With over 260 pieces illustrated, most with wonderful color photographs, the broad range of Orchid etching is covered. A complete description is given for each piece, which includes not only the shape, but the dimensions, and the current value. Heisey collectors and all who appreciate the beauty of glass will love this new book.

During the Great Depression, glass companies turned to machine made methods to produce inexpensive, colorful glass for the table and kitchen. Green was a popular color for this glassware and its popularity is very evident today among collectors. This book, the first of its kind to extensively cover only Depression Era green glass, contains over 250 color photographs illustrating a wide variety of pieces. Examples of forty-six patterns and brief histories of the glass companies are included, along with a chapter of incidental pieces from such firms as Anchor Hocking, Bartlett-Collins, Federal, Hazel-Atlas, Imperial, L.E. Smith, U.S. Glass and others. Authors Monica Lynn Clements and Patricia Rosser Clements have created an indispensable guide for all who collect Depression Era glass and enjoy the beauty of green glassware.

Swirl marbles comprise one of the largest categories of antique handmade glass marbles and come in many distinct and eye-catching types, ranging from banded and clambroth swirls to latticinio core and ribbon core swirls. With over 850 vibrant color photographs, this book displays swirl marbles in their many engaging types. The text explains swirl marble types, provides tables of current market prices, and directs collectors to marble clubs and meets across the country. This attractive and interesting book is a must for all who collect glass and are fascinated with marbles.

Stained glass has long been a part of domestic architecture, but in the late 1800s its popularity soared. In part, this was due to new manufacturing techniques and distribution networks, but also it caught the imagination of Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Arts and Crafts designers around the world. Here over 350 examples of architectural stained glass span several countries and many years. The styles range from Victorian intricacy to the geometry of the Prairie School. This second edition includes etched glass and beveled constructions, in addition to leaded windows. Each piece is illustrated in color, with dimensions and current market values. Today, stained glass, both old and new, is again finding its way into the home. It makes a delightful accent in a transom or a glorious complete wall. This book will help readers understand and appreciate many varieties of old stained glass, and will inspire new work by artists.

Charlot Byj created her famous redheaded children and other figures as greeting card illustrations. In the mid 1940s her work caught the attention of the Goebel Company, the makers of Hummel figurines. At Goebel her characters took on three dimensions, and now they are sought by collectors around the world. The Redheads, the blonde series, and other Byj creations for Goebel are presented here, making this a comprehensive volume. Nearly every figure is shown in a beautiful color photograph. Current values are given with each photograph, and there is a history of values on the secondary market, beginning with 1957. A wealth of information is given to make this a truly valuable book for collectors of these delightful figures.

This gorgeous book showcases more than 600 Vaseline glass items made from the mid-1800s to the present day. Shown in full color are eye-catching fluorescent vases, pitchers, salts, bowls, lamps, goblets, baskets, epergnes, perfumes, and many other forms of this unique glass. Informative captions provide pattern names, circa dates, manufacturers where known, dimensions, and current values. Also features background information on the history and production of Vaseline glass, how to recognize reproductions, a glossary, and tips for purchasing and displaying your collection. A beautiful reference that will be enjoyed for many years to come!

This book provides a review of the history behind colorful Depression glassware, descriptions of specific pieces along with their values, and information on how to collect and display Depression Glass. Illustrated with over 300 color photographs, individual chapters highlight premium giveaways, children's sets, unique pitchers and pitcher sets, butter dishes, serving pieces, the decorated Swanky Swigs, reproductions, and much more. Also included are a vocabulary list, updated values, a review of important glassware companies, and a bibliography. This book is an excellent guide for all lovers and collectors of Depression Glass.

The Napoleonic era has been called the age of the military tailor because of the colorful and ornate uniforms of this period. Using a clearly photographed and captioned step-by-step approach, Mike Davidson guides the reader through the process of assembly, painting and display of a commercially produced figure. Mike brings these highly detailed miniatures to life using a combination of hobby paints and oils. He also provides formulas for mixing a variety of Napoleonic uniform colors. While applied to a particular figure, the lessons and techniques learned from this book will enhance any Napoleonic figure the reader may choose to paint.

Displayed in 900 beautiful color images are the Fenton Art Glass special order items produced from 1980 to today, ranging from baskets and chop plates to rose bowls and vases. These dazzling, much-coveted items were made-to-order for various companies, collectors' clubs, and individual customers. The company orders from Aladdin (TM), Anheuser-Busch (TM), Lenox (TM), and QVC (TM) are featured. The text includes brief histories of the ordering companies, clubs, and individuals, Fenton logos used, a glossary of terms, a detailed bibliography, and values in the captions. For those who seek Fenton's popular glass, this book is an essential reference.

Since its introduction to the American market in 1949, the distinctive blue and white dinnerware depicting Currier & Ives scenes has remained one of the Royal China Company's most popular lines. An essential resource for all levels of collectors, this is the first full color reference book to document the Currier & Ives dinnerware and its richly nostalgic American scenes. Each of the nearly 150 photos includes details of the shape and the size of the piece, describes the scene, and provides a value. History is also provided about Currier & Ives-the source of this dinnerware's decorative art-and about the Royal China Company. While the most popular color is blue, Currier & Ives dinnerware can also be found in other colors; this guide covers all details the connoisseur needs to know.

222 different glass perfume bottles, 81 peg stoppers, and 91 various jars made 1910 to 1925 by Diamond Glass shown in clear drawings. Includes glass mould numbers, sizes available, weight per gross, and estimated prices without lables. Original labels on bottles will bring considerably more.

This handbook provides hundreds of clear color photographs and fascinating stories which reveal volumes about each fragrance, far beyond the size of the bottles. These miniature bottles are popular collectibles today and this useful book contains information to satisfy the most discriminating taste. Fragrance names, their creators, launch dates, bottle and package designs and dimensions are all here, as well as a price guide in the captions to reflect today's fragrance market.

This new and improved edition is an essential and invaluable resource for every glass enthusiast, collector, researcher, and historian. It contains over 4,200 alphabetized definitions of glassware, colors, processes, materials, forms, decorative styles, pattern motifs, noted artisans, companies, and designers, from antiquity to the present. The glass world now has an necessary resource that remains up-to-date and unique in its field. This clear, concise, and easily readable guide includes both highly technical jargon and common terminology. The thorough use of cross-referencing between related subjects provides an extensive overview of specific glass-related topics.

In the 1950s, the Wade potteries of England and Ireland became famous for the miniature ceramic figurines sold under the Whimsies name. Decades later, Wade is still producing Whimsies and they are popular with collectors of all ages. Over 800 striking illustrations, mostly in color, detail the sets of Whimsies, along with their presentation boxes, advertising literature, and flyers. Over 160 black and white photos display the Wade makers' marks. The Tom Smith Party Cracker figurines, miniature village sets, premiums, and promotional figures are depicted and color and size variations are noted. Current values are found in both US dollars and UK pounds. Everyone who enjoys ceramic miniatures will treasure this book.

Graceful okimono figures in many forms, dating from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, are the primary focus of this book, while scholar's brush holders and wrist rests, cricket cages, card cases, match holders, sword hilts, and scabbards are also presented. Finely carved ivory from China and Japan is featured here, along with artist's signatures, in over 600 beautiful photos. An engaging text explores the history of the ivory trade from East to West, quoting nineteenth century European travelers' encounters with Japanese ivory carvers and merchants. Folk tales provide insight into many of the figural characters represented and beliefs they personify. This book will be treasured by all who enjoy finely crafted art.

An extravagant array of miniature perfume bottles fills these full-color pages, pure rapture for those who love scent, beautiful glasswork, and the mystique of the truly elegant. While collectors of full-sizes perfume bottles have always found a place for a few choice "minis" on their shelves, these are a growing trend to specialize in these little beauties in their own right. From the Victorian era through the beginning of the 20th century, from the world wars through the 1990s, this book has it all! Over 600 brilliant photographs show every detail and each bottle is identified by fragrance, perfumer, size, and era. Significant glassmakers are discussed, and their works are identified. This book has bottle-by-bottle guide to current market values.

Breweries all over America have used character figurines and small shelf signs as highly effective point-of-purchase advertising to promote their brands of beer. Most commonly used from the end of Prohibition to the late 1960s, these now highly collectible items were generally made of plaster or chalk and are often referred to as statues. A wonderful array of such back bar advertising items is showcased here, including some of the rarest statues known. The description for each item includes the height, material(s) of construction, dates of use, and current value. Rare statues are identified. Also provided is a history of point-of-purchase advertising as related to the brewing industry, a review of the manufacturing process and the major manufacturers, plus valuable information on grading, pricing, repairing, reproductions, and more. This colorful and comprehensive book will serve as the reference of choice for all beer statue collectors and breweriana buffs.

Situated in Morgantown, West Virginia, the Seneca Glass Company (1891-1983) manufactured over 1,000 hand-blown and hand-cut crystal glassware patterns--that's more than any other glass company worldwide! This beautifully illustrated book showcases Seneca glasswares produced during the Victorian era, Depression years, and contemporary times in over 750 superior color photos. It gathers an amazing assortment of stem, bar, and tableware; rare, early, unusually large, and colored pieces; unbelievable place settings, and much more. Original company catalog pages and advertisements (vital for pattern identification), information on company history and years of production, a look at the techniques and necessary tools in glass making, a tour of the Seneca factory museum display, a price guide, and an index make this book the first to document the company's entire production range.

Since founding his firm in Selb in 1891, Philip Rosenthal Sr. endeavored with great success to join porcelain and art together. Using a variety of different design styles, Rosenthal produced porcelain service, figures, ornaments, and art pieces, each with the highest artistic quality worthy of fine collections. With over 350 beautiful pictures, this book provides a history of the Rosenthal family and company, a description of the entire porcelain production proces, artists' biographies, and tips for collectors. The stars of course are the pieces themselves. Current market values are given to help the collector.