Here is the first book written about collectibles from the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, including Esso, Humble, and affiliate companies. To complete this authoritative guide, the author enlisted help from other collectors and included photographs of their prized collections. The result contains photographs and comments about some items so rare that the only ones known are reproduced here for the first time-this may be the only time you will ever see them. Also photographs of common items are here with comments on their origins. Globes, pumps, cans, signs, map racks, banners, lighters, ashtrays, buttons, toys, knives, and credit cards all will bring back memories. Gas and oil memorabilia collectors and all those with an affection for Esso and Standard Oil Company of New Jersey memorabilia will want this valuable reference work.

Advertising Cutlery is the first-ever publication to deal exclusively with the subject of promotional knives. Containing over 400 detailed color photographs, this book explores over one hundred years of advertisements stamped into the sides of knives. In addition to the book's elegant photographic presentation, extensive captions and text give the reader the background information necessary for evaluating collectible advertising knives. Significant examples of advertising specimens are described in detailed stories. Evaluative schemes are included, and all captions contain accurate pricing information. Future trends are also discussed. This book is a must for all who are interested in knives, advertising, and collecting in general.

Emmons Fashion Magic was the first jewelry to be sold at home parties, between 1949 and 1981, preceding its sister company, Sarah Coventry. Known for its versatility and quality, Emmons jewelry is highly collectible today and deserves a place in all costume jewelry collections. 580 stunning, full-color photographs show, for the first time, the wide range of over 1,300 named designs in various materials and colors that has made Emmons fashion jewelry so popular. Here, over 1,700 jewelry items appear in groups arranged by their materials and colors, for easy identification. The markings and dating clues are discussed. Captions identify the design names, pertinent construction details, and values. Packed with details about the C. H. Stuart companies, their "showcases" (sales catalogs), and marketing via home fashion shows, this is the ultimate Emmons sourcebook and a must-have reference for all jewelry collectors.

When it's time for a move to a retirement home, a smaller home, or there's a death in the family, how should you manage a lifetime of family heirlooms and cherished possessions? Should that old chest go to the rummage sale, or is it a rare antique? What about jewelry, coins, stamp collections, china, silver, glass, memorabilia, baseball cards and toys? Are they valuable? How can we tell? Who will buy them? What are they really worth? This book is your key to finding the value of everything from diamonds to Teddy Bears, as well as tips about estate planning and appraisals. Find out all about: *the hottest collectibles markets and why some items skyrocket in price *how experts spot a valuable antique *where to get information used by professionals *selling at auctions, estate sales, and on eBay

This book represents the ultimate Hawaiian experience and art form: the Hula, through photographs taken in the 1880s and 1890s. These images were gathered by the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, Queen Liliuokalani (1839 -1917), who reigned from 1891 until 1893, and were presented in an album to her personal nurse as a token of her Aloha. For the most part, the photographs were previously unknown and unpublished, and represent some of the most powerful and poignant images of Hula known to exist. Several non-Hula images are among the photos, adding interest to the album's contents. A brief history of the Queen's fascinating life is included. Anyone who has felt the magic of Hawaiian Hula will enjoy this unusual book.

Attention all automotive and petroleum collectors: here is a new book focusing on the Continental Oil Company and its products. Conoco became well-established as an oil supplier during the era of the horse and buggy, and when the automobile craze began to sweep the country, Conoco was ready. It has been providing oil, automobile products, and assistance to travellers for one hundred and twenty years. With almost three hundred full-color pictures of filling stations, car products, promotional giveaways, and original advertisements, this book provides a fascinating glance at American history. It also contains detailed descriptions of Conoco motor oils, road maps, and `Touraide' travel programs, with tips on identifying and dating them. Each item pictured is described in detail, and a price guide is included.

Popular in the 1930s and 1940s, Bakelite has again become a material of choice for many collectors, and this is the informative guide that Bakelite enthusiasts have been waiting for! Barbara E. Mauzy provides a definitive look at Bakelite with almost 600 full-color photographs of thousands of pieces, including their descriptions and values. More than 40 categories of kitchenware are presented in this appealing volume that covers gadgets, flatware, napkin rings, children's utensils, and even some non-kitchen examples too colorful and fun to miss. This is the one, indispensable source of information on dating, manufacturers, and designs that is an absolute must for the dealer, the collector, even the non-collector. This bigger, better second edition includes a fascinating new chapter on Bakelite restoration that will make your pieces look brand new!

Take a magical mystery tour through time, following the trail of Beatles memorabilia left behind by the Fab Four from their early days in Hamburg, through the Ed Sullivan show, right up to the present day and "Anthology I." A dazzlingly wide range of collectibles parade across the pages of this colorful text in over 730 color photographs including records, posters, movie memorabilia, jewelry, books, and fan club mementos. New Beatles collectibles are fully addressed here for the first time. Included as well are a history of the Beatles and their later solo efforts, Beatles art work created by inspired artists, and newly revised values for all of the collectibles presented in the text.

Some of the earliest college and professional sports gear is presented in an easy-to-find, chronological format and 600 beautiful color photos. Chosen from the best collections in America, these fantastic relics tell the true story of the sports developing over 100 years to their present passionate status among fans of all ages. See survivors of the earliest games, including a baseball jersey from the 1870s, a football from 1885, and a basketball rim from 1910. Together with many balls, gloves, shoes, safety equipment, pennants, trophies, and other equipment from many teams, this comprehensive record will fascinate fans of all sports categories and inspire today's designers.

In this richly illustrated book, Richard Osterberg provides a thorough look at the sterling silver utensils which have entranced collectors throughout the years. The perfect complement to the crisp linen, fine china, and elegant crystal of a well-set dining table, sterling silver flatware by many of the most renowned makers and in the loveliest of patterns is pictured here. While sterling silver patterns can be simple or elaborate, this book clearly states their beauty.From delicate berry spoons to poultry shears, bouillon ladles, and carving sets, individual place settings and serving pieces, each is organized in chapters to make matching your pieces an easy task. This is the essential guide to all of the flatware shapes and forms, from common to obscure, used during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. A newly updated price guide and helpful research charts are included for use with your own collection.

This new volume focuses on nodder salt and pepper shakers with over 300 nodders as well as hundreds of early/discontinued Fitz and Floyd sets and Parkcraft sets, many of which have never before been shown in a book. All are shown in clear color photographs. This comprehensive guide includes for each set its identification, color, size, and design variations. A price guide is provided.

The diverse and lively crafts of today's Navajo people in the Southwest are investigated through this new all color pictorial presentation. The traditional arts are joined by several newly evolving crafts which all reflect the heritage of Navajo culture. The book presents several hundred all color photographs and explanations of the crafts in sections devoted to weaving, pottery, basketry, jewelry, dolls, sandpainting, wood carving, stone sculpture and fetishes. Overall, this is a celebration of the artistic talents of Navajo craftsmen.

Once seen, never forgotten: that's a Moss lamp! Plexiglas bodies, spun glass shades, and spinning figurines were radiantly combined to transform humdrum 1950s home decor into something extraordinary. Today, these marvels of modern design continue to spark the interest of collectors. This book offers the first-ever, in-depth look at the Moss company and its shining array of lighting products. It traces the Moss success story through exclusive interviews with family members and employees, 750 current and vintage product photos, and never-before-seen materials from the Moss archives. Also included are a product index, price guide, and detailed information on the many collectible figurines that graced Moss lamps, from such noted design houses as Ceramic Arts Studio, deLee Art, Hedi Schoop, and Lefton. An illuminating and lighthearted look at the lamps, it's ideal for anyone attracted to the fresh, fun side of brilliant '50s design!

Colorful, cheerful -- and in some cases downright funky -- vintage dinette sets from the 1950s to the 1970s will bring a nostalgic smile to your face. Presented through over 200 archival catalog images from the Lloyd Manufacturing Company (a subsidiary of Heywood-Wakefield), these sets feature casual seating in a myriad of wonderful styles. Here are "trimline" sets from the 1950s, pedestal base sets from the 1960s, Mediterranean style sets from the 1970s, and much more. Original catalog descriptions, model numbers, measurements, current price guide, and an index are all included. Pull up a chair and relax with this unique reference for vintage furniture collectors, designers, and all who love the retro look of the mid-century years!

Presented here in lively text and over 650 color photographs are the toys that have been played with and collected by ardent fans of George Lucas's Star Wars Trilogy for twenty years. The action figures, playsets, and spacecraft of the Rebellion and the Empire are displayed in a colorful and easily referenced format. The gaming equipment, model kits, playthings, promotional items, puzzles, and weapons produced from 1977 though 1997 are examined as well. Not stopping there, this sweeping survey includes an overview of the most popular items from the rest of the ever-expanding Star Wars collectibles universe. Prices are included in the captions; listings for toys both loose and mint in the package are provided whenever appropriate. Rounding out this practical guide are a short history of science fiction films, an examination of action figures, and a bibliography.

This clear and lively book, based on the understanding of collecting practice rather than collections themselves, provides an illuminating analysis of collecting as a major social and individual phenomenon in contemporary sociey. Pearce uses both qualitative and quantitative informaion to highlight the significance of collecting in relation to the cultural process, popular culture, contemporary attitudes to material culture, and the idea of collecting as a postmodern activity.

Hundreds of fascinating color photos reveal the wearable artwork created by today's top art jewelers of Europe, including one-of-a-kind necklaces, brooches, bracelets, rings, and earrings in gold, silver, mixed metals, glass, enamel work, found objects, and more. The artists are arranged alphabetically so readers may see the entire scope of their work on the page together. The artists provide personal statements about their work and its significance. These artists have created small sculptures that adorn the body and draw attention. This is the first book in the series to focus solely on the artists of Europe. Included among them are new artwork from artists readers have come to know in the previous volumes and an introduction to the work of artists whose jewelry has not been previously seen. This is a valuable guide to current trends in art jewelry design for buyers, jewelry enthusiasts, collectors, and artists alike.

This superb new reference book describes the most popular of these revolvers--Colt, Smith & Wesson, Sturm-Ruger, Taurus and others--in words and superb, high-quality photographs, documenting their design, technology, and how they shoot. It also describes what they can achieve in precision shooting and discusses trigger pull weight and groups. Double action revolvers--in which the trigger cocks and drops the hammer--are more popular and much favored by bodyguards and security service personnel, where having a weapon that is both inconspicuous and handy counts more than firepower or the quickest reload. These weapons are also favored by hunters who can get five or seven shots in a powerful caliber, even with a feather-light titanium "snub nose."

This beautiful book is the first to exclusively present what many agree are the very best of vintage household linens, the products of the Weil & Durrse Company of New York City, from the 1920s to 1984. Their Wilendur? and other brands reign above others in the collecting world for good reason. The bold and beautifully executed patterns stand out as art of the highest quality. Their inks and dyes, as well as their base fabrics, were exceptional. This book provides a brief history of the Weil and Durrse Company and descriptive text for over 250 different tablecloths in 120 printed designs. 425 color photographs display exquisite floral tablecloths, napkins, placemats, curtains, towels, aprons, and handcrafted items. This fascinating and important book is for professional textile designers, historians, dealers, and collectors alike

After more than two centuries, the process of opening a bottle of wine changed significantly in the 1970s with the introduction of the Screwpull. This is the story of the development and realization of one of the best devices in the world for removing a cork from a wine bottle, the Screwpull, and its inventor, Herbert Allen. Alongside hundreds of examples of experimental prototypes, patent drawings, and many production models, the story unfolds to reveal Allen's conceptualization of how the Screwpull should work and how imitation knockoffs affected his market. The story goes on to detail the events following Mr. Allen's death-the transfer of the company to LeCreuset of France and the production of new models. A beautifully illustrated and detailed history of this remarkable product, Screwpull is the perfect addition to the libraries of corkscrew collectors, product designers, those with good taste, and wine aficionados.

A collector's delight, this comprehensive volume is devoted to the wide variety of charming salt and pepper shakers produced by Goebel Porzellanfabrik*r of Germany, from the 1920s through the 1980s. Nearly 600 color photos display shakers and condiment sets in the forms of animals, birds, fish, people, flowers, fruits and vegetables, and more. Variations in color or size are included, as well as many scarce or rare sets. Captions contain identification numbers, artist's name where known, date of manufacture, and current market value. Also includes a helpful explanation of Goebel's numbering system, trademarks used from 1923 to the present, and tips for identifying and pricing Goebel sets. A wonderful resource for all collectors and admirers of novelty salt and pepper shakers.

This unique book presents vintage Recreational Vehicles (RVs) through 350 postcards. The text spans RV activity from the early 1900s through the 1970s, including many rare images from over 20 countries. Topics illustrated include early car and cycle camping, RV campgrounds from the 1930s through the 1970s, travel trailer advertising, Airstream, mobile homes, roadside RV scenes, amateur radio and RVing, and RVing humor. Values for the postcards are in the captions. Postcard collectors, RV enthusiasts, and history buffs now have a fascinating new treasury to refer to and enjoy.

From grand jardinieres to diminutive butter pats, this book features ceramic majolica that added vibrant color to every room of the home in over 450 brilliant color photographs. Majolica wares are organized here by the rooms (library, conservatory, drawing room, boudoir ...) in which they were used, including cake stands, comports, game pie dishes, oyster plates, platters, and strawberry servers, tea sets, humidors, match holders, garden seats, umbrella stands, vases, and an elegant chandelier. The major manufacturers from Britain, Europe, and the United States, including Minton, George Jones, Sarreguemines, Wedgwood, and Griffen, Smith & Hill are all well represented. \nA brief history of majolica, a detailed bibliography, and an index are included. Current market values are found in the captions.