With over 6000 items listed, this is the most comprehensive guide to Batman (R) collectibles ever assembled between two covers. Nearly 300 color photographs accompany the informative articles and detailed price guide listings. Highlights include a Comics section which lists every comic book in which Batman has appeared from his debut in 1939 through to the end of 1997, plus a Figures section which lists all of the various Batman action figures. Covering everything from Artwork to Videos, and price ranges from 15- to $150,000, this book is a must for any Batfan or student of popular culture.

This is a pioneering study of bookends. Through 600 color photographs, bookends are displayed from their beginnings in 19th-century Europe, through their development in 20th-century America. Bookends are practical sculpture, and therefore reflect many of the artistic movements of their day; Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, Art Deco, International, folk art and traditional styles are covered here in depth. Bookends made of metal, wood, glass, and ceramics are shown, including a selection by Roycroft, Bradley & Hubbard, Roseville, and Rookwood. Information is provided about the sculptors who designed bookends, and about the foundries that produced their work. Promotional bookends made for advertising purposes are shown, as are handicraft and folk art pieces made by book lovers throughout the century. The bookends are indexed according to subject and manufacturer for easy reference. A current market price is provided for each design.

Before plastic handles and asbestos oven mitts retrieving items from a hot oven was difficult and moving a hot kettle could be hazardous. What options were there? Pot holders! During the 1940s and 1950s, hand crocheted pot holders became an artistic staple in kitchens across America. From simple circles to recognizable objects, mothers and grandmothers created pot holders to use, to give away, and to sell at bazaars. In this colorful book, Gay & Gifty Pot Holders, hundreds of examples are pictured, explained, dated, and priced. Collectors and dealers alike will appreciate the comprehensive look at an art form few know how to create, but so many enjoy collecting. 260 color photos illustrate a wide variety of pot holders, and concise captions provide information and current values. Whether you buy pot holders to use, display, keep, or sell, you will appreciate Barbara Mauzy's thoroughness on another aspect of kitchen collecting.

Beautifully illustrated and extensively researched, this is the most complete guide ever published on this popular area of Coke tray collecting. Classic trays from 1897 through the 1960s are here, as well as recent trays from the 1970s through 1999, many never before published. In addition to over 370 trays from the United States, there are over 80 Canadian trays, over 60 Mexican trays, and over 60 trays from Italy, Germany, and several other countries. Also, over 45 trays feature the wonderful Haddon Sundblom Santa Claus ads, shown with additional photos of the original magazine ads. In all, 517 Coca-Cola trays are pictured, with 65 more identified and described. Each tray description provides the name; issue date; shape and size; origin of the tray image; manufacturer, distributor, and quantity produced where known; country of issue; dollar value, and more. The book's unique price guide incorporates up-to-date expert pricing as well as final sale prices from over 5,000 Internet auctions of Coke trays. Destined to become the classic volume on Coke trays, this book is a must for all collectors of Coca-Cola memorabilia.

These thick-walled, asymmetrical, and freeform pieces are a visual feast, presented in a rich format with 563 color prints sure to delight anyone interested in Tiffin glass, fifties glass, art glass, or just wonderful examples of modern decorative arts. Valuable information including color and optics identification guides will make this book a hit among Tiffin glass collectors and help introduce many to the modern designs of this important American glass company. Some of the pieces look like Steuben and are of the same high quality. Others are easily mistaken for fifties Scandinavian glass because creative and talented Swedish glassmakers worked in Tiffin, Ohio at mid-century.

A fascinating and scholarly look at the machines that revolutionized office communication from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Nearly 700 color photographs display mechanical typewriters produced by Adler (TM), American (TM), Corona (TM), Grundka (TM), Hall (TM), Monarch (TM), Remington (TM), Royal (TM), Smith Corona (TM), and many others. An overview of the historical development of the typewriter includes patents and brief histories of the manufacturers. Additionally, a detailed bibliography, index, and current market values in the captions are also provided. Set designers, historians, and typewriter collectors will learn how technical developments changed the designs through the decades.

Over 1300 brilliant color photos and 1000 line drawings display whiskey shot glasses from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, both domestic and foreign. Many styles and materials are included that advertised whiskies and drinking establishments from elegant to common taste. Collecting them is fun and entertaining, for they represent many diverse places, periods, and social preferences. The text provides a useful history of shot glasses, a general guide to pricing, and an overview of the marketplace. Values for the glasses displayed accompany the captions. In addition, tables list thousands more, each described, dated, and valued. This book will be a valuable addition to the libraries of glass collectors and whiskey lovers alike.

This book captures a rich part of our textile history. With over 300 delightful photographs, it presents an array of vintage and antique tablecloths from the '40s and '50s. The brightly colored fruit and flower designs, Mexican motifs, ivy and foliage prints, and Pennsylvania Dutch-influenced patterns are sure to whisk you back to Mom's or Grandma's kitchen. Also included is a section on specialty cloths, and pricing and captions appear for each item shown. How could anyone resist this terrific resource for collectors, antique dealers, designers, and all who love and appreciate vintage fabrics and textiles?

This is the fourth volume of the definitive reference series dealing with commercial bronze sculptures in the period 1800 to 1930. This period spans the rise and decline of commercial industrial foundries in Europe, especially in France, and a wide array of international sculptors. Together, they produced millions of fine statuettes for the general public. With this reference series, collectors will be able to identify many of the old commercial bronzes found on the market today.

From the end of the Civil War until the explosive popularity of the cigarette in the early twentieth century. the cigar was king. For the pleasure and convience of cigar smokers a wide variety of smoking accessories were manufactured, including cigar cutters and lighters. The cutters range from simple vest pocket models to ingenious mechanical contraptions that would occupy a prominent place on the counter of the local tobacconist. In between are beautifully sculpted Vienna bronze and wooden desk models. In many cases these are combined with lighters, to offer the smoker full-service convenience. The lighters range from alcohol dips to electric devices. They are sometimes cast as stunning figures or are elegantly formed lamps, using blown glass or pierced tin. Beautiful color photographs document these wonderful objects, accompanied by concise, informative descriptions. The text places the cutters in their historical context and contains helpful information. A value guide is included.

Whether you play golf, collect golfing memorabilia for the sake of a good investment, or simply enjoy the Ralph Lauren look, Collectible Golfing Novelties presents it all. The author displays old clubs and equipment, as well as magazines, books, smoking and bar accessories, jewelry, figurines, games, pottery, and more! Find out who the golfing greats were and expand the knowledge and appreciation of your collection through a wealth of photographs offered in the book. Over 500 years of golf memorabilia is presented in full color in a complete and organized manner. Over 500 photographs render a classic game with overwhelming collectibles. Don't miss it. Includes a price guide for collectors.

Stunning images, thorough research, and exclusive material make this a book for many audiences: those who enjoy collecting Haeger, Stangl, or Fulper as well as those who enjoy reading history and good prose. For the Haeger collector, there are three lavishly illustrated price guides, a detailed account of Haeger's early artware production, and profiles of four of the companies' lead designers. Royal Hickman fans will find his profile to be the most extensive account of his life yet printed, including information on his work before, during, and after Haeger. Also, included are never-before published sketches of his Haeger creations. For the Fulper and Stangl collector, there is exclusive material that provides a detailed account of the "Haeger-Fulper Connection" as well as never-before published sketches made by Martin Stangl while at Haeger. There are a battery of Fulper images not seen in print in more than half of a century. Even the most serious Fulper collector should find much "new" material here.

Rug hooking has been part of American women's household tasks for a long time. In southeast Pennsylvania, frugal sewers saved and shared their textile scraps to create useful, pretty rugs, especially in the late 19th and 20th centuries. To document the region's hooked rug arts, The Heritage Center of Lancaster County conducted the Lancaster County Rug Harvest from 2004 to 2006, which culminated in their lavish exhibit, "Rags To Rugs, Pennsylvania Hooked and Hand sewn Rugs," in 2007. This book serves as a permanent record of these rugs, the Rug Harvest, and the exhibit.The book documents each step and evolving techniques to design, make, sell, and use hooked rugs. It features regional details to look for and credit to many talented people who contributed to the art and its heritage. Over 170 color photographs display the designs, from abstract to botanical and pictorial, and illustrate the styles. Many families have shared this tradition in their homes and proudly display, use, and collect them today. They will find the descriptions here fascinating, and may be inspired to carry the skills forward to future generations.

This book recreates the ambiance of the ocean liner era by showing the actual objects used on board. Each piece of ocean-liner memorabilia is like an Aladdin's lamp, releasing wondrous memories of that grand style of travel. Beginning in the late 1890s, shipping lines forged their identities by commissioning unique furniture, china, silverware, glassware, vases, ashtrays, playing cards, menus, and stationery. These types of items characterized the different ocean liners, from the Normandie with her elegant Art Deco furnishings, to the stainless steel gleam of the S.S. United States, to the old-world luxury of the Queens.

Cigarette lighter collecting has quickly become a very popular hobby throughout the world. Here, at last, is accessible information for the collector. Over 500 lighters are illustrated in full color. They are shown in alphabetical order of their makers and by date within each company. The available historical data is presented clearly and concisely. The lighters are unusual and interesting. They include examples from well-known companies like Dunhill, Ronson, and Zippo as well as companies whose names are lost in smoke. The reader receives an "across the board" look at what is available today and what we think will be sought in the future. A guide to prices is included.

'The cultural history of the mirror is fully explored by Sabine Melchior-Bonnet. The book marries science and art, literature and philosophy.' - New York Times

'This erudite meditation ... reveals how significantly the mirror has influenced Western culture ... this beautifully illustrated study offers so many intriguing glimpses into the meanings of reflection that it will reward anyone who peers beneath its surface.' - Publishers' Weekly

Zippo lighters that advertised automobiles are featured here in 673 photographs and illustrations along with plenty of identifying information. These unique specimens of Americana were highly prized by their original owners and are appreciated with equal enthusiasm and respect by today's collectors. The logos and images of cars on the lighters range from familiar Fords and Chryslers to lesser-known Bricklins and Tuckers. Imports, trucks, and companies supporting the auto industry all are immortalized. These highly collectible Zippos date from mid-to-late twentieth century, the earliest being a 1938 model. Also included are histories of the Zippo company, insight on the automobile companies, tips for the care and restoration of lighters, and an examination of the decorating techniques. Current market values for the lighters shown are in the captions.

POW! ZAP! eeEEYOW! This is the exciting world of comic book hero toys. From TV to comics, we loved them all and wanted everything connected with them. The roll call includes banks, board games, dress-up costumes, cups, model kits, and so much much more, with the images of Captain Action*T, Superman*T, Batman*T, the DC Comics Super Heroes*T, Spider-Man*T, and the Incredible Hulk*T. Just to mention a few! The great villains were as interesting as the great heroes, no matter how we pretend otherwise--so they're here too. Baby Boomers remember it all fondly and super hero fans of all ages will drool. Over 700 color photos and a complete price guide are included.

Keen Kutter is the most respected name in cutlery collectibles and pocket knives. This comprehensive volume contains a complete listing, detailed description, date, and value for every Keen Kutter pocket knife shown in Simmons Hardware Company catalogs since the adoption of the Wedge and Bar Keen Kutter logo in 1905. Here are Outing, Scouting and Cigar Cutter pocket knives; New England Whalers, California Budding knives, Kattle, Electrician, Physicians, and Karpenter knives plus many more. Illustrated with over 1100 original catalog illustrations, this volume is destined to become the pocket knife collector's bible. The descriptions are taken directly from Simmons catalogs. General descriptions of the parts of a Keen Kutter pocket knife are provided for each numbered knife. The book is the definitive guide to Keen Kutter pocket knives.

This third volume by Larry Carey and Sylvia Tompkins focuses on character salt and pepper shakers. Featured in this book are popular television, movie, and cartoon characters. Also included are well-known mascots or symbols, such as the Loch Ness Monster and Smokey Bear. A large part of 1003 Salt & Pepper Shakers focuses on characters created by Walt Disney. The color, size, manufacturer, design variations, and value range for over 700 examples of character salt and pepper shakers is provided.

The cheerful design of household items which depict black people have made them collectible to a wide group today. Prompted by nostalgia and memories of warm households peopled by loving black hands, these kitchen tools with cute expressions so pleasant to have around are used as decorations in many homes. And in the collecting world, they are becoming popular. The legend which started Aunt Jemima pancakes is told and illustrated with many different variations of her image. Over 250 color photographs of spice shakers, tea sets, toys, match safes, books, ash trays, advertising cards, wall plaques, vases, etc. depict the diversity of items made with images of black people as the main design. Patent drawings of many designs are reproduced here from the archives of the U.S. Design Patents office. A price guide is included for quick references.

This book is a marvelous, lavishly illustrated jaunt through one hundred years of handbag history. Decade by decade, examples of the main trends are illustrated, along with samples of the eras' most remarkable and unusual high-quality pieces. Information and a price guide are provided to help modern collectors in their searches for wonderful examples. Significant manufacturers and designers are discussed, and interesting historical information is provided. The handbag is an essential accessory for the 20th century woman. Since 1900, the outside of handbags has become just as important as the inside. They are no longer just utilitarian accessories but have become fashion statements! Designers have been inspired to create beautiful bags to match or express every fashion movement through the century. Many of these handbags are works of art.

With a growing interest in ethnicity, there has also been an increasing interest in the study of material culture, as a means of explicating traditional and popular culture. Moreover, the decades leading up to the Columbian Quincentenary have been marked by the establishment of new Italian American museums, cultural centers, and archival collections. This timely publication, the fourth in Greenwood's series of Material Culture Directories, complements existing Italian American and Italian Canadian bibliographies and guides to collections by focusing on material culture and photographic collections, historic sites, and festivals. Following an introductory overview, chapter 1 provides information on objects, photographics images, and, in a few cases, oral histories held by museums and other repositories in the United States and Canada. Chapter 2 lists churches, houses, commercial buildings, wineries, monuments, a few towns and neighborhoods, and other sites associated with Italian American history. Entries range from Manhattan's Casa Italiana to the Italian Rock ovens in Washington State. Chapter 3 covers over 100 religious feasts and secular festivals in which material culture or foodways play an important part in the lives of Italian Americans. Each chapter is arranged alphabetically by geographic location. The work concludes with a selected bibliography and name and subject indexes.