A collector's first guide
589472
Buying this book I was hoping to get a detailed portfolio of soviet uniforms, with detailed photographs and descriptios. Referring to guide books in vietnam era reenacting/collecting I find Desmond's book a little chaotic however shoving superb quality photos. In my opinion the book lacks full photos of uniform - you see only shirt front or whole silhouette of a soldier - no details of pockets, trouser's legs, flaps, etc - alle these little facts that make difference when you're a collector.

This book is a useful guide for a newbee ora somebody with little knowledge. I'd throw in more additional "era" photos, and more detailed descriptions.

Anyway the book is worth it's price and I hope it's going to motivete another autor to enlighten the subject with a larger album.
2778225
First Day Cover Collecting has become a MAJOR facet of the Stamp Collecting world over the past 100 Years, and is perhaps more popular now, than ever.

Michael Mellone's 2007 U.S. SCOTT First Day Cover Catalogue and Checklist is a MUST for FDC collectors.  And besides being a standard Pricing Catalog for virtually all U.S. Stamp issues from the beginning, this little tome also answers all the critical questions about the Hobby; such as 'What is a Cacheted First Day Cover'?

The common 15 Cent Statue of Liberty Stamp, #696, from 1931 is worth $100.00 if it's cancelled first day of Issue on even a plain envelope.  People can find out JUST HOW VALUABLE FIRST DAY COVERS can turn out to be with Mellone's book!

I most highly recommend this Publication and the price won't cost you an arm and a leg either!

Scott Klynstra
Life Member #103
American First Day Cover Society
1470016
Very nicely presented book.  Photos are very good.  A great guidebook and reference for any collector's library.
679421
This is both a book for collectors , and a "coffee table" beauty. The photos are superb, the items selected are the "best of the best", and the narrative is well-written. Unfortunately, those items  missing from the book are the Favrile tiles and small pieces--jewelry,  scarabs; these are pieces that many collectors can afford and are still  available.
2430060
This brand new 176 page, beautiful, softbound 8 1/2 x 11" volume contains more than 400 very large, sharp, full color photos.  There is  plenty of background information included and year 2000 values.  Major  chapters include, History and Artistry of Limoges, Photo Journal,  Fabrication, The Box Itself, Old and New Tales, and a chapter For The  Collector. A comprehensive bibliography is provided and extensive lists of  sources, manufacturers' marks, and a very complete bibiography. A beautiful  and useful reference work.  This book certainly does not contain every  Limoges Box ever produced, but it provides information about many a box.  Limoges collectors will love this volume.
2623652
Full of useful information,  wether you are just starting out collecting or need a good reference guide.
4652075
This ambitious work is both an introduction to the history and inner workings of the collectable card game (CCG) industry and a handy compilation of facts and figures about every Magic: the Gathering (MtG) set printed from Alpha up to the Scars of Mirrodin expansion.

The first 40 or so pages describes the people behind a CCG, from designers to players, and provides some insight into what dealers know about how boxes of cards are organized that may benefit them in making the most profit and potentially leaving the consumer at a disadvantage. In a sense, the author tries to level the field so that collectors (or even the average consumer) can make informed purchases by realizing where they potentially can get shortchanged.  An aspect of this book that will keep it unique is the information about how Magic cards are produced on a sheet and then collated, with discussion about box mapping and parring. Actual mapping is provided for some sets.

The grist of the book, to put it in the author's words, is "The Reference Library," a repeating format that divulges a wealth of information about each set printed. For the player or collector (like me) who has been involved with the game since its inception in 1993, the information is more an exercise of review than one of discovery; however, the majority of players today have not been in the game since the 1990s, so this book will provide them with answers to some of the most pertinent questions.

Why not just look up info about sets on Wikipedia, you ask? The Card Wizard's Black Book contains perspective on the "value density" of sets, for starters. Additionally, a paragraph is written about the preconstructed decks of each expansion (debuting with Tempest), providing insight into whether the collector should keep them sealed or crack them for singles... the shortcoming being, of course, that this is all from one man's perspective in 2010. Although the maps in the book are referring to mostly long out-of-print and increasingly rare boxes, you would certainly be glad to have these maps if you can afford to buy boxes of such older sets (with the intention of opening them).

The book's primary weakness is that the dynamics of Magic the Gathering are changing constantly, so the author's notes about hot cards from each set are no longer a full reflection of the current market. Nonetheless, much of the information about "preferred" cards is still relevant.

Areas for Improvement: Not enough detail about Magic sets. Two paragraphs about each set is far short of what one could hope for. Additionally, how about answering some basic questions such as:  What languages was the set printed in? What slot are foils replacing in boosters? (in some sets the foil rare is in the rare slot, in other sets a foil rare replaces a common card slot, etc)

At nearly 400 pages, the book does provide information that will be useful for most any Magic collector. We can only hope that the author decides to pursue future printings.
862417
Every new collector or new auction seller should have this in their library.  There are so many nuances in glass ware.  This will be a definite help.
3845549
This book is great for the beginner or advanced collector! The information and graphics are wonderful! I will use this book for a very long time!
2329180
Although a paperback, this book gives the reader a clear and current depiction of many of the wonderful objects in the collection of the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts in Winston Salem, North Carolina.  It is a must as a reference guide for those who collect or want to begin a collection of good, early Southern furniture and folk art.
1680664
An excellent start to the hobby, but DM's will definitely need access to the larger guide and the answers within.
2062558
I have owned this book for about ten years.  I am an avid camera collector, and I (like the author) have been enamoured of UniveX cameras since I first got one as a child.  For those who are interested in the origin and history of items they collect, this type of reference work is a godsend.  Most people have no idea of the Universal Camera Company's impact on amateur photography in the U.S.  This book helps to remedy that situation.

Ms. Repinski has addressed the primary topics that interest most collectors.  First, she presents a very comprehensive history of the company.  Second, she describes the various products of the company, providing chronology, original pricing (in some instances), competitive circumstances, and actual photos from her extensive collection.  Third, and especially interesting for a book of this type, she makes use of the extensive papers of the company's Chief Engineer to describe the manufacturing processes and challenges involved in designing the products, compiling and listing all the patents awarded to Universal throughout its existence.  Fourth, she describes the business in detail, showing yearly income statements, and more importantly, describing the strategic decisions that were made by the company's management that ultimately led to its demise.  Fifth, she addresses the needs of the collector, rating all the products according to relative scarcity, defining the differences between various models and versions of each product.  Although the competitive and marketing aspects of the company's history are sometimes given short shrift, this volume will likely stand as the definitive study of a very interesting and influential company.
3882252
The author has put together a superb collection of unusual museums and  supplemented the listings with almost all the necessary details. In  addition to intriguingly written descriptions of the museums (which make  you want to visit pretty much everything listed), address and phone  information is included. Most listings for museums in small towns also  relate the location to the nearest major city. An appendix provides web  site and e-mail address, as well.
The only thing missing (as in most tour  guides, alas) is a map that pinpoints where these museums are in relation  to where you are (or where you're going). But given the descriptive  directions from major cities, and the organization by major geographical  region (and then by state), it's not too hard to figure out.
This is one  a must-consult volume for anyone taking to the road, or visiting a new area  of the country.
2731106
I thought this was a pretty good guide. The skill progression information was quite helpful. I did not follow everything they wrote, but it was nice information to have. I use the walkthrough maps after I run around each area on my own, that way I can get what I missed.

Anyway, the Collector's Guide is nice and heavy and well put together.
2088346
With the shutdown of MxO some game collectors (myself included) have been scrambling to pick up unused/unopened copies of MxO along with other items related to this game.

While the amount of stuff surrounding this title isn't vast, it's interesting to see how far they were going to advertise this game. There was going to be a series of MxO books that never made it past issue #1 (Matrix Online official magazine) The book has interviews from guilds that were in MxO at Beta..it's a unique bit of history that other games lack and the hope that people had for this game is an interestig read.

The strategy guide is huge. Listings for weapons/tools/clothing takes up more than half the guide. There are small stories on the NPC encountered in the game and some concept drawings too.

If you're a collector like me, it's worth grabbing it before sellers lose interest in selling.
529327
This book presents a wealth of information to collectors, sellers, & those who just love books.

As a value guide, the authors clearly state their goals as far as how to use the price information. It applies to the first printing of sepcific works (and the identification means for each publication are clearly listed) in very fine to fine condition. The authors also mention that the prices will be affected by lower & higher quality books. There are literally 6,000 books listed.

True, it's heavy into price values (listing prices in 1986, 1995 & 2000), which can provide some clues as to if you should hold onto that box of books in Aunt Ruth's attic, or for sellers wondering where to start the bidding, but this book also includes good solid information.

My favorite sections are "Book Collecting" & "What To Collect." This explains the lust for bound paper in a way that even your shoulder-shrugging-spouse will understand. It briefly gives credence to the 'why' of the animal that is 'book collector,' even if the books they relish are not the ones with the 4 digit values -- heck, it can give a book-outsider an idea why a book-insider adores the books so low in value, they do not appear in guides.

In "Knowledgable Buying," basic terms, details of conditions & ratings system, along with reprints, dustjackets etc, are explained, which will help budding bibliophiles, fiction fanatics & others who wish to learn how to talk the talk, perhaps effectively lowering prices at a flea market...

This also helps sellers price appropriately, not wasting their listing fees, turning inventory etc. But it also helps a well-intentioned-gift-giver from bringing you a box of books so horridly damaged, that the site of them makes you weep.  (But if they do, the section on how to take care of your collection might help!)

The book is organized in an easy to follow manner, allowing this book to be used quickly as a reference tool. But, again, I keep this book for more of the "meat" about collecting -- it covers information that passionate folks want to know, aside from price values.

(Consensed Review)
4131580
Krause Publications has been releasing comic-book price guides for
many years and the process has been one of constant evolution. The
company's most recent effort is Comics Shop [$24.99], a hefty full-
color trade edition by Comics Buyer's Guide editors Maggie Thompson
and Brent Frankenhoff with ComicBase developer Peter Bickford. It
may not be comics' best-known price guide, but its nearly 900 pages
offers some things not found in Overstreet.

Comics Shop takes advantage of its color and slick paper to present
over 3000 color comic-book covers. Some of these covers are full
pages in the volume's introductory material and the rest are within
the price guide itself.

The introductory material mostly sticks to the basics: how to use
the book, frequently asked questions, market trends, and a heavily-
illustrated grading guide complete with examples of condition and
defects. But it also features two lively articles by Thompson: one
on recurring cover themes and the other on the great stories inside
comics. The articles in Comics Shop, even the "basics" pieces, are
much better written than in other price guides where, to my mind,
the writing tends to be dry, lifeless, and repetitive.

Rather than list estimated prices in a range of grades, Comics Shop
lists prices in near-mint condition with these prices derived from
"monitoring online sales, shop sales, and auction sales." Included
with the alphabetical listings are entertaining and often enticing
summaries of thousands of comics titles. I'm just through the "A"
section and have already found several series I would love to read.

Bickford is the creator of ComicBase, "the most comprehensive and
critically acclaimed software for comics collectors." This price
guide benefits mightily from his work.

Thompson and Frankenhoff - full disclosure here - are dear friends
of mine and two of the very best editors I've ever worked with in
my nearly forty-year comics career. Their experience and way with
words make Comics Shop an incredibly useful resource that is also
a delight to read.

Overstreet might be the standard for comic-book price guides, but
Comics Shop is a worthy competitor. I think comics collectors and
fans benefit from having both books.

For decades I've been reviewing comics and related items in "Tony's
Tips," which leads off the review section in every monthly issue of
Comics Buyer's Guide. If I were reviewing this book there, I would
give it the full five out of five Tonys.

 2010 Tony Isabella