The Collector's Encyclopedia of Buttons This is the best introductory guide to the world of buttons available. Clothing buttons of the 1930s, '40s, and '50s have become very important to today's collectors and this book makes identifying them possible. More than 3,000 buttons, covering all periods, materials, and manufacturers, are pictured, identified, and priced with newly revised current-day values. Its encyclopedic format enables information to be quickly and easily found.

1967 - Revsied 4th edition
Type: hardcover
Manufacturer: Schiffer  

100 New York Painters by Cynthia Maris Dantzic This stunning book is the long-awaited result of an extensive review of New York painters and their widely diverse works. It presents an overview of styles, mediums, subjects, even philosophies of art found in galleries, museums, and artists' studios of present-day New York, the oft-acknowledged Art Capital of the contemporary world. Although you may recognize the names and works of many, this company of 100 painters also features works by artists less celebrated, though no less deserving of attention. Expect to find recent works, as well as paintings from an earlier period of an artist's oeuvre -- as near as Kelynn Alder's "Coney Island," painted specifically for this book, and as distant as George Tooker's iconic allegory, "Subway," painted in 1950. Brief biographical sketches accompany each artist's work, providing insight into their emotional and philosophical connection with art as well as their schooling and accomplishments. Experience for yourself this visual feast showcasing the unique works of 100 gifted New York painters. This book is a must-have addition for the library of any art connoisseur and/or collector.

Book Details
ISBN: 0764325434
Size: 8 1/2" x 11"
Illustrations: 408 color and 17 b/w photos
Pages: 224

Binding: Hard Cover

New Book

 

The Kashmir Shawl Antique Collectors Club, England, 2004. Hard Cover. Book Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: Mint. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. This book tells the full story of the Kashmir shawl, how it migrated to Europe in the 1800s and how the key pattern of the boteh evolved. With its beginnings under the Mughal emperors in Kashmir, the industry continued under Afghan rule, with an explosion of new designs during the Sikh period, until it fell into decline under the rule of the Dogra Rajahs. Frank Ames, a textile dealer himself, stresses the importance of the French connection in the nineteenth century and the cross-fertilisation of ideas engendered by the strong demands of European fashion whose love of the Oriental produced the rival Jacquard shawl. Changing fashions at the end of that century saw the demise of the shawl. The shawls are classified by stylistic period and an illustrated guide is included in the book to show the chronological development of designs. This will help the collector to date shawls more accurately as the boteh changes from a recognisable flower blossom to an abstract symbol. Reference Book. Bookseller Inventory # 10749

 

Tiffany Desk Treasures - A Collector's Guide by George Kemeny & D. Miller Product Description
This comprehensive reference provides a history of Tiffany the man and of the wonderful desk sets produced by Tiffany Studios and Tiffany Furnaces; describes each pattern; illustrate representative examples; and lists the hundreds of known pieces with model numbers and current price ranges.

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Product Details
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Hudson Hills Press; 1 edition (April 25, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1555952178
ISBN-13: 978-1555952174
Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.3 x 0.7 inches


Manufacturer: Hudson Hill Press  

Mexican Popular Art by Wendy Scalzo Book Description

This insightful study of traditional Mexican clothing is based on authentic dolls made by folk artists in Mexico. With over 550 color photographs, it is a beautiful and comprehensive review that relates customs, language, music, and folk arts to a blending that is wholly Mexican and now its national culture. Men’s and women’s regional clothing is explored, including serapes, sombreros, Colonial dress, skirts, and shawls. Dolls, period photographs, and adult clothes present a visual story tracing variations that clothing has undergone from decade to decade. Today, people in all walks of life will find this refreshing look at traditional Mexican attire to be fascinating and inspiring.

Book Details:

ISBN: 9780764328879
Size: 8 1/2" x 11"
Illustrations: 370 color photos
Pages: 208
Availability: Now Available - New book
Binding: Hard Cover


Type: Hardcover
Manufacturer: Schiffer  

Netsuke by Mircea Leleanu Book Description

Netsuke, the carved toggles used to fasten a small container to a kimono sash, made from ivory, wood, porcelain,and more, are among the most popular Asian antiques. Over 970 vivid images of netsuke are shown, representing Japanese life, customs, religion, professions, art, history, and legends. The netsukes are organized by subject, allowing readers to rapidly find those that interest them most. The succinct text introduces, defines, and describes the various types of netsukes and helps identify the subjects represented. Additionally, important evaluating tips are provided, along with a bibliography. This book is a must for anyone interested in Oriental art.

Book Details
ISBN: 9780764328473
Size: 8 1/2" x 11"
Illustrations: 977 color photos
Pages: 256

Binding: Hard Cover





Type: Hardcover
Manufacturer: Schiffer  

Asian Ivory Book Description

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.

Book Details
ISBN: 9780764327285
Size: 9" x 12"
Illustrations: 618 color photos
Pages: 288

Binding: Hard Cover



Type: Hardcover
Manufacturer: Schiffer  

High Fashion Handbags Book Description

An essential part of the well dressed woman is her handbag. Here over 300 exquisite color photographs of handbags from the world's top fashion designers are brought together to vie for the attention of collectors, designers, and fashion gurus. See details of construction, designer logos, impeccable stitching, luxurious leathers and fabricated materials as components of high quality and high value luxury handbags in today's marketplace. Louis Vuitton, Judith Lieber, Fendi, Gucci, Chanel, Hermes, Roberta Di Camerino, Farragamo, Celine, Bottega Veneta, and more are all represented by many examples. Many designs are classics today, having survived competitive runway battles for a generation. Other designs are original, fresh, and challenging the classics for shelf space in boutiques and closets around the world. Read about some of the designers and savor the special handbags they carefully created. The designs are fun, elegant, and inspiring.
Book Details
ISBN: 9780764325083
Size: 11" x 8 1/2" - New Book
Illustrations: 325 color photos
Pages: 192
Author: Adrienne Astrolog & Nancy Schiffer
Binding: Hard Cover



Type: Hardcover
Manufacturer: Schiffer  

The Heritage of English Knives by David Hayden-Wright Book Description

This is the preeminent reference on antique English knives, written by one of Great Britain's most respected 20th century authorities on weaponry. The text contains much previously unknown historical information about cutlers and their art. Chapters and over 300 color photographs and hand-drawn illustrations cover the earliest history of Sheffield, England, a directory of 19th century cutlers' names, and many groups and types of knives, from the most humble penknife to magnificent exhibition pieces. The history of the famous American designed Bowie knife, manufactured extensively in Sheffield, is explained and amply illustrated. Discussions present multi-bladed sportsmen's pocket knives, farrier's, smoker's, quill knives, curiosities, and actual knives presented to King George IV in 1821. These appear along with a veritable kaliedoscope of craftsmanship. Quoting from the author's Acknowledgements, "Sheffield's legacy is not just in the tangible dust-covered records or faded photographs rescued from destruction, but in the living art form of their craft that endures and remains the symbol of what was the centre of the cutlery world for well over a hundred years."

Book Details
ISBN: 9780764326936
Size: 9" x 12"
Illustrations: 301 color + 20 b/w photos
Pages: 336

Binding: Hard Cover

Type: Hardcover
Manufacturer: Schiffer  

Double Barrel by Norbert Lkups Book Description

The fascination of a traditionally built, double-barreled gun can scarcely fail to attract a passionate hunter. For one thing, there is the perfection of handiwork in making clean-shooting guns, but also the spirit that emanates from these weapons. The double-barreled gun is part of hunting, and when you hold an old English gun in your hand, your mind's eye almost automatically conjures up visions of elephants, buffalos, or lions, great antelopes in the African scrub or rain forest, even if you are just hunting deer or wild boar back home. With the detailed engraving, beautiful grain, checkered stocks, and high finishes of many double-barreled guns, they are ideal for your hunting or dreaming. This book presents the double-barrelled gun in 272 beautiful photos and clear informative text that will captivate a hunter's attention and inspire the sport.

Book Details
ISBN: 9780764327483
Size: 8 1/2" x 11"
Illustrations: 272 illustrations
Pages: 208

Binding: Hard Cover

Type: Hardcover
Manufacturer: Schiffer  

Asian Ivory by Jeffrey Snyder Book Description

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.
Book Details
ISBN: 9780764327285
Size: 9" x 12"
Illustrations: 618 color photos
Pages: 288
Availability: Now Available
Binding: Hard Cover


Type: Hardcover
Manufacturer: Schiffer  

A World of Antique Phonographs Enter the fascinating and beautiful world of antique phonographs. Brimming with visual delights, this volume boldly goes into the priceless collections of dedicated enthusiasts from around the globe, documenting the amazing rarities and charming curiosities of the phonograph.
In this, their eighth collaboration for Schiffer Publishing, the award-winning authors have assembled over 400 full-color images of historic music machines, many never before photographed. The substantive text and captions add much previously unpublished information. Vibrant wood, shining brass, and fanciful decals are only the beginning. Wicker, glass, leather, gold leaf, and even seashells are to be found on some of the amazing antique phonographs within these pages.
For those new to this field, a price guide, glossary, and bibliography are included. Advanced collectors will appreciate the wealth of newly-revealed details.
Manufacturer: Schiffer  

Automatic Organs by Arthur W. J. G. Ord-Hume - New book Book Description

The worldwide interest in automatic organs is larger now than ever before. From delicate and musically sublime little organs contained in musical clocks of the type Mozart and Haydn composed music for, through to enormous and loud dancehall and street organs, the genre exists to please everybody and to suit all tastes.
This comprehensive, yet delightful and easy-to-read, reference unlocks the mysteries of mechanical versions of the King of Instruments and its smaller counterparts. 79 color and 538 black and white photos display examples from 18 chapters and six Appendices that specify how automatic pipe organs work, Italian water garden organs, barrel organs, orchestrions, and street and showground organs, as well as automatic organs of the 21st century and more. The list of makers, distributors, and inventors the world over has never been available before.
Now musicians, instrument collectors, owners, museums, and grateful audiences can explore the how, where, and why of these charming entertainers. The valuation and price guide includes a thoughtful discussion of the market and its variables.

Book Details
ISBN: 076432568X
Size: 8 1/2" x 11"
Illustrations: 79 color and 538 B/W photos
Pages: 480

Type: Hardcover
 

A Passion for Purses by Paula Higgins & Lori Blaser Book Description

Women's purses are uniquely personal statements. Many antique beaded, textile, and leather purses have survived as treasured collectibles and new styles are fashion icons.
This exquisite new book examines the passionate history, art, and design of antique, vintage, and contemporary purses in an informative and accessible format. Over 700 high quality purses were chosen from private collections, including Cora Ginsburg LLC, the premier dealer of antique textiles and costume in the United States. Many have never been published before, providing a fresh resource for collectors. Many pre-date 1860.
Chapters cover the history of purses; pockets; misers; chatelaines; fabric, tapestry, and needlework purses; leather bags; dance, compact, and evening purses; wirework and mesh bags; beaded purses; tortoiseshell, shell, and ivory styles; souvenir and even plastic purses; and unique and very rare examples. Detail photos show particularly unusual features. A section on beaded purse repair, by Terri Lykins and the Antique Purse Collector's Society, offers tips and a new opportunity for collectors. Each caption provides detailed descriptions and current values, and the extensive bibliography gives many resources for further reading.

New book


Type: Hard cover
Manufacturer: Schiffer  

Hooked Rugs Today by Amy Oxford , photography by Cynthia McAdoo The Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild has done it again, bringing us another delightful book showcasing works from their latest exhibition. Their 2006 rug show featured over 900 wonderful rugs, of which half are presented here and half in a companion volume. Enjoy rugs made by featured artists Michele Micarelli and Emily K. Robertson, as well as rugs depicting people, landscapes, fruit, cabbage roses, flower baskets, holidays, geometric designs, and animals (including dogs, horses, chickens, roosters, rabbits, fish, and many others). Purses and handbags, pillows, footstools, a tea cozy, and a crown are just a few of the unusual and creative hooked pieces found in the book. From traditional to contemporary, the results are both exciting and surprising. As one rug show visitor put it, "I never knew hooked rugs could look like THIS!" With over 500 stunning color images, this book captures the beauty of hooked rugs and celebrates the widespread love of this age-old craft.

New book
ISBN: 0764326363
Size: 8 1/2" x 11"
Illustrations: 502 color photos
Pages: 160

Binding: Soft Cover