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Title: Coins, Unusual World

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Read Introduction to Krause's latest Money guides first

Billed as the companion to the previously reviewed 2006 Standard Catalog of World Coins, I think this companion guide came about mostly for the concern of those trying to lift the already volumous aforementioned guide!

This guide does take a different path in coin collecting and focuses on the commercial releases (collectible) in the coin world versus the regular circulated coins. With a boom in the popularity of coin collecting, many countries have issued "fantasy" coins and this guide covers those along with other unique coins.

The guide follows the same format as the World Coin book along with a similarly comprehensive introduction section specifically tailored to the coins covered in this companion.

Bottom line - this is certainly a branch off of the traditional coin collector and it is an area that for investment purposes one has to be very careful. If you plan on making some speculative investments in these "fantasy" coins (often high Gold and Silver content) then you should do a little historical research to see how values have increased or decreased.

Of course the same goes for the "buy what you like" crowd but then it will come down to preferences and this guide will provide just the overview you'll need to narrow your interests.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: KP Books
700 East State St.
Iola, WI 54990-0001
(800)-258-0929 (consumers), (888)-457-2873 ext. 880 (retailers)

Book information: 2005, 515 page paperback, 8 1/4" x 10 3/4"
Author: Colin R. Bruce II
Price:$55.00

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Title: California Pottery Scrapbook Identification and Value Guide

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"Made in California"!, what the heck does that mean? We understand and recognize "Hull", "McCoy", "Roseville" and other marked pieces but all too often many of the pieces we come across are simply marked "Made in California" and quality and values can vary quite a bit.

The truth is that many of these pieces were, in fact, marked by the manufacturing company but many of the marks are done in ink, which wears off, or foil labels which come off over the years.

Because of the lack of identifying marks, the guide is broken down by decade which is generally easily identifiable based on the "look" of the piece. The author does a great job of providing tons of lost information on pieces that he and others have been lucky to find with markings intact and/or company history. Most of the pieces have a paragraph of descriptive/historic text along with retail market values and a rarity indicator when it is appropriate.

The guide covers the gamut of ceramic items including ashtrays, figures/figurines, vases, dishware and household decorative items. Detailed color pictures make the identifying process foolproof.

Bottom line - the value of this guide will likely become clear with your first few purchases of items that you may have previously passed up as "inferior" to the named/marked pieces. The revealing of this previously un/under documented information on a wealth of pieces is valuable to any level of collector or dealer.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: Collector Books
P.O. Box 3009
Paducah , KY 42002-3009
Orders: (800) 626-5420

Book information: 2005, 303 page hardback, 8 1/2" x 11"
Author: Jack Chipman
Price:$29.95

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Title: Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Memorabilia, A Collector's Identification and Price Guide for

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Ok, how do you legitimize a collecting habit gone out of control? Start a publishing firm! I understand, why do you think I'm in the business!

Full House Publications keeps it simple, all Civil War all the time. Though this is the first guide I've been sent by Full House, there are close to 30 other selections on the site all relating to various collecting areas within Civil War collecting.

The author has put this guide together to provide "a snap shot of many items.." and includes about a dozen chapters on various areas of interest within G.A.R. collecting such as Pins and Badges, Paper items and Fabric items. Don't expect comprehensive coverage on each area but as the author intended each section provides Black and White pictures along with brief descriptive text and values. Values quoted are an "average" of the value for prices in all venues (Shops, shows, Internet, etc.). Additionally, you'll get a small helping of history throughout the guide to put things in perspective.

Bottom line - a company devoted solely to books on Civil War collecting can't make the fact that this area of collecting is a broad one any clearer. Having general guides for you area of interest is certainly of value but having specific guides tailored to as small a category breakdown as your interests are are even more valuable.

This guide appears to be a good one for the beginning collector as an introduction to collecting G.A.R. items.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: Full House Publications
P.O. Box 67
Funkstown , MD 21734-0067

Book information: 2005, 98 page paperback, 8 1/2" x 10 3/4"
Author: Dennis M Gregg
Price:$20.00 + $4.50 shipping

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Title: She-Ra Collector's Inventory / Illustrated Price Guide

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One of the more useful guides we have in our library is a 3 volume set with fairly detailed information on action figures from A to Z. Unfortunately these guides have not been updated since their original release many years ago and despite the relative complete coverage, some figure series are missing and others are better covered than others. With action figure collecting the accessories are equally as important as the figures themselves and are easily separated from the figures over the years. The problem is recalling just what accessories accompanied the figures.

Priced Nostalgia has begun publishing inventory check list style guides to fill in the gaps left by these dated volumes, complete with a price guide. In the case of this guide, it is the first such guide covering the She-Ra collection to the best of my knowledge.

These guides are compact and meant to be thrown into your backpack or purse for easy reference at Flea Markets, Thrift Stores and yard sales where the best buys still present themselves if you know what to look for.

This guide provides full color pictures (75 of them) along with a description of the character and his/her role and a check list of the accessories that came with each figure. Pricing is provided for Mint in package figures, complete figures and "loose" figures without accessories.

Values provided are from completed auction site sales so take that into account when shopping/selling elsewhere. Pricing based on a snapshot of completed auctions at a given time is not without its flaws, just as with other methodologies. In the case of online auctions, timing comes into play. Do the buyers find the auction, are they away during the posting and other similar factors with regards to achieving the optimal buying audience. New buyers may show up and be interested in a single figure and may, therefore, be willing to pay more than the current market (completed auctions). This same effect to the final value (being high) may occur when a collector shows up for the final figure in his/her collection. He/She may be willing to go well beyond the norm to complete the collection.

Conversely, if no one is there the item may go unsold or sell for the opening bid. It is, after all, an auction and governed by the same principles that live auctions have for many years. Of course all of these factors roll right along with the normal market fluctuations that occur in all selling venues.

This is not to say that this methodology of pricing is wrong but just that it has unique potential pitfalls. As long as the authors specify their methodology for consideration I have no problem with most of them.

The guide also includes sections on outfit sets, playsets and mini comics.

Bottom line - just as with the aforementioned 3 volume set of action figure guides, this guide may not be one you use on a daily basis but it will be a guide you'll be happy to have when that She-Ra collection shows up on the lawn of that unsuspecting yard sale host.

Other series collectors fear not, look forward to future offerings (and reviews!) from Priced Nostalgia which will include My Little Pony, He-Man, The Real Ghostbusters and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT).

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher:Priced Nostalgia Press
PO Box 1118
Denville, NJ 07834

Book information: 2005, 45 page paperback, 6 3/4" x 10 1/4"
Author: Hillary DePianno
Price:$29.95

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Title: Stoneware and Blue & White Pottery Price Guide, Antique Trader

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The stoneware covered in this guide intersects the primitives, antiques and folk art categories and their simple, beautiful design and decorations provide further appeal to even the non-collecting general public.

It is the latter group that is likely to be surprised and the wide range of values between manufactures and individual pieces. Suffice to say that your not likely to find anything in this guide at the thrift store anytime soon!

Husfloen and the gang at Antique Trader have just about made a science of putting together their guides. The formula is simple; lots of pictures (1,000 full color ones in this edition), hefty description and history and as near complete coverage as possible. With 1,500 items listed and most pictured it is certainly not complete but you'll be hard pressed to find out what's missing.

After the brief history of these pre-tupperware containers, you'll be treated to page after page of various decorated stoneware organized by region and including a special section on Blue and White Pottery. Descriptions are super detailed and include historical information, dimensions and even the smallest of features for easy identification.

Unfortunately, once again it appears that Antique Trader has left out what I have always felt is a critical element with price guides, a clear description of the pricing ideology. User of guides must have this information to make any necessary adjustments for the venue, region of the country and the like.

I almost hate to bring up this criticism since generally I have found their guides to be very well put together and complete and as publishers of a weekly trade paper on Antiques, they are uniquely qualified to produce guides and wrangle together the best experts. It just seems that since they clearly know how the prices are derived that it is well worth mentioning.

Bottom line - even with the lesser of the pieces in this guide, your playing with the big boys! If you don't want to come to the fight (oh yes, it IS a fight) unprepared then this visual oriented guide is just the weapon.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: KP Books
700 East State St.
Iola, WI 54990-0001
(800)-258-0929 (consumers), (888)-457-2873 ext. 880 (retailers)

Book information: 2005, 288 page paperback, 6" x 9"
Editor: Kyle Husfloen
Price:$19.99

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Title: McDonald's Drinkware Identification & Value Guide

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Pioneers in the meal premium game, this guide is sure to amaze you with the sheer number of premium glasses, cups and the like that McDonald's has put out in its 50 years in business.

Though this guide is much more oriented toward the McDonald's collector, it also touches on the McDonald's character glasses and Movie/Sports promotional tie-ins. For the McDonald's collector it is a bonanza and even the most experienced of collector will find an item or two he/she has never seen before. For myself, there were pages and pages of items I've never even run across.

Speaking of things that might not have been seen before, the author does an excellent job of documenting many little known, but important and valuable, and often subtle variations and limited issues of items identical to their normal counterparts.

The pages of this guide will take you well beyond the McDonald's glass tumblers and covers everything from what would normally be disposable cups to fine stemware used in special presentations and for special occasions. Values and their variations are very well discussed both in the introductory text as well as within the individual listings themselves.

Bottom line - this guide is about as well put together as any character/other glass guide I've seen. As the author notes, this kind of information should indeed be preserved and the amount of work he has put into the historical and descriptive text is beyond the call of duty. This is one for the shelves for reference now and, maybe more importantly, in the future.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: Collector Books
P.O. Box 3009
Paducah , KY 42002-3009
Orders: (800) 626-5420

Book information: 2005, 256 page paperback, 8 1/2" x 10 3/4"
Author: Michael J. Kelly
Price:$24.95

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Title: Dolls Identification and Price Guide, 200 years of

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Even after its third edition, this guide is really the new kid on the block with regards to doll guides and making it, successfully, to a third edition says something before I open the cover. Bad guides don't usually get remade!

This guide has a little something for all doll collectors, from Barbie and Mattel dolls to fine Bisque creations. Organized by manufacturer/doll name, each section provides a detailed color example along with a very detailed history that hits on just about every detail you would want to know both about the companies and the dolls themselves.

Though usually only one or two dolls are pictured, it is enough to identify your doll and proceed to the list and accompanying chart with values for the various sizes or dolls.

The introductory sections are equally detailed with care tips, doll club listings and 2 page chart of adjustment to listed values. These price factors are a great addition. Too many general collectors and dealers fail to realize what can often times be significant decreases in doll market values for things such as the lack of original clothing and staining.

Bottom line - Certainly well prepared to compete with the "old boys" in this guide category, it will be a welcome addition and/or supplement to similar guides you might already have.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: KP Books
700 East State St.
Iola, WI 54990-0001
(800)-258-0929 (consumers), (888)-457-2873 ext. 880 (retailers)

Book information: 2005, 415 page paperback, 8 1/4" x10 3/4"
Author: Dawn Herlocher
Price:$29.99

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Title: Star Wars Super Collector's Wish Book

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Still weighing in at about 4 pounds, this guide continues to provide an unprecedented (save for previous editions!) amount of information and values on the entire Star Wars galaxy.

This years edition sees an additional 10,000 listings and close to 14,000 pictures. Though the picture count is down from the previous edition, this is primarily due to the fact that the author has rotated some of the previously pictured items out and added new ones. The same holds true for the items covered.

This goes to show that having older editions of price guides is always a good idea. Together the first 3 editions of this guide are a reference power house.

Listings are brief but complete and though the pictures are small due to the volume of information contained in this guide, they are in full color, clear and easy to see. The author goes into great detail to explain his approach to pricing and values both at the front and back of the guide. I can only hope that the next movie is as well put together as this guide is!

One of my favorite features of these editions is the back section that is dedicated highlighting the newest toys and sharing interesting information about the current Star Wars market and other interesting articles and features. Though it is a relatively small section in this large guide, it provides both valuable information as well as enjoyable reading. This years edition includes; 2005 toys and other tie-in items, an article on the Star Wars Lego line, bootleg and unproduced figures and more.

Bottom line - This guide remains the quintessential Star Wars collector/dealer reference book. If you are into Star Wars, you'll be into this guide.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: Collector Books
P.O. Box 3009
Paducah , KY 42002-3009
Orders: (800) 626-5420

Book information: 2005, 446 page hardback, 8 3/4" x 11 1/4"

Author: Geoffrey T. Carlton
Price:$29.95

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Title: Heddon Plastic Lures Identification & Price Guide

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Russell Lewis, author of Classic Fishing lures Identification & Price Guide, among others, can't be satisfied with producing one, or even two guides, he has to produce them in bulk!

This guide takes you a little further into one of the "Big Six" covered in the previously mentioned guide and provides over 1,500 full color pictures along with their current market values.

Fortunately, Lewis utilizes a good layout for his guides along with clear color close-up pictures and descriptions that never leave out a detail. This guide follows the same tested format as his other guides with descriptions that, more often than not, provide a level of detail that includes little known history and insight into the market itself. He provides values based on actual sales information providing the best price base a collector or dealer could hope for.

Bottom line - I'm certain that many a fisherman has a certain hatred for Lewis as his guide certainly creates "lure envy" but they can't deny the quality of the background on the lures featured along with the well grounded, real world, value highlighted.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: KP Books
700 East State St.
Iola, WI 54990-0001
(800)-258-0929 (consumers), (888)-457-2873 ext. 880 (retailers)

Book information: 2005, 255 page paperback, 8 1/4" x 10 3/4"
Author: Russell E. Lewis
Price:$24.99

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Title: Antiques 101, A Crash course in Everything Antique

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Antiques is a tricky business these days. With the ever rising prices and scarcity of true Antiques, education is of paramount importance.

Where to start? At the beginning of course! This guide gives you the often overlooked overview of styles, terminology and materials used in the Antique categories. Additionally the guide delves further into some of the most well established categories such as China, Glass, Dolls and Folk Art.

The guide begins with a breakdown of the major style categories in furniture starting with Queen Ann and continuing all the way to Mid-Century modern. Each section includes many full color pictures used to illustrate the very basically stated features which make each style its own. Not only do these features include the obvious such as leg style but also the less obvious generalized "looks" of the pieces which tend to indicate the era(s).

With the limited remaining space the author effectively provides a simple breakdown of some of the Antique worlds standards and big hitters. A basic understanding along with identification tips for classic collecting categories such as Glass and Ceramics and highlights of some always popular, and often very valuable, items such as Currier and Ives and rocking chairs is included.

Bottom line - For the novice or even moderately experience collector, this guide may give you the extra edge you need either to increase the quality of your collection or even make that leap towards becoming a dealer and continuing your education.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: KP Books
700 East State St.
Iola, WI 54990-0001
(800)-258-0929 (consumers), (888)-457-2873 ext. 880 (retailers)

Book information: 2005, 303 page paperback, 6" x 9"
Author: Frank Farmer Loomis IV
Price:$19.99

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Title: Corning Ware & Visions Cookware, The Complete Guide to

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The key to survival in Collectibles both as a collector and dealer is to have an ever expanding eye towards popular items that may be currently all but overlooked but have the potential for collectiblity due their popularity, inherent style and/or scarcity.

Corning Ware hits all of these points to a certain extent.

You among us didn't come from a family that didn't have one or more pieces of decorated Corning Ware or, if your a little younger, Visions cookware? That's popularity albeit possibly for its utility alone for some.

Style? Just as with many areas in collecting it may be an acquired taste but just take a look at some of the classic kitchen designs and florals on some of these pieces.

Scarcity is born mostly from the utilitarian nature of these pieces. You cook with them and as time passes and you update your kitchen and kitchenware these pieces often get tossed into the garbage. Forced scarcity but scarcity never the less.

The last point touches on another feature that adds to the collectiblity of these pieces, you can use them! I'm a firm believer in using your Collectibles and few categories lend themselves to usability like cookware.

A fairly extensive history of the company and its wares is followed by an equally complete breakdown of the various designs/lines produced from the late 1950's to the 1990's. Lots of full color pictures, old advertisements and historical tidbits along with sizing, dates produced and values tell the whole story of each line.

Bottom line - Being a relatively new area of collecting for most, the values on most of these pieces is modest. However, the value of these guide is more about a comprehensive look at the category. When the prices heat up you'll be ready with a comprehensive list of what's out there and relative values even if it's years from now.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: Collector Books
P.O. Box 3009
Paducah , KY 42002-3009
Orders: (800) 626-5420

Book information: 2006, 141 page paperback, 8 1/2" x 11"

Author: Kyle Coroneos
Price:$19.95

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Title: Ovenware for the 1920's to the Present, Florences Identification & Value Guide

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Much of the introductory information I've written about Collector Books Corning ware and Visions guide holds true for this guide as well and it's worth a read (even if I say so myself!).

This is the stuff everyone wants in their kitchen regardless of its decor. It's just plain fun and often times beautiful.

This guide not only covers the obvious categories, Pyrex and Glasbake, that have been hot for some time but also lines that are often confused for these categories of unidentified completely. Mckee, Federal, Safe Bake and Jeannette are among the other major firms covered within this tasty guide.

Each section is absolutely loaded not only with the color pictures of most pieces within each line but also with original advertising and company materials detailing original sets and prices.

One of the highlights in my opinion is the identification of original line names and even color schemes used. Even within Fire King which has been collected and sold for many years and is red hot right now, the differences in descriptive text among dealers and collectors is more often than not not accurate. Online sales can easily be lost for harder to find pieces that are improperly listed. Experts will search for the correct naming of the pieces they search for. Both the dealer and collector may lose out.

Bottom line - Good looking and useable ovenware of these types will always be popular and this guide will quickly become dog eared even on the shelves of experience collectors and dealers.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: Collector Books
P.O. Box 3009
Paducah , KY 42002-3009
Orders: (800) 626-5420

Book information: 2006, 205 page hardback, 8 3/4" x 11 1/4"

Author: Gene & Cathy Florence
Price:$24.95

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Title: Guitars, Warman's Field Guide to Vintage

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Here is yet another category that lends itself very effectively to KP's great "Field Guide" series. Though you may not come across many Guitars in your flea market and thrift store travels, when you do you'll want this guide. This mini guide will fit nicely in just about any nook and cranny in your car so as not to get in the way but to be available for that occasional find.

As with the other guides in this series, the amount of information included is staggering, especially given the miniature size of the guide itself. Filled mostly with full color pictures and values of the various guitars, the guide also fills you in with detailed history of the manufacturing companies and highlights quite of few of the guitars with unique details to explain their desirability and various unique features.

You wont be disappointed by the coverage of companies that goes well beyond the relatively well known brands such as Fender and Gibson to include 21 different manufactures.

Though the title doesn't indicate it, you really get two guides in this one with over 50 pages equally dedicated to amplifiers.

Bottom line - Long sought after by experienced collectors who can easily tell a cheap guitar from Mexico and a dusty beater amplifiers from a true gem, you too can now have that expertise in your hip pocket or glove compartment.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: KP Books
700 East State St.
Iola, WI 54990-0001
(800)-258-0929 (consumers), (888)-457-2873 ext. 880 (retailers)

Book information: 2005, 512 page paperback, 4 1/4" x 5 1/4"
Author: Dave Rogers
Price:$12.99

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Title: Airplanes Identification & Value Guide, Big Book of Toy

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Man has been fascinated by flight for so long that it is no wonder that there have been so many miniature examples of everything from Helicopters to Batman's Batwing produced since the 1920's and continuing today with no end in sight.

You'll recognize many of the manufactures in this guide as this category closely mirrors that of car collecting and the big players in the manufacturing of collectible miniature cars saw the manufacturing of Airplanes and the like as a natural extension. Little did they realize that they would spark a collecting category unto itself with cross-over appeal to those in the aviation fields and the military.

Organized by the types of materials used (e.g. Cast Iron, Diecast, etc) and then manufacture, the author highlights his extensive collection while giving the reader a top level view of examples of the many varieties for collectors to choose from. Sizing and date information accompany the many full color pictures included.

Bottom line - This guide provides a nice overview of the various types of materials used and manufactures of these tiny examples of aviation history and makes for a nice introduction to the market.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: Collector Books
P.O. Box 3009
Paducah , KY 42002-3009
Orders: (800) 626-5420

Book information: 2005, 189 page hardback, 8 1/2" x 10 3/4"

Author: W. Tom Miller Ph. D.
Price:$24.95

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Title: Magazines Price Guide, Antique Trader Vintage

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Surprisingly there have only been a few guides produced on magazines and usually if you have one you essentially have them all.

However, this guide takes the extra step that makes it worthwhile even if you own other similar guides. What makes this guide stand out is that it talks about WHY the magazines are valuable, not just what their values are.

Magazines are collected by a number of different category collectors and dealers for a variety of reasons including the artists or famous authors featured, special articles, advertising for "tear sheets", historical references, etc.. The truth is that the value guide portions of this guide are relatively small, though complete, and the bulk of the guide is spent going into great detail on just such stand out features that add to the value of various issues.

Full color examples of the various vintage magazines accompany lengthily write ups about the artists and authors who contributed to the magazines then and to their value now. In fact the index is further organized to show already very well known and "hot" contributors along with "sleepers" so you may be able to get a jump on other collectors before they too become a staple in the valuing of magazines.

Each magazines history is also discussed at great length giving you real insight to your chosen collectible. Value guides give values for regular "unremarkable" issues as well as calling out known significant exceptions that include all of the previously mentioned reasons and more.

Bottom line - this is by far the best magazine guide I've seen to date and the including information not only provides a great introduction for novices but also a wealth of additional information for the experienced collector and dealer even when other similar guides are in their libraries.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: KP Books
700 East State St.
Iola, WI 54990-0001
(800)-258-0929 (consumers), (888)-457-2873 ext. 880 (retailers)

Book information: 2005, 304 page paperback, 6" x 9"
Author: Richard Russell & Elaine Gross Russell
Price:$19.99

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Title: Photography Identification & Values, Early Twentieth Century Hand Painted

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Some categories, such as photographs, are simply so large that the category quickly gets broken down into subcategories. It's a way to provide focus to collectors and dealers.

Such is the case with this guide that delves down not just to artist but even further down to the hand tinted examples from those artists. From the well known (Nutting) to the relatively obscure, this guide takes you through what must be a nearly complete history of the tinting of photographs (presumably to make them not only appear more realistic but also more appealing). This pictures really represent two pieces of art, the photograph itself and the "painting" of the image afterward. We're not talking those over colored campy photos of the 1940's, these are well thought out landscapes and historical portraits.

The guide is organized by artist and a detailed biography of the artist is always included when information is known. Even when there is no real information historically available, the authors provide insight based on their collecting experience and their actual collection. The information included runs the gamut from the artists background, photographic region, market evaluation and examples of titles produced. If the information is out there it is likely that it is included in this guide that is full of the aforementioned information as well as a detailed history of hand painting itself to include evaluation and conservation techniques.

Values are included with many reasonable ranges of value (e.g.. $25-$50) but many of these ranges are simply too broad (e.g.. $500-$3000) for the non experience to make a proper evaluation.

Bottom line - the true value of this guide is in the identification and history of the involved artists. Though the majority of values quoted are in a manageably small range some will require some market experience to determine the average from the real stand out examples.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: Collector Books
P.O. Box 3009
Paducah , KY 42002-3009
Orders: (800) 626-5420

Book information: 2005, 254 page hardback, 8 1/2" x 10 3/4"

Author: Michaeil & Susan Ivankovich
Price:$24.95

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Title: Matchbox Toys 1947 - 2004 Identification & Value Guide, The Other

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I don't care how old you are, you know Matchbox cars. However, there are a lot of people out there who don't realize just how extensive the Matchbox offerings were. Though the most well known are the smaller Matchbox varieties, Matchbox also produce other extensive lines (King Size and Models of Yesteryear to name two).

This guide is organized a little bit differently than the standard Matchbox guide and lists all vehicles in all categories covered alphabetically. Since some of these lines are not as well known, the reader need only know the model of the vehicle to find information rather than knowing which line it was produced under. Once you've arrived at the model, the listing further expands to include the differentiating details such as paint colors and markings.

The book covers all types of vehicles including airplanes and cartoon tie-in vehicles in addition to the standard cars and trucks.

Bottom line - for the completeist this is a no brainer, you wont find some of these vehicles covered anywhere else so if Matchbox is your game you'll want this guide.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: Collector Books
P.O. Box 3009
Paducah , KY 42002-3009
Orders: (800) 626-5420

Book information: 2005, 110 page paperback, 8 1/2" x 11"

Author: Dana Johnson
Price:$19.95

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Title: Football Cards, Tuff Stuff 2006 Standard Catalog of

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Some guides I review work hard for a visual appeal that will attract everyone regardless of their interest in the collecting field. Others, however, dedicate themselves to the established collecting community.

The latter is the case with this guide that is clearly directed at the hordes of Football card collectors that span generations. Like most sport card collectors your just as likely to be blown away by the knowledge of a 10 year old collector as you are a 50 year old one.

What this type of community needs is hard information. If they want to look at pretty pictures they will go to their own collection! The Standard catalog has fulfilled this wish with 8 previous editions and the 9th continues with listings for over 550,000 cards. That's A LOT of cards and even with the small type there is little room for glossy coverage. Though it does hold 4,500 Black and White pictures, these pictures are more utilized as headings for the various sections.

Bottom line - if your looking to browse through pictures of your favorite cards from the past than this book is not for you. However, if your hardcore about collecting Football cards then this guide is a must. Packed to the brim with values. A must for the beginning collector.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher: KP Books
700 East State St.
Iola, WI 54990-0001
(800)-258-0929 (consumers), (888)-457-2873 ext. 880 (retailers)

Book information: 2006, 672 page paperback, 8 1/2" x 11"
Editor: Bert Lehman
Price:$24.99

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Title: My Little Pony Collector's Inventory

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Priced Nostalgia Press is dedicated to cataloging the still often overlooked toys of the 1980's, this guide delves into those colorful ponies every girl in the 80's had or at least wanted. However, as the author indicates, this guide is for those collectors that already know how to identify the numerous variations of My Little Pony and acts solely as a checklist for the various ponies and accessories.

Broken down into one year spans from 1981 to 1992 it does a little further than an itemized inventory and provides some introductory information and descriptive text for the various releases within the years noted.

Bottom line - with no identifying pictures, this guide has an audience limited to those that already know how to identify the various ponies within the collection. New collectors should wait for the upcoming illustrated edition promised by the author.

Publisher/Book info.:
Publisher:Priced Nostalgia Press
PO Box 1118
Denville, NJ 07834

Book information: 2005, 166 page paperback, 6" x 9"
Author: Hillary DePiano
Price:$15.99

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