Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Design    4. History    5. History - General    6. Metal Arts And Crafts    7. Metal Work    8. Silverwork    9. Antiques & Collectibles / Silver   

Reviews (4)

Definately NOT for the Beginner
Unless you are extremely experienced with Silver and Gold items and what / where their origin may be, this book is probably not for you. The chances of being able to find what you are looking for reminds me of looking for a needle in a haystack. The marks are illustrated in VERY SMALL 1/4" black and white diagrams, column after column, put in tables with time period or comment in print that is even smaller than the diagram. Several (bordering on too many) of the marks look very much the same and after looking at 170 pgs of extremely small and not necessarily clear diagrams and images, I feel I should of spent my money elsewhere for info on silver ID.

Not for the Beginner
Not easy for any beginner to use. Unless you knew exactly what kind of silver you were trying to identify i.e. English, Scottish, Irish... etc, it was a bit confusing. Marks are black & white, some not showing very good clarity and everything is in extremely in small print. If you just want to sort through tons of marks and dates, this may be for you. If you want information about your piece, pass it up.

Excellent!!
This is a great little book! Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Great Britain    5. Hallmarks    6. Non-Sports Cards    7. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    8. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    9. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    10. England    11. Ireland    12. Modern period, c 1500 onwards    13. Reference works    14. Scotland    15. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Museum    5. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    6. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    7. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    8. Gold & silversmithing   

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Architectural Detail    5. Art & Art Instruction    6. Art nouveau    7. Decoration and ornament    8. General    9. History    10. Ironwork    11. Metal Arts And Crafts    12. Metal Work    13. Antiques & Collectibles / General    14. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    15. Antiques & collectables: jewellery   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    2. Antiques & collectables: jewellery   

Reviews (2)

Best Reason to Purchase a Book at Book Store
When a person purchases a book at the book store, they may thumb through the pages to judge the qualifications of the book, the authors, and whether it fits their need or not.I am slowly learning who the good authors are in the collectible field to know whether to purchase their books on-line or not.This was definitely not the case with this book nor another book I purchased by these authors.I wanted an Avon book to help me identify and describe the collectible Avon Jewelry that I have found at various estate sales, and thought this book could help.I was definitely mistaken.Anyone can state, "Christmas Tree Pin with red stones, circa 1990" as stated on page 62, instead of Avon's description of "Victorian Tree Pin" with the actual date of 1992.Or on page 39, authors wrote "Abolone (sic - spelled wrong) set includes necklace with 14-inch silver metal chain, silver bracelet trimmed with gold, and ring set in silver, circa 1990s," when there is nothing gold or silver about the set, except maybe washed in gold or silver, but definitely not true silver or gold; Avon advertised this set in their 1975 catalog, much earlier than 1990s.Then, the last straw for me is the beautiful set that Avon sold in 1971 (page 37); even though the authors got the date correct, they simply ignored the title to the set, but instead wrote, "pearl and gold set" when this set is Avon's "Evening Creation" set.Did the authors do any research?I think not.Will I ever be so stupid as to purchase another one of their books?No way! I would resale this book, but I don't want another person to be as disappointed as I was when I purchased this book on-line; not to mention that at the same time, I also purchased their waste of writing book entitled, "Sarah Coventry Jewelry."

Avon Collectible Fashion Jewelry and Awards
Any reader inevitably judges a book through his personal tunnel vision.My own tunnel vision is costume jewelry so I was disappointed that information and illustrations on Avon realia occupied so much space to the detriment of the costume jewelry.I bought the book because I needed information on Avon jewelry which appears with increasing frequency at estate and garage sales.Although the photography was excellent as in the authors' Sarah Coventry book, I think that attempting to cover such divergent topics may have been too much of a stretch.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Avon Products, inc    4. Avon Products, inc.    5. Awards    6. Catalogs    7. Collectibles    8. Costume jewelry    9. Jewelry    10. Sales promotion    11. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    12. Technology & Industrial Arts    13. United States    14. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    15. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    16. Costume   

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. 20th century    3. American - General    4. Antiques & Collectibles    5. Antiques/Collectibles    6. Art & Art Instruction    7. Design - Decorative    8. History    9. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    10. Silverware    11. Tiffany and Company    12. United States    13. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    14. Art / Design / Decorative    15. Gold & silversmithing    16. USA   

Reviews (2)

A Must for collectors and amateurs
This is the most comprehensive and the most complete source of information published so far about this worldfamous manufacturer of top class watches. Close to 100 per cent of its contents are due to the former international sales director of the company, Emil Keller, who had worked side by side with Gerald and Valentin Piaget, the owners, as from 1957.

Piaget and other fine watch collectors delight
This is an excellent book detailing the Piaget Company.Anyone whoappreciates fine craftmanship in watches would enjoy this volume.Thephotographs are wonderful and beautiful printing is throughout.As a watchcollector, I would hope that the other "top houses" ofwatchmaking would permit such a work to be published.If nothing else, itis one good ad piece for prospective Piaget customers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Clocks & Watches    3. General    4. Reference    5. Antique clocks & watches    6. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    7. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    8. Clocks & chronometers    9. Switzerland    10. Sale Books   

Reviews (1)

very informative
One of the best books I've seen on antique silverplate.Lots ofinformation on history, techniques, and how to recognize old Sheffieldpieces.Plenty of beautiful photos.A great book for anyone interested inlearning about old silver.Prices are given in British sterling, whichmakes it harder for the US reader to relate. Would be nice for a US versionto be published with prices reflecting American market values. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    5. Silver-plated ware    6. Silverware    7. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    8. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    9. Gold & silversmithing   

Reviews (2)

although the rest are very fine, this is still the best
It is a real shame that this book is presently out-of-print, I borrowed it from the local library some 5 years ago, and to this date have yet to see anything better in this genre. The technical data about precious stones -such as dispersion, types of refraction, specific gravity, types ofcutting, and so on - are well covered, with specific commentaries onindividual stones presented in encyclopaedic format. It's very useful notonly for specific reference but just for general browsing.What sets thisbook apart, on the other hand, is the quality and quantity of the gemphotography. There are pictures of every major and minor gem in the world,and where a particular type of stone has more than one color - or colors -the entire suite of colors is presented. So the garnets, sapphires,diamonds, tourmalines, topazes, beryls (just to name a few) look positivelykaleidoscopic.The opal section alone has some magnificent stones,including top-quality Lightning Ridge black, one of which is photographedfrom different directions to demonstrate the superb color play. The zirconand spinel photography is quite impressive too. A superb reference book of colored gemstones!
Outstanding color photographs to review, that are matched to technical data regarding the various gemstone "families". There is a very fine topic governing "colors" of gemstones as well. Joel Arem has done a very fine job! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Natural Resources    3. Reference   

Editorial Review

Defining a national style is a difficult task, particularly in the European realm. With a constant intermingling of cultures, as accomplished author Cheryl MacLachlan observes, "History gets in the way." Yet with careful study and an astute eye--both of which MacLachlan displays in abundance--it is possible to discover a country's distinctive style. In this case it means a skillful blend of rich woodwork, botanical motifs, and strong graphics; interiors replete with idiosyncratic visual detail but still beckoning with comfort. Brimming with gorgeous photographs, the volume gives us a scrumptious room-by-room tour (including that very English form, the garden), serving up concise lessons on the history of English design and excellent analyses of what makes each element in the photos work, along with generous helpings of very specific suggestions on how to incorporate all the elements into our own homes. "Idea notebooks" in each chapter offer helpful at-a-glance particulars of key elements in each room type. And charming glimpses of real life (children having a tea party; a cat snoozing on an overstuffed chair; bunches of magazines leaning against a sofa) highlight the fact that these are not designer showrooms, but actual homes that are truly lived in and loved. Read more

Reviews (5)

Perfectly lovely.
A warm and wonderful volume for any hopeless Anglophile.Great gift.

A Terrific Cultural Experience!
Author Cheryl MacLachlan writes "...'English style' refers to the unique constellation of elements - homegrown and foreign - that the English have taken as their own". This book shows you how to create a beautiful, charming English atmosphere in your home, and in your life. Absolutely The Best!
Being a lover of all things English, I have several books and this is the very best of all.This book is chock full of information on how to achieve the style, what makes it "English" and the photographs are fabulous.I have never read a book of this style that had so much researchthat went into it.I also enjoyed several receipes that were included andthe section that dealt with the meaning of words and how Americans andBritish differ in their usage. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. England    4. English influences    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. House furnishings    8. Interior decoration    9. Interior design    10. Residential Interior Design    11. Antique furniture    12. Antiques & collectables: ceramics & glass    13. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    14. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    15. Gardening    16. Home furnishing & decoration    17. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Architectural ironwork    2. Architecture    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. General    5. Italy    6. Pictorial works    7. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    8. Architecture / Decoration & Ornament   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Asian    5. Bronze mirrors    6. Carter, Thomas,    7. China    8. Cleveland    9. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    10. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Museum    11. Exhibitions    12. Ohio    13. Private collections    14. Sculpture    15. Silver, Gold & Other Metals   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Arts and crafts movement    6. Bronzes    7. Buffalo    8. Catalogs    9. Coins, Currency & Medals    10. General    11. Heintz Art Metal Shop    12. History    13. Metal Arts And Crafts    14. New York (State)    15. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    16. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    17. Antiques & collectables: jewellery   

Subjects:  1. Antiques/Collectibles    2. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Reference    4. Silver, Gold & Other Metals   

Reviews (3)

5 Stars all the way
For all silver lovers, not just Tiffany lovers.Beautiful book, beautifully produced. Pictures could not be better.

A fabulous reference for the collector of Tiffany flatware..
This is a terrific book! It covers the complete spectrum of Tiffany silver flatware from 1845 to 1905. It's lavishly illustrated with photographs, diagrams, and original pattern drawings. It covers the full-line patterns, the not-full-line patterns, and the custom patterns made for the likes of the Vanderbilts and the Hearsts. A Classic
This book is a superb work.The authors have filled a major void in the literature concerning the history of American decorative arts. The quality of the research and textual insights make this book essential reading foranyone interested in Tiffany silverware or the latter 19th century ofAmerican craftsmanship. The photography is so magnificent that I repeatedlyfind myself leafing through this book to admire the beauty of this flatwareof a bygone era.A great read...a beautiful coffee table book...a classicin every respect. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. 20th century    3. Antiques    4. Antiques & Collectibles    5. Antiques / Collectibles    6. Antiques/Collectibles    7. General    8. History    9. Kitchenware    10. Metal Arts And Crafts    11. Silver flatware    12. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    13. Tiffany and Company    14. United States   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. General    5. Silver, Gold & Other Metals   

Reviews (2)

Sweetheart Collector Must Have!
The book is a great source of information for all aspects of Sweetheart collecting!It covers WWI and WWII mostly.American is the main focus with a little British and Homefront thrown in.It is an invaluable source for those just starting out or a serious collector but there are some problems.The pictures are prolific BUT some so small you can hardly tell what is what.Some pins are misidentified or put into the wrong category.That does not detract from the help it will give you, mostly because there are only three guide books on the market that deal with sweetheart jewelry.The price guide is way, way off and some of the information must be taken with a grain of salt.I would say buy it if you collect but if you want to know prices, go to eBay or a militaria fair and talk to the real experts.Mr. Snider needs to research better, proof his books better and really focus on sweethearts.If this is supposed to be a book on sweetheart jewelry, leave out the playing cards, posters, stickers, banners, pillow covers and all the other junk he jams in this book.If that stuff was not there, the photos would be better and so would the help the book offers.

A Different Way to look at WWI & WWII
This wonderful, comprehensive book, is a true joy to not only read but have in your collection. It affords easy access to a wide variety of sweetheart jewelry - the homefront equivilant of medals and patches - withconcise, easy to read explanations of each piece. The pricing guide at theend of the book is especially useful when buying - or selling - a piece ofhistory. A MUST read and own book for any sweetheart jewelry collector! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Collectibles    5. Jewelry    6. Sweetheart jewelry    7. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. United States    10. World War, 1914-1918    11. World War, 1939-1945    12. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    13. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    14. Costume   

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Design    4. Design - General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelers    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    9. Jewelry making    10. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    11. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    12. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design    13. Jewellery & jewellery-making