Reviews (2)

Of Coal Piles, Chickens, and Memories
If one is just starting on the fascinating journey of discovery about the Lionel Corporation and the marvelous electric trains that it made, this is not the book with which to begin.Carp's collection of reminiscences by nine former Lionel employees will not acquaint the reader with a comprehensive or chronological history of the company and will add very little to whatever knowledge the reader may already bring concerning the company's products.Anyone still early in the journey will find Ron Hollander's "All Aboard!The Story of Joshua Lionel Cowen and His Lionel Train Company" the book to read. Personal accounts of workers at the "Old" Lionel Corp.
Each of 9 chapters is devoted to the quite candid account of a particular worker who describes his experiences while working at Lionel.Areas covered are engineering, sales, and management.The many photos are from Lionel archives, private collections, and taken by the employees themselves.Narratives closely conform to the many extensive, taped interviews conducted by the author over a period of years. Since I am the subject of Chapter 9, I can attest to the authenticity.Many facts are presented for the first time and should be valuable additions to the collections of toy train enthusiasts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Corporate & Business History - General    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. History    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Lionel Corporation    7. Model Railroading    8. Models    9. Railroads    10. Toys   

Reviews (4)

Good Table Top Book
This is a fun and unusual Coffee Table Book, but I would really have like it to have a better (any) bibliography.My interest in history is such that I would have liked to know more then just the small amount of information this book provided.
A pleasant appetizer
This is a thin hardbound volume, a collection of photographs and short Dying Dice
Though they may have passed the peak of their fad, fuzzy dice can still be seen hanging from the rear view mirrors of favored cars.They are an amusing bit of American folk surrealism, recalling the more official artworks of the fur-lined cup and saucer or the lobster telephone.The furry dice don't clack the way real dice do, and they are too huge and too rotund ever to be useful as mechanisms in games of chance.Yet they look strange enough that many people fancy them, and assembly lines somewhere are tuned up to produce them for enthusiasts.Conversely, there are real dice depicted in _Dice: Deception, Fate, & Rotten Luck_ (Quantuck Lane Press) by Ricky Jay, with photographs by Rosamond Purcell.But some of them are startlingly furry, and all of them are dying.Read more

Subjects:  1. Gambling - General    2. Gambling - Table    3. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    4. General    5. Photo Essays    6. Photoessays & Documentaries    7. Photography    8. Popular Culture - General    9. Antiques & collectables: toys, games & models    10. Dice    11. Dice games    12. Gambling    13. History    14. History of specific subjects    15. Photography & Photographs   

Reviews (5)

12th Edition Toys & Prices 2005
This was a complete disappointment. They reduced the size of the book from 8 �" by 11" to 7" by 10". This in itself is not so bad, but they reduced all the information in this book as well. They no longer cover any antique toys at best they only deal in vintage / classic toys. If your ideas of antique toy cars are Red Line Hotwheels you will like this book. If you are looking for Aircraft, American Paper Toys, Animal Drawn, Banks, Dollhouses and Miniature Furniture, Erector Sets, Farm Toys, Lionel Trains, Movie, Radio & Television Toys, Ramp Walkers, Schoenhut, Ships, Soldiers, Sparklers and Plunger Toys, Steam Toys, Wooden Toys, Cast Iron Vehicles and anything else before the 60's forget it! This has been reduced to nothing more than a baby boomer's toy guide. If you enjoy Antique Toy World, this book is not for you! If you like Toy Shop Magazine, well that is all this is. If you own the 11th Edition of Collecting Toys, hold on to it and get a second copy before you waste your money on this dreadful price guide.

Thought it would be better updated
I really thought this book would have been better updated from the previous year. It said it was...but not for the items I really wanted. And alot of the pricing was the exact same price as last year. I must say I was disapointed! :-(

The BEST guide for your die cast prices and values!
Has the best variety of Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars as well as other diecast toy vehicles. Easy to use and understand. I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Reference - Price Guides    6. Toy Arts And Crafts    7. Toys    8. Antiques & collectables: toys, games & models    9. Reference works   

Reviews (3)

The Jigsaw Puzzle
If you like jigsaw puzzles as I do, you must read this book. If you really love wooden jigsaw puzzles, buy the book today.

Move over Rover,there's a new dog in town!
Just when I least expected it, a new book on Jigsaw Puzzles appears.I already had a good book on the subject,"The One,The Only,The Original Jigsaw Puzzle Book" by Francene and Louis Sabin,1977.It was and still is a very good book.While obviously,some of the same things are covered,there is still enough that ie different to make it worthwhile as a companion to this new jigsaw book.(see my review ).In just about every aspect, this book gives a lot more.There are 16 color pages showing about 50 collectible jigsaws;no way could black and white do them justice.History of jigsaws is covered from their inception in the mid-1700's and particulaly during the puzzle crazes of the 1920's.Also covered is how inovations took place over the years .There are details on construction and manufacture as well as complete instructions on various ways to make your own puzzles.We are also told of some of the famous people who indulge in puzzles;Bill Gates,Albert Einstein,Bing Crosby,Jean Harlow,George W. Bush,Stephen King,several US Presidents and even J.P.Morgan.Hard to believe all these people have something in common.We are also told of speed competitions to assemble puzzles as well as record size and complexity of puzzles.
The History of a Favorite Pasttime
"On the face of it, a jigsaw puzzle is a ridiculous exercise in make-work and wasted time."This is the analysis of Anne D. Williams, and she ought to know.After all, she is in the opinion of puzzle-master Will Shortz "the world's foremost expert on jigsaw puzzles."She has built an academic career on jigsaws, and has one of the world's largest collections (around 8,000), and so can be counted to look at them as something more than ridiculous exercises.In _The Jigsaw Puzzle: Piecing Together a History_ (Berkley Books), she has assembled (ahem - the puns about puzzles, frequent in this work, are surprisingly numerous) an appealing collection of what must have been a pastime in almost everyone's life.The appeal of the subject is therefore universal, and its aspects are here told with humor and genuine delight.Though all of us have worked on jigsaws, much of the book has to do with those who work on manufacturing the puzzles and those obsessed with putting the puzzles together, or collecting them.
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Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Games    3. Games/Puzzles    4. History    5. Jigsaw puzzles    6. Puzzles    7. Toys    8. Games / General   

Reviews (4)

Aurora Model Kits Book
Wonderful value for the price.SRP is $29.95 and got it for $19.77 through Amazon.Tons of great historical information and lots of fabulous color photos of build-ups and original boxes.Price guide is "okay" as many prices are pretty far off compared to what they sell for on ebay, for example.All things considered, it's a great book!

An Aurora Borealis OfGreat Memories!
Highly recommended to any afficiando of Aurora kits, particularly those who wish to recall the deeply statisfying pleasure of finding those great Aurora art work boxes under their Christmas tree in the 1950's!
Wonderful Memories
I was so happy that Schiffer brought Dr. Graham's Aurora book back out. In fact, I sent in a card requesting they do so a few years back after I bought his Revell Model's book. I just loved the memories, especially seeing that just horrible "Yak-25/Mig-19" kit Aurora put out. Of course it was totally fanciful, but I remember 51 years later the day I bought it. There are kits in here that have disappered from existence for so long, like the model knights and the USS Halford, which I had thought was a Revell model until Dr. Graham was kind enough to answer an e-mail a few years ago. For any of us who grew up in the 50's making models, this book is a must. It is amazing, it brought back friends, times, feelings, the whole 9 yards. Dr. Graham is an excellent writer and obviously historian, you won't be sorry. Get this and his Revell book and just be 8,9 or 10 again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Hobbies/Crafts    3. Mobiles    4. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. Antiques & collectables: toys, games & models   

Reviews (1)

A Cartoon Character Collector's Treasure !
This beautiful 224 page book features over 800 full color, large, sharp photos and estimated values.Major categories include: Disney, Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera, Cartoon Character Hall of Fame and resources. There is a complete history of each major category where you'll findinteresting and useful information.A welcome addition to your library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Catalogs    5. Character toys    6. Collectors and collecting    7. Comic art paraphernalia    8. Performing Arts    9. Popular Culture    10. Toys    11. United States   

Reviews (2)

Extremely well gotten Up !!!!
Pedal Cars is literally "mind candy"An inescribably delicious feast for the eyes and the mind,(and the lover of the unique within us all)!The photographs, renederings,and adverts are par excellence. The printing is lavishly well done in extremely clean and magical colours.The photographs of children proudly seated in their autos are priceless.I f you wish to enter the realm of the authentic pedal car, and also a tour of American Childhood Nostalgia,I urge you to purchase this book immediately!

Comprehensive, insightful and a delight to read...
Mr. Bloemker's journalistic approach favors detail and context over mindless hype. It's refreshing to see Pedal Cars -- largely ignored by many antique buffs -- covered in such a comprehensive manner. Highlights include the pre-world World War II era, with excellent detail on American National, Garton, Steelcraft and other top manufacturers. AMF's 1960s era heyday is explored thoroughly as well.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Automotive - General    3. History    4. Pedal cars    5. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    6. Toys    7. Transportation    8. Antiques & Collectibles / Toys    9. Other manufacturing technologies    10. Road & motor vehicles: general interest   

Reviews (17)

Learning is an adventure, not a standard tour
This is a really inspirational book, but it's not for those who think learning is doing exactly what teacher tells you. Jim Faraone shows his readers what can be achieved, and gives a run-down of tips and techniques, but mostly he allows the work of artists of all ages, nationalities and styles to inspire dreams and ambitions. Jim treasures the individuality and daring of the doll artist and his books help those who dream to dare.How do you "learn from the artists"? By looking at their work and by letting your own curiosity and talent take over, not by following step-by-step directions to a 'creative project' that looks just like everyone else's. The books are treasure troves of inspiration, and worth a place on any doll-lover's bookshelf. Thanks, Jim!

Beautiful dolls and great tips and tricks to create your own
That is what you will find in the latest edition of Jim Faraone's 4th Fashion Doll makeovers. The book is filled with beautiful shots of fashion doll makeovers, bios of the artists and best of all, in the back, tips and tricks on how to do some of the things pictured. Enhancing molded hair creations, beaded hair, create a molded mohawk style, the making of fairy wings, fabric wings, appliques and gloves are all explained with clear, step by step pictures. This book is a fine addition to the series. With each book you can learn more and more about creating your own makeovers. The information is also helpful if you just want to make presentable all those poor dolls that your daughter decided to give a hair cut to. Good inspiration
Great if you need inspiration but it's short on how tos. Some of the artists featured here have created true masterpieces. I just wish there was more on how to create your own. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Barbie dolls    4. Clothing    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Doll clothes    7. Dolls    8. Fashion dolls    9. Repairing    10. Toymaking - General    11. Antiques & collectables: toys, games & models    12. Personal appearance & beauty care   

Reviews (3)

Big Book of Lionel
The book covers a wide range of subjects on planning, building and operating a Lionel O-guage layout, but does not go into a lot of detail.Both Post-War and Modern Lionel trains and tracks are covered as is the newer TMCC electronic controls.The photos of existing Lionel O-gauge layouts are excellent, but the book did not describe the type of track nor were track layout diagrams provided, which would have been very informative.Nevertheless, the book is interesting and provides a good overview of what to consider when planning and building a Lionel O-gauge layout.

Great for beginner and expert Lionel train fans
This book with its excellent pictures and detailed descriptions will satisfy the model train neophyte as well as the old veterans.
The Big Book of Lionel
A very good book, full of interesting tips and facts.Full of good information on Lionel trains. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Lionel Corporation    5. Model Railroading    6. Models    7. Railroads    8. Antiques & collectables: toys, games & models    9. Transportation / Railroads / General   

Reviews (6)

Good Resource
Great Resource for Toy Collectors.Got this as a gift for a family member who collects toys.He said it was very informative, especially for antique toys.

The Toy Collecctors "BIBLE"-a must-have!
I would rate this comprehensive guide to collecting toys as a basic necessity for the beginning toy collector as well as the veteran toy collector.Not only is this new reference exciting, but the information is extremely helpful, reader friendly, accurate, and up-to-date with contributions by many leading authorities in the toy-collecting field. If you are seriously interested in toy collecting, then this fine book is a MUST for your toy-reference library!

Over 50,000 items categorized for quick reference
Elizabeth Stephan's O'Brien's Collecting Toys, 10th Edition is a weighty price guide which could well be used as a price 'bible' for toy collectibles. Anticipate only a handful of color photos mid-book: the meat of the title lies in its black and white photos throughout and more particularly its over 50,000 items categorized for quick reference and provided with the latest values. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Catalogs    6. Collectors and collecting    7. Reference - Price Guides    8. Toy Arts And Crafts    9. Toys    10. United States    11. Antiques & collectables: toys, games & models    12. Reference works   

Reviews (1)

Imagination: The Last Frontier
Kitahara's world famous tin toy collection has been photographed many times, and featured in very small paperbacks and large coffee table spreads. This is probably the happy medium; a very inexpensive, large (nearly 350 pages) and visually inviting photoessay that lets the toys speak for themselves.
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Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Art    3. Popular Culture - General    4. Reference - Price Guides    5. Toys    6. Antiques & collectables: toys, games & models   

Reviews (2)

I Wish I had that Doll...........
Another wonderfully done book on composition dolls; photography is excellent and many 'minty' dolls are pictured. I would liked to have seen a few more accessories,but the beauty and variety of the dolls makes up for it. This is definitely a keeper and is an outstanding addition to any compo, or American doll, collectors' library.

Wonderful Book!
This is a wonderful compilation of Dolls and Accessories from the 1930s and 1940s...lots of photos, vintage advertisements,great descriptions, and explanations. Easy to read and thorough. Good job! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Collectors and collecting    5. Dollmaking    6. Dolls    7. History    8. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    9. Technology & Industrial Arts    10. United States    11. Antiques & collectables: toys, games & models    12. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    13. Second World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (25)

THE definitive guide to 80's GI Joes
Many, many, many guides have been written about 'GI Joe', but many short change or ignore the most popular Joe incarnation of all. Now, finally, we have an author from our generation who painstakingly chronicles the greatest toy line of all time.
The Ultimate 3 3/4" Resource Guide
I've been buying the 3 3/4" Joe figures at Garage Sales for years and re-selling them on eBay. The only trouble was finding the correct figure names and matching the correct acessories to them. I've had to rely on scouring other auctions or by excellent websites like www.yojoe.com to find this info...until now that is. The Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe 1982-1994 finally provides the one stop reference book I needed to identify and match up weapons and accessories. The book is 256 pages and features more than 1,300 color photographs of every figure with accessories, every vehicle complete with a listing of easily lost parts, and all accessories for the line. Included in the book are current prices for the items, both in package and loose, variations, pictures of inserts and paperwork, and even a Foreward by G.I. Joe Writer Larry Hama.
The Best Of Its Kind - Anywhere!Anytime! A+++++++
This is, without hesitation, THE best toy reference guide I have ever read.It's a well written book... it's fun, informative, and has no competition as far as I can see. Bellomo gives you info on all aspects of the world of G.I.Joe: all figures, all accessories, all vehicles, all playsets, all for YOUR fun and for your personal info.Wizard Magazine just released an Ultimate (!?!) G.I. Joe guide in this month's issue of ToyFare Magazine (12/05) and it was RIDICULOUS compared to Bellomo's excellent TEN STAR book.There are SOOOOOOOO many other Joe Guides out there that are complete crap, but NOT THIS BOOK!Great intro, great index, great summaries of the charcters PLUS lots upon lots of new info on characters that I've never seen ANYWHERE before.One of the BEST gifts I've ever received and it has FORCED me to get back in to G.I.Joe collecting and my collection again, not that that's a bad thing;) .The simple fact that Bellomo took every pic, wrote every word, and owns every single toy in the book is unbelieveable, but to put this book together for all of us to enjoy is even cooler... I hear (according to the great web site [...]) that he's currently writing a second edition wih some minor corrections and bonus pages with interviews with Hasbro designers from the 1980's PLUS some of the true minds behind the Joe Team's backstory like Mr. Kirk Bozigian, Mr. Ronald Rudat, and Mr. Larry Hama.YES!!!I've been reading this book for a week straight and I'm not bored yet, and I'm halfway done. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Reference - Price Guides    6. Toy Arts And Crafts    7. Toys   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Toys    5. Antiques & Collectibles / Toys   

Reviews (2)

yuk
First of all, I HATE the BIG UGLY picture of American Car Racer...do not know his name, on the cover of the book. Second, I hate NASCAR and Cheap political HOT WHEEL junk I do not even care for looking at. The book should focus on HIGH QUALITY COLLECTIBLE BRANDS ONLY. What a waste of paper~!!!

Toys
this hefty tome covers the lower end of the market with nothing much for the serious collector of quality models. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Reference - Price Guides    5. Toys    6. Antiques & collectables: toys, games & models    7. Reference works   

Reviews (7)

An Unauthorised Guide to Godzilla Collectibles
A comprehensive masterpiece of full Godzilla's merchanise on toys, posters, models etc. which is definitely a 'must-have guide' for true collectors in search of complete amazing collection. Very well recommended for all ages and good investment with value in money. Do not miss it or you are not complete Gozdilla's fan yet.....

A Must for all Godzilla Fans.
I am most impressed with this book. As a rookie Godzilla collector, it was fascinating to see the huge selection of merchandise that has been available. Living in the UK, it has been near impossible (until theinternet came along) to obtain Godzilla merchandise and now I know what atask is ahead of me! Even if I cannot own the items, at least this bookwill provide me with a good photographic record. I was especiallyinterested in the section devoted to film posters - it is interesting andhilarious seeing the variations between different country's versions. Thebook is lilterally packed with colour photos - in fact the only thing whichlets it down is the lack of background text/information on the merchandise.I was glad to see no mention of the American/Tristar Godzilla (1998) apartfrom a entry in the film poster listing -the book was probably compiledjust a little too early for this but I feel that it would have no place inthe Japanese Godzilla World.

Some nice pictures of stuff you will never own...
Invaluable book for collectors and dealers alike.Clear pics on some of the really rare and expensive items.The only problem is that many of theprices are WAY too low for some of the toys, but when the author is one ofthe largest buyers and sellers of Godzilla toys, you have to expect that. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Catalogs    4. Collectibles    5. Dolls    6. Film & Video - General    7. Godzilla (Fictitious character    8. Godzilla (Fictitious character)    9. Godzilla films    10. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    11. Toys    12. Antiques & Collectables    13. Films, cinema   

Reviews (2)

an analog era
It is amazing that enough material existed on this topic to constitute an entire book. The text reads like a labour of love. Who else would write such a thing?
amazing archive of lost era...
This book is the bible for vintage rayguns.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. History    3. Photo Techniques    4. Photoessays & Documentaries    5. Photography    6. Photography Of Specific Subjects    7. Popular Culture    8. Space toys    9. Toy guns    10. Toys    11. Photography & Photographs   

Reviews (16)

Bitter, Smug, and inaccurate
Sometime last year when I was shopping around for He-Man busts on Amazon.com I stumbled upon a book that looked pretty interesting, Mastering the Universe:He-Man and the Rise and Fall of a Billion Dollar Idea by Roger Sweet and David Wecker.The blurb on the back of the book said that the book deals with the conception of the character and figure, including the office politics that influenced the development of the Masters of the Universe toy line, as well as the downfall of the line.Cool.I'd never really had the curtain pulled back on a toy line before.I put it on my wish list and promptly forgot it was there until my parents picked it up for me on my birthday.
MasteringThe Universe
As many young adults nowadays I grew up in the world He-man and The Masters of the Universe.I would follow He-man and his friends' heroic adventures through Eternia on television or by making my own adventures with the action figures.I had always known how He-man had come to be as a fictional charater but never as a non-ficional toy and this book does just that.Mastering the Universe is not just the story of how Roger Sweet came to create He-man and he rest of the Masters but how the franchise quickly rose to be one of the most popular children's toy-line in history to it's almost as quick demise in the hands of poor business dealings and office politics in Mattel.This book is not only for the He-man Fans but also to anyone involved in the business world of creativity, imagination and invention.Mastering the Universe is a fun read loaded with great stories from the creator and author himself, Roger Sweet.

The rise and fall of the 'He-Man and Masters of Universe' toy line is revealed by the creator himself
If you're an industry outsider who believes the children's toy industry must be a satisfying place to work, take a look at the office politics and conflicts revealed behind the scenes in Mastering The Universe: He-Man And The Rise And Fall Of A Billion-Dollar Idea. The rise and fall of the 'He-Man and Masters of Universe' toy line is revealed by the creator himself, Roger Sweet, who tells how the idea and concept translated to the toy market. Any involved in the toy industry or its marketing, or in inventing new products, will be fascinated by the history and drama of Mastering The Universe. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. He-man figures    5. History    6. Mattel, Inc    7. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    8. Toys    9. Antiques & Collectibles / Toys   

Reviews (1)

A handbook for a Lee Middleton doll lover
This book is a real "must have" for a Lee Middleton doll collector. It reviews the production of the Lee Middleton Company from the beginning to year 1999.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Catalogs    5. Collectors and collecting    6. Dolls    7. Lee Middleton Original Dolls,    8. Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc.    9. Reference - Price Guides    10. Reference / Consumer Guides    11. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    12. United States    13. Antiques & collectables: toys, games & models    14. Consumer Guides    15. Lee Middleton Original Dolls   

Reviews (6)

Gorgeous Garden Railways by Marc Horovitz
Great book of past and present Garden Railways.
Very disappointing, "washed-out" photo color and detail. Definitely not 'gorgeous' photos.
I was quite surprised to be so disappointed by this long-awaited book.This was supposed to be a coffee table book which would appeal aesthetically to everybody. But it doesn't have much aesthetic appeal because the photos aren't gorgeous. The biggest photo shortcoming is that the color printing has a "washed-out" 1970's quality to it. This may be the printer's fault, not the author's. Another serious problem is that many -- perhaps most? -- of the photos look like they're detail shots cropped at a relatively low resolution from a larger photo -- or even shot with a zoom lense? For example, you can't make out individual figurines because they're blurred by the low resolution.
It's a table top book with a softcover.
Gorgeous Garden Railways is a new and different type of book about garden railways. This is not just another book on how to install track, or the story of scale and gauge. This is a table top photo book about some very good looking garden railroads.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Garden Design    3. Garden Furnishings    4. Gardening    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Hobbies    7. Horticulture (General)    8. Model Railroading    9. Toys