Reviews (2)

A must read for new and old collectors
A unique and new look at the Art of Art Collecting.A full analysis of the sociological and esthetic mechanism that is the art world, as well candid advice and opinions from a selection of international art world figures.The book ultimately asks questions about the relationship between art collecting and art history, and challenges the traditional taboos and cliches surrounding art and money

Enter a whole new world!
A book for the rest of us!Adam Lindeman lays out the basics surrounding the world ofcontemporary art using a series of interviews with collectors, dealers, critics and curators. As the book explains, contemporary art is hugely popular all over the world and the internet and art fairs have changed the nature of the business. This book is a primer for those who have touched the edges of the contemporary art world and will likely prove interesting forthose who are already knowledgable.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Collecting    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    5. History - Contemporary (1945- )    6. Antiques & Collectables    7. The Arts: General Issues   

Reviews (4)

Gotta Get It
For anyone who loves to collect, this book is a must-have. Not that you'll need the tips that the author includes for the novice, but this gem of a book is a collectible in its own right, presented in a hard plastic sleeve. Filled with whimsical photos of dozens of designs by today's most noted designers and architects, "Antiques of the Future" is irresistible and informative. As a student of contemporary material culture and the things that surround us, I got a huge kick viewing some of the best design of our time in this format. Makes a great gift for the person who has almost everything.

Love it
This book was a great addition to my library. I was surprised to see some of the objects that I own and love might be worth something someday, and to find out why. I have a few other "conversation piece" books on products, but most of them only talk about one type of design (like chairs) or are organized historically. I like that this book has a great variety of objects. The only bad thing is that now I want to own everything in the book!

Antiques of the Future
As a collector, I find this book timely and interesting.It's good to know what I should be collecting now for future value. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Collecting    5. Popular Culture    6. Popular Culture - General    7. Reference - General    8. Antiques & Collectables    9. Antiques & Collectibles / General    10. Collectibles; pop culture   

Reviews (10)

Medici Conspiracy is amazing!
The Medici Conspiracy by Peter Watson is an amazing account, thoroughly researched, beautifully written, with marvelous photographs.It is literally a fascinating mystery, revealed and solved.I applaud the Italians and commend Oscar White Muscarella for his life-long good fight.

Just Like the Movies, but Real Life
When you have something small, easily moved, requires no special handling such as refrigeration, very valuable, and willing customers, it's pretty easy to guess what happens.
The Medici Conspiracy
The book deals with a fascinating subject and has a lot of details.It does not, however, read too smoothly.I've enjoyed his other books better. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Archaeological thefts    2. Art thefts    3. Collecting    4. General    5. History    6. History: World    7. Organized Crime    8. True Crime / Espionage    9. Forgery, falsification & theft of artworks    10. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    11. International trade    12. True crime   

Reviews (2)

Just terrific great fun
The first thing to hit me was how beautiful this book is.The photographs of the thousands of collectibles are delectable.It made me want to run out and find some of this stuff, or find new things to start collecting.The author unfolds her theories about why people collect, and describes many wonderful childhood scenes of Bronx life and early collections of marbles, baseball cards, sewing kits, you name it.Adult adventures collecting all over the world, and the collecting adventures of her friends and family, are included, and make for a wonderful warm biography of a collection of collectors. The descriptions of the original uses and methods of manufacturing of various collectibles is fascinating, and it's lovely to see simple and sometimes disposable things treated with such interest and respect.The history and character of our country shine through in the old graphics and designs of postcards, matchbooks, lawn sprinklers, and countless other items, and after spending time with them in this book, I can feel more deeply what's been lost to more efficient means of production. I'll never browse a flea market or garage sale quite the same way again.It's a wonderful conversation piece, a fun book to have around for guests to peruse.It gives you permission to bring out those old shoeboxes of stuff from under your bed and show them to your pals, even though you're not a kid any more.I loved this book, it was part anthropology, part history of design, part memoir, part encyclopedia, part travelogue, all work of endearing art.

A treasure trove!
I got a preview copy of this fantastic book and what a treasure.Insightful and informative, it has wisdom and information to offer on antiques, collecting, collectibles, history and psychology.The writing is engaging and the photgraphs practically glow; there is something fascinating in here for everyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Collecting    6. Collectors and collecting    7. General    8. Photo Techniques    9. Photography    10. Photography Of Specific Subjects    11. Popular Culture    12. Social aspects    13. Subjects & Themes - General    14. Antiques & Collectables    15. Antiques & Collectibles / General   

Reviews (2)

Not for wristwatch collectors
This book is primarily written for collectors of pocket watches and only gives cursory information regarding wristwatches.Should be titled: Collecting Pocket Watches

Quick delivery
Thank you for the swift order. You saved me a great deal of money for my school book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Clocks & Watches    5. Clocks and watches    6. Collecting    7. Collectors and collecting    8. General    9. Antiques & Collectibles / General   

Reviews (1)

A Great Book
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's quite informative and there are a lot of marvelous photos of various types of china and glass in this book. They show diverse styles and patterns throughout the centuries and cultures. There is also a good section on how and where to store your china and glass. Such amazing things they can do with glass. I was impressed. I really liked the section on the art of the table. Can't get enough of the elegant table settings! Such beautiful kitchens in this book as well. It's a great book. I only wished it were longer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Collecting    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decoration & Ornament    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Interior Design    8. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Art Patronage    4. Collecting    5. General    6. History - Contemporary (1945- )    7. Reference    8. Art / General    9. Art sales & auctioneering    10. The Arts: General Issues   

Reviews (4)

Best introduction to Japanese antiques in print
If you love Japanese antiques, you cannot live without this survey, with superb photography, spectacular taste, ecclectic choice, and scholarly background by the editor of Daruma magazine. I actually buy extra copies for my friends. I buy a new copy when mine starts to get worn. What more can be said?

lavish, comprehensive, informative antique guide
This is not your typical collector's handbook listing objects and possibly briefly describing them and listing going prices. This coffee-table quality book with the title "Collecting Japanese Antiques" is a survey of Japanese art works and cultural items with sections of advice for collectors. The historical and cultural background on the different items favors what would be of interest to collectors. But it is also informative and relevant simply for its artistic, historical, and cultural material. Readers looking for concentrated information on Japanese art and culture accompanied by attractive color photographs would find this work exceptionally suitable. For the collectors it is meant for particularly, there's sections on "Tides and Trends in Collecting," guidance in developing collections of certain items (e. g., baskets), lists of artists, notable regions and schools for certain antiques, and especially desirable objects in certain categories. Seton also moves to the technical subjects of materials, production, and workmanship which are important for collectors not only in appreciating items and assessing their value, but in making a preliminary decision about their age and authenticity. Among Seton's 13 categories of antiques are screens and scrolls, ceramics, furniture, sculpture and metalwork, dolls, and tea ceremony utensils. Seton has lived in Japan since 1972, where he currently teaches Japanese art and poetry. In 1993, he founded the quarterly magazine "Daruma" to cover Japanese art and antiques; which he still edits. "Collecting Japanese Antiques" is a work any collector or lover of Japanese art and antique objects will want for sound education and easy reference, and at times for enjoyably looking at the numerous color photos of the varied Japanese objects.
Best Book About Japanese Antiques
This book is a real treasure. If you buy just one book about Japanese art and antiques, this is it. Its presentation, descriptions and explanations are excellent. Reading this book is learning and pleasure at the same time.
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Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Art, Japanese    6. Collecting    7. Reference - General    8. Antiques & Collectables    9. Japan   

Reviews (1)

Worlds of wonder
Absorbing and beautifully written, with a great bibliography to lead you on in your travels through this fascinating genre. Blom does for the general subject of collecting what Basbanes did for bibliophilia in A Gentle Madness. Well worth the read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Collecting    3. Collectors and collecting    4. Essays    5. General    6. History    7. History: American    8. Philosophy    9. Social aspects    10. History / Social History   

Reviews (1)

A work of art!
Pay no attention to the ho-hum title -- this is one delightful read. The book illuminates two sisters who had been virtually written out of art history. The author richly embroiders the travels of Claribel and Etta Cone and details how they came to amass one of the world's more comprehsive collections of 20th century art. This painstakingly and lovingly researched book is a masterpiece! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Art collections    4. Baltimore    5. Baltimore Museum of Art    6. Biography    7. Collecting    8. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Private    9. Collectors and collecting    10. Cone, Claribel    11. Cone, Etta    12. European    13. History - General    14. Maryland    15. Private collections    16. Women art collectors    17. Art funding, patronage & sponsorship    18. Biography: general    19. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Subjects:  1. Antiques/Collectibles    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Collecting    4. Graphic Arts - General    5. Antiques & collectables: books, manuscripts, ephemera & printed matter    6. Stamps, philately   

Reviews (3)

Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend
This book is wonderfull, the jewelry is wonderfull.It renews my faith that at one time people with money DID have some taste.This book is well worth the money spent.

Entertaining book with gorgeous photos
An entertaining book with memorable personalities and their world famous baubles. The section on socialities and the nobility is fun to read; especially countess Mona von Bismarck. The incredible story of Poor Little Rich Girl, Barbara Hutton and socialite Daisy Fellowes (she must have been an incredible woman, reading her self-improvement on her nose!). Some of the gems are world famous, like the bejewelled menagerie of the Duchess of Windsor, her cats, her flamingo, her tiger lorgnette etc. All in all, a fun book to read, but not only for lovers of jewellery, but also for people who are interested in royalty, fashion and high society. In short, a nice coffeetable book!

Wonderful
This is a well written book with wonderful photography.The selection of jewellery owners for each of the categories specified was thoughtful with some less well know, but nevertheless interesting collectors, included. The only shortfall was the absence of collectors from the Orient and theEast - this would have been unique and given the book an extra star.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Art    3. Biography    4. Collecting    5. Collectors and collecting    6. General    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    9. Antiques & Collectibles / Jewelry   

Reviews (10)

A good step into art
This cat definately knows the ins and outs of the art world. If for no other reason, this book is worth the money.

Interesting, but falls a little short
Thomas Hoving seems to know his art, and doesn't have any qualms about sharing his knowledge.He may be a premier fakebuster, but as a writer, he could use a little more practice.While the subject matter was interesting, Hoving had a slightly difficult time keeping my attention.He seemed to jump around alot, and made a lot of assumptions regarding my knowledge of the art world.False Impressions is filled with all kinds of interesting tidbits about the world of art forgery and fakebusting.Unfortunately, it can be somewhat difficult to separate fact from opinion.As a novice to art appreciation, I found much of the material to be "above my head".Perhaps after a few years of study, I will be in a better position to fully benefit from all Hoving offers.Probably the simplest and most effective thing he could have done to improve the book would be to include more pictures, perhaps even some color photos, and have them more logically located in the chapters in which the pieces are discussed, as opposed to having a group of plates three-quarters of the way through the book.At the very least, the text could have referenced the plate section.Unfortunately, every time a new piece is mentioned, the curious reader has to flip to the plate section and hope that the piece is represented there.Overall, I would say that if you are really interested in fine art, you will find this book enlightening.But it's not something one would read just for fun.

Packed with information, but uninspired writing
This could have been a more interesting book, but often as not I found it a chore to read. The subject matter -- art fakery, the criminals who perpetrate it, and the curators and journalists who fall for it -- made for a fascinating glimpse into this other world. Hoving just can't write well, consistently.Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Art forgeries    4. Collecting    5. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    6. Forgeries    7. History - General    8. Techniques - General    9. Art / General    10. Modern fiction   

Subjects:  1. Archaeology    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Collecting    4. Social History    5. Social Science    6. Sociology   

Reviews (9)

Excellent Resource to Amateur Collectors of Audubon Prints
I got my copy a few months ago from Amazon.Com, and essentially read through it cover-to-cover, so to speak. I am an amateur collector of Audubon prints, and an enthusiast of Audubon's life, and the legacy he left behind for all the Americans. I think Bill Steiner's book is an invaluable resource that fills a major void about Audubon'sprints - - It provides information on what to look for in collecting prints, which prints have significant value now and likely to appreciate in future, the technical details of production of Havells, Imperials, Biens, and the Octavos, some details on restoration and conservation, tips on internet-based sales, his own assesment of the Quality of various double-elephant folio prints (including modern day real high-quality reproductions such as the Amsterdams and the Princetons),and the names of several Audubon galleries (I didn't know some of them existed until after reading the book).Last but not the least, I enjoyed Bill's sense of humor (I particularly had a good laugh reading the recount of his experience at Christie's Auction House). I only wish his book were availableto me a couple of years ago when I first started collecting the prints !I recommend this book highly.

The perfect launching pad for a jump into Audubon prints
As an art dealer specializing in original Audubon prints, I hear from many people who hope the Carolina Parrot print they found in the attic will turn out to be worth a fortune.Finally, there is a book that will help them...and me! Compiled by a field ecologist and veteran bird-watcher
Compiled by field ecologist and veteran bird-watcher Bill Steiner, Audubon Art Prints: A Collector's Guide To Every Edition is a first-rate guide to the many distinctive avian prints and paintings of John James Audubon (1785-1851). The informative and scholarly text definitively recounts what these great works of art have sold for, as well as the stories behind the creation of the individual artworks. A superb resource for collectors and an indispensable addition to academic American Art History reference collections, Audubon Art Prints is a superbly organized and very strongly recommended presentation enhanced with twenty-two color illustrations and fifty-five halftones. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1785-1851    2. 19th century    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Audubon, John James,    6. Biography    7. Birds in art    8. Collecting    9. Collectors and collecting    10. Individual Artist    11. Ornithologists    12. Prints, American    13. Subjects & Themes - General    14. United States    15. Antiques & collectables: pictures, prints & maps    16. Individual artists    17. Prints & printmaking   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Archives    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Art Museums And Galleries    6. Art, Modern    7. Collecting    8. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    9. Conceptual art    10. Exhibitions    11. Installations (Art)    12. Reference    13. Minimalist art    14. Museum, historic sites, gallery & art guides   

Subjects:  1. American - Native American    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Antiquities    5. Art & Art Instruction    6. Collecting    7. Collectors and collecting    8. Indian art    9. Indians of North America    10. Material culture    11. Native American Art    12. North America    13. Popular Culture    14. Antiques & Collectables    15. India    16. The Arts: General Issues   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Collecting    4. Prints    5. Antiques & collectables: pictures, prints & maps   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Asian    4. Collecting    5. Reference    6. ASIA    7. Japanese    8. Oriental art   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Art Patronage    6. Collecting    7. Collectors and collecting    8. Economic aspects    9. General    10. Handbooks, manuals, etc    11. Antiques & Collectibles / Art