Collecting Costume Jewelry 101: The Basics of Starting, Building and Upgrading (Identification & Value Guide) | 
|  | | | Title: | Collecting Costume Jewelry 101: The Basics of Starting, Building and Upgrading (Identification & Value Guide) | | Author: | Julia C. Carroll | | Publisher: | Collector Books | | Type: | Book / Paperback | | Publication Date: | June, 2004 | | ISBN / ISBN-13: | 1574323806 / 9781574323801 | | List Price: | $24.95 | | Amazon Price: | $46.29 (via Amazon marketplace seller) | | | |
The HTML code below can be pasted onto your web-site, your MySpace page, or blog - or any number of similar places - to create a link to this page: If, instead of a text link, you'd like to create a link to this page which will display the book cover, if it's available, then the code below will do exactly that:
Check for the same book at these other US book sites:
• [ Abebooks ] • [ Alibris ] • [ Barnes & Noble ] • [ Half.com ] • [ Powells ] … or check UK bookstores
| Editorial Review / Publisher's Information:
Product Description
This book provides beginning collectors with friendly one-on-one advice on how to begin a collection and how to recognize good quality costume jewelry. Background information for almost 130 different manufacturers, including the author's recommendations on which pieces from each designer are the most collectible, are provided. Over 750 color photographs of costume jewelry that is within the means of most collectors are featured. There are also tips on how to upgrade a collection by selling to dealers, selling on eBay, and trading with friends; tips on how to catalog a collection using a spread sheet or a notebook; and tips on repairing, storing, and cleaning jewelry. A glossary of jewelry terms and an index of patent and design numbers round out the book. 2004 values. REVIEW: This book is a companion to the Standard Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass, 9th Edition, but can also stand alone as a handy reference guide to take along on your glass searches. Thousands of patterns, from Absentee Dragon to Zip Zip, are included, with all available colors and values listed.
| Other Items You May Enjoy:
Browse Books From These Related Subjects:
Customer Reviews:
• Just Love This Book 01 April, 2007
Found this book to be very helpful at my jewelry shows. Has lots of pictures and information on vintage jewelry and numerous designers. Does not go into great detail, but gives enough good information to be helpful. Because the information is listed in alpha order, my customers find it helpful when looking up specific designers or styles. This book is great for beginners and old collectors alike.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A1BX5Y884L4LA4
• My Costume Jewelry Reference Book 15 March, 2007
This book along with the "202" book by the same author are "must have"s for costume jewelry collectors, buyers and sellers. I can't rate them highly enough.
- Reviewed by customer ID: AXD5SZVS2LPR9
• Wonderful Vintage Costume Jewelry Beginner Guide 02 April, 2007
I actually bought her 2nd book (202) before buying this one (101) and while I treasure my 202 guide much more than this first one (because I'm not a beginner) - I think it is a fabulous book to have for those starting out. With a lot of fake WEISS and other great designers' jewelry being reproduced and sold as the real thing today (especially on eBay), it's a good guide to have that shows a fair amount and variation of these favorite popular designers' pieces. This will help the beginner collector possibly know a fake when they see it. Not all that shines and sparkles means it is the real thing or that it's collectible. I believe both her books should be bought together but the 202 Guide is definitely the very best there is (because it shows so many patents). I particularly like the fact that both of these books are done in sturdy paperback because if they were hardbound, they would be so heavy given how big they are. Lots and lots of colorful pictures! Well done!!
- Reviewed by customer ID: A3ACQS7P56RIDV
• Amazing Book! 01 December, 2008
This book is amazing! It is better than I thought it would be. For someone who is just getting into collecting vintage jewelry, this book has taught me so much. It has so much relevant information. It lists a vast array of designers with information on all of them. The author is honest in her descriptions of pieces of jewelry and designers. I highly recommend this book for the beginner. I'm going to get the author's second book now!!
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2UBEH5W96ZYKZ
• Absolute Beginners 23 May, 2007
Brief Description of Book
This book lives up to its name and is a great gift for someone you may know who is just getting hooked on buying vintage costume jewelry. It would make a great companion gift to a fabulous vintage piece. This book Collecting 101 is a bit basic for absolute beginners only.
The core thesis of the book is G-U-I-D-E an acronym that stands for:
* Is the piece in Good condition?
* Do U Like it?
* Is it a good investment?
* Is the piece designer signed and is it well designed?
* Are there extras that make it more interesting?
These questions are posed to help the buyer select good pieces at whatever price point they are starting to collect at. The author explains her GUIDE concept quite concisely and uses it throughout the book.
The author suggests four designers that beginners should collect Trifari, Coro, Kramer and Weiss. She recounts a little history about each of the companies, shows photos of their marks and recommends pieces to purchase. For example she suggests Trifari from the 50's and 60's because it is plentiful, available in excellent condition and not too expensive. The author uses a lot of photos to illustrate these sections
The next portion of the book is arranged the alphabetically and cameos 130 designers. Each profile contains a little company history, marks, signature look of a designer and recommendations of pieces to buy.
In the next chapter there is a section called "Marked by Style" on identifying unmarked jewelry. A little more than a beginner skill in my opinion but an interesting section to ponder nonetheless. She focuses 75% of her energy on Juliana, the remaining 25% on Eisenberg, Dorothy Bauer, Hattie Carnegie, Goldette, Haskell, Hollycraft, Sarah Coventry, Schauer, Schreiner and Weiss.
The remaining chapters cover:
* Upgrading your collection
* Repairing and Cleaning
* Cataloging a Collection
* Storing and Insuring a Collection
Over all the advice is quite sound, the G-U-I-D-E principle should be followed it will really help anyone avoid unfocused buying.
Quantity of Illustrations:
There are more than 750 total illustrations in Collecting Costume Jewelry 101. There are color photographs, original advertisements in color and black and white. The photos are clear and focused.
Quality of Illustrations:
Comments: The items selected are not riveting I think that they are pedestrian. Maybe that is because this book is pitched at beginners. However I feel that the selections should be inspirational and exciting. This is why the top shelf pieces in a book such as "A Tribute to America" are always fun to look at. I felt the items pictured were what the author could get permission to use. Which leads me to the inclusion of Christmas tree jewelry! There are too many Christmas trees in this book. And I like Christmas tree jewelry.
I have one very pointed example that illustrates my low score on the illustrations. The author devoted 3 pages to Miriam Haskell. In my opinion these are not good representative pieces, they are what was available to include. There is one pair of beaded earrings, a necklace with gold chain and a wood pendant that looks like it was made in shop class to me, several strings of beads, a pearl necklace that is not photographed close enough to generate any excitement and a pair of gilded earrings. I may sound harsh here but the wow factor of buying Miriam Haskell is not expressed in these photos. Feel free to disagree!
As a final note on the illustrations, I am reviewing the first edition of this book. According to the publisher Collector Books a second edition should be available soon. They promise 200 new photos and updates on the price guidelines that are included in the first edition.
Quantity of Information
Range of Information offered:
For the most part this is a good concise book to check for information. If you are looking for in depth information on a particular designer you should probably look at a more specialized book. For example there are entire books on Haskell, KJL, D &E, to name only a few designers.
Is the information thorough?
The information provided seems to be thorough and remember this is a book for beginners.
Values Listed (Prices) Yes
Are they helpful or realistic? The prices are being updated for a new edition
The prices are based on what one might hope to get in an e-bay auction.
Comments: Based on the prices sometimes I want to be buying and other times I want to be on the selling end of the transaction.
User Friendly:
Is the book easy to read and follow? yes
Is there a table of contents and index? yes
Is information easy to find? yes
Is this book a must have? Only for your friends who are just beginning to collect costume jewelry. I think Costume Jewelry 202 is a vastly superior book and I would recommend that (again).
Overall comments
If I had this book many years ago I would have avoided buying stuff I just didn't need. I would have made wiser purchases and would have a better collection today.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A1UYL6KW7GO90G
|
