I Am Plastic: The Designer Toy Explosion

Book Description

In barely a decade, the designer toy craze, which originated in Hong Kong, has taken the world by storm. Children and adults, celebrities and design aficionados now line up to pay anywhere from five dollars to thousands of dollars for these highly inventive designer creations.

I Am Plastic provides a colorful visual history of the phenomenon, which has energized not only the toy world but the global art community as well. Fashion designers, comic book artists, underground illustrators, graffiti and fine artists now lend their creativity to the task of coming up with innovative and striking new toy designs. Artists and toys featured in this stunning overview include Frank Kozik, Dalek, Gary Baseman, Bounty Hunter, Junko Mizuno, Jason Siu, Devilrobots, and Pete Fowler.

Customer Reviews:

Great book.......2007-08-23

I got this book for my husband, and he loves it. He is very much into these type of toys. Thank you Amazon!

A Guide to the Beginnings of a New Art Form.......2007-05-11

It wasn't enough to have regular dolls like Barbie or G.I. Joe. Some people had to go messing around with the dolls instead of leaving them as they were. They melted and remolded the limbs, or they substituted a speaker or a model of a radio for a head, or they gave G.I. Joe an orange afro. This was only about ten years ago, and the dolls were coming in from Asia. "It was as if artists were taking toys that I remembered from my childhood and imposing an adult aesthetic on them," writes Paul Budnitz, "They were cute, scary, hip, violent, scarce, expensive, and beautiful." Budnitz, a film-maker with a fine arts degree from Yale, was so taken by the strange dolls that he went to Hong Kong and started a toy company to manufacture more. In _I Am Plastic: The Designer Toy Explosion_ (Abrams), Budnitz has provided three hundred lovely color pages devoted to his obsession, both the designs made by his firm Kidrobot and by many others who are participating in a lively new art form. And if the prices for these items on e-Bay, for instance, is any indicator, there are lots of enthusiasts just as obsessed.

Budnitz asserts that these are true works of art, but that they have an unusual canvas, usually bright, smooth plastic assembled in parts. They come in limited editions, like prints, and many buyers are interested in collecting sets. Because there are so few made, the artists are free to take risks and make something very strange and otherwise commercially infeasible. The artists wind up putting their own money up for production, and spending their own time to sell their sculptures, when of course they'd be happier just being artists. It's a risk, and they want their customers to take a risk on buying, too, and buying just because the offered toy is "really, really weird." Weird they certainly are, and often laugh-out-loud funny; these are generally cartoonish creatures, although some are scary. Often they are beautiful, and the lovely pictures in this book will make anyone want to see the real objects. A set from Devilrobots inexplicably titled "Maffy Kubrick" looks like gumdrops of different colors with smiley faces. Devilrobots also manufactures cubes that come in mock tofu boxes, but the cubes of tofu have faces (usually unsmiling) and are driving around in little bumper cars. Lots look like they would fit into Japanese monster movies, for instance. There are bunnies here, too, mostly in the form of "Smorkin' Labbit", a puffy rabbit figurine whose cuteness clashes with the cigarette in its mouth. The labbit in each of its incarnations is physically identical, except for its paint job, which might be garish, pastel, plaid, or bondage-themed.

There is page after page of whimsical figures, full of color, with molding revealing fine detail. The people who produce these objects obviously love their work. The people who collect them, and pay premium prices, obviously love them, too. I certainly would be more interested in viewing a collection of these pieces than I would a host of items from the Franklin Mint. I didn't know a thing about designer toys before I opened this handsome book, but it is clear that this is a trend that will continue. Perhaps _I Am Plastic_ will be a foundation document for an established art movement in the future, to show the movement's Golden Age, but it stands on its own as a fine introduction into a very odd artistic and commercial endeavor.

Best Vinyl Toys Book ~.......2007-04-23

Vinyl Toys Maniac, this is the best complete book for you. Cool stuff & you'll want to read this book over and over again without gettin bore ~ 2 Thumbs up ^^

inspiring.......2007-03-14

inspiring, amazing , aesthetic value now change .
this book represent new aesthetic approach of toys

great book for toy collectors and enthusiasts.......2007-03-01

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys urban toys. Almost every page has very nice, large photographs of different single works and series. The book displays each toy very well; it includes different views of most of the works and some close-ups. It features artists from all over the world and contains some interviews as well.

Designing the Doll: From Concept to Construction

Average customer rating:

Designing he Doll by Susanna Oroyan
Gorgeous, thorough, downright addictive!
Would give it a 10
designing the doll
dollmaking in mostley known techniks

Designing the Doll: From Concept to Construction
Susanna Oroyan
Manufacturer: C&T Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Dolls | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Toymaking | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Anatomy of a Doll: The Fabric Sculptor's Handbook
Finishing the Figure: Doll Costuming, Embellishments, Accessories
Creative Cloth Doll Faces: Using Paints, Pastels, Fibers, Beading, Collage, and Sculpting Techniques
Creative Cloth Doll Making: New Approaches for Using Fibers, Beads, Dyes, and Other Exciting Techniques
Creative Cloth Doll Couture: New Approaches to Making Beautiful Clothing and Accessories

ASIN: 1571200606

Book Description

An in-depth guide to doll making from concept to "imaginative engineering," this book is for every collector and artist. A gallery of all of the important "art" doll makers today-a record for collectors and inspiration for doll artists. A wide variety of construction methods, the techniques for getting proportions correct, and ideas on how to develop ideas and then construct advanced art figures or dolls are covered. 250 color photos plus over 200 drawings. 160 pages.

Customer Reviews:

Designing he Doll by Susanna Oroyan.......2007-07-04

I own all of Susanna's books and think they are excellent. I would suggest that anyone interested in doll making invest in them, and this is a good one to start with. I honestly think this is 5 star all the way. I use this, and her other books, frequently while working. I am a serious cloth doll maker and usually buy every doll book when it comes out - some I resell immediately, but this one I am keeping!

Gorgeous, thorough, downright addictive!.......2007-05-18

The pictures in this book are incredible! The multitude of eclectic styles inspire, and while this is not exactly a how-to, it gets you thinking about the possibilities. In the book, Oroyan focuses more on the different options an artist has: planning ideas (and ways to do this), materials, questions to ask when thinking of the concept, elements of design (e.g. form, scale, color, etc), and she includes some sample sketches that illustrate these ideas, showing some do's and don'ts along the way.

While I have never made a doll, this book has been useful on a few levels. The discussions on scale, caricature (again, with do's and don'ts and how to achieve different goals there), creating abstractions of the form, trying different styles, working with faces and hands, gestures, clothing patterns for the dolls, different materials, anatomy...this book has so much to offer! The images alone earn Designing the Doll 5 stars--everything else is icing on the cake!

Would give it a 10.......2006-10-17

For any of you who believe that dolls are just children's toys or cutesy collector's items, you have obviously not seen this book. Oroyan's Designing the Doll: from Concept to Construction, is a very impressive book. While it is as advertised, a book on making dolls, it is first and foremost an art book. Throughout the book, the author is addressing the student as artist. She covers issues such as color, texture, drawing, abstract and impressionism, scale, etc. The details of construction are included as are some patterns, but the greatest value of the book is actually in the illustrations of finished dolls, some by the author and some by others. These are exceptional works of art. Some are actual portrait works, capturing in miniature the personalities of those portrayed. Others, while they may have had human models, are designed to capture an essence or spirit, an impression or meaningful event. When one sees dolls such as these, one understands instantly why a person would collect them: they are Michelangelos in miniature.

designing the doll.......2006-03-09

I enjoyed the book it has great inspirational color photos with lots of technique ideas

dollmaking in mostley known techniks.......2003-08-21

this book is recomanded for all dollmakers wich intends to make
realy serius work! the author is explaining in detail almost
evry way posible to create dolls. the text is easy and clear.
mrs. oroyan shows you the true path to your own creativity,
not just techniks. and that is the most imporyant think in
books!!!

Average customer rating:

Quite a nice book
Clear directions and eye candy too.
A Good Buy for Beginning Builders
Excellent book! Great color pictures and diagrams
A Must for Automata Enthusiasts!

Automata and Mechanical Toys
Rodney Peppe
Manufacturer: Crowood Press, Limited, The
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Toys | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Toymaking | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Five Hundred and Seven Mechanical Movements: Embracing All Those Which Are Most Important in Dynamics, Hydraulics, Hydrostatics, Pseumatics, Steam en
Paper Automata: Four Working Models to Cut Out & Glue Together
Automata Too: Four Working Models to Cut Out and Glue Together
Making Mechanical Toys
Basic Machines and How They Work

ASIN: 1861265107

Book Description

A lavish guide to the ingenious design and beauty of automata and mechanical toys, including their history, an explanation of their mechanisms, a survey of the leading makers, step–by–step instructions for making mechanisms, and 160 color photos.

Customer Reviews:

Quite a nice book.......2007-06-13

The book certainly has nice and inspiring pictures of great automata. To a certain extent, some of the concepts of automata are defined. But largely, the chapters are devoted to eccentric and creative automata artists who inspire more by examples than theories.

Clear directions and eye candy too........2006-11-08

This is the best book on automata since Flying Pig opened it's doors. Peppe shows how to build your own test board of mechanical movement and provides examples of the best current automata for inspiration. The "test board" is finely crafted, covers a wide range of movements and it's fun to play with too.

A Good Buy for Beginning Builders.......2004-11-25

Depending on what your interests are, this can be a valuable addition to your library. It is not for collectors, in my opinion, and most of the examples are on the "folk art" side: crude, kitschy, and sometimes even made of junk. There are profiles of a few builders who make complex automata demonstrating fine craftsmanship, such as the wonderful Keith Newstead and John Grayson. I would have preferred to have some detailed explanations of how some of their automata work, though. The REAL strength of this book is if you are beginning to make your own automata and would like to have a "kit" to experiment with. The book contains full sized plans for an experimenter's "kit" which is really nice. I have Robert Addam's "How to Design and Make Automata" and CMT's book, but they both only have crude drawings with no dimensions. I made photocopies of the parts and then used Xylene to transfer directly onto plywood and cut the parts out on a scroll saw, saving a great deal of time and giving me a nice litte platform for experimenting. This alone makes the book a must have for the beginning builder.

Excellent book! Great color pictures and diagrams.......2003-06-10

This has got to be one of the best books on the subject of automata and mechanical theatre. There are lots of great color pictures and diagrams to build your own automata. Worth the money!

A Must for Automata Enthusiasts!.......2003-06-09

This book is everything you could ask for in book on contemporary artistic automata.

Each chapter has a brief summary of the topic in question -- say tools and materials. Next, each chapter moves on to showcase the work of two or three automata artists with many pictures and a page or two of information about each artist.

The photographs of automata in this book are outstanding. You can really get a sense for the devices, their construction, and most especially, their finishes.

If you love automata, want to see more of them, and want to learn about some of the top automata artists in the contemporary scene, this book is a must-have.

Kabuki Costumes Paper Dolls
Average customer rating:

Pleasing Paper

Great Costumes.....

Gorgeous Kabuki Costumes with short description

Kabuki Costumes Paper Dolls
Ming-Ju Sun
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Crafts & Hobbies | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Activity Books | Sports & Activities | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Textiles & Costume | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Similar Items:

Traditional Japanese Fashions Paper Dolls (Traditional Fashions)

Japanese Kimono Paper Dolls in Full Color (Paper Dolls)

Japanese Warrior Costumes Paper Dolls

Chinese Opera Costumes Paper Dolls

Traditional Chinese Fashion Paper Dolls

ASIN: 0486288560

Book Description

16 spectacular costumes reproduced in brilliant color and elegant detail, created for actors impersonating traditional characters of Kabuki drama: shogun, geisha, wicked woman, red princess, lion, more. Many include elaborated headdresses, masks or specially painted faces associated with each character. With informative captions. 2 dolls, 16 costumes on 16 plates.

Customer Reviews:

Pleasing Paper.......2004-06-17

Ming-Ju Sun has created a lovely collection of kabuki outfits, each one with the name of the character, play it is from, and style of play, from historical drama to musical. The inside of the covers also contains history and information on kabuki and kabuki actors. I recommend this for Ming-Ju Sun fans and kabuki fans, and those who love to collect beautiful paper dolls.

Great Costumes............2001-02-28

The kabuki costumes are very colorful and wonderfully drawn. There are 8 female costumes and 8 male costumes. The dolls are made of thicker paper, found on the flap of the back cover. Even though it defeats the point of having paper dolls, I found that I rather liked keeping the costumes uncut and left in the book. I use this book for reference, given the handy short descriptions on the side. The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars was because I've seen better work from Ming-Ju Sun. I recommend Ming-Ju Sun's "Japanese Kimono." This book has 26 costumes, more detailed with better color, and the whole book is done on thick paper. The paper for the Kabuki Costumes was much thinner and would most likely not endure prolonged handling. Both books are the same price but I believe you get a better deal with "Japanese Kimono."

Gorgeous Kabuki Costumes with short description.......2000-04-02

16 Kabuki Costumes with short description, such as "Benkei (an 11th-century warrior) in Kanjincho (The subscription List). Juhachiban." Each costume comes with appropriate Kumadori (make-ups) and wig.

Even though I don't know the details of each Kabuki costume, I believe it well convey the mood of Kabuki. If you are interested in Kabuki, it'll be a good starter.

No. 1 Price Guide to M.I. Hummel Figurines, Plates, More... (Mi Hummel Figurines, Plates, Miniatures & More Price Guide) (Mi Hummel Figurines, Plates, Miniatures & More Price Guide)
Average customer rating:

Umbrella Girl Silk Carpet

Most Precise and Knowledgeable Hummel BIBLE on the Market

Hummels are Great!

Great resource

Excellent for Amateurs

No. 1 Price Guide to M.I. Hummel Figurines, Plates, More... (Mi Hummel Figurines, Plates, Miniatures & More Price Guide) (Mi Hummel Figurines, Plates, Miniatures & More Price Guide)
Robert L. Miller
Manufacturer: Portfolio Press (NY)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

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Collecting Swarovski: Identification & Price Guide (Identification and Value Guides (Krause))

No. 1 Price Guide to M.I.Hummel Figurines, Plates, Miniatures, & More (Mi Hummel Figurines, Plates, Miniatures & More 10th Ed. (Mi Hummel Figurines, Plates, Miniatures & More Price Guide)

ASIN: 0942620658

Customer Reviews:

Umbrella Girl Silk Carpet.......2005-03-25

I have one and will give you information on the Hummel Silk Carpet.(The Book lacks this information)
On the back is a tag stitched to it saying:

M.J. Hummel
ORIGINAL HUMMEL SILK CARPET
HANDKNOTTED IN BEIJING, CHINA.

ARS AG, ZUG, SWITZERLAND

LIMITED EDITION :10 /50

Also there is a tag attached to the SILK CARPET written in both Chinese and English
ZHE JIANG SILK RUG

I am giving this information because the book does not have a picture of this HUMMEL SILK CARPET and not sure about the information I just posted.
VALUE UNKNOWN but it is Very Beautiful

Most Precise and Knowledgeable Hummel BIBLE on the Market.......2003-11-29

I have all, since the first publication, of Robert Miller's Price Guide to MI Hummel Figurines, Plates, Miniatures and More.
Mr. Miller has all the knowledge one would expect & want to find in his books after much research and many trips to Germany to gain this knowledge. This is THE HUMMEL BIBLE! I highly recommend this book to all Hummel collectors or to anyone interested in the collecting of fine arts. Very well written with explicit details about Sister MI Hummel's life in Massing, Germany & her schooling. Each known Hummel is pictured & tells of the Master Artist who molded each three dimentional figurine from the drawings by Sister beginning in the 1930's to the present TMK markings. A great investment for Insurance purposes when appraising your figurines by The Hummelking!

Hummels are Great!.......2002-03-03

This book is very well illustrated, well layed-out, easy to use, and the pictures are very beautiful. It's full of information, explains more than I expected, and it is a MUST for Hummel collectors.

Great resource.......2001-10-11

not only is this a complete guide -- but it is so easy to use -- anyone owning or buying Hummel's should have this -- I only wish I could find Guides like this for my other collectables --

Excellent for Amateurs.......2001-09-25

Even though it's proclaimed by expert collectors as the absolute source of information about Hummel figurines, Robert Miller's reference work is easy for amateurs as well. He provides insightful guidance in determining value and quality as well as interesting tidbits about production and variations in the figurines. His work is referenced by many sellers in internet auctions, but is also helpful in figuring out just what you already have. As a rank beginner, I had no problem in following his material and ascertaining the value of an inherited collection. It was also useful in helping me determine additions that I wanted to make to the collection.

Blue Book Dolls and Values, 16th Edition (Blue Book Dolls and Values)

Average customer rating:

doll book
Very disappointing!
Doll value
Blue Book Dolls and Values, 16th Edition (Blue Book Dolls and Values)
Misses the mark in several categories

Blue Book Dolls and Values, 16th Edition (Blue Book Dolls and Values)
Jan Foulke
Manufacturer: Hobby House Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Dolls | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Toys | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Toymaking | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

The Official Price Guide to Dolls
200 Years of Dolls: Identification & Price Guide, Third Edition
Jan Foulke's Guide to Dolls: A Definitive Identification and Price Guide
The Handbook of Doll Repair & Restoration
Doll Values: Antique to Modern (Doll Values Antique to Modern)

ASIN: 0875886671

Book Description

#1 BEST SELLER FOR 30 YEARS!

The first, favorite, and most trusted price guide for all types of dolls is more colorful and reader-friendly in its 16th edition. It is organized into an "Antique" section and "Modern" section. The Antique section covers the manufacturers of bisque, china, wax, wood, cloth, and papier-mâché dolls from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The "Modern" section covers the doll artists and makers of composition, hard plastic, vinyl and more. The 16th Blue Book features an easy-to-use index arranged alphabetically by manufacturer and has over 500 photographs - all in color!

This reliable and authoritative doll price guide has been chosen by collectors as the #1 price guide they trust and have used for 30 years. The Blue Book is considered the "bible" with collectors and is the one doll book that is used whether you have one doll or an entire collection of antique or contemporary dolls.

This is the one book that doll collectors cannot live without!

Customer Reviews:

doll book.......2007-06-28

Very helpful book - have really been enjoying this book as I have wanted this book for years, finally got it!

Very disappointing!.......2007-05-13

I bought this book to help me determine the value of a collection of high quality dolls that my aunt wants to help her sell. Our of five doll designers, only one of the designers was even listed in her book. This was a waste of my money, for sure!

Doll value.......2007-05-07

I am formilair with this book. It is a great book IF you know the name of your doll. If you don't it is not a good one for you.

Blue Book Dolls and Values, 16th Edition (Blue Book Dolls and Values).......2006-07-17

THE resource for all your doll questions on values and dolls.

Misses the mark in several categories.......2006-05-10

Although the Blue Book is the avid doll collectors' favorite price guide, it contains numerous categories that have not been updated for quite a number of years. China, parian, papier mache, and wooden, some of the earliest dolls in existence, have been gaining in popularity for several years now and the market prices, both at auction and online have been rising considerably. The Blue Book has not caught up with this trend.

Also, it would be extremely helpful if there were a comprehensive section that described the methods used in compiling the information as well as the sources of this information. Some of the prices are so far off the mark in actual market prices realized, that it makes the professional wonder if the numbers are merely picked out of blue sky.

The book is well structured and is the easiest to use on a daily basis, of all the price guides, however, serious updating and a description of the price compilation process, would improve it immensely.

Anatomy of a Doll: The Fabric Sculptor's Handbook

Average customer rating:

This book is a much have for art doll makers! Full of techniques!
Anatomy of a Doll by Susanna Oroyan
The best boook on dolll making ever published.
A Frustrating Experience
Beautiful pictures

Anatomy of a Doll: The Fabric Sculptor's Handbook
Susanna Oroyan
Manufacturer: C&T Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Dolls | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Dollhouses | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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Designing the Doll: From Concept to Construction
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Creative Cloth Doll Making: New Approaches for Using Fibers, Beads, Dyes, and Other Exciting Techniques
Creative Cloth Doll Couture: New Approaches to Making Beautiful Clothing and Accessories

ASIN: 157120024X

Amazon.com

More than just a dollmaking book, Anatomy of a Doll provides a fascinating overview of the creative process that has gone into dollmaking for centuries. With nearly 300 excellent photographs of her own dolls and those of many other accomplished artists, noted doll expert Susanna Oroyan offers instructions and ideas for a tremendous variety of cloth dolls. Separate chapters are devoted to the head, the body (including hands and feet), body joints, assemblies, and finishing details. There is enough practical information on all aspects of basic techniques to help the novice dollmaker, and even experts will discover an abundance of new ideas. Everyone will marvel at the unbounded creativity reflected in these remarkable figures.

Customer Reviews:

This book is a much have for art doll makers! Full of techniques!.......2007-08-25

Talk about INSPIRATION! This is a wonderful book for all doll makers, beginners and experts alike. There are clear directions for many different techniques, and so much variety in the techniques that you will NEVER come out of your sewing room! This book is a must have for all doll makers and sculptures.

Anatomy of a Doll by Susanna Oroyan.......2007-07-21

I am a cloth doll maker and never fail to find inspiration when I read this book. I look through it frequently for ideas and for technique - and never fail to find something I can use. This is a basic book for any cloth doll maker and I can't recommend it highly enough. I belong to a cloth doll club and everyone owns one of these books and wouldn't be without it.

The best boook on dolll making ever published........2007-04-30

Anyone who cannot understand and follow this book's instructions and illustrations should not attempt to make art dolls. They do not have the necessary creativity and would be better served by a major pattern company. This is the most informative and inspirational books I've read on art dolls. All of Susanna Oroyan's books are informative, inspirational, and food for the soul of the dollmaker.

A Frustrating Experience.......2006-12-16

The book follows no particular sequence and leaves much unanswered in basic steps. For example, page 35 which instructs on making a fully sculptural head is initially clear, basically 3 circles are needed and you'll come out with a fully sculpted head with no nose. But, then there is a drawing of a fully sculptured head with a nose. This head appears to have 4 pieces. The increase caused by splitting the face with the nose in half...but, is this nose appliqued or glued on? Is it then covered with another cloth? This is never answered. And what order is easiest in sewing this face together. If you sew parts 1 and 2, the face, then part 3, the piece which hold in the padding to the face should be smaller (remember, you sewed the face together) and now you need a smaller circumference for part 3, or should it be pleated. According to the author, "learning will be quicker and more enjoyable if you allow yourself to have ideas, to play with them, and to experiment with the techniques." She continues and it becomes condescending. I spent more time than necessary trying to determine exactly what steps to take and when.. she never tells the full story and jumps from one subject to another without warning or explanation. I have plenty of ideas but needed help with the basics in order to apply my ideas. You won't get that here. There are many beautiful figures made by the author and other artists and a brief statement of the technique used. The book is a waste of time and money.. I closed the book and started from "Scratch". I will list the book here on Amazon if any of you want to buy it.

Beautiful pictures.......2006-08-02

I thought that the book had spectacular pictures of dolls, but I found the instructions on how to make the same dolls a bit lacking. It's a great idea book and inspiration book, but I would have liked more step by step instructions. There were some patterns and illustrations of how to do faces and the like, but there was a lot more reading to do than I would like in an instructional book.

American Dollhouses and Furniture from the 20th Century: With Price Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

Average customer rating:

Fantastic! I love this book!
A walk down the memory lane of my childhood!
The BEST comprehensive book on contemporary dollhouses.
A must for a collector's reference library!
Superb reference book, one of a kind in its class.

American Dollhouses and Furniture from the 20th Century: With Price Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Dian Zillner
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Dolls | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Toys | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

History of Technology | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Tomart's Price Guide to Tin Litho Doll Houses and Plastic Doll House Furniture
Dollhouse And Furniture Advertising, 1880s-1980s (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Antique and Collectible Dollhouses and Their Furnishings
Furnished Dollhouses: 1880s - 1980s (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
International Dollhouses and Accessories, 1880s to 1980s (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

ASIN: 0887407684

Book Description

This new reference features over 650 color photographs showing details of individual houses, several hundred pieces of furniture made of metal, wood, paper and plastic, and delightful full sets. Thoroughly researched information is provided for more than one hundred dollhouses, which date from 1900 to 1990 and range in size from the miniature Marx Newlywed model to the large Mego Walton Farmhouse. The biggest names in dollhouse manufacture are well represented -- from Bliss, Converse, and Schoenhut to Strombecker, Kilgore, Tootsietoy, Built-Rite, Renwal, Ideal, Plasco, Marx and many others. The book also includes a list of sources for securing dollhouses and furniture, addresses of publications in the field, and a comprehensive price guide.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic! I love this book!.......1998-11-27

This book filled my burning desire to know everything about dollhouses & furniture from the last 50 years. There are no gaps of missing information or omitions of important items in this detailed and comprehensive book. Quite a relief after seeing an army of inadequate collector books flood the market. I'll have hours of fun reading this. My only complaint is some of the photos are dark or of poor color quality. I want to view these things in their full glory.

A walk down the memory lane of my childhood!.......1998-08-07

This book is jam-packed with useful info, great pictures, and a very enjoyable writing style. I found myself constantly saying "I had that -- I remember that -- my friend had that one!" The book has been my constant companion ever since it arrived. What's more, it has sparked a new interest in collecting the old tin litho houses from the 50s and 60s -- items I had all but forgotten when I moved on to 1" scale wood miniatures. Thank you for a truly remarkable book, one which many of my friends will be enjoying, too.

The BEST comprehensive book on contemporary dollhouses........1998-07-21

Zillner has actually answered burning questions I've had on dollhouses and their furnishings. This is by far the BEST reference I've seen in 25 years of collecting. I highly recommend the book.

A must for a collector's reference library!.......1998-04-15

Informative, well written, well illustrated. If you're a collector, this book is a great reference.

Superb reference book, one of a kind in its class........1998-02-10

After searching for a reference book of this type for many months, I finally discovered this book through the internet. I have over 50 collectible reference books in my library and this one I would rate at the very top. A comprehensive, beautifully photographed, helpful reference guide.

Yesterday's Children: The Antiques and History of Childcare

Average customer rating:

Yesterday's Children: The Antiques and History of Childcare
Sally Kevill-Davies
Manufacturer: Antique Collectors' Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Social History | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

Dolls | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Boys' Toys of the Fifties and Sixties: Memorable Catalog Pages from the Legendary Sears Christmas Wishbooks 1950-1969

Average customer rating:

Send me a catalog of differnt things you might have.
a terrific journey home
Pictures were much too fuzzy.
Ah, the memories
A fantastic "time machine" resource of boy baby boomer toys

Boys' Toys of the Fifties and Sixties: Memorable Catalog Pages from the Legendary Sears Christmas Wishbooks 1950-1969

Manufacturer: Windmill Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Dolls | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Toys | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Boys' Toys of the 70's & 80's: Toy Pages From the Legendary Sears Christmas Wishbooks 1970-1989
More Boys' Toys of the Fifties and Sixties: Toy Pages from the Great Montgomery Wards Christmas Catalogs, 1950-1969 (More Boys' Toys of the Fifties & Sixties)
Girls' Toys of the Fifties and Sixties: Memorable Catalog Pages from the Legendary Sears Christmas Wishbooks 1950-1969
The Big Toy Box At Sears(1951-1969)
More Boys' Toys of the 70's & 80's: Toy Pages From the Great Montgomery Ward Christmas Catalogs 1970-1985

ASIN: 1887790012

Book Description

If you were a boy growing up in the Fifties or Sixties, you'll surely remember these wonderful old Sears, Roebuck & Co. Christmas catalog pages from 1950-1969. Organized by year, these full-sized authorized page reprints are jammed with classic toys like G.I. Joe, Lionel trains, Marx playsets, 007 spy gadgetry, Erector sets, slot cars, Roy Rogers and Davy Crockett cowboy toys and more, with their original prices! Thousands of illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

Send me a catalog of differnt things you might have........2002-03-15

The type of catalog i would i would like you to send is sound effects, ice skates, record players, and so much more. So that would be great.

thank you
from
Emile Alston

a terrific journey home.......2001-12-28

for those of us who grew up in a certain era and were products of the commercial age this book will bring back many memories. having had a dad who worked in the field until i was 7 i was spoiled and got about anything i wanted. try explaining to a 7 year old that dad no longer gets all the freebies he wants! well worth the time for any boi boomer!

Pictures were much too fuzzy........2000-08-29

I liked the catalog, but was dissapointed to see that all of the pictures were black and white (I think I do remember pages in the 60's that had color). It looks as though someone just copied the pictures on a plain copier, and slapped this book together. The idea was very good, but don't expect the quality of true Sears Catalog pages.

Ah, the memories.......1999-10-12

I come from a family of 7 boys. We all grew up wishfully dreaming every Christmas of GI Joe and erector sets found on the pages of the Sears Wishbook. This book brought so many memories rushing back - of things I fondly remembered and things I had forgotten about - I can't count them. My wife bought it for me last Xmas, I'm going to buy a copy for all my brothers this Xmas.

A fantastic "time machine" resource of boy baby boomer toys.......1999-06-19

While my family didn't really shop much out of the Sears Catalog, the pictures and descriptions of the toys in this book are as close to a time machine as I can imagine. As I flipped through the pages, toys that either I or my brother or my friends used to own and play with jumped out at me, one after another.. as I thought "Geeze! I had one of those!" or "Wow! I always wanted one of those!" :) This book is sheer nostalgia for guys who grew up in the 50s and early 60s. And the original prices for the toys are unbelievable... just a couple bucks, many for less than a dollar (!) for toys that now bring hundreds on the various web auction sites or at antique malls. I was also fascinated to see how many toys were sold back then that threw off sparks, or fired objects, or involved electricity or hot plastic, metal, all kinds of things considered so horribly "hazardous" today in our modern politically correct world, where the fun seems to have been legislated out of nearly everything. Back then, toy cars that "threw off sparks" were actually advertised as that being a fun feature, not a safety hazard! This is also a valuable resource for old toy buyers and sellers, just to be able to see an original illustration with its original retail price and to know what year it was made and first sold. If you can't get in a time machine and go back to a 1950s toy store, this book is just about the next best thing.

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