Antiques for Amateurs: Secrets to Successful Antiquing

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Summary: Educational,Inspiring, and Entertaining
Review: After reading this book I purchased a number of copies as gifts. It is the most educational book I have ever read on antiques. Not only did I learn but it also took me to far away places and I felt that it broadened my understanding of relics. Also, now I have more confidence when I search the market for old precious items and have a better understanding of their value and how it is established. I have read all three of Mr. Vesely's books and loved them. I wish I could find a copy of the one which is no longer in print. Perhaps you can help me find it.

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Summary: Go elsewhere for advice on antique silver!
Review: I was browsing a bookstore when i came upon this book. Curious to see how the author advises readers relative to the subject of antique silver, I read the chapter on that subject. There were numerous cases of factual errors and misinformation. It almost seemed as if the author went to an antique show one day and scribbled down some information about silver, then considered it complete, without verifying anything with other sources. Or perhaps he took tidbits from various references and threw them all together, without including other significant facts necessary to clarify what he did include. Clearly, the information doesn't come from an expert in the field, which isn't necessarily bad, but the author to me came off trying to sound scholarly in this area. Take the phrase "American silver is very rare" (this may not be verbatim). This is particularly galling, because it is simply not true. Yes, certain pieces, styles, etc. are rare, but the book, at least at this point, appears to discourage amateurs from collecting American silver. Of course in other parts, American silver doesn't sound so rare. Then there is the phrase "Durgin pieces made in 1904 are collectible." (again, not verbatim due to my memory) D "What sorts of pieces? Who is Durgin?" an amateur might ask. I know from my own experience that Durgin was an American silver maker, based in NH, etc., and in 1904 a collectible flatware pattern called "New Art" was designed by Durgin, and that this wonderful Art Nouveau pattern is indeed very collectible. However, the book itself does not even show how to recognize a Durgin piece in general (in fact no hallmarks are illustrated, and an amateur should really know important marks, such as Gorham, Whiting, Durgin, Shiebler, and many more), let alone describe the specific pattern. This phrase is just one example; I am trying to limit my use of examples for brevity's sake, though some may say this review is already very lengthy. Sweeping generalizations also work to the detriment of amateurs. Furthermore, from the parts I read at least, the author fails to explain certain styles of silver, for instance Art Nouveau, Aesthetic Movement, Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, Rococo, Neoclassical, etc., all important to know. Please forgive this diatribe (anybody who has read this far), but advice such as this may cause many not to read the genuinely scholarly references on silver. For instance, I recommend "Silver in America 1840-1940" by Chas. Venable. This wonderful book is amply illustrated, and a very valuable reference. This is just one book which should enamor anybody of American silver of this time period. For American marks, try "Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers" by D. Rainwater, with thousands of makers listed in it, most illustrated with their mark(s). It is just very irritating to see such not necessarily false but certainly dubious information being propagated in this manner. I'll save my complaints about the jewelry section for another day...

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Summary: Useful antiquing book for beginners
Review: This book of 190 pages contains easy-to-read information and expert advice to assist new collectors in getting started in antiquing. Written by a knowledgeable collector, it takes you through all of the basics of collecting and covers the many different areas of antiquing, providing numerous tips. A helpful glossary of terminology is included. Its a book you'll refer to often.