Lifestyle and Hobbies

Contains 124 extraordinary color profiles, portraying examples of nearly all types of single-seated fighter aircraft used by the Luftwaffe in World War II. All of the detailed profiles represent aircraft flown by German aces, some of the most famous and successful as well as those of lesser known. Also contains over 100 color illustrations of Luftwaffe unit markings, uniform insignia, camouflage c

Explore the broad range of beautiful, high-quality porcelain figurines manufactured by the Bing & Grondahl Porcelain Manufactory, of Copenhagen, Denmark, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, collectors worldwide appreciate the sculptors’ and decorators’ skills, as reflected in their charming figurines.More than 700 animal and human figurines are shown, along with date marks, shop sign

Here is the comprehensive guide to forty years of collectible Swedish-made reels. It contains background information on every manufacturer and discusses every production model made between 1940 and 1980. It includes baitcasters, spinning, and fly reels. With over 675 color photographs, vintage advertisements, and patent drawings, plus a guide to current values, it is a must have reference book for

This beautiful and comprehensive volume on easy-to-grow geraniums (pelargoniums) provides a wealth of new information for hobby growers from all climates, including valuable tips on the challenges each region presents. Chapters provide detailed background on the many varieties of geraniums, including scented leaf pelargoniums, zonals, dwarfs, stellars, regals, angels, and more. Hundreds of stunnin

This is the complete story of Argentina’s contract Mauser rifles from the purchase of their first Model 1871s to the disposal of the last shipment of surplus rifles received in the United States in May 2002. Between 1891-1959 Argentina bought or manufactured nearly 500,000 Mauser rifles and carbines for itself as well as for its neighbors Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay and Paraguay. It also supplied Spain

Chinese pottery and porcelain has been admired, sought after, fought over, and emulated throughout the history of the civilized world. In form, color, and technique, China led the world in the ceramic arts. Its perfection of hard paste porcelain in the Ming Dynasty followed a fascinating record of ceramic production that is traceable back to 5,000 B.C. The Ceramics of China provides text and pictu

Here's a fun-filled trip back in time to the colorful arcades of the 1970s and '80s. More than 600 photos present the dot-munching PAC MAN, bomb-dropping SPACE INVADERS, and other favorites. Nostalgic baby boomers have made arcade video games one of the hottest collectibles around. This comprehensive reference presents photos of every popular video game manufactured, along with some long-forgotten

The islands of Murano, in the lagoon of Venice, have been a sheltered community of glass artists for at least 700 years, leading the world in blown techniques and design of beautiful and functional objects. This new study captures the artistry of Murano glass as well as the multi-generational world of discovery, innovation, alliances, and realliances that have fostered that artistry. With 250 stun

This long-awaited book will be a valuable tool for collectors, dealers, and researchers of modern Italian glass. Most comprehensive volumes are written in Italian, and none includes a value guide. This one, in English, includes information and photographs that will make this book a standard reference on the subject.With approximately 700 full color photos of almost 1000 examples of glass from 1900

For the first time, alarm clocks with legs, between 1880 and 1935, are brought together in a single volume. Over 375 black and white photos and catalog pages illustrate the fascinating alarms affectionately known as "tin cans" and nickel alarms. Included are examples from American clock companies Ansonia, Attleboro, Gilbert, Ingersoll, Ingraham, Lux, New Haven, Parker, Scott, Sessions, Seth Thomas

This is the perfect introduction to Shaker furniture design.This concise book surveys distinctive furniture styles produced during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in Shaker communities of New England, Kentucky, and Ohio, with over 130 beautiful full color images. Free-standing tables, chairs, boxes, desks, built-in cupboards, and cases of drawers are shown. \nThe text provides an introducti

This is the third book by the authors on American-made ceramic salt and pepper shaker sets made in the mid-20th century. Here are hundreds of sets, made in California and elsewhere, by important manufacturers. Sets by Arcadia, California Originals, William H. Hirsch Manufacturing Co., Metlox Potteries, Treasure Craft, Pottery Craft, Twin Winton, F & F Mold and Die Works, McCoy Pottery, Rossware, T

Collectible porcelain Christmas plates have been made in Denmark by Bing & Grondahl since 1895 and by Royal Copenhagen since 1908. These and their many other popular commemorative series, including Mothers' Day, Jubilee, and Childrens' Day plates, have been cherished by generations of people all over the world. This is the first book to bring all the plates together in one beautiful, organized ref

Natural swimming pools rely on the correct balance of living plants and micro-organisms to clean and purify the water. They are easy and less costly to maintain than chemical pools. Chlorine and other common pool chemicals that are hazardous to human health are not used. Natural pools are safe places for children to play and birds to drink, and are a dramatic example of ecological design, combinin

This comprehensive new book celebrates over 550 top quality handbags by leading and unknown designers the world over, dating from 1759 to 2004, with detailed information to describe their outstanding qualities. These carefully selected handbags are arranged by their primary materials and chronologically within each chapter, for easy reference and interesting comparisons. Here fine leather, fabric,

This book beautifully illustrates the wide range of artistic innovation and techniques expressed in vitreous, or “hard,” enamels on metal. More than 30 experienced enamelists share their specialized knowledge for using cloisonné, plique-à-jour, champlevé, and basse-taille techniques on silver, gold, foils, and metal clay to make jewelry, vessels, portraits, and more. Works from an additional 55 ar

The bible book of buttons is back in an updated and revised sixth edition. This is the best introduction to the world of buttons that has ever been written. Over 3,000 buttons, covering all periods, materials, and manufacturers, are pictured and identified, along with newly revised current market values for each button. Although comprehensive in scope, the book is never intimidating. Its encyclope

The name Rolex is recognized around the world. It has become an icon of beauty, quality, accuracy, style, and taste. While there are other fine manufacturers of timepieces, none has reached this pinnacle of public respect and acclaim.The watches produced by Rolex over the last 100 years are celebrated in this lavishly illustrated classic, now in a revised and expanded third edition. Over 30 newly

Over 1,240 beautiful museum quality hats reveal the milliner's ingenuity from the 1790s to the 1970s. Among the styles displayed are ascots, bourrelets, bigonnets, chapeaux rouges, nurses' hats, Pamelas, pillboxes, toreodors, turbans, and wedding hats. They are made with materials including felts, furs (real and imitation), and feathers, and are adorned with beads, flowers, sequins, and much more!

Breitling. One watch has made this name famous worldwide, the Navitimer. In 1952 this watch was a real sensation, the chronograph along with the calculator made it possible for the pilot to carry out all necessary calculations during the flight. This made the Navitimer a valuable on-board instrument at that time, and a valuable collectible today.This newly revised book shows the whole spectrum of