Name: Silver Treasures from the Land of Sheba
Brand: Marjorie Ransom
Price: 44.95 USD
Availability: InStock

Marjorie Ransom

Silver Treasures from the Land of Sheba

$44.95

The first illustrated study of ethnic silver jewelry in Yemen, by an expert researcher and collector, new in paperback

Silver Treasures from the Land of Sheba documents a disappearing artistic and cultural tradition with over three hundred photographs showing individual pieces, rare images of women wearing their jewelry with traditional dress, and the various regions in Yemen where the author did her field research. Ransom’s descriptions of the people she met and befriended, and her exploration of the significance of a woman’s handmade jewelry with its attributes of power, protection, beauty, and personal identity, will appeal to ethnic jewelry fans, ethnographers, jewelry designers, and art historians.

Amulet cases, hair ornaments, bridal headdresses, earrings, necklaces, ankle and wrist bracelets are all beautifully photographed in intricate detail, interspersed with the author’s own photographs of the women who shared their stories and their hospitality with her. A chapter on the history of silversmithing in Yemen tells the surprising story of the famed Jewish Yemeni silversmiths, many of whom left Yemen in the late 1940s. This is the first in-depth study of Yemeni silver, uniquely illustrated with photographs of a world that is transforming before our eyes, and animated with the portraits of a precious legacy.

Mark Rutkiewicz

Medical Device Company In A Box

$14.99

CONTROL. CONSISTENCY. CONSILISO.
Most business owners can only dream of creating that perfect balance between efficiency, flexibility, and usability—but you can’t be expected to do everything. With Consiliso, the architectural groundwork has been done for you. Follow along in Mark Rutkiewicz’s book, Medical Device Company in a Box: The Case for Consiliso, to see how your medical device company— or any company, for that matter—can benefit from Consiliso. It’s easily implemented for the small-business owner but also completely capable of scaling up to even the largest of multinational corporations, making it perfect to support your company and its growth.
In this book, you’ll learn how Consiliso can help you develop, in detail, the best methods to properly design all your business processes to achieve both compliance and efficiency so that you, as a business owner, can immediately see whether you are hitting your key metrics. From the complexity of product development and distribution, to training and complaint processing, Mark Rutkiewicz is here to explain, in an easy-to-understand way, how your company can finally achieve the level of organization it needs to live up to its capabilities.

Zach Mortin

Saab 9-3 Convertible

$19.99

The Saab 9-3 Convertible of 1998–2003 combines Scandinavian individuality, turbocharged performance and the enjoyment of open-top motoring with genuine everyday usability. With space for four, strong safety credentials and distinctive styling, it remains one of the most characterful soft-tops of its era. If you’re thinking of buying one, this guide will help you make the right choice.

With a broad range of trims, engines and special editions available, the 9-3 Convertible offers plenty of choice for buyers. Which version will best suit your budget and needs? Are there particular engines or years to approach with caution, and what are the key things to check before purchase? This Essential Buyer’s Guide distils the experience of marque specialists and owners, helping you track down a sound example that’s enjoyable to own and rewarding to drive.

Packed with colour photographs showing common problem areas, the book saves you hours of research by bringing together clear, practical advice in one handy reference.

Saab expert Zach Mortin covers every variant of the 1998–2003 9-3 Convertible, from the early 2.0-litre turbos through to the well-equipped SE and the sought-after Aero, with insights into specifications, reliability, running costs and worthwhile upgrades. Whether you’re after a distinctive daily driver or an emerging modern classic, this guide will point you in the right direction.

Cover image for Saab 9-3 Convertible, isbn: 9781836440994

Colin M. Roach

Japanese Swords

$39.99

With over 300 stunning photographs and woodblock prints along with extensive historical and cultural commentary, Japanese Swords is the ultimate authority on Samurai weaponry.

Historically, Japanese warriors considered their swords to be more elevated than simple weaponry. Their swords were both lethal tools and divine companions — social and religious icons. Traditionally worn by the samurai as a sign of social status, the Japanese sword represented the junction between the ruling military class and those whom they ruled. Moreover, the samurai sword was a technological and artistic marvel. Many scholars consider it to be the finest sword ever constructed.

Concerning symbolism and historical importance, no other blade comes close to the Japanese sword. With a historical, iconographical, and technological perspective, author Cohn M. Roach provides an in-depth study of these magnificent weapons in Japanese Swords. This richly illustrated sword book weaves the blade's primary influences together, tracking its history and illuminating its progress from infancy to grandeur. By studying the evolution of the Japanese sword from this perspective, we better understand Japan and its warrior archetype.

Combining research materials from multiple disciplines, Roach uses his expertise as an educator to guide readers through the sword's rise to greatness in a unique way. This book discusses the history, development, and spiritual symbolism of the sword, as well as the esoteric metallurgical techniques used in making it. It also covers the intense training practices used by skilled swordsmen.

Japanese Swords also includes accompanying online videos featuring a beautifully-filmed documentary that explores the traditional swordmaker's craft, an introduction to the Japanese sword at a sword shop in Kyoto and a visit to a dojo for a beginner's class in the medieval sword-drawing art called iaido.

Cover image for Japanese Swords, isbn: 9784805313312

Ronald G. Knapp

Things Chinese

$9.99

China's art objects and traditionally manufactured products have long been sought by collectors—from porcelains and silk fabrics to furniture and even the lacquered chopsticks that are a distant relation to ones found in most Chinese restaurants. Things Chinese presents sixty distinctive items that are typical of Chinese culture and together open a special window onto the people, history, and society of the world's largest nation. Many of the objects are collectibles, and each has a story to tell.

The objects relate to six major areas of cultural life: the home, the personal, arts & crafts, eating & drinking, entertainment, and religious practice. They include items both familiar and unfamiliar—from snuff bottles and calligraphy scrolls to moon cake molds and Mao memorabilia. Ronald Knapp's evocative text describes the history, cultural significance, and customs relating to each object, while Michael Freeman's superb photographs illustrate them. Together, text and photographs offer a unique look at the material culture of China and the aesthetics that inform it.

Cover image for Things Chinese, isbn: 9780804849890

Robyn Maxwell

Textiles of Southeast Asia

$49.95

Textiles provide a visual history of a country's culture and crafting traditions in a way few other things can accomplish. In Textiles of Southeast Asia, Dr. Robyn Maxwell provides the definitive work on Southeast Asian textiles.

Traditional textiles are one of the most widely collected and important categories of Southeast Asian art. Using an extensive range of locally produced raw materials and an astonishing array of techniques—including applique, weaving, batik and embroidery—the textiles of Southeast Asia are astonishing in their versatility and originality. Textiles are used to fashion everything from everyday clothing to sacred and ceremonial costumes, shrouds and wrapping cloths, hangings, banners and ritual regalia—all of which are represented and explained in Textiles of Southeast Asia.

This authoritative text focuses on the changing relationship between indigenous Southeast Asian traditions and the outside influences continuing to be brought to the area, which change the nature of the region's textile traditions. This book considers the various ways Southeast Asian textile artisans reacted over the centuries to the steady stream of new and powerful ideas and raw materials arriving from India, China, the Islamic world and Europe. A detailed and definitive resource, Textiles of Southeast Asia is a welcome addition to the field of textiles.

Cover image for Textiles of Southeast Asia, isbn: 9780804844406

Peter F. Stone

Oriental Rugs

$39.99

A must-have reference to the highly confusing rug terminology used across the globe—from Morocco to Turkey, Persia and the Caucasus region to Central Asia, India and China!

This monumental reference work—coveted by collectors and scholars alike—remains to fill an important gap in the available literature. Lavishly illustrated with over 1000 photographs and drawings, it offers clear and precise definitions for the rug and textile terms used across a broad swath of the globe—from Morocco to Turkey, Persia, the Caucasus region, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and China. It covers priceless museum-quality rugs as well as modern centers of production, and draws on classical scholarship as well as current terms used by producers and traders today. It focuses on the rich hand-knotting and hand-weaving traditions of the Near East and Central Asia, and also includes some Scandinavian and Native American weavings.

Rug terms are confusing; the same rug is often called by a baffling array of different names. Some of these refer to a specific geographic or ethnic origin, while others refer to a particular function, method of production or material. This book makes all these terms accessible and understandable, and aids researchers and collectors by precisely identifying each region and ethnic group and explaining the designs, motifs and materials typically used there. It highlights rugs of particular significance and explains technical terms in use by local producers and traders.

Cover image for Oriental Rugs, isbn: 9780804858014

Amy Katoh

Otafuku

$6.99

In shops, shrines, homes and gardens throughout Japan, at noisy festivals and in the most serene teahouses, you are likely to encounter the plump, smiling image of Otafuku—a mythic figure from Japan's distant past.

With her twinkling eyes and rosy lips, she appears in countless incarnations: on banners, cups and bowls, and in craft, furniture, painting and sculpture. Who is this warm, wonderful lady, whose gentle and calming presence is felt everywhere in Japan?

In Otafuku, renowned author Amy Katoh explores in her own inimitable way the colorful world of Otafuku. Katoh traces Otafuku's roots and folk beginnings, showing her many delightful identities, and providing a magical glimpse into this charming and little-known corner of Japanese culture. With a mixture of poems, photographs, anecdotes and stories, she presents a veritable jewel box of surprises that is sure to enchant readers.

Today Otafuku is Japan's most influential female icon and is attributed with having many bestowing powers including health, pleasure, success, and the granting of wishes.

Cover image for Otafuku, isbn: 9784805313121

Valery Garrett

Chinese Dress

$29.99

Featuring over 450 archival photographs and line drawings, Chinese Dress traces the evolution of Chinese clothing from court and formal costumes to the everyday fashions of twenty-first century China.

Author Valery Garrett skillfully weaves the story of Chinese dress in all its variations—elaborately embroidered robes, military uniforms, children's dress, wedding and funeral attire, working clothes, Mao-inspired fashion—against a backdrop of historical, cultural and social change.

A comprehensive and sumptuously illustrated book, this book includes images of garments and accessories from museum and private collections, as well as unpublished or little-known archival photos and printed materials.

Chapters include:

Dress of the Qing Manchu Rulers 1644-1911
Dress of the Manchu Consorts 1644-1911
Attire of Mandarins and Merchants
Attire of Chinese Women
Republican Dress 1912-1949
Clothing of the Lower Classes
Clothing for Children
Dress in New China 1950-Present Day

For both modern fashion inspiration and accurate historical representation, Chinese Dress is the essential reference for costume historians, fashion designers and collectors, as well as lovers of beautiful clothes!

Cover image for Chinese Dress, isbn: 9780804852562

John M. Yumoto

The Samurai Sword

$17.95

The samurai sword: a symbol of the spirit of old Japan, it embodies the samurai's steel discipline, unswerving devotion and peerless skill. With its creation, a feat of craftsmanship passed down by generations of artisans; the samurai sword is considered by most to be superior even to the famed blades of Western Damascus and Toledo.

The Samurai Sword Handbook is a precise exploration of the samurai sword designed for sword collectors as well as anyone intrigued by these ancient blades. Detailing the origins and development of the samurai sword, its historical background, styles, prestigious schools and differences in construction, this revised edition of the classic reference outlines methods of identifying and researching the sword, as well as caring for it properly. This must-have for sword lovers is sure to be a bestseller.

Topics of this Samurai book include:

Japanese History and the Samurai Sword
Types of swords
Parts of the sword
Blade shape, construction, and grain
The making of the sword
Inscriptions and their readings
Care and maintenance
Appraisal and value
Relative point values

Cover image for The Samurai Sword, isbn: 9784805311349

Karen Mazurkewich

Chinese Furniture

$24.99

The international market for antique Chinese furniture is booming, and masterpieces from the Ming and Qing dynasties are now selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Chinese Furniture is a survey of these collectibles—from the very best museum-quality hardwood pieces to standard softwood specimens still available at reasonable prices on the international market.

Carpenters from this era were artisans. They elevated furniture from the functional to the realm of the philosophical. By artfully aligning wood grain patterns, experimenting with spatial dimensions, and innovating new forms of joinery, simple tables and chairs came to represent something higher—the harmony and union of man and nature.

Lavishly illustrated with over 300 color photographs, historical prints and detailed drawings, this book presents an overview of:

Carving Styles
Wood Types
Regional Variations
Class Distinctions
Restoration Techniques
And much more!

With its detailed historical overview and regional coverage, this book highlights the great diversity of antique Chinese furniture and serves as an indispensable guide to collectors, new and old.

Cover image for Chinese Furniture, isbn: 9780804857567

Claus Krieger

111 Architekturbaukästen

$41.99

Architekturbaukästen sind sehr viel älter als Lego. Vor über 150 Jahren entstanden die ersten Holzbaukästen. Darauf folgten Bausysteme aus Stein, Keramik, Kunststoff und sogar Hartgummi. Auf dem Höhepunkt der Baukastenwelle produzierten allein im deutschsprachigen Bereich Hunderte von Werkstätten das Spielzeug, die oft aufwendigen Verpackungen und bisweilen schwer zu durchschauenden Anleitungen. Bis in die Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts spiegelten die Baukästen auch immer die Entwicklungen in der „großen" Architektur und bildeten verschiedenste Konstruktionsmethoden nach. Der Sammler Claus Krieger präsentiert in diesem Buch 111 Baukastentypen aus aller Welt in all ihren Facetten. Er dokumentiert nicht nur die detailreich gestalteten Bestandteile, sondern zeigt auch die Modelle im aufgebauten Zustand. So entsteht eine spielerische Entdeckungsreise durch die Architekturgeschichte aus ganz besonderer Perspektive.

Mit einem Vorwort von Oliver Elser

Einzigartige Dokumentation einer der größten Architekturbaukastensammlungen
Umfangreiches Bildmaterial – vom eingeräumten Architekturbaukasten über die Anleitung bis hin zum aufgebauten Modell
Erscheint begleitend zur Ausstellung Architekturbaukästen – Die große Mitspielausstellung am Deutschen Architekturmuseum (24. Oktober 2025–8. Februar 2026)

Cover image for 111 Architekturbaukästen, isbn: 9783986122744

Robert L. Norton

Automotive Milestones

$64.95

“If you are just looking for a general understanding of the automobile, looking for inspiration in support of a new idea, or just want a concise history of automotive milestones, this book is a must read.”

—Parker Ackley, Antique Automobile Enthusiast

“Automotive Milestomes is a clear presentation of the internal workings of the automobile over the years…you will enjoy reading this book.”

—William J. Crochetiere, Professor Emeritus, Tufts University

This is a general-interest trade book that describes the development of automotive technology and engineering from the start of the industry before 1900 to the present day. It explains how various systems and elements in the automobile work in layman’s terms, without resorting to mathematics, and highlights the key milestones in the historical development of automotive technology. All photos and illustrations are in full color.

The intended audience is older teens to adults of any age who are interested in cars and may be involved with them as a hobby. Sometimes referred to as “gearheads ” or “motorheads,” they form a huge market. Over the years, many of the author’s engineering students were in this category, and he often would meet with on-campus car clubs to explain the internal workings of automobiles, being careful to damp down or eliminate any complicated mathematics—just as he does in this book.

The other books that cover this subject are either “hard-engineering oriented”— such as publications from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) — or just compendiums of dates without much explanation at all of how the changes in technology actually work, which is the aim of this book.

Cover image for Automotive Milestones, isbn: 9780831135201

Royal Botanical Gardens

Botanical Art to Cut Out and Collage

$24.99

Scissors and glue stick at the ready... inject a wealth of botanical beauty into your creative projects with this sumptuous collection of images from the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew archive.

Whether you're looking for vintage botanical ephemera to enhance your journal or scrapbook pages, want to make your own collage art, or simply have a range of botanical elements at your fingertips for gift-wrapping, card-making, vision-boarding and more - this stunning collection will give you over 500 images to cut out and create with, in whatever way you choose.

Featuring over 500 images, this book presents a wide variety of botanical art across a range of chapters - from flowers to cacti, fruit and vegetables, and even fungi. The images are printed on one side only so that all images can be used, and each page is backed with lovely botanical patterns that can also be used as paper elements, so no scrap is wasted.

Botanical art is as popular today as it has ever been, perhaps even more so, as we all realise the importance of connecting with nature in an increasingly fast-paced world. It has been scientifically proven that even looking at pictures of plants can have a calming effect on the mind, lowering stress levels and supporting relaxation. The same is true of making things by hand - away from screens and digital distractions - and so combining the traditional craft of collage with botanical art is an immensely mindful activity that will benefit all who have a go.

Alongside the 500 images, you will find guidance on how to use the book, with collage ideas and tips and tricks for getting the most from this absorbing art form.

Cut it up, stick it down and watch your creative projects blossom before your very eyes with this bumper book of botanical illustrations from Kew.

Liana Paredes

Spectacular

$29.95

The Merriweather Post collection offers an enthralling glimpse into one of the most remarkable, and intact, collections of jewelry ever amassed.

Spectacular immerses the reader in jewelry history and design, weaving in seminal moments in Post’s life as one of the most passionate and confident collectors of jewelry of the twentieth century. There are exquisite pieces by Van Cleef and Arpels; numerous examples by Cartier; contemporary commissions from Harry Winston, George Headley, David Webb, and Fulco di Verdura, and historical pieces such as the Marie Louise Diadem, and the legendary earrings worn by Marie Antoinette on the eve of the French Revolution.

Spectacular provides a critical perspective on developments in changing jewelry styles in America and Europe through one woman’s unique collection. Fascinating essays highlight special details of the gems and jewels, as well as their sometimes scandalous history. Full of fabulous images and interesting facts this new volume will appeal to anybody who wants to know the story behind some of the most amazing jewels ever created.

Liana Paredes is director of Collections & chief curator at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens.

Martin D. Fuller is the founder and president of Martin Fuller Appraisals, LLC.

Michael Hall is the curator of ceramics of the Capelain Collection in Jersey, Channel Islands.

Jennifer Levy is a curatorial assistant at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens.

Jeffrey Post is the curator of the U.S. National Gem and Mineral Collection, and chairman of the Department of Mineral Sciences, Smithsonian Institution.

Dr. Wilfried Zeisler is the Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens’ curator of Russian and 19th-century Art.

Sabine Albersmeier

Bedazzled

$12.95

This brand new and exquisitely illustrated book introduces one of the great collections of jewellery, with examples of 50 key items of jewellery dating from the 1st century BC to the turn of the twentieth century. Specific terminology, when used, is always explained; each text clearly states why a particular object is important, and the jewellery selected shows an enormous range of periods, regions, artistic and stylist development, and materials.

Signature items featured in this volume include a magnificent pair of gold bracelets discovered inside a tomb in Olbia, Ukraine, and dating to the Hellenistic Period of the 1st-century BC; a pair of gold and semi-precious stone-inlaid eagle fibulae, dating from 6th-century Visigothic Spain; a cameo and gold-mounted brooch depicting Ellen Walters, made in Italy by the Saulini family around 1862; a gold Iris Corsage ornament by Tiffany & Co., and a wonderful corsage ornament of pansy blossoms executed in a combination of cast glass and plique-à-jour enamel by René Lalique, dating from 1904.

Antoinette Matlins

SSEF Diamond-Type Spotter and Blue Diamond Tester Made Easy

$4.99

Explains in non-technical terms how to use the SSEF Diamond-Type Spotter and SSEF Blue Diamond Tester to identify diamonds, and how to separate natural diamonds from imitations, treated diamonds, synthetics, and look-alikes. The approach is direct and practical, and its style is easy to understand. With this highly accessible guide booklet, anyone can begin to master gem identification using the SSEF Diamond-Type Spotter and SSEF Blue Diamond Tester.

SSEF Diamond-Type Spotter and Blue Diamond Tester Made Easy

Antoinette Matlins

Ultraviolet Lamps Made Easy

$4.99

Explains in non-technical terms how to use the ultraviolet lamp to identify diamonds and colored gems, and how to separate natural gems from imitations, treated gemstones, synthetics, and look-alikes. The approach is direct and practical, and its style is easy to understand. With this highly accessible guide booklet, anyone can begin to master gem identification using the ultraviolet lamp.

Antoinette Matlins

Chelsea and Synthetic Emerald Filters Made Easy

$4.99

Explains in non-technical terms how to use the Chelsea filter and synthetic emerald filter to identify diamonds and colored gems, and how to separate natural gems from imitations, treated gemstones, synthetics, and look-alikes. The approach is direct and practical, and its style is easy to understand. With this highly accessible guide booklet, anyone can begin to master gem identification using the Chelsea filter and synthetic emerald filter.

Chelsea and Synthetic Emerald Filters Made Easy

Antoinette Matlins

Refractometers Made Easy

$4.99

Explains in non-technical terms how to use the refractometer to identify diamonds and colored gems, and how to separate natural gems from imitations, treated gemstones, synthetics, and look-alikes. The approach is direct and practical, and its style is easy to understand. With this highly accessible guide booklet, anyone can begin to master gem identification using the refractometer.

$Refractometers Made Easy$

Antoinette Matlins

Loupes Made Easy

$4.99

Explains in non-technical terms how to use the loupe and dark-field loupe to identify diamonds and colored gems, and how to separate natural gems from imitations, treated gemstones, synthetics, and look-alikes. The approach is direct and practical, and its style is easy to understand. With this highly accessible guide booklet, anyone can begin to master gem identification using the loupe and dark-field loupe.

Basil Anderson

The Spectroscope and Gemmology

$49.99

The first book devoted exclusively to the spectroscope and its use in gemstone identification.

Until 1933 the refractometer and the microscope were the two principal tools in gem testing. Then B.W. Anderson introduced the hand spectroscope which quickly became the third vital instrument for the UK gemmologist. The publication of Anderson's papers in the mid-1950s alerted gem laboratories worldwide to the importance of this instrument. Today its use is universal.

Anderson and his lifelong colleague, Payne, both of the world's first full-time gemmological laboratory, were the pioneers in recognizing the vast potential of the spectroscope for this purpose, and The Spectroscope and Gemmology, as the extensively edited, updated and enlarged version of Anderson’s original papers, provides a vital textbook wherever gemmology is used or taught. The distinguished gemmologist R. Keith Mitchell has undertaken the editing and has added chapters on the Pye spectrophotometer and on lasers. He has also reproduced new line drawings of spectra in three aspects to accommodate the prism instrument in both the British version and in that favoured by American gemmologists, and in another version as seen through the diffraction grating instrument.

Written for gemmologists everywhere and incorporating the latest developments this book will prove indispensable to all engaged in gemstone identification.

PG Matlins FGA

The Pearl Book (4th Edition)

$19.99

Know What You Want,Know What You’re Buying,
Learn the Secrets to Get the Most for Your Money
/Finally! Everything you need to buy beautiful pearls with confidence.

Easy to Read Easy to Understand Practical Complete
Instant Answers … to All Your Questions

For people who want a reliable source of information to guide them in the fascinating and complex world of pearls—natural, cultured and imitation. Filled with “insider” tips and advice to help you get what you want.

Antoinette Matlins

Engagement & Wedding Rings (3rd Edition)

$18.95

The book couples in love have been waiting for. . .
revised and updated!

Engagement & Wedding Rings takes the fear and anxiety out of buying an engagement or wedding ring, restoring the romance and the magic of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Inside Engagement & Wedding Rings, you'll find everything you need to know to select, buy and enjoy ... to truly experience the wonder and excitement that should be part of finding—or creating that "perfect" ring.

Engagement & Wedding Rings;is filled with useful information to help you make the right choice, including:

Romantic traditions behind engagement and wedding rings.
How to select the right design and style for you.
Tricks to get what you want on a budget.
Steps to compare prices properly.
How to select the perfect bridal pearls.
The latest cuts, ring styles and designs.
Secrets to differences in diamonds and colored gemstones that may appear to be the same quality.
How to select your jeweler, appraiser and insurer.
What to do to protect yourself against fraud and misrepresentation—what to ask and what to get in writing.

Engagement & Wedding Rings (3rd Edition)

G.G. Miller RMV

Gems & Jewelry Appraising (3rd Edition)

$19.99

The premier book of its kind, revised, updated and expanded.

A comprehensive guide to the standards, procedures and ethics of appraising gems, jewelry and other valuables, Gems & Jewelry Appraising, 3rd Edition, contains expert practical guidance, combined with detailed descriptions, photos, case studies, pricing data, key documents and more.

This guide offers all the information that practicing or aspiring appraisal professionals will need to establish an appraisal business, handle various kinds of appraisals—for insurance, divorce, inheritance, liquidation, collateral and tax donation—and provide an accurate, verifiable estimate of value.

PG Matlins FGA

Diamonds (3rd Edition)

$18.99

Newly updated and expanded, Diamonds gives you all the information you need to buy, collect, sell—or simply enjoy—diamonds with confidence and knowledge.

Whether you are buying a diamond for an engagement ring, anniversary, to commemorate a special moment or for personal pleasure, today it is more important than ever to understand what you are buying. There are new shapes and cuts, fancy colors, high-tech treatments and sophisticated frauds. There are new ways to buy—such as Internet auctions. Buyers need a source of expert guidance.

Practical, comprehensive and easy to understand, this book offers in depth all the information you need to buy sparkling diamonds with confidence, including:

What is a diamond?
An in-depth look at factors affecting differences in quality and cost.
Diamond grading reports—why all the information is important, and what it tells you.
How to compare prices.
How to spot differences in stones that may appear to be the same quality.
How to protect yourself from misrepresentation.
Questions to ask when buying any diamond.
What to get in writing.
How to get what you want within your budget.
Important information about buying on the Internet … and much more!

Written by an “insider,” this easy-to-read guide is the “unofficial diamond bible” for anyone who wants to get the most for their money and enjoy what they have purchased.

Cover image for Diamonds (3rd Edition), isbn: 9780943763736

PG Matlins FGA

Diamonds (4th Edition)

$19.99

Newly updated and expanded, Diamonds gives you all the information you need to buy, collect, sell—or simply enjoy—diamonds with confidence and knowledge.

Whether you are buying a diamond for an engagement ring, anniversary, to commemorate a special moment or for personal pleasure, today it is more important than ever to understand what you are buying. There are new shapes and cuts, fancy colors, high-tech treatments and sophisticated frauds. There are new ways to buy—such as Internet auctions. Buyers need a source of expert guidance.

Practical, comprehensive and easy to understand, this book offers in depth all the information you need to buy sparkling diamonds with confidence, including:

What is a diamond?
An in-depth look at factors affecting differences in quality and cost.
Diamond grading reports—why all the information is important, and what it tells you.
How to compare prices.
How to spot differences in stones that may appear to be the same quality.
How to protect yourself from misrepresentation.
Questions to ask when buying any diamond.
What to get in writing.
How to get what you want within your budget.
Important information about buying on the Internet … and much more!

Written by an "insider," this easy-to-read guide is the “unofficial diamond bible” for anyone who wants to get the most for their money and enjoy what they have purchased.

PG Matlins FGA

Colored Gemstones 4th Edition

$25.99

All the information readers need to buy beautiful colored gemstones with confidence, now updated and expanded!

With more varieties than ever before to choose from, including altogether new gems, revolutionary new cuts and new ways to buy gems—such as Internet auctions and TV shopping—there has never been a more exciting time to buy or collect colored gemstones. But there are also new high-tech treatments and sophisticated frauds to look out for. Lack of information, error or misrepresentation can make the thrill of buying a gem or piece of jewelry confusing, intimidating, overwhelming and costly. Buyers need a source of expert guidance. This practical, comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide provides all the information you need in order to know what to look for, and what to look out for!

Selected contents:

The mystery and magic of colored gemstones
How to evaluate color—and its impact on price •
Clarity: How inclusions increase or decrease value
Deciding between a natural gem and an enhanced gem
Colored gemstone synthesis and treatment
Fraud and misrepresentation
Buying colored gems
Colorful gemstone choices
What to ask when buying the stone
How to select a reputable jeweler
Choosing the appraiser and insurer
Price guides

PG Matlins FGA

Colored Gemstones 3/E

$18.99

Newly updated and expanded,
COLORED GEMSTONES gives you all the
information you need to buy, collect, sell—
or simply enjoy—sapphires, emeralds, rubies and
other colored gemstones with confidence and knowledge.

With more varieties than ever before to choose from, including altogether new gems, revolutionary new cuts and new ways to buy gems—such as Internet auctions and TV shopping—there has never been a more exciting time to buy or collect colored gemstones. But there are also new high-tech treatments and sophisticated frauds to look out for. Lack of information, error or misrepresentation can make the thrill of buying a gem or piece of jewelry confusing, intimidating, overwhelming and costly. Buyers need a source of expert guidance.

This practical, comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide provides all the information you need in order to know what to look for, and what to look out for, including:

What qualifies as a "gemstone"?
• How to evaluate color—and its impact on price.
Deciding between a natural gem and an enhanced gem … and new glass-gemstone compositions.
Colored gemstone synthesis and treatment.
What to ask when buying the stone.
What to get in writing.
How to get what you want within your budget.
Price guides for popular gems, opals and synthetic stones.
Important information about buying on the Internet.
... and much more!

Written by an “insider,” this easy-to-read guide is the “unofficial colored gemstone bible” for anyone who wants to get the most for their money and enjoy what they have purchased.

Cover image for Colored Gemstones 3/E, isbn: 9780943763729

Anna M. Miller

Cameos Old & New (4th Edition)

$36.99

Newly Updated and Expanded

Critical and up-to-the-minute information for the novice, advanced collector, jewelry dealer, curator and appraiser—for all who buy and sell cameos, or who are just fascinated by them.

Antiques Roadshow Book Club Selection

Since ancient times, cameo making has allowed artists of every era to capture and reflect on the history, literature and lore of their culture. Today, the allure of finely carved cameos is drawing a new generation of both savvy collectors and gifted artists who are captivated by their transcendental elegance.

This first and only comprehensive reference guide offers valuable information on:

Where to successfully hunt for cameos
How to separate old from new, imitation and newer synthetic materials from original shell and stone cameos
How to differentiate between ultrasonically produced and hand-carved cameos

Richly illustrated with many new cameo photographs, this new edition will facilitate the recognition and evaluation of quality in cameos and increase your confidence in buying and selling cameos with:

Key factors for defining value
Information on how to buy cameos from retailers and antique dealers, via the Internet or at auction
A clear explanation of The MasterValuer Program of Quality Ranking that serves as a vital guide for use when evaluating cameos
An extensive review of outstanding contemporary cameo artists throughout the world, their style, subject matter, unique and identifiable techniques, contact information … and more

Tim Zinser

Switchblades of Italy

$25.99

This book starts the reader on a journey through time, with a short history of folding knives, leading to the evolution of the first switchblade. Progressing through time, wonderful photos illustrate the descriptions of switchblades. Throughout the book, highlighted sections showcase specific details that will be most helpful to collectors. Also included are facts about knifemakers styles, patterns, tang stamps, and a complete illustrated glossary. Contents Include: The first ever comprehensive publication about Italian switchblade knives, featuring knives and history from the late 1700s to the 1970s. Pictured within this hardbound book are nearly 200 beautiful photos and ephemera of the most unique and rarest Italian switchblades. Actual-size photos span more than two centuries of knifemaking history. Also pictured are catalog pages and advertisements, as well as historical photos. Extensive research has gone into this book to present never-before-published information which clears up and dispells many myths. Entire sections are dedicated to the most sought-after knifemaking companies, such as: Latama Coricama Mauro Mario Details about the knifemakers and businessmen involved behind the knives reveal who the major players shaping the switchblade industry and who made knives for other companies.

Jon Schmidt

Practical Pottery

$24.95

Learn Pottery, Create Art, Make Money

“… a great reference book for pottery basics, particularly if you’ve started throwing on a wheel…” ―Jackie Keer, Splash Magazines

#1 Bestseller in Pottery & Ceramics and Sculpture
#1 Most Wished for in Pottery & Ceramic Craft

Explore the satisfying world of clay sculpting, master pottery techniques, and delve into the business side of selling pottery, from functional everyday ceramics to exquisite handmade works.

Transform clay into usable artistry. Learn pottery and ceramics from the basic principles of pottery making to crafting your own mugs, cups, plates, and bowls. Discover the delight of shaping ceramic clay into practical yet beautiful pieces that enhance everyday life.

Profit from your pottery passion. Not only does this book provide instruction on creating functional ceramics, but it also offers insights into making a living from your pottery projects. Learn the art of marketing and selling your hand-crafted pottery and discover the potential of this timeless craft.

Inside, you'll discover:

Practical, hands-on tutorials for creating a range of pottery projects, from mugs to plates and bowls
Essential tips on pottery techniques, including throwing, hand-building, and glazing ceramics
Valuable insights into marketing and selling your handmade pottery pieces
Guidance on transforming your pottery passion into a profitable venture

If you liked books such as Mastering Hand Building, Amazing Glaze, or Sell Your Crafts Online, then you'll love Jon Schmidt's Practical Pottery: 40 Pottery Projects for Creating and Selling Mugs, Cups, Plates, Bowls, and More.

Cover image for Practical Pottery, isbn: 9781642502220

Gisbert L. Brunner

The Watch Book I

$35.00

The reference book offers a magnificently illustrated chronicle of the world's best timepieces, including portraits of 18 premium manufacturers such as Patek Philippe, Rolex and Cartier

The reference work for all watch enthusiasts Few objects combine function, elegance and status as skilfully as a wristwatch. The choice of personal timepiece can reveal a lot about us, as it shows the importance we attach to man's most precious possession. A mixture of precise mechanics, craftsmanship, precious materials and innovation characterises the true superlatives.

In this volume, watch enthusiasts can delight all their senses in a splendidly illustrated and excellently documented chronicle of the world's finest timepieces. It begins with an excursus on the meaning of time and its measurement by ticking gears. It then captivates with portraits of 18 premium manufacturers such as Patek Philippe, Rolex and Cartier. These ‘biographies’ trace the development of the most important names in the art of perfect watchmaking from their earliest beginnings to the latest innovations and current models. They explore what exactly makes these houses so exceptional and tell of the remarkable achievements that have earned them their position as outstanding authorities in the European watch industry.

The Revised Edition of the bestseller for the teNeues anniversary To mark the 40th anniversary of the first teNeues illustrated book, some all-time favourites from the past are celebrated in an affordable, modern softcover edition that fits perfectly on any bookshelf. The Watch Book and The Watch Book II represent the beginning of a real success story. Together with the renowned wristwatch expert and historian Gisbert L. Brunner, high-quality illustrated books about the world of luxury watches have been produced ever since. These titles heralded the launch of the internationally renowned The Watch Book series in 2015 and the following year. Now the bestsellers are being reissued and offer sophisticated aesthetics in a small format.

Gisbert L. Brunner

The Watch Book II

$35.00

The second part of the reference work for all watch enthusiasts

The world of wristwatches is undergoing radical change. So-called smart or connected watches, i.e. watches that communicate with the phone, are becoming increasingly important. Nevertheless, they will not displace the classic timepieces with mechanical movements from wrists, because the ticking of the mechanical watch is and remains the heartbeat of human culture. Following on from the successful The Watch Book, the second volume, again generously presented, is a must. Informative texts and numerous pictures present a further 24 watch brands and show their special features.

This time, however, the protagonists cover a much broader spectrum. In addition to numerous watches that define the popular segment of affordable luxury, there are also timepieces from the top chronometric class. The Revised Edition of the bestseller for the teNeues anniversary To mark the 40th anniversary of the first teNeues illustrated book, some all-time favourites from the past are being celebrated in an affordable, modern softcover edition that fits perfectly on any bookshelf. The Watch Book and The Watch Book II represent the beginning of a real success story. Together with the renowned wristwatch expert and historian Gisbert L. Brunner, high-quality illustrated books about the world of luxury watches have been produced ever since. These titles heralded the launch of the internationally renowned The Watch Book series in 2015 and the following year. Now the bestsellers are being reissued and offer sophisticated aesthetics in a small format.

Cover image for The Watch Book II, isbn: 9783961716517

Wayne Townsend

Corn Flower

$27.95

Canadian-made W.J. Hughes "Corn Flower" is a distinctive floral design cut on glass stem and tableware. Produced from 1914 to 1988, Corn Flower was a popular gift item, widely collected and used by at least three generations of Canadian families. Corn Flower: Creatively Canadian contains a history of the Hughes family in Ontario, the life and work of Jack Hughes and the detailed business history of the Company from its inception in the basement of the family home to becoming a popular Canadian corporation.

Collectors from across North America will be fascinated by the profusion of splendid photographs, both black & white and colour, of the Corn Flower lines of glassware, many from the original company catalogues. Within the text are clues to the identification of authentic Corn Flower and the differentiation of blanks.

Cover image for Corn Flower, isbn: 9781896219714

Daniel G.V. Douglas

Northern Algoma

$14.99

Northern Algoma is a vast wilderness north of Lake Superior and a land rich in natural resources — fur, gold, iron ore, endless tracts of forests. Its modern history began in the eighteenth century with the fur traders. Then came the gold-seekers, followed by the lumber barons and the industrialists. As railways opened up the area to the world, more and more people came to seek their fortune, work, and adventure. The pages of Northern Algoma are filled with the voices of many of these people as they look back and remember. More than sixty historic photographs accompany their words.

Cover image for Northern Algoma, isbn: 9781550022353

E J Warne

Furniture Mouldings

$18.95

A collection of 140 plates for mouldings from bedsteads, cabinets, cupboards, and more.

Henriette Lavaulx-Vrécourt

Berliner Schlachtenkupfer / Berlin Battle Engravings

$48.99

(Bilingual Edition: English / German)

The publication presents the entire collection of printing plates depicting battles of the Chinese emperor that are still in existence. They show scenes of Chinese military campaigns between 1755 and 1828. Of the originally eighty-eight printing plates, only thirty-seven are still known today, thirty-four of them in the Ethnological Museum in Berlin.

The book tells the history of the plates’provenance and describes the history of copperplate engraving in China. The process in which the printing plates were created and the motifs found in the pictures of battles are also explained. The magnificent copper plates, which are part of the exhibition in the Wang Shu Room of the Humboldt Forum, bear witness to the history of missionaries in China, the military campaigns and politics of the Chinese emperor, the transnational interrelation of culture and craft, and ultimately the craft of copperplate engraving itself.

Berliner Schlachtenkupfer / Berlin Battle Engravings

Frank Matthias Kammel

Glanzvolle Glückwünsche

$43.99

Institutions, associations, and company boards presented magnificent birthday presents to Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria (1821–1912), one of the most well-known representatives of the House of Wittelsbach, on the occasion of his round birthdays in 1891, 1901, and 1911. As high-quality handcrafted works, they combine artistic techniques from goldsmithing to cut leather to watercolor painting. Their stylistic spectrum ranges from variants of historicism to Art Nouveau. These treasures, which are part of the holdings of the Bavarian National Museum, shed light on the vital cultural development during the span of time around 1900, also known as the "Prinzregentenzeit," or Regency period, and the magnificent celebrations of the birthday of a prince shortly before the end of the monarchy in Germany.

Ronald Heynowski

Nadeln

$22.99

Die Inventarisation als Kernaufgabe der Museen benötigt zuverlässige Hilfsmittel und eine einheitliche Terminologie. Band 3 der von der Landesstelle für die nichtstaatlichen Museen in Bayern herausgegebenen Reihe 'Bestimmungsbuch Archäologie' widmet sich einer nur auf den ersten Blick unspektakulären Objektgruppe, die noch nie in ein griffiges typologisches Schema gebracht wurde: den Nadeln vom Jungpaläolithikum bis zum Hochmittelalter.

Näh- und Stecknadeln sind unverzichtbar bei der Herstellung von Bekleidung, Nadeln dienen als Schmuck, zur Körperverzierung oder auch als Werkzeug bei der Metallbearbeitung. Material sind Knochen oder Metalle, schlichte Ausführungen stehen neben aufwendig, auch figürlich verzierten Exemplaren. Der Thesaurus stellt die überraschende Vielfalt der Typen und Formen vor. Er kann von Laien wie auch von Wissenschaftlern benutzt werden und bietet verschiedene Erschließungstiefen bei der Inventarisierung. Jedem Begriff sind eine Definition, ein Quellennachweis und eine Abbildung beigefügt. Zur Einordnung der Objekttypen werden Hinweise zur Datierung und Verbreitung gegeben.

Nun in dritter, aktualisierter Auflage!

Ulrike Weller

Dolche und Schwerter

$22.99

Als Angriffswaffen sind Dolche und Schwerter in ihrer Form vorrangig von der Kampfesweise geprägt. Immer waren sie aber auch Statussymbole. Mit edlen Materialien aufwendig gestaltet, repräsentierten sie das Selbstverständnis von Kriegerkasten und Heerführern. Dies belegen neolithische Fischschwanzdolche von herausragender handwerklicher Qualität ebenso wie prächtig verzierte fränkische Goldgriffspathen.

Band 6 der erfolgreichen Reihe widmet sich zum ersten Mal einer Waffengattung und legt eine epochenübergreifende Gliederung der „Dolche und Schwerter" vor. Das Spektrum reicht von jungsteinzeitlichen Silexdolchen bis hin zu eisernen Schwertern der Wikinger aus der Zeit um 1000. Erstmals werden dabei vorgeschichtliche, römische und frühmittelalterliche Formen in einer gemeinsamen Systematik zusammengefasst.

Herb and Helen Haydock

The World of Beer Memorabilia

$23.99

In 1951, while Herb served as a cryptographer with the US Air Force in Munich, Germany, he purchased his first pieces of beer memorabilia: eight beer glasses. He and wife Helen didn’t know it yet, but this small purchase would lead to them having the largest private collection of beer memorabilia in the world.

Loaded with over 200 sharp color photos, The World of Beer Memorabilia: Identification & Value Guide showcases the personal collection of Herb and Helen Haydock's beer memorabilia, the world’s largest private collection representing over 34 years of their time and effort.

This book is the perfect read for any and every beer memorabilia collector or beer enthusiast.

Robert E. Hunt

Randall Knives

$32.95

This is the third book in a collector's series on Randall Made Knives, by Robert Hunt. These publications reflect the author's interest in the historical role that knives have played and he has documented their use during the wars of the 20th Century. This volume introduces the rare, unique and experimental knives of W.D. Randall, many either made or designed by him. The initial section explores knives from the Randall Museum, where over 50 images reflect the commitment to design innovation, which was and is still today, a hallmark of Randall Made Knives. The second section contains knives from a private collection, which was uncovered by the author. Interestingly enough, the knives in this grouping have roots in some of the "museum" examples and various designs can be found in Randall early "experiments" displayed in the museum cases

Robert E. Hunt

Randall Military Models

$47.95

Author Bob Hunt's first book, Randall Fighting Knives in Wartime, provided him the opportunity for further study on this subject. It was apparent before publication of the first book, that the subject matter could not be exhausted. In his second book, Hunt continues the process of identifying, describing and dating fighting knives produced in the dramatic early days of the Randall experience. This new volume provides a vast amount of material, carefully organized and presented to enable the reader to further his own research in the areas most interesting to him.